I had just booked my flight, which I always do before my room.

So happy to find the right price at the right time.
"Book it, Dano!"

So, I'm floating like a butterfly, just skippin down the road.

Uh, oh, hotel!
I think I should call my hotel!

Ring, ring, ring, by the fourth ring I was worried.

I hung up, tried the number again, this time I waited a little while and heard a voice message start to talk.
I hung up right away.

I hate making a long distance call and just talking on a machine.

I was surfing the net and decided to check out the website of my hotel, maybe some new info is there.

I found an 800 #, and called it.

It was one of those services that books rooms for hotels in Jamaica.

I told the lady where i wanted to stay and for how long.

She took my number and said she will call me back with the rate.

I always get a special rate when i deal directly with my hotel because of the 10 year history we have.

But, i was curious and decided to let the lady do her thing.

She called me back and said "Sorry Sir, that hotel is all booked up for your time period.

My heart sank.

Its 4 months away!

I thought I was doing good by calling now.

Well, that's how the cookie crumbles.

"We do have another hotel available for your time sir".

She gave me an astronomical rate and i said "thanks but, no thanks."

"By jove, i've got it!

Nick, my man Nick.

He 'll check things out.

Ring,, ring "yo ,Marky- Mark, whatgwan?

Hey Nick, how are ya?
Mi good mon, mi good.

Hey Nick, i need you to check out my hotel.
They may have closed for the summer and I'm trying to book for November.

I called them today and no answer!

I'm on the beach road right now, i'll swoop on by , check things and call you back.

10 minutes later my cell phone rings.

Yeah mon, they open.
Two ladies were in the office.

I immediately called and the manager, my favorite lady in Negril answered the phone.

"hey, its me! Mark from Chicago!

For some reason my voice gets excited when i connect to a friend in Jamaica.

"Yes Mark, I know it's you, how are you?

I was told that you are all booked up for November?

No mon, we will always have a room for you mon.

Talk about relief!

Like a weight was lifted off my back.

Cool, cool!

So, now i am booked and raring to go.

That feeling you get when you have all your ducks lined up and you are ready to start knocking them down.

So, see you all on the Island.

Soon come!

Yay!!!!! Now you have my curiosity piqued - which hotel?

Oh, and BTW, those "agencies" are only given a certain number of rooms from each hotel they deal with...love how quick they were to say "sold out" and "here's another" wicked expensive place. Good for you for the hot pursuit!