Faces of Jamaica [Part 2 of 10] Dean "Bongo" Robertson

The story of "Bongo" goes all the way back to 2007 when I was traveling with my son to Negril, Jamaica. We stayed this time around up the road a ways at the cliffs ("the West End cliff resorts"). It was our first time staying at the West End; a different scene than we were normally used to on the Beach ("seven mile beach") at our usual place of stay - The Rondel Village.

We decided to give the cliffs a go by staying at a place called Samsara on the Cliffs. It is a ways up West End Road, which starts at the round about in the town centre. The road weaves and winds up the cliffs along a treacherous and windy road, which has been significantly revamped over the years that I have been.

Samsara on the Cliffs

Samsara with Ocean Edge Hotel and Xtabi in the distance

We wanted a ride into town so we could grab of couple of grocery items and also obtain some over-the-counter medication for my son who had been bit by a dog earlier that day. A man pulled up in his nice white van as soon as we exited the walkway leading from our "villa" to the street. I called out to the man, "how much for a ride into town?"

"200 Jays for the two," he responded. At this time the exchange rate was something like 50 or 60 Jamaican Jays to the dollar, but now this rate is something more like 133 Jays to the (USD) dollar.

We hopped in. The interior was clean, the A/C was blasting, and he was playing some soulful reggae music from his monstrous collection of tapes hanging from his overhead visor. The ride into town was short, only a few kilometers down the road. Even though we had just met the man, we felt as though we had an instant connection, talking and chatting away. Before we hopped out to head into the Hi-Lo Supermarket, I asked "Bongo" if he was free for a transport to the Montego Bay (Mo Bay) Airport on our departure date.

Interior of Bongo's white van where all the action takes place

Hi-Lo market in the Times Square Mall

Inside the market

I set up a ride with Bongo to pick us up at 9 am sharp to get us to the airport with plenty of time for us to catch our 1 pm departure flight back into Dayton International Airport. We got his business card, which I still have in my wallet today, along with a 50 Jamaican Jay bill I have carried around with me as long as I can remember.

50 Jays that have been in my wallet for.... I can't remember how many years at this point

Bongo's business card - serious inquires only

We did our thing, got what we needed, even hit the cambio exchange, and then hitched a ride back with one of the many taxi drivers posted up outside the grocery waiting for people like my son and I needing a ride back to their homestead for their duration of stay on the island. Our departure day swiftly approached and "Bongo" was right where he said he would meet us.

The old cambio exchange in the Hi-Lo

He trekked us back to Mo Bay Airport, about an hour and a half drive from the cliffs, for us to head back to our normal, everyday lives. Bummer. Along the way, we picked up right we where had left off from the other day. My son even got his Facebook contact so we could stay in touch. The ride cost us 25 USD per person. A very reasonable deal for a trip of two.

In 2010, my son and I scheduled another trip to our favorite location. You guessed it: Negril, Jamaica. We hit up Bongo on Facebook well in advance to try and set up a ride from the airport. It took him a while to respond, but he eventually got back to us. We had it scheduled for him to pick us up about 45 minutes or so upon our departure to give us ample time to get through customs and claim our baggage.

Beautiful sunset in Negril, 2010

A look down the seven mile beach

It was way easier that we had our ride pre-scheduled. In the past, we would arrive and there would be - what felt like - hundreds of taxi drivers waiting and hawking out people for rides. All we had to do was search for a sign that said, "Bongo," and we were off. I mean the sign helped, but at this point, we already knew who we were looking for. He was our ride to and fro the airport this time around in 2010.

Finally the man, the myth, the legend himself: (Bongo Dean Robertson)

On our next trip, in 2014, Bongo's prices had skyrocketed, so we decided to "wheel and deal" (something you have to learn to do if you want to venture here) and tag a ride with another couple heading to Negril. That same trip, however, we ran into, you guessed it: Dean "Bongo" Robertson. He was sitting on the side of the road with some other Jamaicans. We were walking by, I happened to glance over and see his well distinguished face, and I called out, "BONGO!"

He recognized me. We talked for a brief moment. And then off we went to meet up with some of our other Jamaican friends we had met earlier that trip, Mitchiganz and Blackz.

That is the story of Dean "Bongo" Robertson as it currently lives on. There may be more to add later if I decide to venture back, which I can almost guarantee will happen, as this #reggaesteem stuff is getting me all excited to head back to my favorite travel destination spot.

Irieeee for now, and stay tuned for the next post, Faces of Jamaica [Part 3 of 10] T.B.D

@super-irie

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Posted via ReggaeSteem | Reggae Culture Rewarded