Body Surfing

We went to Miami Beach last Saturday and these two guys show up - and start body surfing right in front of us.  I could tell that this was not their first time to do this.  I got out my camera and set the shutter speed for fast speed and did a multiaction click.  The pictures really turned out good.    Who needs a surf board? :)

Bittersweet

13 days until we leave Barbados.  This is my second give away.  It is called "Crown of Thorns."  This was my favorite of all my veranda plants.  I hope to get another one of these when we settle in Texas.  I had one last farewell last night at our place with Devron and Annette.  They are the proud new owners of this plant.  We played for the 1st time the card game called Canasta.  Had a blast.  You see a different side to a person when you start playing them in cards - Annette, you have a very competing side to you, girl!  Wish we had started doing that before last night.

Had a lady hug me today in my gym class.  This is so bitter - leaving my friends and home for the past 3 years.  It is also sweet that I am returning to friends and family in the states.  Bittersweet!

Let the packing begin......

 15 days until we leave.  This is a picture of a poinsettia that I bought at Christmas time.  Imagine this - it actually stayed alive and has been growing!  Doesn't happen for me in the Dallas area.  So, this is my first thing to say goodbye to.  I am giving it to Betty today when she leaves my condo for the last time.  Betty is getting married and wanted to take off the last two Wednesdays in the month - so, I will not see Betty probably ever again.

I am giving away all of my plants that I have loved so much for these 3 years.  I have a  fig tree that is in a planter that has the name of Tomas - we named him this after he rolled back and forth on our veranda 2 years ago during the Hurricane Tomas that came through.  And he survived!  No one has claimed him as of yet.

Joesette wants my beautiful variegated plant.  Annette wants my crown of thorns plant.  I have many more to give away.

I'm trying to use up all our food that is in the pantry, freezer and refrigerator - we are starting to eat some weird combinations of food.

I don't know if I have already put this in a blog or not - but, one of my friends told me that I have given her "ex pat fatigue."  It is a problem when you have made friends with someone - only to have them leave you.  Of course, with facebook - it isn't as bad anymore.  I can keep up with friends from all over the world - and I do!

Got to go.  I have lots of packing to do.

Hidden Jewel - The Savannah Hotel

Isn't this picture beautiful?  This is the inner courtyard of the Savannah Hotel located on the South Coast.  The picture was taken from the cafe that overlooks this oasis.  There is a pleasant breeze always blowing through the open walled cafe - and on Sundays, there is music going on in the background - ever so pleasant to the ears.  On our first visit to the Savannah, it was a steel drum player.  Yesterday, it was two ladies singing in perfect harmony.  I really must write the Savannah up in the Trip Advisor - it is a definite hidden jewel amoungst the many.

Yesterday was Mother's Day.  It is very much a celebration on this island.  Mothers are honored and held in a high place of love and admiration.  Gary took me to the Savannah for the Mother's Day brunch.  The restaurant staff are just good people.  They are genuine.  No put ons.  They are friendly.  They really wanted to make my mother's day special.  I even had one of the waitresses remember me from the previous visit and she came up and hugged me and wished me a Happy Mothers Day.  Gary's water glass was never empty!

The food is awesome as well.  I noticed many a Bajan with heaping plates of food coming from the buffet.  I honestly had to stop after the main meal - there was no more room for dessert.  Shame, really.  (I picked up that way of saying things from Ann in the UK.) I like saying that - really.  It just fits - smooth and easy.

This is the outside of the Savannah:

I love this tree - with it's white flowers.  I must find out what it is called.  I really hope to have one blooming in my backyard someday.  The fragrance that comes from these trees is intoxicating!

After the service at my church - I asked a lady that had a new baby - if I could hold it.  She didn't know me, but somehow she knew that the correct answer would be a yes.  So, I picked up that precious child.  That was my mother's day gift!  Words can not describe the feelings of contentment that washed over me by that simple act of holding a little baby.

I don't know

I don't know what type of tree this is - but, it is very old.  As you can see the base of the trunk is massive.  23 days until we leave our beloved island.  I went and visited with an elderly woman who lives in my set of condos this afternoon.  I will not state her name, but she is a Lady.  Meaning, her husband was knighted - and that automatically made her a Lady.   She is a very kind person.  She always gives, gives food to everyone in the condos.  I really like to sit and talk with her.  She is a wealth of information about the goings on of the island.

All that I am going to say is - that it is no different here than anywhere else in the world.  The rich people own all the land and businesses!  And, I think there could be a good book written called "Bajan Help".  (You know, like the book written called 'The Help')  There would be many amusing stories to tell and unfortunately some sad ones as well - I am sure of it.  I have been told that I should write a book - message me if you are willing to tell me your story!

Oh, and one more thing - I hear ALL the time how fat Americans are.  Actually, it is true.  Gary and I couldn't believe our eyes after we had lived in Europe for a while - and came back to the states to visit - it was shocking the difference in the average weight of people.  But, I will have to say - that it bothers me.  We Americans need to figure this thing out - and change it!

Friendships

23 days until we leave Barbados as our home.  What I am going to miss about this island the most - is of course, the people.  Why, do you ask?  After all, other countries have great people as well.  And that is true.  So, why is it?  Why do I tear up when I think of us leaving?  Is it because we live near an ocean - No.  Is it because the weather is always nice here - No.  Is it because we live in paradise - No.  It's the people.  Plain and simple.

All kinds of people - from my dearest of friends at my church's ladies bible study group to the ladies at my gym class each week, to my golfing gals, to our beach vendors, to the coconut man, the newspaper guy, my house cleaner, my neighbors, Gary's coworkers and their families, to my ya ya sisters - everyone on this island (almost).  I will miss them all!

I love helping people.  I love the feel of community and friendship.  I love the idea of a world being made up of all good people.  Of course, I know that will never be - but, here in Barbados - they do get close to this reality.  I get a real kick out of stopping my car in the traffic to let others cross the street.  This morning, it was a lady crossing in the pouring down rain - and the wave and smile she gave me after she had crossed.  I love letting the two little brothers hold each other's hands and cross the street on their way to school.  I love the street life that I see each morning and each evening when picking Gary up from work.  There is always a man standing on his front porch in the evenings - watching everyone drive,bike, and walk past.  I love watching the rasta guy make his rounds along the street.  I love watching the pretty young girls walk across the street and even more fun is watch all the guys heads turn as they walk by.  I love seeing someone with a car stop and invite one of their friends to jump in and they get that free lift.  I love seeing people laugh and talk and lime.  Man, I'm going to miss this place!

Knee Deep in Paradise...

So,  the Zak Brown Band has a song out called Knee Deep and it features Jimmy Buffett - and Gary and I love, love that song.  Part of it states that the only thing he had to worry about was where to put the chair in case of high tide.  It is amusing to us because a lot of times when we go to the beach, literally our main worry is where to put the chairs - high tides and coconut fallings.  So, this picture was taken Saturday afternoon - showing how the high tide had come in so far - that the first set of beach umbrellas were completely under water.

So, it is 24 days until we leave our home of Barbados.  As one person put it to me last week, it is the end of an era for us.  Yes, it is indeed.  We have changed a lot - have different views on a lot of things than we used to.

Oh, the children that are 11 years old here on the island, are really in a stressful situation at the moment.  It is called the 11+ testing - but these poor children are having to take a test and depending on their score, will determine pretty much the rest of their lives!  Depending on the score made, is where the child will be sent to school for next year.  And you know how that goes!  I did overhear one mother sitting back fat and happy stating that she didn't see why other mothers were paying for their children to have extra lessons etc. - that she was just going to let it be - what would be, would be.   I wanted so badly to say to her - that I felt she was wrong - that it absolutely makes a huge difference.  The better/harder the school - the better/more challenged her child would be - and also, the child will have a better self image of himself - which will dictate a whole lot of things for the future.  But, you would be proud of me ---- I kept my mouth shut!  :)