| Author | Message | ||
| Crabracers |
The Couples influence on our lives is pretty obvious. We here on the board represent, I think, hundreds, perhaps thousands, that are, for what ever reason, not on this highway of all things Couples. They don't share this silent daily absorption of influence with unseen faces and unspoken voices. But those of us that travel here, the rewards are overwhelming. When we discovered Jamaica in 1993, we had been married for 26 years. For 21 of those years, it became necessary to sort of re-route our energy and begin to step "outside" of the "norm". This shift in our lives came shortly after the birth of our daughter, Sydney Erica, in 1972. We had been married about 15 years, and had lost two other children prior to Syd's birth. She turned out to be a person with "special needs". In her case, moderately retarded and had a "seizure disorder". They never called it Epilepsy, but in fact, it is. So the next 21 years took on a whole new meaning for both of us, and our lives were changed forever in the most incredible growth and discovery for all three of us. When the opportunity arose for us to get to Jamaica for a week, including room and board, and all we had to pay was airfare, we felt as though some magical spell had been unleashed in our minds and tropical light shown at the end of a very long 21 year tunnel. This deal involved teaching tennis at the resort, in exchange for room and board. Syl is a professional tennis teacher. First and foremost, we couldn't even afford the airfare back then. I don't really remember what it cost, back when there was some semblance of order in the world, and they weren't charging you for a second bag, or extra pillow. But anyway, we had to "borrow" some from our parents. But arriving in Montego Bay in October of 1993, felt a lot like landing in a country that you usually only get to see on the Discovery channel. Or perhaps in a gorgeous spread in National Geographic magazine. Certainly not a place that either one of ever, EVER thought that we would get to. And yet, here we are. To feel the heat and humidity the moment the door of the plane opens up. We knew immediately that we had never felt that kind of warmth before. Not in Florida or California, or anywhere in Europe. Certainly not here on the east coast, even in the most severe summer squelcher did it ever come close. We both inhaled what seemed to be an unseen, tasteless, odorless subtle stimulant that would come to affect our live in ways that only time would reveal. Even though it took an army of people and months of preparation and co-ordination, many talks with Syd as to what was going to be going on, we left with much apprehension. And in fact on that first trip, they called up at the resort because they were having problems with Syd. She wouldn't take her meds., or take her shower, or go to school. We decided that we couldn't do anything while we were here, and we had no intentions of leaving, there are capable people there. Handle it. We cried for a long time that first night at the Boscobel Beach Resort. And when we stopped crying, and went out on the balcony, we held each other and gazed out at sights that were in the movies and on TV. And you and I are standing here. "She'll be fine", I tried to tell Sell. "I know she will", she assured me. Neither one of us believed what we said or each other. We were scared to death. BUT, we were still in Jamaica. Needless to say, we overcame that very first introduction to the magical mystery tour of Jamaica and its influence on our growth. When we passed through the huge stone pillars, and the security guard station, over the speed bump, at Couples, we felt as though we were two of the luckiest people in the world. As next April approaches, and we once again do the count down thing, and pack to much, and feel all that great excitement kick in, it will be the "first time", and the "second time" and all the past 25 times, all rolled into "this one". But long after we leave out playground and return to reality, the Couples influence has become part of our lives. The peace and serenity, closeness and togetherness that we experience isn't something that is limited to Couples or even Jamaica. Our day to day conversations and notes that we leave each other, are filled with "ya mon, "irie", "no problem", "housekeeping". Pictures and artwork and designs of Jamaica and Jamaican culture. Couples reminders everywhere. Note paper, matches, cups, place-mats, wood carvings, recorded sounds and seemingly a tropical mindset to our day to day existence. Couples is an experience that keeps on thrilling you long after you've left the resort. Each memory is filled with laughter and smiles. Each moment is remembered with treasured enjoyment and warmth. The spell is cast. Richie | ||
| Bkhiattky |
It is truly amazing that the MB has become like a second family, you have in your "mind's eye" what everyone will look like, and sound like and then when you read something about them that you didn't know, it kind of blows your mind. What a wonderful day it was when Couples entered our lives. It's a day I'll treasure forever. | ||
| Aquaqueen |
What a lovely story.. I sit here with tears in my eyes. Looking forward to our first visit to Jamaica in December. Due to job losses/changes, we haven't had a vacation in 2 yrs and we need this time away from reality. Thanks for sharing and hope you're feeling better more and more each day! Sally | ||
| Tommywommy |
Wonderfully worded Richie. Hugs | ||
| Blossomkitty |
Richie You have such a wonderful way with words. I agree 100%. Glad you are feeling better and counting down the days until your first dance with Tommywommy. ;) | ||
| Lobsteruk |
Aaah!!!!this is so beautiful,i am touched to read your posting, and have couples as your regular theraputic outlet,(your play ground)our play ground that puts a smile on our faces,every time Bob said "no woman no cry" sincere respect from very tearful(  | ||
| Gands |
Nice Blog Richie, We, like you, visited Jamaica in 1993 for the first time..January and it was another resor..We had been in a nasty accident the previous summer..Sue had spent 10 days in a coma and several months in rehab..the kids all had injuries as well as myself...that was a long summer and fall for us..(Sue will tell you it wasn't that bad because she can't remember it..lol) Anyways I convinced her we needed to get away and relax somewhere and someone suggested Jamaica so off we went..it was pretty comical getting birth certificates delivered fed ex the day b4 we flew out..(no one EVER asked to see them)..We fell in love with the place...I remember that feeling you speak of..the air, the smell..it was very nice and we planned to come back..it was 3-4 years b4 we could come back and this time I talked Sue into this place called Couples Och Rios...had a nude island and we should try it..she agreed, we came and REALLY fell in love with Couples..the people were like old friends and we felt like we were "Home"..We cannot describe the feeling we had and how sad we were to leave...then we got caught up raising those damn kids for a number of years and just couldn't fit Couples into the schedule timewise or financially...FINALLY we were able to come back about 3 years ago..there was never any discussion as to where we were going..I just made the arrangements..nothing had changed..it truly was and remains the most relaxing and comfortable place on earth..we have been back every year since and leave in 44 days and a wake up...people have said why don't you try a cruise or Mexico or this place or that place..we try to explain it but they can't get it until they experience it...we had no intention of trying another location but we were optimistic that they would open Tower Island on time..not happening so we are going to try San Souci...at first we were apprehensive but now we are looking forward to the new experience..we know we can't go wrong with Couples...it's the people...we enjoy being together 24/7 with no worries and our trip always reminds us why we love each other.. Irie Mon A couple of pics from Tower Isle    | ||
| Northern_gal |
We had our first Couples experience almost eleven months ago and are heading "home" in February. We are looking forward to relaxing in the sun and enjoying being pampered but most of all we are so excited to see the staff who became so special to us during our stay at CSA. We feel the same excitement as we do when we look forward to a visit with our relatives. The staff at CSA have truly become family to us! |