Negril vanilla

Negril is never vanilla. But there is a normal Negril experience. Outside the all-inclusives, that is. Negril is peaceful, relaxing, musical, and enjoyable. The day starts out early, the night birds still sleeping. The beach is sparse, raked into shape by the hotel workers. Chairs go out and get lined up, waiting for us, the pasty white, fat gringos.

Walkers are on the beach, for exercise, and for commerce.

Head balancers appear early, with fruit and juices for healthy people.

They come in all shapes and sizes.

Sometimes it is pretty obvious what is in the baskets, sometimes not.

Some people don't carry anything. Sometimes they go back and forth, entertaining the idle.

This guy made his way along quite quickly, considering he was missing a foot.

Fisherman are also out early. This guy is setting off in a kayak/canoe with a gill net.

This guy is off to the reef in search of conch for the restaurant next door.

Mid-days are gringo-watching time; there are even Jamaican gringos (people from Kingston come over to relax - it's called going to country).

Mid and late afternoon are focused on the bar and restaurant.

Lots of foreigners are here; this group is from Ukraine.

Things start to get stoked by Red Stripe and rum.

Rent-a-Rasta and Rent-a-Brownie are in evidence later in the day.

The last of the water sports fades out and evening brings on sunset, dinner, and entertainment. This sunset makes me see a goblin peeking out from under a hat.

This troupe, with African drums and dancing, augments the standard reggae group.

A bit of bonfire and the old farts retire, to awaken from time to time hearing music until early the next morning.