Bajans Celebrate 50 Years!

Barbados just finished celebrating her 50th year of Independence! It was a fantastic 3 day celebration, actually it has been an entire year of celebrating!

Some of the major events were the human-link of Barbados, unveiling of the national monument, a FREE concert that included many of Barbados’s top artists and a military  parade that also included all uniformed groups on the island from  the  Boy Scouts to the Barbados Defense Force. There was also a group of men and women who participated in the first independence celebration  in 1966,  50 years ago.

In the United States I am a minority but in Barbados I enjoy being  part of the majority. It was amazing to see a concert that was for all generations that had all of the top artists of Barbados from the Mighty Gabby, Grynner and RPB (Red Plastic Bag) who were all present at the first independence to Lil Rick who wasn’t even born.

Rhianna and Prince Harry were also at the concert . The event went off without the massive security checks and the police presence you see in the US and there were no reported incidents. There were a few complaints about lighting etc.  but like the “queen” said “If you were unhappy you should have left and asked for your money back!”

The same self policing was found at the other events. The only incident I saw was when a man asked, actually he insisted that  another to get off the phone because he was being disrespectful to the others who wanted to listen to the event.

Not even the torrential rain and the flooding  that caused a reschedule of the parade dampened the spirit of celebration. Actually I find that Bajans are a strong, resilient and happy people, I see evidence of it every day!

When Sandra and I go for our daily morning walk, without exception we are greeted with “Good morning, marnin, alright, rite, okay or ya doing good” from every person we pass or see sitting on their verandas.

Drivers are very courteous to pedestrians and other drivers. They stop for pedestrians either in or out of the crosswalk. I never have to wait more than a car or two when waiting to make a right turn against traffic. Drivers here give a flicker of their headlights to let you know it’s okay to turn or as a thank you.

All except me, I get a little confused. You see, the lights and wipers on the cars here are on opposite side as compared  to the  US. When drivers flicker me, I try to flicker back  but my windshield wipers come on instead. It’s more difficult than it seems. I hope when Bajans see me wave my wipers, they understand it’s an American way of saying thanks.

When you go to a bank (or any place of business) whether there are 2 or 22 people inside, good mannered Bajans announce loudly “Good morning or good afternoon!” to everyone as they enter the building. If a worker walks through, they will do the same!

I am proud to be a Bajan and I am happy that I was able to witness and participate in the Golden 50th Independence celebration of Barbados!