
Liz Lopez
What I love about Barbados
Quick story: Last week, I was walking my usual pace (read: fast) to the beach and a man rolled down his window and in his awesome Bajan accent, said “Slow down, slow down, you’re in Barbeeedos.” I smiled and explained I was trying to make it to the beach before sundown and he just laughed.
Now onto the list, ranked in nearly specific order:
1. I swim in shimmering, clear Caribbean waters nearly every day
2. There is no COVID here
3. Penny and Cal can go to school and, knock on wood, not worry about it changing to virtual learning
4. Walking everywhere and getting outdoor physical activity, every day
5. Meeting new friends from all over the world
6. Hanging out with these friends, outdoors or inside, and feeling comfortable with it
7. Nearly everyone I’ve encountered has been helpful, patient, and kind to me
8. That Bajan breeze
9. Lopez cooks dinner nearly every night, because I don’t know how to cook fish (well)
10. Watching the dog play in the ocean, and subsequently get swept away by waves, confused, then repeat
11. Walking the babies to school and picking them up each day from their colorful, outdoor, neighborhood school
12. Watching my kids immerse themselves in a new culture and push through long days they’re not accustomed to
13. Sitting on my back porch doing Happy Hour with my parents
14. Being outside anytime, day or night, in sandals
15. The price of cheese! (It’s the same as at home, and cheese is obviously my favorite food)
16. Delicious, plentiful beer (and very inexpensive, both store-bought and in restaurants/bars)
17. Walking to Dover Beach after work, then watching the sunset over the water
18. Seeing lizards and baby chickens every day
19. Eating at restaurants
20. Eating at restaurants overlooking the Caribbean Sea
21. Sunsets over the water
22. Everyone here was rooting for the same election results as me (both locals and Expats; all the locals I encountered in the days waiting for results asked if we voted and congratulated us for our subsequent win)
23. The locals are extremely friendly
24. Living in a town where I can easily walk places or take public transportation
25. Fresh fish!
26. Fast internet service that allows us to work efficiently
27. Cheapside produce market where Lopez buys our fruits and veggies for the week
28. Waking up early to roosters crowing
29. The whistling frogs that are now my white noise
30. The pace of life
31. Going to bed earlier because we’re too hot not to
32. Finally catching up on The Walking Dead
33. Wildlife that includes monkeys, baby turtles, lizards and snails
34. Brownes Beach, where you see turtles and fish and stingrays around you just by swimming out a bit
35. My neighborhood, where I feel totally safe walking around, and see bright colored flowers and an abundance of fruit trees
36. NO house projects!
