Well, today was the dreaded day! I had to go to the immigration office to get my passport renewal extension process started. First, you don't dare wear a top that is sleeveless! They will send you home. Next, be prepared to wait in line for over an hour - just to state the purpose of your visit. Then, be prepared to wait two to three hours before your name is called and your case is heard. And here in Barbados, they love (I mean they really love) to see how many times they can send you home because you need more information. It is not like they will give out a list of everything that is required - no, that would take the fun out of it all. So, today was my dreaded day. My passport stamp for entry into this country is up on the 25th of August. I thought I had everything needed - Gary's work permit extension approval, MONEY (400.00 bajan dollars!), application filled out, passport picture, my old passport, and my new passport. I even thought to bring a book along to read while I stood in line and waited.
When I got to the counter, guess what - I forgot a copy of my marriage license! Argh! But, they said to be seated and after I had waited for two hours, and was sitting in front of this frazzled lady - she said that since I had already been approved for an extension with Gary last time, that I didn't need to bring proof of our marriage! Thank heavens! Now, all I have to do is go back in two weeks and wait in the line for an hour - and then request my passport - and hopefully, they will give it to me with the needed stamp.
After I left the immigration office, I decided to treat myself to lunch on the 2nd floor of Cave Sheppard. This is a buffet line - and has some really good Bajan soul food available. It is like a small diner - with booths that line up against the windows overlooking Broadstreet. Everytime I go there, it is always crowded with a line going out the door. But, I have always managed to find a seat. So, today after I went through the buffet line, I saw an open booth - and took it. I was busy eating and looking out the window - when all of a sudden, this grandmother came and sat down across from me with her two granddaughters - one sat by her and the other one looked at me - as like - well, are you going to move over and let me sit down? So, I moved over - and they sat down. Weirdest thing! They didn't say, may we join you? They didn't introduce themselves to me. They just sat down! So, there we all were. But, I have come to realize more and more each day - that I am not living in my home country and that this country that I am living in - is quite different in the obvious ways but also very subtle ways as well. This was one such subtly.
Another difference that I have just recently encountered is when the Bajans go to a concert. I didn't realize that they didn't understand at rock concerts - how when the musician finishes and leaves the stage - in America, they are expecting the crowd to start clapping and whistling for an encore. Then the musician comes back on stage and sings/plays another song - usually a quite popular one. But, they didn't know to do this and at the recent beloved concert where their very own Rihanna - whom they call Ri Ri - when Rihanna finished her performance - half of the stands and grounds started to leave! Gary and I were just standing there in disbelief! We couldn't believe that the people didn't want her to give an encore. I found out later - that they didn't know they could do this. Of course, they would want her to give an encore! Actually, she did come back out and sang one of her best hits ' Umbrella'. I'm sure that wherever they all were in the leaving process, they just stopped and listened to her. But, it was a shame that they didn't know to do this.
Also, concerning these concerts. They have a festival each year called Crop Over - where they celebrate the finishing of the sugar cane crop. They have many calypso and soca musicians that try to win the titles of Party Monarch, People's Monarch, Pic-O-De-Crop, and Junior Calypso Monarch. After all of these competitions and the winners have been announced, they have a final concert where they put all these different category winners together as well as other famous artists from times past and they call it Cohobblopot. It is a fantastic evening filled with lots of good music and fun. Well, this year - it was raining cats and dogs - and so, we decided to sit in the stands where the rain couldn't reach us. But, do you know what? The people in the stands around us sat like zombies! They didn't utter a peep when the announcer on the stage asked the audience if they were having a good time. They didn't move in their seats with the great music being played. They sat there - very still - like they were in church! It was very remarkable to me. And I found out later that that is what they do. It is a very classy, respectable event in the stands - even though there is all kinds of good party soca music being played. Oh well, I am in their country - so, I need to abide by their subtle rules.
I'm tired and have got a lot of laundry still left to do, so that is all for today.
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