Saturday January 28th (and a little bit of Sunday)
Leaving Drapers and getting back to Duncan's Bay (hallelujah)
We woke up at 8am. I was awake but laying in bed when Bernie came to the gate to ask if he could have the flippers. Matt handed them to him, thanked him for looking after us with Dave, when Bernie asked "what else do you have for me?" Matt told him that this was all we had to give away. Bernie told Matt that he'd come back later, when I was awake to ask me if I had anything else. Matt told him that we in fact did not have anything for else for him and that we wouldn't be home later. Bernie left. Didn't see him again.
We had breakfast and packed up all of our things. It was about 10 am and the hostess asked us if we could clear out our rooms. She said the next guest was in Port Antonio and would be arriving soon. They had to get the rooms cleaned but we could leave our belongings in the main room of the house and we could use her restroom if needed. We moved everything out and went to the free beach in Drapers (next to GeeJam). We didn't swim, just waded. It's VERY clear water. It's a very small fishing beach with a farmer living at the base. We asked him if we could visit and he said "no problem, come on down". Matt and I had 2 Craven's left and gave the farmer one when he saw Matt light up his smoke. The guy was nice.
We went back to the house and planned on going to visit Mitzie one last time. She had been so nice to us our entire stay. As we were leaving the gate, we saw the Troll standing at the end of our lane. We went back to the veranda and stayed there till the driver showed up. The Troll never left! I think he was waiting for us to come out or something...I don't know. Dave came to say goodbye. He thanked us for what we had given to him and we thanked him for showing us around and being our protector and lookout. I gave him a hug (even though he'd been a jerk the last couple days, I still appreciated him). About an hour later Kris and I heard a bunch of guys at the other bar across the street yelling that "white people were no good" and "white people only care about themselves". I don't know who it was but I am pretty sure I heard Dave and Bernie's voices too. I was hurt. Very sadly hurt. I thought we had gotten along great. We had a fun time with those guys, they took care of us and we compensated them for all they had done. I still don't know why these things were being said.
The JUTA driver arrived a little early which was great. We were itching to get out. He pulled right up the the gate, loaded our bags and off we went. We passed the Troll but we were in the safety of the bus. Thank goodness. I felt really sad that we didn't get to say a proper goodbye to Mitzie but as we passed her when pulling out of the lane we were waving like lunatics. She had a big smile on her face and was waving back with just as much enthusiasm. She's one good lady! I mentioned earlier in a comment that I was happy to be leaving but I was also sad that the good people we met can't leave as easy. They live a hard life. Harder lives than I had could have ever imagined from reading or hearing other's stories.
The driver stopped at Juicy Patty for us. Yum! We reached Duncan's Bay about 5 (I think). Cher was there to greet us. I can't tell you how relieved we all were to be somewhere much more calm and peaceful. Where we could let our guard down some and just relax. It felt good. It was like a vacation from our vacation. We all walked down to Duncan's so I could find Don Juan, the wood carver we had hired to make my wooden spoons. We stopped in at LeRoy's and ordered a beer. A couple guys remembered us from the previous Thursday and asked us how Portland was. We told them it was beautiful! Which is no lie, it really is a beautiful parish.
We walked down a ways and I spotted Don Juan. He told me that he didn't think we were really coming back and that I was going to be so angry with him because he didn't make the spoons. I asked him if he was kidding and he said no. He showed us around his shop saying "look, look, I'm sorry, I don't have them". I was just about to cry as I told him that we had already paid him money for them. After the week we had just had, I was at my breaking point. Then!...he reached under his mattress and pulled out the 2 most beautiful handmade spoons I had ever seen. I was over-joyed. He REALLY had me going! We laughed about it and he was giggling cause he really got me good. Good times. 
We paid him a little bit extra than the price we had agreed upon because he really did a nice job. I have since used them at home and think of him and this story every time.
We went back to Jamaica Jewel and lounged on the back veranda. Cher came up to visit with us. It was nice to sit and talk and not have to watch your back. We went to LeRoys about 9pm. Cher and Barry arrived soon after. We talked to a few people, Kris bought a horse wood carving and we all had some soup from Sista P. Then we went down to the beach and lit off sky lanterns that Louie had brought. A few people came out to watch them float up into the sky. It was a perfect night. Calm atmosphere, nice people and on the beach with friends. We all wished we had stayed here for more time. We left LeRoy's early because Louie was feeling under the weather (it wasn't from the soup). He was sick all night. Poor guy, he and Kris had even talked about rescheduling their flight, that's how sick he was. Cher gave him some pepto tablets, he ate a lot of them and was feeling better by the time we left. Thanks Cher!
The sky lantern lighting was very special for me. It was a way of letting go of some of the negativity that had followed us through the week. (I could almost cry right now writing this). Matt and I have decided to take a hiatus from Jamaica. We have seen most of the places we have wanted to see. There are a few more on the list but I don't think my skin is thick enough. After all of the drama in Treasure Beach over the last couple years, this Portland trip was a test for us to see if we could rekindle the flame for Jamaica. Sadly, it just didn't happen. There are more places in the world to see, more people to meet, more friends to make. I don't know if we will stay away for 5, 10 or 20 years. I hope someday I will miss Jamaica as much as I used to but for now it's time to move on.
Thanks for reading my report. Don't let it scare you away from Portland or Jamaica. It is a beautiful country with many wonderful people. We have made a lot of great memories that will last us our entire lifetime. Jamaica has opened our eyes to the struggles her people face. It has made us stronger as individuals and as a couple. There are many people and places that I will miss but I will always remember them with fondness in my heart. So long Jamaica. You've been good to us. (and now I'm crying)....
We left Jamaica Sunday morning. Cher made us some coffee and we had some of her wonderful carrot cake. Kris and I bought some jewelry she made. It is awesome work and so pretty! (Thank you Cher)
Matt and I watched hummingbirds on the back veranda. I said goodbye to the birds and Jamaica.
Here's the last of my pictures. I hope you enjoy.
Pictures of the flowers in the yard at Search Me Heart
Bettina the cat at Search Me Heart. Notice her 'heart'.
Juicy Patty
Back at Jamaica Jewel
Our last sunset in Jamaica
Lighting the sky lanterns
Goodbye for now beautiful hummingbirds
Matt's gourd, finished
My spoons....well crap. I can't get the picture to upload. Sorry ya'll.
