Bajan Style and Rowdy Drivers

The Barbados report begins with a long exhale of "aaaahhhhh". I'll spare you another travel horror story in consideration of the superb BTA guide we had. I can't speak for other islands such as the Caymans, but Barbados is something to talk about. I went in with the expectation of seeing something different, a bit more destitute, but after learning that Tiger Woods rented out the entire Sandy Lane resort for his multi- million dollar wedding, my impression changed. Why didn't we stay there???

I'm from Cuba and boast the best beaches in the world, like Varadero, but I'll say the picture of Crane Beach I posted here 2 weeks ago, does not do any real justice to what I really saw! Here is the "mushroom" rock located a bit south of Bathsheba beach. I was dubbed an eco-thief for collecting a beautiful heart shaped rock from there. The safari trip through the island was guided by some crazy guy driving a 10 seater Rover who knew the island all to well and demonstrated some sexual agitation with his super descriptive mentions of termite hives and other neat things. Uh hello, I don't need to know how desperate you are! Go get you some and stay on the path of instruction! I'm becoming a professional cook so I was taking fine note of the cuisine. Flying fish for days y'all! Scrawny little things used as bait elsewhere in the Caribbean is an everyday meal. Too good.
Between that and a decadent seared tuna with bok choy, I started thinking that maybe British influence hadn't completely implanted itself. To say the least, these press tours are over indulgent. Fine dining, bottomless cocktails (I probably should have had atleast ONE!), wild excursions and little sleep, make for a great 4 day getaway weekend. If only realistically I could afford to stay at the hotel next door. "The House" was the face of eco-beach chic and laid back Euro flare. I'm almost ready to be married (note to an unnamed man). Brits LOVE to relocate there permanently and don't talk much. Bajans extend themselves in a surreal manner. Talk about "found customer service as lost in the US"--pull out my chair for a trip to the loo, place my napkin on my lap, whispers of "would you like red or white wine" in my ear and escort me down the single step...a bit much for a self-professed almost celeb. Not to mention the $50 bottle of Barbadian Rum and champagne in my suite upon arrival. Yeah baby!

En breve, fine men, cool weather, great food, over the top service, snorkeling with turtles and coconut milk remind me that life in Atlanta, Ga can get better!
(Sandra, Jen, Me on Catamaran snorkeling trip)


My official story to be published in Odyssey Couluer is due on Monday so I've got to get to writing. You'll have to pick the mag up in Barnes-N-Noble in Feb. in order to get more details!

No thanks to US Customs and Immigration, the champagne I was gifted will be the source of toasting to love and happiness when J gets here on Sunday!

"Ma'am...I'm waiting for the tip you were going to give me"....

I LOOOOOVE WHAT I DO!!

Every year, my family goes on vacation for a few consecutive weeks to some ultra cool location, a la the Griswalds. 4 adults (sans the eldest sibling) and my parents pack up and fly the friendly skies to unknown lands of the foreigner. The Mexicans treat us like Latin superiority, the French force us to step up our style game, the Italians feed us to no end and the Spanish put a choke hold with their chain, chimney smoking. Just a few places so far. However, this year, oh this blessed year, Santa has prematurely decided to limit the luxuries of annual splendors the Halls engage in. Be it as it may though, I find a way to stamp mi pasaporte!

I'm on my way to Barbados! Just when I was wondering if my freelance writing gig (the story of how it came to happen is a testament to being at the right place at the right time theory) would yield and offer another excursion of all out luxuries, I receive an urgent email. "Yes Nick I'm available!" Aaahh...within minutes the PR admins are ensuring all of my traveling and special requests are met and in order. "Yes, please, make sure I have a window seat, first class and no cooler than 67 degrees. Please advise any restaurant where we eat of my requirement there be no shellfish or swine of any kind lacing my china. Please make sure my hotel suite has white candles, preferably of peony or lavender aroma, 2000 count, white linens, a decanter for the white wine I'll sip in the evening while chatting with my west coast novio, and, a kind wake up call at 6:17 a.m. Thank you!"

Sorry. I know J. Lo diva moments are so passé. Really, a bed with a down comforter and some tea will suffice. After all, I'll wake up to palm tress and white sand beaches, a cool breeze and maybe a "good morning dear" phone call. I'll even consider some local rum and corn rows. Much more then the average stateside compensatory vacation I would have had otherwise, I'll gladly relish in the singleness of the trip.

In short, I love, love, love what I do!! 5 months kicking a** on my annual designer & artist charity event (a post for later this week), on-stage, feature performances, not often enough (see post below), monthly trunks shows, hustlin' my mom's jewelry (another post for this week) and then the writing. Taking up a lot of my time these days, I welcome the assignments, the challenges and the experience of diversifying my talents.You couldn't pay me enough to go back to work with lawyers!! ;)

Tune in sometime in December for my report on Barbados.

Sites:
www.dictionary.com (for Word of the Day)
www.mediabistro.com
www.nu-soulmag.com
www.barbados.org

(Crane Beach, Barbados)