May Trip '99
It all started on a Friday Morning from Boston, May 21, 1999. I left for the airport expecting an easy ride “back home”, but I was wrong. I arrive in Atlanta and wait for my connecting Air Jamaica flight..and wait..and wait. Then my flight is canceled which puts me on the next one, which will get me in Jamaica at night allowing to miss the last Tim Air flight. But... I bump into Robert and Vicki from TN, who I had met last year. They had the same dilemma but seeing old friends again made it worthwhile. We had the chance to “catch up” a little earlier than expected and their company made the bus ride to Hedo AT NIGHT a lot more pleasant.
Well, I get into Hedo at about 10pm at night and who is there to welcome me? The “Hedo Hot Shots” . There was Al and Arlene (NY), Frank and Debby (WI), Phil and Debby (OR)... It was good to be home. Later that night at the Hot Tub I bumped into friends from Germany (Thomas and Annette) who I had just seen this past September as well as friends from England (Liz + Co.) that I hadn’t seen in about 3 years! It IS going to be a great week.
Well, I had heard that the previous week had been rainy so Saturday and Sunday were not a disappointment. Although it was great to be “home again” it would have been nice to enjoy my first weekend with sunshine...oh well. It is the people not the place that makes every return a memorable and enjoyable one. By Monday the clouds had cleared and most of the days following were warm and sunny, minus the afternoon showers
On Monday Annette and Robert (TX) arrived which completed the membership roll call, for those expected to make it this year, of the “Hedo Hot Shots” and the rest of week was spent relaxing while I reacquainted with old friends and made new ones.
Of all of the special moments this week 2 stick vividly in my mind: The marriage of Pat and Lisa (NC) and the marriage of Rocki Roads and Lou.(MD).
I first met Pat and Lisa on “the net” and for those of you who were on Denny’s Visitor List for “Jamaica Jim Jordon’s Reunion Week” you met them as well, (Haven’t read any new jokes since they returned). Two very special people...very much in love. I enjoyed spending time getting to know them and I look forward to our next meeting, (next years anniversary trip?) Their wedding was in the alcove next to Veronica's. Surrounded by friends and onlookers theses two exchanged their vows on a beautiful and sunny day. Jamaica Jim (SC) gave the bride away and Tim (VA) was the best man . The ceremony was very emotional and at the reception you could tell that they were moved by the love and support they felt by the people that were with them on their special day.
Lou I have known since ‘95 and Rocky I met in ‘97. When they met in ‘97 you just knew that they were right for each other as Lou said “One day when I looked out of my window I saw the most beautiful woman in the world. I knew then that I had to be a part of her life” (O.K. that may not be the actual quote but it is pretty darn close)
Rocki called me earlier this year and told me that her and Lou were getting married this May at Hedo so made sure that I packed my tux shirt.
Their wedding was on the point of the peninsula on the Nude Beach. Surprisingly the weather cooperated and it was a warm and sunny day. Although they were “properly dressed” for the ceremony witnessing this moment were many Naturalists who have come to know them over the past years. Rocki was given away by Steve (OK) and Lou’s Best Friend from home was his Best Man. The reception was at Veronica's and after sharing cake,champagne and fond memories it was “around the resort in 40 minutes” as we took pictures in various locations on the resort for their wedding album. It was a lot of fun :-)
Both weddings were videotaped by Connie, of Connie and Jonathan (MS), which was appreciated by both couples.
Other surprises this week included: Seeing Tim Tate, Director, Yorkshire Television. I met Tim in Sept. ‘98 while he and his British Crew were there starting to film a documentary on HII for England. He was back to take a look at HIII and to get a few more ideas for a sequel to his well receipted project, which was only broadcast in England.
Reacquainting myself with Cornell. Cornell used to be the Entertainment Director at Hedo, years ago, and now he is the GM of Point Village (the resort right next to the nude side). It was great to see him again, hear his wonderful voice at kareoke, and catch up on old times.
The Repeaters Party was held outside, near then tennis courts. It was hot and muggy but it was good to get the gang together. Many awards were given out to the staff that they had won in a Super Club’s Resort Competition. This trips” free trip award” went to Doug/Debby (TX). Congratulations!!
The Toga Party was pretty good this year. There were a few guys, from NY, testing their comic abilities. They had potential but as a suggestion to all..If you are going to tell jokes make them of things that we all can relate to, in Jamaica. The Bus Ride, the Air Conditioning, the Water Pressure as well as the Hot Water. You get the idea. Because not everyone is from your town/state so not everyone is going to understand your humor when you talk and make jokes about your hometown. I, as always, played “Hold My Hand”, dedicated to the couples and “the Hedonism Blues” (which I wrote for the Talent Show in ‘94), dedicated to the crowd. I was honored and appreciative to see that some people worked hard enough to get the points needed to “buy” my tape off of the “Hedo Money Table”, formally known as the “Token Table”.
The crowd was a little quieter than in previous years...and younger, especially the girls. There weren’t too many “Vinnies” but they were there. But I noticed a lot of young girls (I swear they looked 18) acting like Female Vinnies. OK, they weren’t rude or pushy but they moved in packs. When one girl left...they all left. When one girl sat...they all sat. And seeing the looks on their faces when female friends of mine were doing “Blowjobs” (THE DRINK I MEAN!!) at the bar, I knew that they picked the wrong resort.
On Saturday the 2nd installment of my “May Group” arrived. There was Dave/Becky (FL), William/Kim (FL) Joy and the rest of “The Inner Circle”. They hooked up with me and “The Hedo Hot Shots” and everything was IRIE. So the rest of my stay was spent enjoying my final days with all of my friends and trying to get ready for the “real world”.
Hedo is a place were you can be whatever you want to be. And if you just “ be yourself” you will find a place that is full of friendship, love, new experiences, joy and respect (Not the 1st time...Not the 2nd time...Not the 3rd Time...But EVERYTIME!)
See you next year....if not in September (Labor Day Week)
IRIE,
Eric, from Boston “the Hedonism Blues” man