Things seem alittle more luxurious that what they really are on this island. Yes the island is beautiful with absolutely breath-taking beaches and the culture. But other than that, that’s priddy much it. There is a lot of poverty throughout Barbados, however people get by; how I do not know. The government keeps laying off people by removing jobs. The youth struggle to find work after completing college because there are no jobs to fill. The older generation are unable to obtain work even with their years of experience due to their age. Having the ability to see the island from a local’s eye rather than being a typical tourist allowed me to see the true Barbados. Sadly the government here isn’t much better at all compared to ours or the states. If anything they are still feeling the recession much like a lot of other countries.
In saying this, the food and the culture that IS Barbados is amazing. The preparation of the food in itself is a lot of fun; full of laughter and chatter and obviously the consummation of it is priddy much in dead silence. I found that some local people really don’t have too many table manners in regards to talking with your mouth full and chunks of food falling out (whilst ignoring the food splatter) and continuing to talk. It was gross at first but towards the end of the week I couldn’t help but laugh at the matter, as small as it is.
There are a lot of hawkers no matter which town you go to. Bridgetown is absolutely full of them. People just trying to make a living, no matter which way it is; crafts, art, importing clothing and hygiene products, selling food out of the back of their vans. There was a couple vans I seen yesterday that had removed the last row of seats from a 12 seater van and built in a bain-marie and was selling some sort of food from it. I have seen street food before but this definitely took things to the next level. People selling fruit and veg that they have grown in their yards, music that they’ve burnt onto cd’s and movies that they’ve downloaded. All was alittle lefty-loosy in regards to legitimate businesses but again, people are just doing that they can to survive in this country.
The rusta’s are in full swing here. Smoking as they arise, preaching one love, respect and morals to all the people around them. I was lucky enough to meet an elder within Tony’s community. He was very well educated within political issues yet was out the front of his house (which was more like a wooden shed on the corner of a main highway) under a massive fern tree, smoking a big blunt and telling me how he attends parliament sessions to voice his opinion and concerns to the people within his community. As funny as it sounded, it was priddy cool to hear it from someone that could have the ability to do this (PS. While being a stoner too!) HA!
I would recommend anyone to come here still. It’s a lot of fun but it’s more of a place that you go with a partner or a bunch of friends. I found being here alone was a little hard. There are hundreds of tourists and you meet them from time to time, however eating dinner alone can be a challenge at times when you have to repeat to your waitress that there is no one else joining you for dinner. LOL I spose they don’t get to see too many solo travellers. I met a lot of people throughout the days and nights here. Local guys trying to get me to go to karaoke bars, women looking at me and asking if im a boy or a girl, men asking me why my calves are so big or if it was a runner. LOL! It was a good laugh and a big eye opener for me as I yet again realise that my life aint all that bad, that life doesn’t need to be taken so serious and for people that know me, know that I tend to take it priddy seriously.
As I sit here in the airport, awaiting my flight off this island I leave with a part of the rusta culture in my heart, the beautiful images of their beaches in my mind and the authentic tastes of their food in my mouth. Thank you Barbados, til next time.
Miami im coming to suss you out, you better be ready!
