Hedonism II
Wet, Wild 'N Wicked Winter 2001
December
7-December 15, 2001
Im late in my trip report this year for a couple of
reasons. My last day at Hedo, I
was floating around soaking in my last couple of hours of wonder, and I got to
talking to someone who was telling me how horrible the trip was, and how they
will never be back. I was
saddened, because they had been a good addition to the group, and I thought
every time Id seen them throughout the week, they were having a GREAT time.
Then I get home, and someone else has posted about how horrible the
trip was, they were never going back, and just wait till the trip reports
start coming in. I thought to
myself that I must have been in a different resort than these two couples for
sure. Now that some other trip
reports are in and posted, I guess its safe to relate my trip, as so far,
most seem to have had as good of time as I did.
Going backwe planned to overnight in Atlanta as
Air Jamaica cancelled all their direct flights out of Phoenix shortly after
9/11. We ended up traveling with
my good Phoenix Hedo friends, Rick and Laura.
I figured, what the hell, beings we are going to be in Atlanta
overnight, lets try and get some Hedo folks together for some pre-Hedo
partying (I need very little excuse to plan a party). I emailed everyone from that area who was going to be at Hedo
with WWW, emailed HedoRick (he heads up the local Atlanta Hedo group) and
Cindy, and posted a message on the message board. Everyone accepted the invite, and Jim and Cynthia, Paul and
Angela, Hatton, Rick and Cindy joined Rick, Laura, Denny and I for a fun
filled evening. We all got to
know each other, and we had a head start on meeting and getting acquainted.
6 of us were all staying at the same hotel, so we continued the party
there after the restaurant closed. It
was a GREAT way to start off a trip. I
guess that in spite all of Hedos shortcomings, the friends that I meet
there, just soooo outweigh the bad, that Im just too busy having fun to
notice the shortcomings as much as some do.
I am so grateful for the friends I have met over the years there, that
I cant imagine another place like it.
Is it the location that makes the magic??
Yes, and No, are the only correct answers.
With all the talk of heightened security talk, we got to
the airport over 2.5 hours early..we were thru security with over 2
hours to spare sitting around. I
could have slept in an extra hour!!!! This
did allow us time to find several others who were on our flight out of
Atlanta. First was Ian and Karla
in the check in line, then Ray and Jeri (who traveled the red-eye out of
Phoenix and had been up over 24 hours.Jeri was NOT having fun at this
point), the illustrious Cheryl (my partner in crime and antics this week), and
Jim and Cynthia (their story about the extra fee they had to pay in order to
bring their symbian, had us all laughing).
I looked around at this crowd, and I could tell it was going to be a
GREAT week. The flight was non
eventful, and upon arrival at MoBay, immigration and customs were a breeze.
Somehow all 11 of us ended up thru customs at the same time, and the
Tim Air guy was SURE he could fit all 11 of us in one van, along with that
entire load of luggage. 
We all stood around, watching and laughing as he really
did cram it all in, including the heavy symbian.
Good thing that drive is short, I couldnt see and had the emergency
brake up my butt. I know Jeri
about lost a leg she was jammed in so tight.
We laughed, only in Jamaica, mon.we are on vacation.
We met up with Steve and Char and Ron and Sue in the Tim Air terminal.
It was going to be a GREAT trip.
We finally arrive at Hedo after a beautiful (I always
love the view from up there) flight and got signed in and registered before I
took off for a quick tour with Cheryl. From
this point forward, time and days are of no importance.
Someone will tell me when I need to pack and leave, until then, Im
not thinking about anything but fun, fun, fun.
What follows will not be a day-by-day accounting, but rather a
compilation of what isnt as fuzzy as all the rest.
I bet I hadnt been at Delroys more than 30 seconds before someone
whispered to me, Doug and Chris are here.
Like it was a top-secret thing. OMG,
I thought, Im not dressed to meet someone like Doug or Chris; I mean they
are celebrities. Ive
emailed, admired, and read everything Ms. Chris has done for years.
What a role model this lady is, Ive always told myself. Doug, on the other hand, well he always scared me a bit.
J
Turns out, these two are two of
the most down to earth people one will ever meet.
If you think Chris is funny in print, you ought to spend a week at Hedo
with her. And Doug, what a
pussycat that guy iseven when hes being held against his will in a
horizontal position in the pool, begging for mercy!!!!
Hearing Doug sing in Veronicas many a nights, was a highlight, and
well, what Chris did in Veronicas, that has to stay in the what goes on
at Hedo, stays at Hedo category. I
shared many laughs, and had many talks with these two throughout the week. These times will always be a treasured memory for me.
The next and always remembered treasured thought when I
think about any of the Winter WWW trips is the generosity of the attendees who
participate in the Christmas gift drive.
What started out as a simple suggestion of what about instead of
school supplies, we bring Christmas gifts to the children of Jamaica has
turned into the most moving and unbelievable experience for me the past couple
of years. Honestly, its one of
the memories in my life that I will always treasure.
On Thursday, Hedo provided a van and Jim, Nissa, Denny, myself and a
couple of Hedos staff piled in with a load of Christmas gifts 
that
were donated during the week by all the WWWers.
The Santoy Basic School is probably a 20-25 minute drive back towards
MoBay, and up in the hills. The
Basic in the name stands for the ages of the children, 3 to 6, but I
think it should stand for the condition of their school and their lives.
There is NO playground equipment, not a swing or a slide.
No kickball, basketball, soccer ballnot to mention anything like a
basketball court and hoops or even a tetherball.
Inside the small one room classroom, two children share one desk.
One seat, one desk and two names on each desk.
The sun shines in thru the roof, and there is no sign of air
conditioning or even fans in the room. Yet,
Mrs. Parkinson welcomes us and ushers all the kids inside to sit down.
While you can imagine the mild chaos that breaks out momentarily as 4
big ol people descend on these kids and its probably been a year since
theyve seen a white person in their classroom (us last year at this time).
The children from this area are not exposed to the resort area of
Jamaica. The way they live and
the conditions they survive in will always amaze me.
As we pass out the gifts, all say thank you, and the
teacher assistants put their names on them.
They arent allowed to open them, as this may be the only gift they
get for Christmas, Mrs. Parkinson tells us.
The twinkle in their eyes, the spirits in their bodies, the knowing
that these are Jamaicas future, warms my heart like nothing else ever will.
Somehow it seems that I take home a little piece of their hearts each
time I visit. I wish I were able
to give each of you reading this a piece of that magic, and when you think
your life is going bad, you can take a little piece of this magic out of your
Hedo memory, and things become, ahright mon.
It sure has made for a different perspective in life for me.
Thank you to everyone who carried those gifts, sweated what you would
tell customs, wrapped and unwrapped them then wrapped them again, had to pay
overweight luggage charges, and hauled all that stuff down there.
I realize there were over 200 WWWers, but you guys really outdid
yourselves this year. Thanks for
the bottom of my heart, and I know the kids thank you too.
Now on to the more funny parts of this trip.
There are so many highlights; I will try not to miss many.
An evening out on the town for lobster with friends to Ixtabi.
Ive always wanted to go there, but never found a way off the resort
at night. There were probably 12
or 14 of us, the setting was beautiful, the food delicious (and a nice break
from the buffet), and the company was even better.
All was well until Ray, Jeri and Cheryl decided to don their clothes
and take a leap off the high cliffs. Apparently
a jellyfish or something stung Jeri, and we ended up in the nurses station
having to call the Dr. on call to the property.
Thank God, Nancy the nurse was along, she was always fixing and mending
people this trip. I think this will become a needed excursion on future trips
to Hedo. It was great to get away
from the resort for a couple of hours and see how real Jamaica lives.
The Magical Mystery Tour, hosted by none other than our
fearless MMT leaders, Steve and Nancy. We
loaded two busses to the brim and off we went.
First stop, Margaritaville. Of
course the WWW women need to all jump on the trampoline nekkid one of the guys
convinces them. Off go the clothes as they head out into the water.
The DJ is telling everyone this is a public beach, NO NUDITY is
allowed he yells. Im sure
it was Rupe who led the brigade, but I saw Bernie, Edie, Nancy and Thea very
close behind. The DJ keeps up his
vigil about how no nudity is allowed, all to no avail.
Next stop, The Sunshine Market. Shopping
for all, and Dave and Laina definitely win the prize for the largest package. If you ever want to learn to power shop, try and follow Laina
around when Dave has the credit card out.
3rd stop, Ricks for the sunset. It wasnt the best one Id seen there, but watching the
divers is always fun. Last stop,
Ms. Jennies for brownies and cakes. I
passed on them this trip, not sure why, but most said they were good.
On the way home, it was dark and for some reason our bus decided we had
clothes on entirely too long. Pretty
soon half the bus was nekkid and the peer pressure to the rest of us finally
had us all carrying our clothes in our hands.
Charlie the driver is just smilin away, that man is a hoot.
We pull into Hedos property and the security guard looked twice at
the bus full of nekkid people going INTO Hedo.
We had visions of getting off in the lobby and walking thru the dining
room. Unfortunately our timing
was bad, no one was really there. It
was all worth it though, when Rupe got off the other bus in his T Shirt and
shorts. It was the ONLY time I
had less clothes on than Rupe the whole trip.
The Wet T Shirt and Man in Motion contest was a sweep
both days by the WWWers. Congrats
to Jean, Wanda, and Nancy in the gals part, and Dennis, Steve (aka: T Wayne
from Texas), Nick and Bob in the mens category.
While everyones performance was great, extra credit goes to Dennis
who hauled all that stuff down there, and to Steve, who did the best TWayne
from Texas imitation Ive ever seen.
I never laughed so hard as I did when he came out riding that pony,
with his cowboy boots, big Stetson hat, and that overcoat. As he danced and lost his props, well..that little ducky
was so Twayne-like J
Thanks goes to everyone who played those reindeer games.
The private catamaran trips were both fun, in two totally
different ways. The night one was
really fun, and if you get the chance to go on one at night, Id definitely
plan to go. Funny what some
people will do in the dark that they wont do during the day. J
BIG, BIG thanks go to Steve and Char for those 1,400 Jell-o shooters.
Did you guys really think we needed that many??
They were great and I think the crew loved them too.
Toga night of silver and gold was a smash.
Everyone looked so elegant, and I couldnt believe how many great
togas everyone came up with. Thanks to those who trusted me when I said, just bring a
couple yards of material, I will tie you up before the trip.
I had fun tying you all. The
toga parties are fun, but after a couple of them, if I didnt have the
different colors and accessories to look at, I think they are really boring.
Im sure Hedo likes it better when everyone is on equal ground, with
one white sheet to make a toga. I
think the different costumes that show up are the best. Thanks again to everyone who made that night fun.
My brain in now taxed, I dont think I should mention
the other things that happened this year (thank God they all say to
themselves). Some things do have
to remain at Hedo, after all. Special
thanks go to some very special people in my life: Steve and Nancy, I realize it was only just a year ago that I
met you both, I cant believe how good of friends you are in the short time.
See you this May (twice maybe!!).
Rick and Laura, its only been a year for us also, but I think of you
both as my kindred Phoenix family. I
wish you guys would stay in town more. Cherylwhat
kind of fate was it that made our paths cross??
I feel like Ive known you forever.
Jim and Cynthia, thanks for all the encouraging words, especially since
weve returned. You are both
very special people, and extra thanks for that special ride that one night.
J
HedoBob, who else but you could tell the story of the blue Surburban,
the 60 people who get out of it each day, the three color Escort, and how you
got that Sony Playstation thru customs, but you??
You are such a GREAT example of a single guy that goes to Hedo and has
more fun than most. Dennis, OMGanother
single guy who has more fun than should be legal.
When Dennis first signed up for WWW, some of us were worried. Now that weve met him, we are all really worriedlol.
I still cant believe you went and watched that football game, no
wonder you missed all the passes made at you all week, you were busy watching
the passes on TV. Jim and Janie,
dont you guys ever wait a year between trips again, it was too good seeing
you both. Jim and Nissa, thanks
so much for your help with the Christmas gifts for the kids.
To see you both so touched by the experience was very special for me.
Jamie and Hazel, Im so glad you decided to join in the fun this
year; you are a great addition to the group, and a blast to party with. We wont ever let you stay to yourselves again.
Zilla, what a trip you are. And
that Dave guy, well, better keep him around.
That bark of yours on the message board, is way more intense than your
bite, I remember. Dont let
anybody tell you any different girl..you are awesome!!!!
Wayne, what can I say? I
promise to show for at least one dive next year.
Frank, thanks so much for your help in finding that camera, not sure
what I would have done without you that night.
Twayne, so glad you decided to join us this year, now if you would have
ever come out of your room, we might have had some fun.
Thea, I know you were keeping the tall Texan in line. Good thing, someone needs to.
Jerry and Edie, Rupe and Patty, Bernie and Elaine, Steve and Char, Pete
and Wicked Wanda, you all are my mainstay of the WWW Winter group.
What die hard partiers you all are.
Keep up the good work. And
last but not least, thanks will always go to DennyP.
For the lifes lessons hes taught me.
Hope to see you all in December 2002!!!!