The Invasion of Seaweed

This is hurricane season.  It starts right after Easter and goes through October.  Barbados is located so far south and east - that most of the time, the little island is not affected by hurricanes.  But, what starts as a tropical wave here on our island - will usually turn into a tropical storm and then a hurricane that reaches the USA.  So, right now - with it being the month of August - we are having more than usual tropical waves passing through.  When these storms pass through, you can bet on that there is going to be mass amounts of seaweed that wash ashore.  I saw this mass of seaweed from my balcony on Friday - and took a picture of it:

And then here is what it looks like once it reaches shore.  Just masses of this stuff.  Shame that no one has found a way of using this stuff for profit.  Usually, after a few days the seaweed starts to dry up - it turns a black wilted color and then, it just vanishes away after a few weeks.

Morning bathers, Off to go fishing, Moonlight Hike of Barbados

I don't know if you can see the bathers in this top picture or not.  If you cannot see them, then you might want to click on the picture to enlarge it.  But, I included this picture to talk about "bathing" here in Barbados.  I have now lived in two different locations on the island.  And in both locations, there are always bathers that come out very early each morning and get in these choice spots in the ocean.  They know where these spots are.  What are choice spots?  Well, they are spots that are shielded by rocks - so that the person doesn't have to fight against waves all the time.  They are also spots that have nice sand on the bottom instead of reef or pebbles.  And they are spots where a person can stand or sit comfortably without having to be able to swim.  In this picture above, you can see that the bathers are shielded by the ledge of rocks.  This group of bathers that come out are usually retired persons.  It looks like they have a grand ole time each day - they sit in the water for about 30 minutes and talk with their neighbors about whatever is on the coconut express for the day.  I'm envious of these people - not necessarily for their being able to get in an ocean each day - but, for the fact that they are enjoying God's creation and enjoying the company of their friends.

Also, in the USA, I never heard the term "bathing" - we called it swimming.  Now, in the USA, we did call our swimsuits - bathing suits - upon occasion.  But, the British and also the Bajans call it bathing.

This next picture below is a shot of the fishing boats headed out for the day.  You will see a line of them each morning heading out from the Bridgetown port or the Carlisle Bay area.  They set off early - usually going toward the South Coast to make their catches for the day.  The fish are usually barracuda, marlin, or dolphin (that is not flipper, just a fish that they call dolphin).

I want to take some time and go back to my hike that occurred last Sunday evening from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm.  It started at the Heywoods Beach and went North first by Port St. Charles and then we headed inland to a Mile and a Quarter, up to Ebworth, and down to Speightstown.  Here is a map that was taken on someone's iphone that had the application called Run Keeper.  I really like this application because it plotted via GPS exactly where we walked and how many km this ended up being.  Which by the way was 11.21!

I really enjoy these hikes.  I don't know why really - they are hard.  It is not a leisurely walk.  This particular walk was a moonlight walk.  Meaning that we walked the majority of the time after the sun had set.  I had a torch as they call it - we in the USA call it a flashlight.  I didn't really see a lot of my surroundings - because it was dark and because I was devoting the majority of my time to keeping the torch light aimed at the path in front of me.  I have a tendency to stumble - and that was the last thing I wanted to do on this hike, since Gary was not with me.  It was miserable a lot of the time because it rained pretty much the entire trip and people were always trying to get to the front.  These hikes don't give me a sense of camaraderie amoungst the peoples!  Most all are walking very fast - trying to prove that they are better at the hike than you are.  So, that just makes me want to walk as fast as well.

There was one spot on the trip where I had to go through dense trees and undergrowth and that kind of scared me.  I actually couldn't see the person in front of me for part of that way.  And, truthfully - I do not like to have limbs and weeds raking across my arms - I always feel like there will be a spider or snake somewhere near by.  Although, Barbados doesn't have many snakes at all on the island - because of the mongoose.  Yeah for the mongoose!

I still want to do the hikes each Sunday, but I might skip the moonlight ones.  Well, our hot water heater is broken, so there is a plumber being called to the condo.  Also, the TV cable servicemen are coming to install a second cable box.  It is about time!  We have been asking for this box since we moved in May - that was 3 months ago.  I was told this morning that there was actually a calypso song written this year for Crop Over on the dreaded wait of cable boxes.   I hope I can get a copy of that song.  It will mean a lot to Gary and I.  It was only this year that I realized what the difference between calypso and soca music was.  Calypso is a story being told in a song format - that has political or country problem meaning but is told in a funny story kind of way.  

Budget!

So, yesterday - August 16th - was a big day here in Barbados.  It was the day that Parliament was in session to revise the budget for the coming year.  Interestingly enough - next year is election year.  Sound familiar?  Everyone was talking about what the Minister of Finance and the Prime Minister were going to do.  Everyone on the island is suffering from the high taxes, high fuel, high electricity, and high food costs.  Again, sound familiar?  The Bajans already go without electricity as much as possible.  They rarely ever turn on the air conditioning.  But, the country is in a lot of debt.  Hum, again - sound familiar?  What would they announce for the budget for the coming year?  It was on everyone's tongue and minds yesterday - I mean everyone - even Gary and I, the continuous tourist, were aware of this and concerned for what would be announced.

So, this morning - on our way to our walk, we run into one of our neighbors - and he said he couldn't wait to find out what the budget was - would they do the right thing for the country or would they do the wrong thing, but what would get them reelected next year?  Again - sound familiar?

So, as Gary and I were walking - I started noticing all the locals walking by us.  They had a spring to their step.  There were smiles on all their faces.  I told Gary - I bet the answer was they went with what the people wanted instead of what was best for the country.

As, we approached the newspaper man that we buy our paper from each day, I asked him - "OK, so I haven't seen the paper yet - but, I can see the smiling faces on people and there is an added spring to their step - so, I'm saying that the Parliament reduced the taxes.  So, what is it?"  He smiled at me and said, "Yes, they are saying they are going to give us a Tax Ease."

Now isn't that so interesting - that we could tell what the outcome was - just by looking at how people were walking down the boardwalk?  Can I go ahead and predict who will win the elections next year?  :)

Well, just come on and sit down by me!

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.  

Continuous Tourist

I was told recently by a young black Bajan that there are 4 kinds of whites on the island!  There are : 1) the St. John whites - don't ask me, I don't know why they are different 2) the rich whites 3) the middle class whites and 4) the continuous tourist.  Now I know what I am - a continuous tourist!  Actually, Gary and I think that fits us - we are indeed continuous tourist to this island.  We are definitely not rich and we have hardly ever met any of the middle class whites - except at church.  We seem to be finding our friends among the other expats.  So, I guess that is what we are - continuous tourists.

Saturday morning, we got up and decided to take our morning walk on the Boardwalk - and since I have already taken pictures of the coconut man and turtles - I almost did not take my camera along with us.  But, there was that little voice inside me that said, "You better take it - you will regret it!"  I'm glad I listened to that little voice, because two different things happened that were camera worthy - actually three - no, four!

First, before we ever left the front door of our condo, Gary exclaimed - "Vickie, hurry get the camera!"  I already had it with me and so started shooting pictures in the direction that he had pointed.  So, we are on the 5th floor and this little fellow was causally strolling along the 4th floor hallway.

I then walked to the end of the 5th floor hallway and this is what I saw, he had decided to jump up on the railing outside condo 412:

 I think he was checking to make sure no one was looking.  Then, the next thing I knew, he had jumped over to the fire escape railing of this apartment:

Then, it was like he was watching what was going on inside this condo - and he was trying to get in!  Craziest thing to watch.

I had actually been leaving my door open to our condo - during the day - it allows the breezes to go through the apartment - which can be very nice  - keeps from having to run the aircon so much.  But, after seeing this - I will not be doing that anymore!  LOL

2 - After we are walking along the boardwalk, I see something in the water that seems to be moving toward shore and at a faster pace than what a wave would gradually carry it in on.  As it got closer, I realized it was an octopus!

Can you see it?  It is along the edge of the rock at the bottom left.  See it's arms outstretched?  It was neat to watch - because it would go in and out along the rocks edge - feeding.  When the octopus would go to a new area of the sea bed - you could see all these small fish come scurrying out from under the rocks - escaping it's next meal!  It was neat to watch this so close to where we were standing.

3 - Since the tide was so low this morning, there were several men out fishing with hand nets.  They would cast the nets out into the water and then slowly gather them back in.  Here is a picture of one such person with the nets in his arms - ready to cast out.

4 - Again, because the water was so far out with the low tide, there was this dog that had walked out into the ocean - along the pebbles of the sea bed - and it really looked like he was trying to catch something for himself.

Ok - that was the end of the pictures.  But, one other thing that we have noticed about the people on this island - is that they do not like to venture from their homes when it is raining.  I found this fact to be very rewarding for myself today.  I went to the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium for the 9 o'clock fitness class which is usually packed with women - at least 25 or so - mostly local bajan women with a few exceptions here and there.  I walked into the room thinking it would be full of peoples - and there was no one.  I looked around at the guy at the reception area - and he said 'Yeah, yeah - the class will meet."  So, when the class started (five minutes late) it was 3 white women - all expats!  No one else showed up because it was raining!  I loved the individual attention from the instructor and the more leg room.  Maybe it will rain more often (he, he).

Living with an eye on the sky

On Tuesday morning, there was a "rainbow" around the sun, which left many a Barbadian curiously worried.  I was having coffee over at a friend's house and so I did not see this wonder.  But, once I left there and went to a store - everyone was talking about it.  The next store I went to - everyone was talking about it.  The picture at the end of this article was taken by a woman in the first store.  The picture at the top was taken by Linda Phillips who goes to my church - Grace Fellowship.  Even the next day, I heard people on the boardwalk talking about this marvel and it was in the local newspaper.  The Barbados Meteorological Office's phone rang nonstop for over 3 hours after this occurrence.   

People wanted to know if the world was coming to an end.  That very same day there was an earthquake on the neighboring island of St. Lucia.  Everyone had just been hearing about the US Economy and how the stock market was down, way down.  They were seeing the riots in London.  They were reading of the mass famine in Somalia.  So, why couldn't it be when Jesus was returning?  It really got me to thinking that Tuesday afternoon.  I go on about my life and always think of Christ's return as something that will happen "someday". I know a lot of the signs that Jesus foretold seem to be happening now.  But, no one knows the hour and moment of Jesus' return.  We have to be on guard and waiting.  I realized that if it had been the moment of Christ's return, I wouldn't feel prepared or worthy enough.  The song that kept going through my head that Tuesday afternoon was "The King Is Coming."  Oh, what a glorious day that will be.  

What this phenomenon really was - was a halo - and it supposedly occurs all the time.  I guess it just hasn't happened here in Barbados.  When you have a certain type of cloud in the sky - cirrostratus, you get refraction of the light and you get that circle around the sun or the moon which is called a halo.   

I know God is talking to me.  I think he wanted me to publish this post.  He wanted me to share it on facebook as well.  Because the very next morning (Wednesday), my email devotional from Pastor Jack Graham was entitled "Living with an eye on the sky."  I will end with his devotional.  But, I hope I can start living with my eye on the sky.  

"For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

I once heard a man speak who was the head of a Christian orphanage in Kentucky. And the unique thing about this children’s home is that all the children there are mentally handicapped. As the man was talking he said,

“You know, we have a maintenance problem at the home. We teach these precious children the Bible and they don’t understand a lot of what we’re saying. But we tell them about Jesus and that Christ came to save them. And not only that, but we also tell them that Christ is coming again and when He does, everything’s going to be perfect and they’re going to be perfect.

“We’ve got a maintenance problem. And the maintenance problem at our home is the windows! We can’t keep the windows clean because these precious little children believe so strongly in the Second Coming of Jesus that they put their little faces and their little hands up to the window every day and they look for Jesus to come and make everything right.”

How aware these children have become of their need for a restorer because of their circumstances. And the truth is that you and I have that exact same need. We suffer from the sickness of sin on a daily basis and our only hope is Christ’s return.

The windows of every Christian’s home should be smudged and dirty because of our passionate expectation of Christ’s soon return. So live your life with an eye on the sky waiting for that glorious day!"

Hiking Barbados - Carrington Sugar Factory

Every Sunday afternoon at 3:30, the National Trust Foundation sponsors a hike somewhere on the island of Barbados.  I have been wanting to do this hike every since we moved to this little rock.  Somehow, though, have managed to avoid it until yesterday!

A friend of mine had told me that the hike took about one hour.  Ok, I could do that!

Gary and I arrive about 15 minutes early and parked our car along side the next car - and rolled down our windows.  Gary said he heard the people in the next car mention something about "oh great, I guess we will need to call an ambulance!"  Can you believe the nerve of those people?  I'm sure they looked at us as old foggies and white tourist and people that couldn't hack a hike.  Hummmmmmm.

We found out that the hike is actually 3 hours in length!  Oh boy!  Gary looked rather unhappy about this, but he wanted me to do this hike, so he said let's continue on with it.

Folks, I will go ahead and tell you - we made it without an ambulance!  :)

There was so much to see and so many interesting places to go - that we would have never seen in a car.  I'm definitely hooked.  We passed through the community of Ebenezer, through sugar cane fields, pass the men's prison, through a Quaker graveyard, pass St. Phillips Church, and Bushy Park.  I think we probably walked about 10 miles!

Our tour guide's name was George.  Boy, was he an interesting character.  He was so vivid with his stories and just so intriguing with what he had to say.  I am thinking about posting one of his talks on youtube - I feel like there would be a few Barbadians that would really enjoy listening to his speach.

George stopped our walk when we approached the men's prison.  He said he wanted to honor the mothers who were standing out front of the prison for their sons.  It seems the mothers come and stand in front of the prison - in hopes that their sons can see them from the windows.  Sad.  George said in the olden times, that the prison did not have the iron bars on the windows - just pane glass.  But, as a show of the signs of the times, now the windows had bars on them.

George stopped in a cemetary and there was this HUGE tree in the middle.  He gave a nice speech about how the Barbadians should remember their heritage and honor emancipation day because of the labor and sacrifices of the slaves that came before them - and all that they did to ensure their freedom.

We walked through several small communities - each would have it's share of barking dogs, and people with their heads out the windows - watching us go by.  There was always many black bellied sheep and a few cows to pass by.  At one point, several hikers went into the bushes and picked some fresh cherries.

The hike was not that hilly but it was muddy in many places.  After George gave his last talk, he said that would be the last of them and that we would now return to the Carrington Sugar Factory.  In my mind, that meant just a few more minutes and it would be over.

I could see the smoke stack of the sugar factory in the distance and kept looking at it as my goal.  I kept thinking to myself, "I can do this.  I will show these Bajans!"  But, that smoke stack seemed to get further away instead of draw closer.  My feet were killing me.  But, I kept going - I knew if I stopped - I might not start back up.  One couple walked along with me and he told me, not to look at the stack but instead to focus on each step that I took.  That reminded me of lessons in life.  If we look at the final destination, we might think the journey or road is too hard to do/travel - yet, if we will just take that first step and then the next one and next - before we know it - we have made it to the finish!

At one point, we lost sight of the stack and the gentleman turned to me and laughed and said, "See, now it has completely disappeared!"

I really kept up my pace there towards the end - there was NO WAY that I wanted to walk into the home stretch at the last of the line.  We had to walk through a sugar cane field on the last stretch and that is the picture you see at the beginning of the story.  I didn't know who the couple was that had thought we would need an ambulance, but Gary and I were quite proud of ourselves and I'm sure the couple had to be impressed.  We had several come up to us at the end of the hike and invite us to come back the next week.

Awaiting us at the finish was a boy who had a big cooler full of different type of drinks that he/or his mama had made up.  I chose the mango.  Folks, that was the best drink I have ever had!  It was pure mango juice that had been frozen and was being allowed to thaw out - and so it was this slushy stuff.  Oh my!  It was so good.

Next week is a moonlight hike.  They said to bring my torch.  I knew from my brief stay in England - that that meant a flashlight to me and my American friends.  I really would like to do that hike, but we'll see.  I'll leave you with several more pictures that I took.

The Lucky Ones

Right after posting yesterday that I couldn't believe we had walked up on a sea turtle hatchling on the beach, and how I really wished I could also see them coming out of their nest.....the very next day.....Gary sees a hole on the beach and goes over to investigate......and there were two hatchlings trying to come out of their nest!  Thank you, God for letting me witness and experience this part of our nature.  Here is a picture of the nest with the two hatchlings struggling to get out.

I had always thought that there would be a build up of sand on the beach and there would be empty turtle shells all around.  So, it really surprised me this morning to see no such thing, just a big hole in the sand.  Gary said he thinks he remembers someone saying that the turtles when they are hatching actually climb on top of each other in order to make it out of the nest.  We debated on whether to leave them in there or not.  But, it looked like they were doomed to stay in there - they were not making any headway to get to the top.  And the sun was coming up and the birds were flying about and we just felt like they would have a better chance at life if we took them on to the sea..

I put them a little ways back from the water, so that they had to work a little bit more before reaching the water.  I think they need to exercise their flippers in the hatching process in order to have a better chance of making it in the real world of the sea.

That is me pouting - but it is because they are gone too soon.  As soon as they got a sniff of the sea - they knew they were homeward bound.  They started picking up their speed to get to the water.  Here is a close up of one of the little guys.  Isn't he so cute?

Notice the path in the sand that his little flippers are making.

Proud Mama - the moment they reach the sea....

And alas ----Freedom!

If you were a keen observer, you might have noticed that I had on two different jogging suits - that is because I am combining both today and yesterday's pictures.  Yesterday, there was a kind guy (who was just walking along the beach) that took my picture with the turtles.  I received them in email this morning - so, I combined all the pictures made.

It Really Happened!

I borrowed this picture from Ann Holmes.  I, of course, did not have my camera with me this morning!  But, it really happened!  We had just started out of the condos this morning for our morning walk.  We were walking along the beach, but up a ways more inland and not right on the waters edge.  I just happened to look down and there he/she was!  A sea turtle hatchling that looks just like the one you see in Ann's hand here.

The turtle was headed in the wrong direction.  It was around 7:00 am and the sun was already climbing up in the sky.  The hatchling will follow lights - trying to find it's way to the sea.  This hatchling was going in the wrong direction - it was going inland towards the sun instead of the sea.

I knew what to do from our experience a year ago when we were invited to watch a whole box full of hatchlings being released to the sea.  I went close enough to the water's edge, but still a distance away - and put the little hatchling down.  It was so cute to watch him.  He was tired from all his digging out of the sand that his mother had buried him in, some 50 days earlier.  But, I could tell he was sensing the sea - and he made the extra effort to get to it.  A wave came along and brushed some water under his flippers - and oh boy, that gave him renewed strength.  Away he went into the sea.

This has been a dream of mine since we have lived here - to walk up on hatchlings - in the wild - naturally.  It was very exciting.  Interestingly, once we headed back up the beach to walk, we ran upon another one!  I would have loved to know where the nest was - but, couldn't see any mound that looked like it had a lot of turtle shells that had just hatched.

As you can see from this picture of the boardwalk, there is a lot of great sand and foliage for turtles to nest in. By the way, we ran into Keith again this morning (you remember, the coconut man).  We always say "Morning" to him - but, he will not say it back to us - he always says instead "Respect".  So, I guess we will start saying "Respect" to him each morning that we see him.  :)

I haven't posted in a week and so here are some other tidbits:

We were coming back from the beach last Saturday and we saw a street sign on the side of the road that said, "Weeding Ahead".  I didn't get a picture of this, but we are amused with the wording of this countries' road signs.  I had in my blog from last Christmas a sign that we came upon that said, "Men in Trees".  Then, there are the signs that state "Road Hump Ahead".

We walked up to a newspaper vender this morning and asked him for Wednesday's paper.  He said, "What?"  I asked for Wednesday's paper - again and again.  Finally, he said - oh, you mean Yesterday's paper!  ;)

This picture was taken last Saturday.  I do not know what this is called, but we see it from time to time.  It looks like someone is standing on a surf board and just paddling through the water.  It looks like fun but also a lot of work.  I think I will just watch them from the shoreline.

Coconut Man - Keith

Every morning, Gary and I get up and walk along the beach and then the boardwalk.  It is such a nice thing and I am not taking it for granted.  I'm trying to enjoy each and every day that I am granted this continued privilege.  Well, today - we are walking along and I almost run into this rope that is hanging from the coconut tree.

 
Notice the coconuts in a bunch at the bottom?  We have met this guy that collects the coconuts each morning along the beach.  Then, I noticed that this same guy was pulling a cart along a streetside when I would take Gary to work each day.  That is when I made the brilliant observation that this guy was collecting the coconuts by our beach and then selling the coconut water to our neighborhood.  So, now Gary and I stop at least once a week and buy a quart of coconut water from him.  Gary has started drinking more of the coconut water instead of diet Cokes which I think is a very healthy food choice.  It is also kind of neat knowing that the coconut water we are drinking was from the coconuts by our beach.

The first time that I bought some coconut water from this guy - he smiled and said - "I know you, you and your husband walk along the beach each morning."  He also said after I paided him "Respect" versus a thank you.  That is very important around here.  In other words, he was thanking me for showing him respect by purchasing the product from him.  Respect is a word that is used often here on the island.

I asked this guy what his name was and he said something like cocolobo....... and I looked at him dumbfounded and said "What?"  He smiled and said, just call me Keith.  So, Keith it is!  Would you like to meet Keith?  Here is his picture from this morning - he was up in the tree at the time that I almost ran into the rope.  Do you see him?

Funny things about the name Keith - the maintenance man here in our condos - same situation, where I asked him his name and he spouted off some long name and I went "huh?"  and he smiled and said, just call me Keith!  :)  So, Gary and I went to the beach this last weekend - and I asked the name of the guy that gives us our chairs and he said, just call me Jerry.  I looked at him and smiled and said is that your real name?  It was. I feel like I might have already told this story in a blog, but oh well - if I have - you got pictures this time to go along with the story.  I need to quit blogging and go answer my emails - UGH!

Turtle Nesting

These are the tracks of a sea turtle.  Probably a female that is at least 20 years old.  She is returning to the same area of beach from which she was hatched.  She will try to lay her nest of eggs.  Gary and I walked up on these tracks this morning on our morning walk on the boardwalk.  Here is a picture of the nest:

Although, a grounds keeper for the boardwalk saw me taking the picture and he walked up and told me that the female turtle was unsuccessful with this nest - because the ground was too hard.  I would really like to see some hatchlings bubble up out of a nest.  This grounds keeper said I had the best chance of seeing this on a full moon right at dusk.

Hand Signals

Picture taken from our veranda of a Sunday regatta.  Happens often on Sundays.   

After living on this island for 2.5 years, I learned today that when someone is waving their arm up and down, out of their car window, that it means they are telling you to slowdown - that they are slowing down.........

And yesterday I learned that I could go to this counter at Big B(name of super market) called Surepay and pay all of my utility bills from that one place!!!

I Only Have Eyes For You

Had a great day at the beach yesterday.  It was cloudy all day and there was a gentle, cool breeze blowing for most of it.  We watched some sand crabs that were busy slinging dirt out of their holes.  We learned the name of the guy who brings us our umbrella and chairs each time - Jerry.  No rain.  Good day.

These sand crabs that we were watching - did something that I had never witnessed before.  Gary said he had seen this on the discovery channel once.  But, what one of them did - was start beating with it's front two legs - very fast on the sand in front of it.  The other one looked on with interest....  The crabs have these huge eyes that stick out of the top of their heads and once when we looked at them - they were hidden behind a sand dune and the only thing we could see was their eyes.  Gary reminded me of the Simon and Garfunkel song "I Only Have Eyes For You."  I sure wish I had had my video camera so that I could have taped this mating ritual between the two crabs and played that song in the background - it might have gone viral on the internet.

Another loving thing that I witnessed yesterday was this elderly couple.  They were probably in their late 80's or early 90's.  She was walking with a walking stick in each hand.  They slowly hobbled down to the ocean.  The old man helped his wife walk into the water and then he went back for the two noodles and made sure her walking canes were secured in the sand.  They stayed out there in the water for a while.  But, it was so cute to watch them when they got out of the ocean.  The little man hobbled up to the shore first, he got the walking canes ready and then hobbled back to the edge of the water - and helped his bride walk away from the water successfully with the two walking canes.  He then, hobbled back to the ocean and washed off the sand from the noodles.  Then, he hobbled again to help his wife up the beach to their chairs that were waiting under a shade tree.  I really enjoyed watching them and how the older man catered to his wife's needs.  It was just an 'ahh' moment for me.  

Why?

Why does there have to be such evil people in this world?  I don't understand how some human beings can do the things that they do.  Maybe they aren't really human - they have no soul - they have no heart.  What I am referring to is that someone killed a mother turtle with a knife last night on the beach and didn't even take her away for eating purposes - just killed her for the sake of it.  Why? Why would someone do such a horrible thing?

Gary and I were walking on the beach this morning and walked up on two people with the turtle preservation group - and they were taking pictures and cleaning up the beach location.  We stopped and talked with them and they told us that a mother turtle had come up on the beach and laid her eggs and then was headed back to sea - and someone stabbed her with a knife and then just left her there to die.  The killers did, of course, rob the nest of all the fresh turtle eggs.
I understand that turtle eggs are good to eat and a delicacy, but seriously - why did they have to kill the mother and just leave her there to die?

Just as the sun rises in the morning, it also sets in the evening

 I have never thought of taking a picture of Gary and I from the back.  Tony and Rosey Ross gave us the idea while they were visiting us this last week.  I like this picture - it is showing that we are focusing on something else and not on ourselves.  God's beauty.  God's creation.  God is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.  He created everything that is in the world.  Without him, nothing would be made that is made or allowed to be, unless he allowed it to be.  It is also showing that everything must come to an end - here on this human earth.  Just as the sun rises in the morning, it also sets in the evening.  God is so gracious and loving and merciful!  I want to be a better witness for him here in Barbados.  There is something that he wants me to do - that hasn't been done yet - I need to be open to his will and his timing.  The sun will soon set upon this time frame in my life - may I hear and do as God commands me.

I really enjoyed the Ross's visit last week.  I learned some things from them.  Tony was constantly asking me questions, such as "how far is Barbados from the equator?"  I found myself constantly having to tell him that I didn't know the answer.  It came to my realization that I need to want to continue to learn - no matter that I am getting older, it is never too late to learn.  So, I'm happy to tell you that Barbados is 13 degrees north of the equator.  A degree is around 69 miles.  Rosey showed me many new found goodies for the kitchen.  She gave me the most awesome and very simple roast recipe!  I'm not sure I will ever be able to do any other kind of roast except this one.  They visited us here in Barbados, but I think I'm the one that got the most out of the visit!  :)

The Royal Wedding

I had the privilege today of viewing the royal wedding of William and Kate - here in Barbados - at the home of some good friends who happen to also be British!  It was quite fun!  :)  So, the party started at 5:00 am at Heather's home.  Everyone brought some food for breakfast.  There were British flags waving and many, many gleeful shouts as this and that happened.  Of course, these ladies knew all of the royal family's names, how old they were, etc.  I enjoyed it all - but, I particularly enjoyed the ceremony itself.  I loved all the hymns and music and the words - Jesus Christ - that I heard so often throughout the ceremony.  It made me want to jump up and run home to Gary and tell him how much I loved him.  It made me want to be a better wife - the way that I know my Lord Jesus Christ wants me to be.  I loved the ceremony.  I loved the whole thing.  But, I would have to say that I would rate that kiss about a 6!  :)  Here is a picture of Nicole kidding around with her wedding hat - she realized that it needed to be moved to the side of her head after seeing the latest trends in London!  Also, I have attached a picture of Heather's home - where she had strung up the British flag banners around her den.

Sheating on the red!

I'm trying to become a lady golfer.  I would like to say that I'm giving it my best - but, probably not.  I mean, after all, I don't like to watch the golf channel in my free time, nor do I like to pick up the golf magazine for my reading pleasure.  But, I have committed to go playing this sport, for the time being, at least once a week.  I have met this new friend, her name is Sylvie.  She was born and raised in France and spoke only French.  Then, her husband 'Jon Louie' moved them to the Caribbean islands 24 years ago - and she has done very well at picking up the English language.  Much better than I would have done if I were in her shoes.  OK, so - Sylvie and I were allowing these two guys to play through us in our game of golf yesterday.  We were waiting patiently over on the side and watching them.  And, lo and behold - these two guys walked up to the red tees (ladies and children's tees).  Sylvie turned to me and said, "Ah, they are sheating on the red!"  At first, I didn't know what she meant - but then I just died laughing.  I said, "Do you mean they are cheating on the red?"  Anyway, it was funny to me.  We had a third partner with us yesterday, a lady from England - Ann.  After we ladies had played 9 holes of golf, we went to the club to freshen up before playing the back 9 and Ann looked at me and said, "Is the loo open?"  I immediately told her yes and off she went to find it.  Now, 4 years ago - when I was still living in Texas - I would not have known what in the blazes she was referring to.  But, I knew from our living in Europe that that meant the bathroom.  Gary found this wonderful internet site that gives the British words and what they mean to us Americans.  Funny.  But, I love both Ann and Sylvie and am so glad that they are part of my life right now.

Oistens

I didn't have to have the car today  - Yeah!!!  More time for me to get some things done around the home.  Catch up on my blogging! :)  Am I a recluse?  I wonder, because I sure enjoy my times of solitude.  I enjoy doing laundry, cooking, and making my home beautiful.  I decided to get my exercise for the day by walking down to Oistens Fish Market.  It is not that far of a walk.  It took about 20 minutes to walk down to it.  I have learned which counters to go to for fish such as red snapper or dolphin (people in the states call it mahi mahi, it definitely isn't flipper).  I wanted some dolphin for our supper tonight - so, I went to that counter.  I took a video of the lady cutting the dolphin up for me - that is the video you see at the beginning of this blog.  I picked up several limes to rinse the dolphin off with.  I didn't have to go to the super market for my vegetables, because there were several vendors right by the fish market.  I got 3 beautiful tomatoes, 2 onions, cabbage, 2 cucumbers and some papaya. Yum - we will have the papaya tomorrow morning for breakfast!  I will use the cabbage to make some slaw to go with the dolphin tonight.  And the onions are going in a squash soup that I will hopefully get around to making before the weekend arrives.  It is fun, this island.  I love being able to get all this fresh fish.  I didn't realize it, but Barbados is one of the highest countries in terms of how long people live!  I'm sure it is because of all this fresh fish and chicken.  Oh, on another note:  as I was walking home, I saw a mother hen with her chicks picking away for food in a neighboring yard.  You see this everywhere in Barbados.  Hens, roosters, and chicks roaming freely by the roadsides.  It is a wonder that there are not more dead birds in the streets - run over by the cars - but, there isn't.  Those birds know to stay out of the way.  But, it was fun watching them use their feet and scratch the dirt away to see if there was anything to eat underneath.  Even though I consider myself a country girl from Tupelo, Mississippi - I have never been around roosters and hens until now.  Gary and I are so amused by them.  They are fun to watch, especially on all those days when we are stuck in traffic trying to get Gary to work!  Also, I saw a guy with a surf board crossing the street - he was running across - and tried to jump the curb on the other side - he missed!!!  He doubled over in pain.  When I got up to where he was, I asked if he was ok - he said yes, that the board had saved him, but unfortunately the board had not fared as well.  I'm afraid he broke that board!  Well, that is all I know for today, here is a picture of what a dolphin looks like:
 

The Morgan Lewis Stone Tower Windmill Production March 2011 Barbados, We...