How We Found Bongo
Once we blessed the property, drank and ate until the wee hours of the morning, it was time to start the fencing and rock walls. More men were hired to manually dig the trench for the fences and rock wall. This was all done by hand, with shovels and pick axes. It was very hard work and many men were hired. Then we needed to find a guy to bang the big rocks, a man they called – Bongo.
Bongo lived in the neighbouring village of Little Bay. We drove the 10 minutes to Little Bay to find him. We would stop and talk to locals and the word got out we were looking for him. Eventually we met up with him – he was there waiting on the side of the road for us. Ralston told him in Patois to come to the lot the next day, we were hiring him to bust boulders. Bongo showed up the next morning to start busting rocks. He was wearing a pair of rubber boots that did not protect his feet. Papa Poo insisted we find out what size boot he wore and would bring him a pair of work boots when we returned. Bongo was there when we returned and has been with us ever since!
Bongo Taking a Rest
I should not tell tales out of school, as I was once told by a very smart lady, but there is always one story that just has to be told.
Not long after Bongo came on board and was busting up rocks, he would go home to Little Bay in the evenings. Then one day he did not show up for work, nor the next day after that. When he finally showed up on the 3rd day Ralston was MAD. We had needed him and without him progress had slowed. Rally wanted to fire him. Papa Poo and I talked and somehow it was left up to me to speak with Bongo.
Bongo Digging the Trench for the Rock Wall
When I asked him what happened, how come he was gone for two whole days. He looked me in the eye and with his broken English Patois, he told me ‘the rum had licked him in the head’ What could I say. I tried to be firm and tell him that this should never happen again and get to work. As I said, he has been with us ever since.
Bongo is now a permanent fixture at Villa Jewel Resort. Papa Poo was true to his word and returned with a new pair of work boots for Bongo. You will find him fishing off the rocks, cooking over the open fire, watering plants, trying to help Ralston and providing security when necessary. He will take guests on walking tours, help me with the garden and keep Papa Poo company late into the evenings.
Rasta Taking a Rest
All the men worked hard on the fence line and things proceeded slowly but eventually we had an awesome fence. A steel gate was added to the front driveway and a wooden gate to the sea. Papa Poo brought back many pairs of boots, safety googles, good leather work gloves for our crew as well as the occasional power tool when required.
We had made it through another phase of construction. Our property was properly identified. We had a beautiful fence and awesome rock wall. It was now time to start the building – the one from my vision.
‘Ask yourself if what you‘re doing today is getting you closer to where you want to be tomorrow.’
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Baba
COME AND MEET BONGO – BOOK NOW!