Rae La Soul

Last month, I spent some time in Barbados, enjoying the Bajan sun with my good sis Fal celebrating life. Fal had just finished publishing her first book, Ode, a few months ago and it finally sank into my mental that I got a whole ass Master’s degree in Computer Science. Having the time to truly relax allowed the both of us a moment to fully gauge just how gravitational our accomplishments were.

“Wut Part You Is?”

Our airbnb was near Oistins, but far enough to enjoy the harminous sounds of insects nesting in the grass. We were also within walking distance of the bus route along the main road and right across the street from the beach. We learned early on how perfect this location would be, especially for cooling off. When you visit Barbados in January, the Bajan sun is brutal during the day and sparing in the evenings. We slept with windows open and the front door ajar, just as the locals would do with our only fear being the lizards and crickets that shared the space with us.

We really didn’t have an agenda. Most of our time was spent taking in the sights and sounds of waves crashing against the shore, sipping coconut water, realizing how trash men are on a global scale and becoming angrily tickled about it, getting in over 10K steps in a day to cancel out all that were stuffed our bellies with.

“Bubble a Pot..”

Oistin’s Fish Fry was an absolute must-see while in Barbados. We spent out first night permeating through the Bajan crowd and found ourselves seated at LaAmor’s Delights. The area is quite small and packed which often meant “fuck your personal space.” The food was pleasant. I opted for grilled salmon with stuffing and a rum punch. I’m from Louisiana where the bones are seasoned, so I have to admit that it wasn’t as seasoned as I am accustomed to, but it did what I needed it to do so we grabbed dinner two nights in a row.

Our go to breakfast spot was Bliss Cafe, which was about a 10 minute walk from our airbnb. The chaffed thighs, sunburned lips, and multiple blisters under my feet were totally worth it for the food here. We ended up eating here twice as well, but we did try eateries closer to us. Fed By Nature provided us with amazing fruit bowls, and Breezers down the street sufficed when we needed a meal and didn’t feel like embarking on another adventure involving the bus. (This is a must-do, btw.)

“Behind God’s Back..”

Our second day was spent exploring the countrysides of 9 parishes on the island. A group of tomato farmers were pleasant enough to offer us fresh tomatoes right off the vine as we passed through. And considering this is exactly how I remember eating most of the tomatoes from the garden from my childhood, I devoured it with ease and delight.

We trekked through the rainforest, spent some time on the coastline of Bathsheba–a fisher’s village in St. Joseph parish, and then headed to the other end to watch waves crash against the shore. We at lunch at Sugar Cane Cafe enjoying a Bajan variation of BBQ chicken and delectable sweets and ended the tour ended passing through the neighborhood Rihanna called home during her childhood.

“If greedy wait, hot will cool..”

Our final days were spent relaxing and taking in more of the beach. I’d have to admit that while I couldn’t gather myself together to catch the sunrise, as I usually do, I did not miss the sunsets. How forgiving the sun was at dusk. Even the waves calmed his rage as the sun kissed its horizon. As always, I took a moment to reflect on how grateful I am for my life–the good and the not so good. Because in the end, it all works out.