That’s what so many people ask me when they find out that I moved to the Tri-State area from Barbados. And now that I’m back, I’m asking myself the same question.
I mean, what’s not to love about year-round sunshine, balmy breezes and fresh-caught fish spiced with local seasonings? (Speaking of which, If you’re ever here, make sure to take in the Oistins Fish Fry. A bit touristy with all the jewelry stalls, but the zesty, tender, grilled-on-the-coalpot fish cannot be beat.)
Here’s a few lines I wrote a few years back that capture the essence of Barbados/the Caribbean and what I enjoy about it most:
Blazing sun
Pumping beat
Congo drum
Now you have no choice: you move your feet
Rhythmic dance
Sweet kadans*
Carnival prance
Now you know you’re in the Caribbean
A certain flair
Je ne sais quoi
It’s in the air
When you’re here you feel so wild and free
Tinkling sound
Ting, tang, tung
Steel pan drum
That’s what the Caribbean means to me
The beauty of
The scenery
Blue skies above
Every bird, every mahogany
Sweet sugar cane
Torrential rain
Even hurricanes
Integral part of the Caribbean scene
Molasses, rum,
From sugar come
Cockspur** fun
All this makes here more dear to me
No matter where
I go this year
I’m coming back
Back to my islands in the Caribbean
© Lisa Hurley, 2007
*Kadans (rhymes with advance) is a form of music indigenous to the Caribbean. Closely related to Calypso.
**Cockspur Rum is one of the local brands of the island’s favorite brew.
