Please view Little Grandmother's video. This is the most important gift you will give yourself and the Human Race.
Lovely Grand Cayman Island...incredible waters...
I think I might go back there...the people were serene and respectful; not hawking...not the pretended calm; giving words of 'relax' while hyping tourists to 'take a tour with me, Mon,' No one jumped out with hands full, shoving anything at us...no one pressuring. Yet they were attentive when an interest was shown. The salesmanship evident, it was an offering rather than desperation. A seeming serenity and reverence for life is what I felt there and from the ladies I met. It felt like a matriarchy...I wonder?
Enter Paradise...and what do you see?? To the left, evidence that "man" is present..."construction" which means destruction was first. Take a few steps and there you are: diamond market and all shopping in your face.
As well, my beloved Totem, Dragonfly visited me, as it did in Kuai...this was a pair, golden in color, dancing about me...Dragonfly brings messages from people recently passed. I wondered what my Dad might be trying to convey besides "Call your Mother!" And "I'm okay...I'm with my Brother..." Part of it was definitely, "Look at this sky!"
Can you see his gossamer wings?
See "him"...the golden fellow flying over the "Landmark" sign? There were two, and they seemed to say they spoke for Dad and Uncle Stan. In Kua'i, Hawai'i, a blue green one danced and danced in front of me as I looked over the hill I stood on...When Uncle Stan passed I was in Mohawk Valley of New York State, and a ruby red Dragonfly flew around me, sat on my arm, then sat on a rock next to me, facing me with those eyes attentive on me, or so it seemed. When I went back to camp and pulled out Ted Andrew's Animal Speak, I read that Dragonfly brings messages from the newly passed. I know Uncle Stan is now taking care of his big Brother, my Dad.
I'm fascinated with all the walls and walks built with coral...knowing that coral is so endangered in our world now, I'm hopeful that this practice will be discontinued. I'm sure that when the first walls were built, it was not an issue. The one below seems to be a ruins of long-ago.
Yeah, Baby...that's 45 smackeroos for one Cigar...and that wasn't the most expensive. Looks like this business was given the privilege of building in the alley way...just big enough, too!
Never fear, Harley is always 'here...' no matter where you go in the world, there will be a friendly Harley Dealer to sell you logo'd goods at exhorbitant prices.
If I do return to Cayman Island, I will get me a ride in one of these rickshaw buggies...I will take a tour and see what more there is to this magical place surrounded by turquoise and azure waters.
Cayman Craft Market in the open air...
Gwen Bush works with her daughter, making jewelry out of local raw materials: seeds, shell and coral...she skillfully, quickly changed the catch on that wonderful necklace I bought, just in time for Formal Night Two...a perfect match along with earrings, for my $10- dress, also purchased on Grand Cayman. The earrings and necklace cost more than double the price of the dress, while still a good deal...on the website the necklace is $5- over the price I paid, I guess to accomodate shipping and handling.
Bonnie and Fernando Thompson are the owners of Bed Buddies Creation
Ivy cooks coconut and ginger delights and hot pepper jelly...I tasted that, and it was good! I wonder if I'd bought it if Officials at the boat would have confiscated that too, as they did my coconut. This tart had coconut, ginger and was it cashews? It was delicious...that and the coconut water was my lunch, and glad for it.
This lady has an admirable swing of machete~her daughter hovers like a seagull waiting for fallout...she loves the coconut, her Mother said. I'm with her on that...I bought the coconut, Lady deftly sliced of its top with the machete, (it would be nice to see her clean it) and inserted a straw for access of the wonderful coconut water...boy, was that refreshing!
Then I went back for her to crack it so I could get to the 'meat;' alas, she had no spoons, so I took it back to the boat where I was told I'd have to leave it behind. "That's my food," I protested... "It's for your safety, Ma'am," was the reply...I was so hungry for real food...I countered, "I'll go get a spoon and eat it here. Will you let me eat it here?" They seemed to agree...
When I got back, I found everything dismantled, different; a worker who had intercepted me agreed to walk with me to the restricted area, where my coconut was eventually discovered and retrieved. Standing at the garbage can where they'd placed it, I dipped in to find it wasn't the soft young coconut I'd expected. I ate a few spoons, and disheartened by the whole affair, and finding myself standing at a garbage can...I disposed of my lovely coconut, took my spoon and returned to my stateroom.
Still, I was greatly fortified by the coconut water (considered medicine, as is the coconut) and the gentle Crafts Market of Grand Cayman.
Frank sat out the whole affair in the shade. He would've enjoyed seeing this lady wield her machete`! He asked, "where was this?" when he saw this page! "Sitting on a bench in front of the Crafts Market," Senor Scarpino!
Ancient Beings...I was gifted a fossilized one by Bride Nilda from Dominican Republic, her island home which we noticed is the other side of Haiti.
I'd bet ten bucks there's some more attractive, more welcoming beaches than this on Grand Cayman...I'll look for them if I've the privilege of returning. It is a gorgeous haven for sea life on this area...did anyone notice the "Hell" Post Office? I wasn't quick enough to get that photo...on Gwen and her daughter Bonnie's website it gives the address as Hell, Cayman Islands...now I have proof that Frank and I have been to Hell and back!...and so have the rest of our crew who took this cruise...quite a karma! hehe
The best part of "Effy"...is that right? for me is this noble Leopard.
Nope, no time to go inside this museum (or any other buildings except the Cigar and clothing Store) but I got a picture of it!
I must marvel over the miracle of determination and modern technology that captures images on the hoof, while moving and "keeping up!"
Margaritaville!
Also everywhere you go...but this is Jimmy Buffet's own. Multiply significant.
Frank is most likely right about these (picture right side...see the white dashes?) being Pencil Fish...that's what they look like.
A last look...and one can only guess what kind of booty is being transferred from the sequestered Pirate Ship~it made a quick dash for cover....Arrrggghhh!! Couldn't get a good picture, Matey!
I hope you enjoy these pictures and all my gabbing...it took 4 hours to make this, with all the photo editing and willfulness of computer! Send me your pictures if you have, and I'll add them.
With Reverence for All Life,
Gratitude for the privilege of Travel and Safe Return...
Irene Windhorse
