Day 2 of our Barbadian Expedition

We’ve been Chillin’ like a Louisvillian and Breezing it like a Bajan. Bajan is the slang term for Barbadian. The climate has been much like Louisville in a typical August with the humidity. Our schedule has been full and tight and we have experienced much in regards to the Barbadian culture. Our indoctrination began with arriving at the hotel where we were greeted by a local dressed in calypso garb armed with island scented, cool washcloths to refresh us after our flight. This illustrates the importance of hospitality to the Barbadian culture and tourism industry.

See Photos -- http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomjackjr/sets/72157624138117510

Historically, the island of Barbados was mostly white and shifted towards black because of the influx of African slaves. The island came under Anglican rule when it was settled as a British Colony in 1627. In deference to other island nations, the Barbadian slave population became self-sustaining. Sugar cane, tobacco and cotton were the main vehicles for commerce for the enslaved island during those times up until their Emancipation in 1838. Tourism came to be their main industry after receiving freedom from English rule and colonization. Unlike many of their West Indies counterparts, Barbados was exclusively under British rule and did not change hands with France or Spain.

An impoverished nation, Barbados had issues with infant mortality in its early beginnings, but has risen to become a leader among the West Indies nations, especially in regards to education. Their people are considered to be their primary resource today and possess one of the highest literacy rates in the world. Since opportunities are limited on the island, many Barbadians expand themselves to all corners of the globe in order to benefit their families and to act as ambassadors for their nation.

Our group arrived in Barbados with a good base of knowledge and has continuously worked to advance our understanding of their culture and their needs in regards to education. Their situation is that they are caught in the middle of continuing to model the British system in regards to traditional academia, and their appreciation of the North American model where applied learning can be more beneficial to their people now.

Taking every opportunity that I can to immerse myself in the local culture, my good friend and colleague at UofL, Orville Blackmon, graciously provided me the contact information for his longtime friends, Sean and Clifford. Sean and his wife Bonnie, along with their two-year old daughter Naomi, picked up Dr. Alexis Lyras and myself at our hotel and took us out for some Roti and Mauby, local favorites. Mauby is a drink made from tree bark that is quite sweet, but has a bitter aftertaste. We were very appreciative of our hosts taking time out of their Pentecost Monday celebrations to spend time with some foreign strangers that have now become fast friends.

James Atkinson, Doctoral Student