It's been wet weather here at Neita's Nest this week but these hardy blooms bring sunshine to our hearts when we look through the windows or admire our garden and the distant Blue Mountains from the verandah.

Got up from my desk to see what I could prepare for my lunch today. Before I could open the refrigerator, there on the kitchen counter was the crop of the day, Blackie Mangoes from our shady tree on the fence line. The main trunk splits into two; one side creates our natural greenhouse, the other hangs generously over the open lot, soon to be enjoyed by the builders as they break ground next week for our future neighbours.

The crop, some freshly hand picked, some fallen and bruised, but not battered - having touched down gently from a low limb into a potted plant or garden bed, or on to the soft zoysia grass - were all ripe and ready for the eating. Don't let the green skins fool you. Mango don' drop till it ripe, assures one of our Jamaican proverbs; a truism of our summer fruit as well as a word from the wise about the value of patience.

Not feeling like sitting under the shade of the tree, teeth tearing skin, juice running down forearms, I opted to stand at the kitchen sink and peel them, one by one. Yes, I had about 10 of them for lunch. As the knife slid under their thin skins revealing the rich, yellow, plumpy pulp, I sang a delightful Jamaican folk song:

​So, no "cook food" for lunch today. This is raw food at its best.
We have lots to give away. Run come, before the season done!

​For years I longed for a guava tree. For years I lusted at the plump, ripe fruit in other people's yards. Yet, I never thought of planting a tree of my own; until my friend, Lois, gifted me with a sapling from her garden. It did not survive the drought of 2014.

What appeared that same year, in a most unlikely place, under our front step, was another sapling. Eager, we replanted it in our backyard where there is more room to flourish. But, alas, it too did not make it.

But this sapling had every intention of being. It sprouted again from the same root under the step. This time, we were more patient, allowing it to become stronger before transplanting.

​Two years later, she gave us two degge-degge guavas. But now, in this her third year, she is giving us a hamper, full, every other day!
​
Picking guavas takes me back to Hillcrest Prep School in Brown's Town, St Ann where my love for guavas began. We reached for any we could find; we picked them green or turn (ripening or turning ripe). I do not recall finding ripe guavas to pick. What I do remember is the Nannies coming to the playground during break time with a tray of freshly-picked, washed and cut, ripe guavas to share with all of us in the school yard. What joy! We knew they got them from "Autabonds", those far-away places on the school property beyond the limits of our play area. It was not until my adult years, when reflecting on this idyllic place, that I realised that the Nannies went to the place that was "Out of Bounds" to us, and it was there that the guavas had a chance to ripen. 

In that fairy tale playground, with its lovely gardens of balsalm and impatience, begonias and marigolds, ferns and mosses, there was enough to keep us all busy outside of the guava season. There was a fish pond, a jungle gym, a doll's house and swings. And, when you had taken your turn on them there was always a game going. If it were Rounders, these landmarks were the bases between which we ran as fast as we could before making our way back to home base; the steps leading down to the playground.

There was a season for everything back then. I do not know who decided on it. Maybe it was a school tradition, or maybe the weather determined. But, when it was not the term for Rounders, it was the term for Jacks, or the term for Hopscotch. The covered walkway between the main office and the Assembly Hall was where the latter two took place. There we lapped our tunics to hide our matching gingham bloomers from the boys, and there on the cold concrete pavement, legs spread, we played Jacks every day for that term. Sheila Adrian and Donna Buchanan were the best players. Ever!

Another term, the same walkway was chalked for hopscotch. I still treasure fond memories of the friendships made in these play times. 

There were three school terms - Christmas Term from September to December, Easter Term from January to March, and Summer Term from April to early July. Now that I know the cycle of the guava tree, our guava picking season lie somewhere between the end of the Summer Term or the beginning of the Christmas Term.

​Now, in my wisdom of the seasons and a patience that comes with age, I no longer pick green guavas. And, when I bite into a guava, ripe or turn, I savour the memories of my prep school years in Brown's Town.

It is a joy to make the juice from the fruit, and to stew the guavas for the out-of-season days lathered on French Toast, on pancakes, on yoghurt, or just by itself. Now, I share these delights with friends, family and our bed and breakfast guests, and have a good laugh at myself for thinking that "Autabonds" was the place where the best guavas came from.

I hope to one day place a bench under this tree. It is growing at the highest point of our backyard with an amazing view of the mountains. You can join me then.

When I saw Amber Gibson's article in Fodor's travel on ice creams to sample this summer, I quickly scrolled through looking for my fave, Devon House I'Scream. It had to be there! After all, what we Jamaicans already knew, was given the international stamp of approval by National Geographic's Foodways of the World in 2012 when it listed ours as #4 on the list of top 20 ice cream bars in the world.

On second look, I saw that Amber's list was for ice creams in the U.S. So, since Jamaica is less than 2 hours from Florida by air, I thought I would extend her article from 10 ice creams to 11, so that you could know about our divine tropical flavours like Rum and Raisin, Devon Stout, Coconut, and Mango, that line up shoulder to shoulder with traditional flavours like Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, Chocolate Chip, Pralines & Cream and Buttered Almond, to name just a few.

On third look, I realised that her emphasis was on "savoury", with caramelised bacon, wasabi, thyme and crispy Brussels sprout leaves being only some of the savoury additions to this usually sweet treat. So, I revisited our list of flavours. Couldn't find anything savoury to warrant being on Amber's list. But savoury or sweet, there is no list of ice creams that should exclude Devon House Ice Cream. They are creamy, flavourful, and the Rum and Raisin, my favourite, will knock you out!

When in Kingston, a tour of Devon House, the late 19th century great house where the ice cream parlour is located, is a must. The ticket for the tour comes with your choice of an ice cream cone or a patty from the adjacent Devon House Bakery. These two, and the other shops in the courtyard, have been re-purposed from the out-houses (stables, staff quarters, kitchen) that annex the great house. Now, when you want to go shopping for things Jamaican, looking for a dining or drinking experience, when wanting to savour chocolate delights or to sniff tropical scented candles and ask me where to go, "Devon House", I scream!

If I am not back by Wednesday - Trapped in Jamaica's Blue Mountains; another contribution to the National Library of Jamaica. ​By depositing copies of his book in the National Library, a riveting recollection of his experience of being lost in Jamaica's Blue Mountains in 1967, author Geoffrey Haddad has contributed to the record of our nation's published heritage and development. 

While it is a requirement by law to donate to the nation's principal legal depository, copies of any book published in or about Jamaica, there is certain joy and pride knowing that your personal account will be archived for posterity so that others in years to come can explore, discover and connect with your experience.

To make this process even more meaningful, Geoffrey was invited to address the staff of the National Library of Jamaica on his publication. In this way, they are all the more empowered to assist researchers. Thanks to Tony Patel and his lenses for capturing this event.

Already, Geoffrey has sold over 3000 copies. Colour copies are available online and of course his alma mater, Jamaica College, from which this near-death mission was hatched, benefits from copies sold by the school at 189 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6, Jamaica. 

​We love when we have repeat guests; for the business they bring us, of course, for the great company that they are and, most importantly, for the endorsement and assurance that we are doing something right for them. After all, every guest brings their business, but not every guest returns.

In appreciation for repeat business we have given discounts, gifts and even value-added service. Every now and then, our guests say a very special thank you for our service, even before they ever plan to return. So it was with Andrew Muscato and Brett Mayfield, independent film makers who were referred, by the way, by repeat guest, author and sports journalist, Richard Moore. Andrew and Brett were so appreciative of the assistance we gave in contacting and hosting interviewees here at Neita's Nest for their NBC documentary that on their last day they gifted us with a beautiful, blooming bromeliad.

But here is the real story....

Andrew returned the following year with another film maker, Isaac and by then, the bromeliad plant that he had given us had sent out new plants, one of which was with a beautiful pink torch-like bloom to welcome them.

And, it does not end there...

This week, four new shoots, in full bloom, were brought in from our green house to say bon voyage to our week-long, repeat guests, UK professors Martin and Lindsay! We do not have a booking from Brett and Andrew at this time, but these blooms last about 4 months. so we are keeping our eyes open for them. From our correspondence, we know that they would love to return to Jamaica soon "hopefully, just for relaxation!"

Till then, we will enjoy their gift that keeps giving, we will keep some on the verandah to welcome our guests, give one to a friend, and we will remember Bret and Andrew wherever in the world they are making more documentaries.

The Neita's Nest family, Duncan, Graeme and Michelle, with Taylor.

Some B&B owners close their property for a couple months each year during which time they fly the coop, travelling far and wide. As a relatively young B&B, we at Neita's Nest do not yet have that luxury. Instead we travel vicariously through the travels of our guests, making conversations over dinner about places far away, adding them to our bucket list for when our ship comes in.

Recently, we had the pleasure of hosting Taylor Demonbreun from Tuscaloosa, Alabama who chose Neita's Nest for her stay in Jamaica; one of the 197 countries she plans to visit over the next 14 months. By so doing, she will hold two world records; that of visiting every country in the word in under 450 days, and the youngest person to do so. We had family and friends her own age join her for dinner here at Neita's Nest. The keen interest expressed in her mission assured that her hope to inspire young people around the world to take their first steps to going beyond their seeming limitations, was being achieved right at our table.

Did I hear someone ask, "what was on our table?" Well, we kept it simple. For Starters we had a robust Conch Soup. This was followed by Jerk Chicken and Jerk Pork with sides of Fried Green Plantain and Roasted Breadfruit. All this we brought in from the nearby Chateau 7 Jerk Centre at Red Gal Ring. Thanks to Patra and Donahue, it was hot and ready when Taylor got in from the airport. We could not let her brief stay in Jamaica pass without tasting the now world-famous jerked meats and giving her the history of this spicy cuisine.

​Before arriving at Neita's Nest, Taylor was taken on a drive-through tour of the city at dusk, stopping to view the wall art on Fleet Street in Downtown Kingston,

Taylor's travels can be followed by going to her website at TrekWithTaylor. She ends her "About" Taylor page with, 

"As I trek, I also hope to spread a love of travel with the goal that more people are able to have life changing experiences that allow them to realize what is really important to them in life. I hope you'll join me!" 

In Jamaican parlance, we say it differently; more like, "Follow back a mi!" For our part, we will certainly be right behind her, encouraging her along, reading her blogs and doing that vicarious travel I mentioned earlier.

A Dieu, Taylor. Continue to be a beacon in this world! ​

Come! Rest...Relax...Rejuvenate! That's your invitation from Neita's Nest. It is an invitation to be free and at leisure, and that's why most of our guests over these past seven years come.  And while most come for vacation, many stay here to attend business meetings, conferences, interviews or do research, returning home to Neita's Nest after a full day of work is an opportunity to really relax and make a vacation of it. 

​I came across an insightful article by Marguerite Orane recently on the value of vacation. Take a read and you are sure to want to begin planning yours right away. 

Whatever the reason for your trip, doing our part to make it successful is our raison d'etre.
When you again choose Neita's Nest for your return visit, it fills our hearts with joy. Our repeat guests have come from South Africa, Belgium, Bermuda, The Cayman Islands, Denmark, France, Sweden, Scotland, Trinidad, various cities in the US, Canada, England, and yes, Jamaica. 

You have kept us going for the past seven years and to you we owe a debt of gratitude. What better way, we thought, than to offer a 7% Discount to all our Repeat Guests. And this is in addition to our Spring into Summer Special of 25% off for all our guests. Now that's a Celebration worth having!