That’s Not What the Brochure Said

I truly love planning vacations, in fact, maybe I should have been a travel agent. I love finding all of the best places to stay, things to do, and creating the perfect experience. It feels like such the accomplishment when you spend hours researching and everything works out to the tee. Although, the search is the really the best part. Imagining all the beautiful places and fun things you can do is half the fun!

About five years ago we took a cruise and Jamaica was one of our Caribbean stops. I spent hours planning and finding the best excursions we could do while we were there. When you are going somewhere that is a tropical paradise you tend to want it to all be clear waters, lush greenery and magical moments. Fruity drinks with an umbrella in it are also a plus! Meeting local people and experiencing local cuisine and history all make for the best trip. It takes time finding all these things to make for the perfect trip.

Our Jamaica stop fell right on my birthday. 45th, I think? So, the pressure was on to make it that much more perfect. Knowing you will be in Jamaica is almost enough, however, finding some excitement and adventure makes it all that much better. We narrowed it down and decided on the cliff jumping and the rafting excursions. We wanted more excitement and wow, the water was so clear, calm, and beautiful with the waterfalls. The decision was made and we couldn’t wait to get there.

When we arrived to Jamaica it was a little overcast, but no worries. The sun was still peaking out and there was no rain. What we did not know was that over the past several days it had been raining a lot; tropical storm a lot. We took a wild bus ride to the top of the mountain. It was amazing how fast drivers fly down those winding rides. We felt like we skated death several times! Then we arrived to the top.

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Everybody went to a platform that overlooked the waterfall and the pool at the bottom. We all stood in line to jump into the water from about 20 feet high. I remember online seeing the clear blue water and looking out across the platform. This did not resemble what I had remembered, at all! The waterfall was much larger and the water was rushing way faster. It was all white water. White water that was filling the pool below with a lot of force. If this day ever had a romantic flare, that all just changed. Now, it became a fight or flight situation.

I began to doubt my safety in this situation. After all the anticipation throughout the past several months it was hard to believe we were finally here. We were so excited to finally make it. However, this was NOT what I had seen in the pictures. This water was very rough. People were jumping off and the water was flinging them across the bottom, and fast. I was not sure that I even wanted to jump. We had come so far to get here, how could I back out now? The lady from Thailand next to me was really excited. She said, “Lets go!” Which helped me find the nerve to do it.

Michael jumped and all went well. He swam across the water and was safe. Awesome! So, I jumped. I did not get a good start. I went straight down to the roughest water. The current turned me around and I continued to suck down water in my nose and mouth. A young Jamaican man, who worked there, dived in after me. He was super fit. He grabbed my waist and carried me to the side. Mindyou, I was on the swim team my whole childhood. This was not the case of can I swim or not. There is not much you can do to breathe while your lungs are filling with water. Hence, I let him save me!

When I got to the shore I said to Michael, “This is not what the brochure said!” Where was that clear, calm blue water?

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The lesson I learned that day was not only are things not always what they appear to be, but that things can easily take a turn when we least expect it. The thing is when things happen out of our control all we can do is fight like wholly hell to survive. When the tides turn and things get difficult you have choices. You can jump in and hope for the best. Or, you can not take the plunge and take the safe way out.

I have learned I am definitely a plunge taker. I guess some people are looking for these life lessons. Often, we just need to feel alive. Mostly, we want clarity. Although, the older I get and the scars I have to show for it, I have began to take a safer step to the side. Some scars aren’t even visible. They definitely are not worth the story being told.

We have to take these times in life and know, even though that’s not what the brochure said, we survived.

I have a new perspective on vacation planning after this trip. I always look for the best case scenario, but deep down I know it may not at all be what I think. These days, I welcome the abnormal. Things in life you least expect can make life interesting. I won’t even start to tell you about the hammerhead shark we saw while snorkeling at Maho Bay in St. John. That definitely wasn’t on the brochure! The one thing I have learned, is to stay calm and have faith and hope It is amazing how these things can help.

Thank you for stopping by and reading. In the garden, we are canning green beans and making pickles. Check out Instagram and YouTube for videos on the garden (Link in Header). We hope to stock the shelves this year! So far we have 12 pints of green beans, 4 quarts and a whole batch we are canning today, in fact! That should double our green bean supply. We also just harvested a lot of red potatoes and may can some beans with potatoes. If the carrots are ready to pick, we will add them as well. I am a slow cooker lover, like a lot of you too, and having fresh veggies ready to go will be nice.

If you are considering doing a garden maybe its time to take the plunge! You never know what you may find.