Touring on a shoestring is interesting and a little frightening.
We spent the entire day before travelling ensuring that we had enough resources for the trip in terms of per diem and hotel. In spite of our best efforts the resources would get to us while we were on the road, not before so we were dependent on efficiency for Seretse's assistant and the power of Western Union to ensure that we had what we needed while travelling in the United States.
Seretse had a performance the night before with his band Jammarockaz at Emancipation Park, Donald Waugh was preparing his young family for the trip and Wayne likewise was putting himself together for the an adventure filled with uncertainty.
Heading to the Airport
The flight to New York was Caribbean Airlines 015 to JFK and departure was to be at seven o'clock in the morning which meant that the recommended time to be at the airport was four o'clock. This was a challenge for Seretse because being the coordinator for the tour he had not slept at all through the night preparing documents and printing at the office. Clenton, his assistant was to pick up Wayne at his house at 4 am and then go for Seretse, Donald was to make it to the airport on his won with his significant other and child.
Clenton successfully picked up Wayne and went for Seretse who was still packing and readying himself. Bags were quickly packed and thrust in the Readymedia Rental Van. Speeding off to the airport the three men Clenton, Seretse and the most cool Wayne Armond in dark glasses, scrunched together in the front of the Mitsubishi L300 panel van were on their way to the Airport, the tour and a historic first effort for Griot Music Limited. The conversation went to equipment and then Seretse said, "Stop! Turn around!' as he just realised that he had left his guitar at his apartment.
This incident seemed to underline a sobering reality for Seretse, that he was no longer a guitarist. Actually he has been thinking that he will retire from professional guitar playing in May 2012. There was a time in his life when leaving his instrument behind was unthinkable. Practicing twelve hours a day was the norm and his guitar was his first thought even before putting on clothes. Being a businessman was taking a toll on his guitarist self and he felt it was time to make a decision. He was getting on in age and at 44 years old he felt it was late to be trying to be the sexy, passionate guitar virtuoso. Actually it was a little silly and with a 19 year old daughter maybe it was time to focus on being less of a star and more of a Father.
At the Airport
The guitar was picked up and off they went to airport arriving in good time for 5:00 am. There was a bit of a line so Seretse used his Club Caribbean Card to bypass the line and check in himself and Wayne in the business class line. Donald soon appeared with Mother and child. He was a little physically overwhelmed with the bags, guitar and baby tram. It is always a challenge, blending being a musician and family life.
All of us checked in and got through immigration too early for girlfriends and wives to be at the airport for goodbye kisses the three musicians went to get something to eat. Seretse, being Club Caribbean member went to the first class lounge to grab a bite and to rest a bit in comfortable surroundings. He was allowed one guest in the lounge
and Wayne was chosen as Donald was three in one with his partner and child.
In the VIP lounge we met up with Jacqueline Lynch-Stewart, the General Manager for the Bob Marley Museum who was on her way to China to represent the Marley's at a Bob Marley Festival in Beijing. The lounge is decorated with icons of Jamaica Culture and that prompted a spirited discussion between the three travellers about the importance of various artists such as Desmond Dekker etc. Anyway aside from noting missing icons on the wall It's a nice lounge and the lady in charge Vivian was delightful.
Once on the plane we decided to get some sleep but it was not to be as there was a young mother whose infant son was crying with such pain and trauma that after 40 minutes and several complaints from the passengers the airline crew decided to give the Mother and child an upgrade to the quite empty first class section. Peace then came to the plane.
JFK and waiting...
With about an hour's sleep and baggage intact the group was now in JFK’s Terminal four waiting on the aforementioned resources from Jamaica before moving on to Hertz to get the car to begin the long drive to Pittsburgh.
We arrived at JFK at 10 am and waited until 6pm for money and a credit card to clear. Donald and Wayne occupied themselves editing a Chalice picture while Seretse walked up and down the terminal getting information on the Car Rental and options for receiving money by Western Union. Inevitably the guitars came out and singing and playing of covers ensued with the odd burst of jazz improvisation. We were exhausted.
On to Pittsbugh
Hertz provided us with a very comfortable Chevy Acadia and with directions from Google Maps we found our way to my brother's cousin's house to pick up 300 CDs and then drove 9 hours to Pittsburgh.
Long drives and despair can create firm bonds, Jakoostik was beginning to bond in a real way.
We arrived in Pittsburgh at 3 pm. We were greeted by our friend and host Denise Weidner Gaynor, who fed us and showed us our rooms. There were two rooms, Donald and Wayne settled in to their quarters and Seretse made himself comfortable on the living room couch accompanied by a very active house Alsatian dog, who had a habit of sniffing and licking everything. Exhausted we went to bed some of us having not slept for more than 40 hours. We would see Pittsburgh in the late morning.
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