Jamaica 2014, Day 15 - A Chance to Connect
So today we visited Mystic Mountain in Ocho Rios and we had an amazing time. We had to wake up very early this morning and we took a quick visit to Port Maria, which is Mrs. Bennett’s hometown. We ate breakfast, which included fried dumplings, plantains, Callalo and codfish, and breadfruit. After breakfast we took a quick tour around Port Maria and received a quick information session about Mrs. Bennett’s hometown and the places she used to go growing up. After the tour we headed to Mystic Mountain, about an hour or so away in Ocho Rios.
After arriving in Ocho Rios, we were all very tired, but also excited to get our day started! Soon after arrival we had to ride sky explorers up to our destination of the actual park at the top of a mountain. The ride on the sky explorer was very interesting and fun. At first I was very nervous because it was my first time riding one, but it turned out to be very fun doing so with Mr. Bennett and Taniya as company. We had amazing conversations that distracted me from how high we were going from the ground.
Once we arrived at the top of the mountain, we first tried out The Bobsled ride. The bobsled like go-kart racing except that we were on a track and we could only ride one person at a time unless our kart was attached to another one. The Bobsled was really a joy to ride. I got to control how fast I wanted to go, and if at any time I needed to stop, I could stop. After riding the Bobsled, I got on it yet again for another joy ride. After the second time riding I decided to go to the pool area, which was set up very nicely. Even though the pool only was three feet deep I still had a wonderful time! While in the pool I also decided to try the water slide, which I wasn’t sure about at first, but then decided to do just for the fun of it. After being in the pool for a while, we didn’t have the chance to go zip lining, so I just continued with the bobsled and the pool. So around the time to leave I was very tired and exhausted from all the water, but the day wasn’t over just yet.
After leaving Mystic Mountain we got our chance to choose from any fast food restaurant we wanted and to go to the craft market. After decided on lunch we got the chance to bargain with the people from the craft markets. I can say I really got a good deal out of bargaining today and got a chance to by all the souvenirs I planned to get. After returning back to the Bennett’s home we also got the chance to have pizza, which was delicious! And that was he conclusion of our day! I’m also looking forward to our day tomorrow at the Summerset Falls where we will get to enjoy seeing a waterfall in which I never saw before.
Today was not only a day of fun, but it was also a day of learning new things and getting a chance to really connect to my group mates. I learned more about Mrs. Bennett and her life such as the place she grew up, the church she attended and the places she used to eat. I also got the chance to hang out with my group more away from doing work and servicing. I learned who was a daredevil and could handle the slide and Bobsled versus who loved just hanging in the pool. It allowed me to have a stronger connection with them.
Jakia, 17, Perry Street Preparatory School