The Wexford's favourite couple

PHOTO BY JANET SILVERA Owner and managing director of the Wexford Court Hotel, Godfrey Dyer (left) raises a toast to guests Rosemary and Lytton Jarman of London, England. The two celebrated their 365th day visit to the Wexford in a period of 10 years this past month.

Janet Silvera
Hospitality Jamaica Coordinator

IN THE past 10 years, Lytton and Rosemary Jarman of Warwicker have spent a total of 365 days vacationing at the Wexford Court Hotel in Montego Bay.

The two refuse to describe their trip to Jamaica anymore as 'holiday'. "We just say we live here," the two said in unison, expressing very serious sentiments about the island they have come to call home away from home.

And before their stay ends, booking dates are punched into the reservation system at the 62-room hotel. "It's the staff here that keep us coming back, year after year. They make us feel welcome," said Mrs. Jarman.

Each stay at the Wexford Court becomes longer and this time around they spent eight weeks, from Christmas 2004 to February 2005.

They confess that they dare not spend Christmas alone in England: "After spending two Christmases there, we decided every Christmas then would be spent in Jamaica."

NOT BLIND TO ISLAND'S BEAUTY

One of the most interesting things about this couple is the fact that Mrs. Jarman is blind and has never seen the paradise she fell in love with so easily.

"I can't see the beauty, but I can feel the heat," she responded.

In fact, she thinks the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, should prescribe the perfect cure for arthritis as living in Jamaica.

Assisted by her dedicated and considerate husband every step of the way, the two know more of this country than many Jamaicans.

They have explored most of the island, including the picturesque Portland and the Maroon interior of Accompong in St. Elizabeth. And like typical Europeans, they want more than sand and sea ­ they crave the colourful and rich history of the people.

Comparing Jamaica to the rest of the world, the Jarmans think this is a safe place. Their only problem is coming through immigration. "It's not (immigration) very welcoming to people who haven't been here before," said Mr. Jarman.

He was speaking of the long period it took to get through the lines at the Sangster International Airport.

In parting, the two said they depend on Air Jamaica to get them here and The Gleaner's website, Go-Jamaica, to keep them up to date.