Tourist?

I would say that sometimes I am a tourist. I think my desire to see and experience any and everything in Barbados means that I am not always trying to see things naturally. At times I do inquire on things that I may not have asked if i weren't a tourist. I have experienced things while here that can also honestly make me think that there is no way that I am a tourist. Most tourists here have a certain type of privilege here in Barbados especially if they are of a certain ethnicity. The way I feel I have been treated here at times would make me feel as though people would prefer to take advantage of the fact that i am not from the country.

To Change or not to Change

To Change or Not to Change

Ok, so the other day when I was out driving with a friend, he asked me what I was doing tomorrow and I replied “I’ze gine ta wuk tomar, deng ta da shop”. He said “Aight deng”. Then I paused, “what the heck did I just say lol”.
By the way that sentence translates to “ I am going to work Tomorrow, then I am going back to work.”

I honestly had no idea that I had just spoke in the most real Bajan dialect. It was definitely done unintentionally.
It is difficult, because as I am here as a Canadian, it is very easy to walk around with a “Canadian accent” and allow things to come easily, because people here service people who are foreign much quicker and more politely than they do their own. However, people cannot tell that I am from overseas until I speak, so I try not to make it to obvious. Since I also have my Jamaican heritage I will also let people know that this is the reason why I am so familiar with Caribbean Customs.

When in Canada, I would always greet people with a smile and handshake or for some a BIG bear hug, but I cannot really do that here. One thing I have adapted for sure is the politeness of saying good morning or good evening, TO EVERYONE hahaha. When I work to work every day, I must say good morning about 30 times before I actually get to work (only 10 mins away). When you pass a stranger on the street you must always always greet them whether it be a child or an elder, sometimes, unfortunately greasy old men that think you’re cute. In Canada we do the whole smile and nod thing out of politeness, but here you must speak. Once it is after 3pm, you must say good evening to everyone that crosses your path. It does make me better disciplined, however.

To be honest, over here there is more pressure to be fashionable than there may be in Canada. People love to have the latest hair styles and clothes. The professional women here are so elegantly dressed, many times I desire to have a suit made and tailored for me as well.

Often times I have to be careful when speaking to people that I do not try to seem arrogant or as though I am in someway or educated than them just because I have a different understanding of things. Therefore, I tend to take the backseat when I see people conversing.

I have found that in Barbados there are a lot of women who hold very prestigious positions, but this business women lifestyle also appears in the household. I have seen a number of cases where the women are the breadwinners and make most of the financial decisions in the home while the men take the back seat. Women here are also very protective of their husbands and boyfriends. Apparently, Bajan women can be very aggressive when it comes to men that they want, regardless of their relationship status. So I keep my distance.

Setting The Scene- Barbados

I believe that I had mentioned previously what type of North American and Western influence has appeared on this Rock (Island). The beautiful lush sceneries makes Barbados a Prime location for people from all over the world to migrate to for many different purposes. There are actually quite a few people here that have migrated from Canada. Luckily there is something about Canada that Barbadians love. I am not sure what it is but when ever I tell people I am Canadian they always embrace me with warmth and acceptance. I also have found that a huge portion of the Bajan population has been educated in Canada. Since I have been here I have many countless individuals who have either lived in Toronto for some period time for studies or frequents Canada often to visit family. Ironically in the household that I live in, the Father of the home had lived in Canada for about 18 years. Every single day he speaks about how much he loved it there and talks about taking the bus on the Sheppard line from the eat to west just for a ride. I constantly have to tell him how much Canada has changed since he had been back 10 years ago. While conducting a series of workshops on a variety of things from etiquette to entrepreneurship many of the facilitators advised the participants to consider starting a career in Canada because of the amazing opportunities that are available there. I feel so proud to be Canadian here in Barbados.

Apart from the North American influence here I would say that Barbadians live rather comfortably. Firstly, Post Secondary Education is FREE. There are minimal fees that must be paid when applying to go to university (The University of the West Indies). Other than that the only fee that must be paid is about $600 Bds dollars for registration (about $300 US). The literacy rate in Barbados is between 97-99% (The Highest in the Caribbean, probably one of the Highest in the world). There population is only about 280,000. The Island also has the lower death rate and the highest life expectancy in the Caribbean (average age 78), it must be because of all that flying fish and cou cou ( The National Dish).

I have been observing the lifestyles and habits of people here, and it seems that somehow people always have money to shop and go to parties that are $60 for entry. I just recently found out, however, that the minimum wage is just a big of $5.00 bds dollars which is only about $2.50 US. I cant figure out how people maintain their standard of living with the amount of money. I have observed that a lot of young people just inherit wealth within the family and live off of their parents. Once you have your own home, all other funds are dispersed.

This are actually rather expensive here, but no one seems to complain about it but me.
As you may or may not know, Barbados has now moved into its Crop Over season. I know what you are thinking and it is not a big harvest celebration where people meet in the market and sell goods. Crop Over has been around for decades and is the actual representation of Bajan culture. Every year nearly the entire Island population and beyond come together to celebrate through music (Calypso & Soca), dancing and costumes. Just as we have our own Carnival in Canada, Carribbana which is held once a year brings out over a million people form all over the world to Toronto. This carnival is very similar, but people in the Caribbean take it very seriously. Leading up to the day of the event there are parties EVERY SINGLE DAY. You cannot avoid them, no matter how hard you try. People here love to party rain or shine.

I find that Barbadians are for the most part very hospitable. They are almost always welcoming.

I am very proud to say that I am visiting from Canada. Barbados has definitely captured my heart.

Sunny Clouds

Sunny Clouds May 1st 2008

The shape of my existence is molded by finesse, raindrops and sunsets, and we must always make the best of every situation, the blessings here on earth will be multiplied when I’m in heaven floating in landscapes of bliss on the canvas of perfection.

The earth will fade away but memories are ever pressing in my mind, after time has stopped and there’s no more guessing what tomorrow will bring, my mind will hold everything that ever existed.

It`s so twisted how I listened to threatening things that they would say about how high these wings, could take me but never shady I escaped the misery and see how I’m soaring above their mourning when they have nothing left and all they see is death.
High up in the untouchable sky I feel so alive, just watch me fly

Through it all give thanks, and give thanks for it all

But I must give thanks to the hands that tried to bury me, through this I recognized my friends from enemies

Those demons that were stealing my soul, made me realize that I was just to whole and they all wanted a piece of me, clearly, but some role models are so uplifting that I couldn’t stop rising
Surprise! I’m whole again, no more holes, I need time to mend, heal and feel that my creator will carry me, sincerely I could never make it on my own, if it wasn’t for the one who is sitting on that thrown,

Moaning and complaining would only be wasting my patience so I’m escaping I’m not blaming but creating my own way out, no doubt , it’s a new day now, watch the sun rise but hardly watch it fall the moon will take its place as soon as it is called

Through it all give thanks, and give thanks for it all

Shameless, aimless games at this low ambition stage

Raging, I’m caged in this metaphorical huddle of struggles

That weighs on me and mussels my pain, I can’t face this all in one day so if I may take a moment I can find a solution to why I’m losing. My rest is over now i must get moving, there`s nothing that I`m proving but I’m choosing to improve and there`s no time to stall

Through it all give thanks, and give thanks for it all

No your words will never bury me, I’m more than treasure, recognize my worth I am royalty because I am a priceless, empress, with a mind that of my ancestors, more wisdom that can be put into words, maybe I should stop, I should be more humble, but if I was trying to follow their path I would probably trip and stumble because of the abundance of greatness and knowledge they have left. My motives are much greater, no my goals are never small

Through it all give thanks, and give thanks for it all

I give all my praises to where it is due; there is only one thing in this lifetime that I will pursue

And that is the pursuit of peace, peace through happiness, the peace to say I am blessed, peace so I can rest. As I grow I know that I will stand taller and stronger than when I first began and this is my plan as I am guided by great hands

Through it all Give Thanks

By : Nadia Thompson

What is Culture?

When i first read the outline for this blog assignment I thought that I could write it in about 20 mins. 20 mins has turned into 2 weeks and I still cannot conclude on what I believe culture to be. I have tried many ways to approach how I may define culture, however they have all lead to unanswered questions and dead ended answers. So, instead of trying to create some type of cultural equation to satisfy my desire to understand this concept I am going to speak on what it is that I notice around me and how I see culture as it appears to be.

In Canada, culture is a widely debatable concept. Culture, firstly, is intangible but at the same time there are aspects of culture that are directly relation, i believe, to ones geographic region. For example countries with colder climates produce things that represents the activities, events and even diets that are preferred in that particular region. In the case of Canada this would be hockey and other winter sports as our cultural signifier, as well as maple syrup and that great Canadian bacon. Here in Barbados, the culture is mainly displayed through their music and dance, while their diet of home grown fruits and meats present their cultural taste.

It is ironic, however, how North American culture can completely bombarded this tiny Island. It can be seen in the market , coca cola bottles, kfc, and my favorite shampoo brand. These customs go far furthur than just an influx of North American ways of life. This country was built on the backs of slaves. Everything that I see here is a mark that was left because of its dark and brutal past. Barbados at times has even been called "little Britain", with more sun of course. There are a lot of residents here from all over the world. The colonial presence here is very apparent.

My culture, as a Jamaican woman, as a lot to do with what i learned in my household growing up with very traditional parents. My mannerisms and values derived mainly from having a mother who was strongly rooted in her religious beliefs. Through this, I adopted a way of looking at things that made me separate what i thought was acceptable from unacceptable. It also determined the type of taste that i had in music, art and literature, which in most cases were in some way all biblical(gospel, roman catholic art and literature was pretty much the bible itself. Aside from that my Jamaican roots were mainly present and practiced when it came to the food I ate and how the elders spoke. The Jamaican dialect of patois, I believe, holds a lot of culture within it because of our unique way of speaking ( mainly because we make up a lot of our own words and phrases). Being in Canada for most of my life, however, has definitely exposed me to a number of different things that makes me feel that my culture is limitless. Being Canadian makes me explore a lot more, learn new things and embrace many diverse cultures. My culture is my taste, so I suppose its fair to say that culture is very individual. Just because I am Jamaican, doesn't mean that I like reggae, or eat curry goat. I love Jazz music, Claude Monet paintings, batique art from Uganda, and Lasagna. As I learn new things, My culture will continue to change as I grow and embrace my surroundings.

Culture is different depending on what people value and what people internalize as being a part of who they are and what they prefer. I could go on and on, but as I stated earlier, this is a question with no clear cut answer, so i will end it on that note.

Go Canada Go.

The beauty of this life

This island is allowing me to see beauty I never knew existed. Whether be in the people or the landscape it just amazes me. Every morning I awake in my new home, I just have to give thanks to the creator for allowing me to experience such a thing. I am so fortunate. Although my life has been full of stress, worries and pain, i know it has all been worth it because my experiences make me who I am and make me feel like I can do anything in this world despite the barriers that may suggest otherwise. It is also always important to acknowledge those who brought you to where you are, who gave you the opportunities throughout life to show and prove that you can excel. I never want to stop traveling. Money will no longer a barrier between me and my goals.
We are young people, who can do it all, have fun and change the world at the same time

GIANT SEA CREATURE IN BARBADOS!!! da da daaa

On Wednesday afternoon, a friend and I were taking a walk on the boardwalk by the sea when we see a group of people surrounding this GIANT creature in the sand. At first I was scared. It looking like it was kicking, but it was so dark that i could not tell what it was. Then i finally discovered that it was a Giant Sea Turtle. It had to weigh at least 200lbs. We came to realize that it was nesting its eggs in the sand and covering it up. I was then told that Giant see turtles are known to sometimes lay hundreds of eggs at a time. He stood there for quite a while in a amazing to what we were seeing. However, we wanted to give her her privacy so we carried on with out walk, but it was something that I will truly never forget and this is just WEEK 1 in Barbados.

This place is amazing.