First of all, I recommend opening this link in another window and have it playing in the background while you read this one...(just open up a new window and copy and paste that link, then come back to this page)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHekNnySAfM

So, Jaime was the one who really wanted to do this tour, and I am so glad because I never would have thought to do it. It started quite early - we had to catch the bus at 7:45am (not easy to get up, let me tell you.) And it was like a 2 and a half hour trip to this neighborhood from the resort.

We had a Rastafarian tour guide, and this excursion was very educational. I learned that Rastafarians and myself have something in common - Vegetarianism! Well, they are actually Vegans, but still pretty cool. Their way of life also frowns upon over-indulgence of such things as alcohol, and equality for all people. Two other things I also agree with. Don't worry, I am not going to get all Rastafarian now, just cool to have things in common with other cultures. Makes it easy to relate to.

Now I never had anything against Bob Marley, but I would not have called myself a 'fan,' but now I definitely would. I have so much respect for his way of life and where his lyrics come from in seeing his birthplace, it was quite an eye-opening experience. For example his song - "Is This Love" has the lyrics:

I want to love you and treat you right,
I want to love you every day and every night,
We'll be together with a roof right over our heads,
We'll share the shelter of my single bed,

And the 'roof' (his house) and 'single bed' (in his room) he is singing about, we actually stood in and saw! So cool. We got to see a fun local band, that I got to sit in with (rocking the maracas) and we saw his final resting place as well as the resting place of his mother. We also saw the historic rock Bob Marley would lay on to get inspiration.

Before our trek up to see the mausoleum, there was a bar, and I purchased a special "Nine Miles" shot - which they set on fire, and me being the genius I am was about to drink it straight from the shot class. They were like "NO!" I was supposed to use a straw. Ha ha. Learned my lesson, and with no burns.

After our touring of Nine Miles we went to a restaurant where I got an awesome veggie meal, and Jaime enjoyed more jerk chicken. We were quite amused with the "Jerk Center" sign. ;)

The remainder of the day included more relaxing by the pool. Rough life, I know.