Every woman worth their salt will recognise this poem by Jenny Joseph, and if you don't please look it up.
The sentiment behind it is how I now conduct my life, no I am not mad just practicing being a little eccentric for older age. With this in mind, I shall be reviewing life in Barbados for any and all that may be interested. This may not happen every day or even every week, but as and when time and tide allows. For those that have been to this exquisite island will know there are an infinite number of good and bad things to report on.
I shall cover topics as varied and far reaching as this 21 x 14 mile island can stand.
I shall be grateful for polite comments and advice (nothing rude please) and will try and answer any questions asked.
So here we go. As Dante would say "LASCIATE OGNE SPERANZA, VOI CH'INTRATE" or translated "Abandon all hope, ye that enter here"
Before talking about anything 'Bajan', I would like to say right from the beginning that just because people move to live abroad for an ultimate number of reasons does not mean they forget their patriotism to Great Britain. Therefore my first comments will be concerning the Remembrance Day commemorated each year at 11am on 11th November. Poppy Day. The burning of the poppies by extreme muslim group.
I have always believed that each and every person has a right to follow whichever god they choose and attend whichever church they want to - or not, as the case may be. I do not believe that a person, or persons, have the right to denigrate Great Britain or its customs, by instigating unrest in placard waving, vitriolic abuse of our soldiers in Afganistan and beyond.
If the muslim population in Britain are shouting for British soldiers to leave 'their' country, why are those same people living in Britain. Don't they realise it is because our brothers, sons, husbands and fathers are sacrificing themselves in this war by ousting a tyrant leader, which has given them a more democratic chance of freedom. These minority groups of extremists do not respect true Muslim life, and bring shame to the religion that they claim to speak for.
If I, as a white Brit, went to their country waving placards, saying 'Your soldiers burn in hell', wearing a scarf across my face because I am to cowardly to show it, I would be torn apart in the streets. In the Middle East people are killed for far less.
"They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We WILL remember them"
Enough said about this, we all have thoughts on it.
Now what about Barbados, otherwise affectionately known as Bim.
November is a very special month for the island in that it is celebrating 44 years of Independance, as of November 30th. The run up to this public holiday is party, party, party...or perhaps that is just our normal weekend. Rum punch, liming (means chilling out), eating lots of good food and music. This date is also my husbands birthday, so typically, he gets a really good party every year by proxy of the Independance Day celebrations. More on this subject later in the month.
Christmas is just around the corner and if like me, you are a lover of all things Christmas ie beautiful carols, chilly weather (snow preferably), Marks & Spencer mince pies, the company of family and catching up with good friends you haven't seen for awhile, then todays the day we start.
There is a dog rescue centre on the island called The Arc, and each year hold a fundraiser at a polo field. Lions Castle. Without fundraising events such as this, with a Christmas theme, charities cannot survive, therefore my daughter, H, and I will be going and reporting on what the day holds.
Barbados is a very beautiful island.
ReplyDeleteColony Club Barbados