Truly an elegant affair
My sister-friends, I have lightened my load. I laughed, I cried, I bonded and shared experiences with a group of wonderful ladies from the United States and Jamaica.
With an emphasis on the need to be among sister-friends, An Elegant Affair in association with All Woman magazine, staged its 3rd Annual Mind Body & Soul Retreat in Ocho Rios from Tuesday, June 24 to Sunday, June 29th.
Karen Clarke, the CEO of An Elegant Affair, spoiled us with upscale accommodations, challenging speakers, exciting entertainment events and individual attention by her staff members.
Now, the Retreat started on Tuesday, but I was only able to unshackle myself from work on Thursday morning. But, it was worth the effort. Set high above Ocho Rios in the hills of Shaw Park Ridge, the very first sight of the exclusive villa I was booked in explained why so many women have returned each year to the retreat.
Each day had special events but the mornings and afternoons offered four choices for the ladies. Participants could do yoga, fitness, belly dancing or visit KiYara Ocean Spa for a bit of pampering.
In the evening, the official welcome reception took place at Villa Manana, another exclusive villa in the Shaw Park Estates. The vibe that night set the tone for the entire retreat ú camaraderie. We were all beautiful – no criticism, no petty backbiting, just sister-friends, newly made or long established bonding together to entertain, enlighten, and accept each other. The men in our lives who are good were applauded and the ones who are not so good, well, you know…
With the backdrop of the shimmering lights, we listened to the stimulating poetry of a really handsome dreadlocked North American poet, Sekou (tha misfit), fresh from Def Poetry Jam in Los Angeles.
From the evening’s poetry readings, we were invited to the lower level of the Villa to have a light supper with additional entertainment.
Friday offered the ‘Lighten Your Load Cruise’ from the shores of James Bond Beach in St Mary. We were on the yacht with a mission. Clarke passonately emplored: “Think about the burdens, regrets and guilt that you carry. Don’t tell me, just be honest with yourself. Let go, ladies!” Well, there was not a dry eye when that exercise was finished. And so the mood needed to be lightened. For nearly one hour, the Jamaican ladies showed the North American ladies how to get, ‘pon de riva, pon de bank’ and a host of other dances that were embraced with a joyous abandoned.
When the yacht docked back at the Beach, we were in for a sumptuous lunch. Our chef was the Ritz Carlton Hotel’s Dennis McIntosh, who by the way, won the Chef of the Year at the 2003 Observer’s, Table Talk awards.
The highlight of the evening was the Hen PJ Party.
At the PJ Party we discussed issues. Grandberry the Issue Doctor took the ladies through the motions. With a little assistance from Clarke, the ladies were able to speak about issues affecting them such as choosing the wrong man, guilt about past actions by others or even yourself and body acceptance.
On Saturday, the ladies opened the vault of their hearts. Boy, did I cry. We shared the pains that we as women carry deep in our hearts. Very cleansing.
Sunday, the last day offered one more chance for yoga, spa treatments, fitness or belly dancing. After a leisurely breakfast, each participant regretfully made their way back to the real world. All in all, it was truly an elegant affair.
