Chapter One – Barbados (4/25)

The question is not, “ How do you pay for it?”

The question is, “ What do you want to pay for?”

We finally boarded the ship in Barbados 4/7/25.

After 6 months of preparation we were pleased to see that the ship really existed! Who would ever think of providing an opportunity to buy a cabin and cruise around the World? And, do it every 3 and ½ years for 15 years? 

I want to use this trip to get new insights into the World economy.

  During our short time in Barbados there was a lot of waiting. Turns out Barbados Time is even slower than Southern Time in the US. Lots of sitting while warm breezes softly blow and shift the vegetation. A monkey walked along the ledge of the roof, peered into a window then strode off, its absurdly long tail swaying like a flagpole. Finally the taxi that would take us to the boat arrived.         

   Society here is less equal than when Jeff visited 30 years ago. Very rich then the majority much less so and then, very poor. Some developments to please tourists.

  I took a walk along the dock before the boat disembarked and looked into the water. It washes light turquoise and grey over and back on the coral boulders. Bright blue fish swim in and out of the crevices, schools of minnows, yellow fish and zebra striped too.

  “ This is your captain speaking, from the bridge, of course. Leaving Barbados in the morning. Have a good evening.” 4/8/25

At sea.

Tabago, 4/9/25

Walk into town. Frigate birds circle overhead. I read that they eat flying fish. 

  Seven local currencies to one dollar here. Barbados was two to one. The resulting total is the same as in the US. You just pay more of their currency.

   We visited a drug store. The many young female employees are watching every move of the customers. On the sidewalk again, chickens with their chicks weave among the people.

We found a bench and sat near a park by the water. A taxi driver approaches us to offer a ride. 

“ Why is the park closed? (chain link fence and barbed wire surround it). 

“They were doing drugs there, had to close it.” 

“Why are they doing drugs?” 

“They want to be happy.”

“They are not happy?”

“They want to be happier.”

“ What are the rocks called out there?”

“ The red rocks. The coast used to curve all the way out there but over the last 40 years it has eroded back. They had to move the coast road in.”

Trinidad 4/10/25 This Island is larger, more mountainous and from a distance an emerald surrounded by bright turquoise water. 

   We take a taxi, our driver's name is Ambrose.  He is full of information.

  Again, 7 to one currency ratio. Economy is not thriving for the majority of people. Good for multinational companies, BP, ( there is oil and natural gas on the island) a Hilton, and a few wealthy. Many locals have set up small vending sheds everywhere. A young man tows a rolling garbage pail between the lanes of traffic filled with cold sodas to sell. Yet, Trinidad provides free education from 3 years old through 4 years of college, free medical and a pension at age 65.  (Into which they have paid through compulsory insurance when they start work) Trinidad provides more social assistance than the US. 

The question is; “What do you want to pay for?” Here, they have answered in favor of the people 

  Unfortunately the drug trade is too much for this island country. Trinidad is a conduit for drugs from S. America to the US and Worldwide. When we drive up a steep mountain we see nice homes then many more sagging metal and wood enclosures with garbage all around where people live.  Back in town a man sleeps on the sidewalk in front of a store, his dirty grey clothing blending into the surface.

  In colonial times they protested injustice with Calypso, the original rap music. Now they use drugs to forget. And their protests, Carnival, have become entertainment.

At sea