The Key West citizen., 1952-10-04
Trip To Jamaica

hoping for our patronage on the
morrow. At the hotel, under bar
rage of reproach we parted with
another pound English, and hurried
into the hotel, in whose dining room
we were welcomed like the prodi-
gals we we're, and soothed by such
super service and delicious food
that we felt much better.
BY the time dinner was finished
all eight courses Of it, we could
hear wonderful dance music and
knew that Dorothy DeSousa and
her sixty had arrived and the party
was under way. 1t was a good
party, plenty Of dancing, with Paul
Jones exchanges so that everyone
was happy. 1t was one of the most
orderly parties I have ever attend
ed, and the crew and Officers OF
the u. S. S. Briareus are to be COM
plimented.
The party was over promptly at
1880 P. M. but there being certain
night owls among us, about twenty
took off for a popular nightclub,
The Glass Bucket. Not being guild
ed by Spence we arrived in good
time at an agreeable fee. The in
side was an agreeable surprise.
It reminded me of our own Ha-
bana Madrid except that the dance
floor was raised about two and a
half feet and was covered by a
roof. The rest of the area was
under the stars. The Glass Bucket
is run by statuesque stateslde
blonde introduced to us as Mrs.
Blackman. From the moment of
introduction the place belonged to
the Briareus. The floor show was
about to 60 on, and was immedi-
ately entrigued by the Master of
Ceremonies who crooned Calypso
about little tongue-tied gal whose
"Granmudder tum home at tenty
five to telve". heard it many
times after that, and would adore
to have q record of it.
We had wonderful time dane
ing and being entertained at the
Glass Bucket by the Calypso sing
ers who seranaded us at our table,
and my hat goes off in admiration
of this plucky blond who runs the
place single handed and charming
". "Jeem" decided then and there
that another party for the Officers
and men who had had the duty on
Monday night should be held on
Tuesday night at the Glass Bucket
and Mrs. Blackman was enthusiaS-
tic in her invitation to us to come.
Tuesday was lovely repetition
of Monday with the exception of a
guided tour Of the city by car, in
which we saw many lovely sections
and decided that life in Kingston
could be very nice indeed.
Tuesday night we again went to
the Glass Bucket, and it too was a
repetition of the wonderful Myrtle
Bank Party with Dorothy DeSousa
and her U. S. o. girls much in
evidence. Another floor show was
put on with a few special additions
for the servicemen, and then they
left at midnight like Cinderellas,
leaving us owls to close up. We did
this, very late with thrilling epi-
sode of being left behind with a
sleeping porter and no Cab. The
Myrtle Bank again came to the
rescue with a limousine.
I've often wondered what It
would be like to be "Queen for a
Day. like the lucky winners on the
radio programs of that name. Well,
yours truly was truly queen for
four whole days, compliments OF
the Briareus.
My vacation came to a glorious
end with a final visit to the big
ship. Sailing time being changed
from 8 A. NJ. to p. NJ. we had
hoped for extra shore liberty for
Ronnie. When that was denied. /
was invited aboard, and accepted
very fast. So another tour Of the
ship, a delicious dinner of Roast
Chicken. a final farewell to my
wonderful new friends, and back
10 the hotel to pack and get ready
for my own leavetaking,
We left almost half an hour late
because of threatening weather
over Cuba, and also left with the
inevitable Planters Punch, COM
pliments of the sugar company in
our perSpiring little hands. Ah
these sugar companies. They have
their sweet points.
The trip was cloudy In spots,
bumpy in spots, and entirely un-
eventfui. My last view Of Kingston
was hreathiaking as we circled the
bay. and all the now familiar land
marks. I blew q kiss, and said .
silent goodbye to a proud ship slow.
ly steamIng away too as We turned
and headed over the mountains for
home.
Customs isn't too scary. no.
Everyone Is very courteous and In
as big hurry to set rid Of you as
you are 10 leave.
II was 3 wonderful vacation. |
recommend IL 10 anyone bored With
life at home. The Myrtle Bank is 9
wonderful Hotel TO 50 10. The good
ship Rriareas is the sort . sal