Cancer survivor regrets not meeting Kartel - But says attending Freedom Street was worth it

Three-time cancer survivor and Vybz Kartel's self-proclaimed biggest fan, Ingrid Morgan, said that despite not getting to meet the superstar at Freedom Street, the money spent was worth it.

"We travelled a rough road and it didn't turn out the way we expected, but it was worth it a billion time. It cost about US$3,000 but I don't regret it at all as we love Vybz Kartel," Morgan said.

Morgan and her daughter Oneilia landed in Jamaica on December 31, the day of the event. Despite battling a host of health issues and navigating financial struggles, she said she had to dig deep into her pockets to find another US$350 after missing her flight.

"We were suppose to be at the airport at 6 a.m. but that did not work out as there was just too many persons going to the show so the gates got closed on us. There was also a lot of traffic heading to the airport. We could not check in online and that made the situation worse. So we did not reach in Jamaica until close to midday and that cost us US$175 each," she said.

Morgan said by this time, her legs were swollen and she was starting to feel ill. A good Samaritan drove them from the airport to the Courtyard Marriot Hotel. But despite booking a room in full through a third party days earlier, it was not being picked up on the system.

"We were just tired and frustrated and just sitting in the lobby. We were on our phones trying to get the entity that we booked through and we were on hold for hours," she said.

Morgan said they watched in frustration as dozens of other persons checked into their rooms, before leaving to catch their respective shuttles for Freedom Street.

"We were in the lobby for more than six hours and we had no money. The general manager eventually called and found out where the mix-up was and then we got a room. We were tired man," she said.

But, after checking in, Morgan said the person who had promised them VIP tickets did not show up.

"He had a direct connection to Kartel but he didn't even pass on our message. Instead he told us that he already gave away what he had and that he was not the one responsible for issuing tickets. I had to call my daughter in New York and she sent us some money. But when we went online, the cheapest tickets we saw we could not afford. They were going like at US$150 each and we did not have that. When we got outside the venue we purchased two bleachers tickets from persons who were selling outside," she said.

"I didn't even understand what bleachers meant and that we were mostly going to see the show mostly on a big screen. My daughter is a trooper so she managed. A man lend me his seat so I could sit a bit," she added.

Despite not having the experience she anticipated, Morgan thanked God that they made it. But returning home to Florida also proved a challenge, as Morgan said her US passport had expired. Cashless and broken, dancehall artiste Macka Diamond came to her aid.

"I had to go back to the embassy and it was Macka who came and gave us some funds and booked us in another hotel. She was in Portland and heard about my situation and came to assist and even stayed at the same hotel with us. I am forever grateful," she said.