A funny thing happened to me at the office..... I, along with 20% of the firm's valued work force, was made redundant. Within ten minutes of being called to Conference Room B to be told that my significant contributions to the firm's profits over the last fifteen years were now surplus to requirements, I was travelling back home in a state of shock and bewilderment, termination letter in hand. And, within an hour of being at home, I received four neatly packed boxes of my personal effects which were testament to my tenure at the firm.
Well, folks, I am no longer bitter about it because that was nearly two years ago! During my near 24 months of continued unemployment, I have experienced my neighbourhood in daylight, "Homes under the Hammer", "Heir Hunters" and "Loose Women", together with the full heart monitor highs and lows of unemployment. Yes, I've been through the merry-go-round of the jobs I "nearly got", the jobs where "I was robbed" and the jobs that paid less than my annual bonus, but interviewed for out of sheer desperation.
A woman can only take so much and after having a quiet word with myself, I decided to take a well-earned break. That break lead me to Montego Bay, Jamaica - the land of Wray & Nephew and the very relaxed. It was just what the doctor ordered. In fact, the holiday coincided with a family wedding in Port Maria, to which I'd been invited -- so, my rashness was in fact totally rational, right? Another coincidence was that my sister had also decided to take her holiday at the same time in Montego Bay - and my niece and cousin would also be there for the annual Sunfest music event. I'd convinced myself that for these reasons my decision was the right one
I hadn't been to Jamaica for 7 years. Funnily enough the last time I went, I stayed in Montego Bay too. That was an altogether different holiday. My best friend (well, she was at that time) and I loved to go clubbing and dancing and so we stayed at Sunset Beach on an all inclusive package. All the food you could eat and all the drink you could drink. Fantastic.
It took a while for me to get excited about this trip. When I told friends where I was going, they were both jealous and delighted for me. I, however, had to feign excitement. I wasn't sure what the hell I was doing. It was like that scene from Sex and The City when Miranda sees the scan of her unborn child. She is told it's a boy, but feels no excitement. The doctor waits for a response. Eventually, Miranda fakes a huge, jaw-breaking smile which she wears every time she tells her friends the news. For me, I guess I was bemused by my taking a two week break at the Half Moon Hotel Resort and Spa at Rose Hall, Montego Bay, Jamaica, when I had no job and no interview pipeline. It was totally irrational.
Oh well, I am a Libran and Librans like nice things. I decided if I was going to throw caution to the wind and spend the last of my redundancy money, I should spend it in style and where better than at the five star Half Moon Hotel Resort and Spa at Rose Hall, Montego Bay Jamaica.
Departure date was July 15. As is my usual way, I had left everything to the last minute. I had not packed, not arranged my travel insurance or tidied the house. Cleaning the house before going on holiday for me is like being sure to wear clean matching underwear when going out, just in case you get knocked down by a bus. It's important. So on the night of July 14, I packed, did all my admin chores, followed up on emails, cleaned out the fridge, checked my passport hadn't expired, scanned my inbox for my e-ticket, hoovered and finally over-watered the garden at 2 am in the morning. My to do list was now fully ticked.
My flight was at 12.10 and my luggage was definitely overweight. For some strange reason, I always get to the airport way, way, way in advance of the check-in time. It's for fear of missing my flight. I've also found that if you're the first to check in, you can get away with being overweight without having to pay. Well, I always found that to be the case when I travelled to Portugal with TAP. Unfortunately, British Airways isn't that kind to its travellers to Jamaica. We are ALWAYS overweight as a result of the hidden bags of sugar, boxes of washing powder and other weighty essentials which we are obliged to carry for our relatives back home. I am sure much of BA's profits are derived from that obligation.
At 3 am I took my final shower at home for the next two weeks. It was then I realised that this time tomorrow I would be in Jamaica. Excitement kicked in. I'd dragged my luggage down the steps, double checked I had packed my passport, insurance documents and ticket. Yes, all was in order and I could relax. I slept on top of my freshly laundered sheets for exactly two hours. The telly was on but I went into a deep sleep. I was tired. At precisely 5 am I woke up in a start, fearing I had overslept. Phew! I brushed my teeth, put on my figure hugging halterneck dress with matching belt, my red soled high heeled sandals and large celebrity sunglasses and awaited my driver. I was now in Half Moon JA mode and "ret to go" - Let the fun begin.
To be continued....
