Going To Take A Trip

Discussion in 'Tall Tales & Fabrications' started by Bill Boggs, Nov 28, 2017.

  1. Bill Boggs

    Bill Boggs Supreme Member
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    Hello, my name is A. C. Black. Bought me a ticket on the old ship Zion thinking it was headed for GloryLand. We sailed first to Port-au-Prince, Haiti where we docked. The captain announced we’d be here overnight and all hands could have liberty save those who had the duty. I first considered I’d stay on board but later decided to go ashore and look around. That proved to be a mistake as I met up with a lady who said she was a Holy Woman and could cure my incompetence and I went with her to her quarters. She burned some incense and some leaves and said a chant and made a ceremony over me by going over my body with the smoke while chanting a cure. I was no longer sure I was conscience.


    Maybe I was and maybe I wasn’t but I awoke two days later in an empty slum house filled with trash and flies and dried blood on the floor. I checked for the time but my watch was gone. I still had my wallet but it was emptied of cash, credit cards and Identification. Nevertheless I made myself presentable, looked around for my jacket which was also missing, and rushed out, thinking to make haste for the harbor. It took several minutes to determine my directions and I made haste. When I arrived at the harbor the good ship Zion was nowhere in site. She had sailed without me. I was left behind.


    The second day I found the US Embassy who was not much help. After listening to my story, taking my name, address and phone number back stateside, I was told to come back tomorrow. I said, “Look lady, I don’t have any money, no clothes except what I have on. I have nowhere to stay, I can’t buy a meal or catch a cab. I need some immediate help.” She said, ‘have a seat out there.’ That was ten o’clock this morning. At four-thirty two marines under arms arrived and said come with them. Was escorted to a nearby brig where I spent the night on a bunk with a blanket. They did feed me breakfast but I couldn’t shave, brush my teeth, or comb my hair. I knew I looked a mess.


    At ten o’clock or there about I was escorted back in front of some administrative yahoo who told me they could have me arrested for trying to defraud an American citizen. I was informed the person I claimed to be, whose address and phone number I was using, was deceased. He advised I clean up my act. He looked me up and down at length. Finally he said, “Beat it. You come in here again, you’ll be arrested and prosecuted.”


    I went back to the place where I lost it all or where I was when I came to myself. Hoping of course to find something of my self. Nothing. For a week or so a lady houses down has been feeding me one meal a day. She offers to feed me if I would work for her and her family. I helped out where I could but I have been trying two find gainful employment. Finally I have hired out on a fishing vessel and will try to make my way to Jamaica. I will let you know when I get their, if possible, how things are turning out.


    I Jumped ship in Jamaica and after four days went to work for a tobacco company that makes fine cigars. In fact I used to smoke some of them, Royal Jamaica. A fine smoke they were. I am earning enough to keep afloat. I’m hoping to earn enough to get back to the states and clear up the matter of my identity. I’m sure it's a minor administrative problem.


    Jamaica is a religious country. Religion is big here. Not only Roman Catholic and other western religions but there are religions brought to Haiti and the Caribbean by slaves from eastern Africa. There are holy men and women who practice voodoo and use it to heal the sick, help participants find employment, find homes, all sorts of things. I met a holy woman who does this and she is much respected. She has also been known to cast spells, cause curses to be upon offenders. I was invited to a tent meeting and I went. It reminded me of an old fashion revival meeting. I even knew the melodies of some of the songs they sang. There was some shouting, some speaking in tongues, and dancing in the aisles. I could not understand the sermon but apparently it was well received.


    I told the holy woman I would like to learn to cast spells, place curses upon my wrong doers and those who have caused me to wind up here as I am. She didn’t think this was a good idea but finally offered to teach me what she knew for certain services.She taught the different prayers, how to lay on the hands, how to say the chants and how to read the curses. How if not careful the curses could bounce back and cause me problems. I learned what I could about Voodoo, the religion, the hexes, the spells, the curses, and have been practicing, mainly on frogs and small rodents. Soon I will have enough saved enough money to get back stateside where I may try out what I have learned on real people. My holy friend asked me to stay in touch and let her know how things work out. She has friends and relatives in New Orleans.


    I am back. I thought I would write a story about my adventures but who would believe me. I am going to a revival meeting tonight in a small church where snakes are used in the services. It is legal in this state and used to be in a number of states but has since been outlawed.


    I remember the service. They had two five gallon cleaned out paint cans with snakes. I should cast a spell on them. A half dozen or so members were dancing up front, handing off big rattlesnakes to each other. One lady was trying to hand off a big rattlesnake but no one had empty hands to take him so she laid him down on the floor. He crawled off toward the audience and people began standing up in chairs. I decided to leave. This was more than I could handle. I started down the aisle toward the door. I felt it when I stepped on the snake. I felt him bite me on the thigh. I thought to run but fell down in the isle, The snake bit me twice more, on the arm and on the neck. My last thought was, ‘I should have stayed home and watched television.’


    The obit for A. C. Black said he died from snake bites and was dead even before the ambulance arrived. The preacher said Mr Black had been saved and was a Christian. The Choir sang, I’m Going To Take A Trip On That Good Old Gospel Ship and go sailing through the air. A member of the congregation said it was a blessing Mr. Black died so quickly. A timber rattler that big can cause terrible pain and hallucinations.
     
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    Last edited: Nov 28, 2017
  2. Shirley Martin

    Shirley Martin Supreme Member
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    You had me wondering if this was truth or fiction up until the obit part. :D
     
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  3. Bill Boggs

    Bill Boggs Supreme Member
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    Thank you. Maybe that's where it should be edited. Admittedly this was not my best effort. Wrote it the other day while awaiting results on my daughter's stem-cell operation for her Multiple Myeloma.
     
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  4. Ken Anderson

    Ken Anderson Senior Staff
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  5. Bill Boggs

    Bill Boggs Supreme Member
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    Thanks.
     
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  6. Shirley Martin

    Shirley Martin Supreme Member
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    @Bill Boggs , you must have been under tremendous stress while you were waiting for the results of her operation. I'm hoping that the results were good and that she can be successfully treated.
     
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  7. Bill Boggs

    Bill Boggs Supreme Member
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    Thanks. There is no cure for Multiple Myeloma but thought the stem cell (this iis the second one & the last) might extend her life three or three nd a half years. I hope for more.
     
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  8. Shirley Martin

    Shirley Martin Supreme Member
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    I'm sorry. I don't know what else to say except if you need a friend to talk to, I'm available. {{{Hugs}}}
     
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  9. Bill Boggs

    Bill Boggs Supreme Member
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    Thanks, I'm appreciative.
     
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  10. Bill Boggs

    Bill Boggs Supreme Member
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    Sorry @ Shirley Martin didn't mean to put you or guide the conversation into an awkward moment. Sometime I don't think before saying something I should have thought about.
     
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