Preface
To God be all the glory.
We, the people of the Caribbean, are seasoned with determination, salesmanship, innovation, grit, hunger, passion, culture, pride, wisdom, knowledge, preparation, execution, competition, hospitality, productivity, systemisation, resourcefulness, sustenance, family, apprenticeship, creativity, artistry, and evolution.
It takes much determination to climb a tree to pick coconuts, load a truck, press that gas pedal, and race to a vending stall through the break of dawn. It takes even more determination to slice and serve those coconuts to strangers after convincing them to stop their vehicles and make a purchase… on the f--king highway. It takes even more determination to do this until the setting of the same sun that torched your skin all day long. It takes even more determination to go home knowing damn well that this is a routine, not just today’s agenda. There is money to be made for roofs to be secured, backs to be clothed, and plates to be filled. Determination is the cost of the survival of one’s family. It’s the price to set a strong launch point for the next generation of one’s bloodline.
Paired with determination is salesmanship. The art of sales is a tough one to master, especially in the midst of a capital city filled with worthy competitors. Sales goes beyond the presentation of products and services to steal a civilian’s attention to purchase what one is selling. To maintain vocal composition and persistence, notwithstanding repeated rejection and indifference, is the epitome of grit. To do this day in, day out, season in, season out is truly remarkable. This is not for the weak-hearted. This is not for the weak-spirited. This is for the hearts of hustlers. This is for the ones whose bloodline is flavoured with entrepreneurial cravings and the need to be one’s own boss. Being a vendor in the midst of a Caribbean capital city is not for the weak or mild… it’s for the bold and the strong.
The competition is even steeper for immigrants. Imagine leaving your home. Imagine changing your status from civilian to outsider. Imagine adopting an uphill climb. Imagine quitting your job for the sake of risk… for the sake of vision. Imagine seeing what you are capable of, and acknowledging the distance between yourself and that goal. Imagine venturing off upon the distance littered with scorn, prejudice, and echoes of doubt on either side of the trail. Imagine rigging a supermarket trolley to serve as a soup-serving vehicle. Imagine. Just imagine. Imagine a few months pass and that trolley is replaced by an electric vehicle. Do you think that it’s impossible to imagine it being a bus eventually? What about a restaurant? The power of imagination can be proven by something as simple as soup. God bless Soupee… No Groupie.
While history adds to a side of tourism, it is rather bittersweet. Familiarity is a double-edged sword. History can be dangerous. Some have shackles transported from their ankles to their heads… others polish their crowns and reject the jingles of chains. The ancestors they emulate include those resonating royalty… not only revolution. These outliers aim to be seen in the same light in which they see the venerated members of their bloodline. They ensure that their descendants shall forever reign in kingdoms as royals… not oppressed civilians.
Respect for, and contribution to, the land upon which one stands is admirable… from natives and outsiders alike. It’s beautiful to see people take pride in their heritage and conduct themselves as cultural representatives to visitors. It’s also quite touching to witness non-locals, whether tourists or immigrants, prove their immersion in, and appreciation of, the culture and history of their new home. It’s also very justified…
Beaches. Sand. Sea. Sun. Cocktails. Catamarans. Tours. Parties. Safety. Paradise. Palm trees. Tourism can be easily justified by exotic aesthetic pleasures. However… unfortunately, as the desire for outsiders to find a reason to believe the hype rises, the accommodations must match. Unfortunately, it seems as though the very same natural ambassadors of bliss are being minimised and damaged. This apparently trigger sadness within the hearts of the locals who were here before the doors of their home began revolving rapidly. Trouble appears to be brewing in paradise.
Beneath the surface of the blue waters swims true delicacies in high demand. The demand rises as the supply plummets. Uh oh. According to Randolph, a veteran fisherman, things aren’t how they used to be. According to Randolph, they have apparently run out of the national fish (flying fish) because of overfishing, among other factors. According to Randolph, the youths refuse to listen, so he votes for silence. In addition, the recent storm destroyed his boat, and now, it’s almost impossible for this elder to make a dollar. Now, he must rely on memories surrounding his oceanic passion… long live the good old days.
Over at the main fish market, there appears to be no shortage of fish. Various types of fish lay to be skinned, sliced, and sold to the neighbouring food complex. The issues of shortage serve as mere whispers smothered by loud cutting noises of rampant orders being fulfilled. The issue at hand that strikes a chord within the soul of any listener is the lost lives at sea. Fishermen literally die to feed their families and the community at large. This revelation adds sincere depth to the ventures that we look past without batting an eye. The severity of this matter makes handling sharp blades for hours on end seem frivolous. Let’s just focus on the bright side… the fish market’s vibrant neighbour…
Oistins Fish Fry! The capital of Barbados social life. Here is where culture meets commerce. Much daily preparation goes into the operations of stalls on the premises. It requires much patience too. The weekdays are mild… but Fridays? Lord have mercy! Fridays are insane. The amount of orders that must be juggled is overbearing. The lines are dizzying. The volume is to the heavens. The aroma is hypnotic. The vibes are mesmerising. Balancing hospitality with restlessness is commendable. Much respect to the servers and chefs. The demand is overwhelming… so competition is prevalent. Something lovely to witness is the juxtaposition of competition and camaraderie. Everyone claims their own standout factor with respect to the entire community.
The most alluring element of the Oistins Fish Fry experience is it being the end of a communal production line. The very same fish served is acquired from the neighbouring fish market. The sea-market-table phenomenon is extremely unique. This is what you call an ecosystem. All parties involved are vital and must be protected at all costs. As time progresses, their development and enhancements must match. If one of the trifecta collapses, it’s going to be extremely detrimental. For the sake of the future of this paradisiacal location, all present issues must be addressed and handled. One domino falling will be the catalyst of destruction.
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Those who have taken the farming baton are commendable figures. The members of youth who invest their labour and effort into the stability and growth of farms should be cherished. Those bridging the classic, traditional forms of farming to the contemporary and futuristic angles of farming for the sake of mass production and provision to the community are gems. They are engineers of the community’s survival engine.
Concerning the farm-market-table phenomenon, the youth involved may underestimate the effects of their decisions. However, it’s not for their understanding… it’s for the unseen harmony within the generations-to-come. They may never truly understand the power of their contributions but that is completely fine. God bless them all. They won’t be the only ones to indulge in the fruits of their labour.
Glimmers of hope shine from the perspectives of some chefs. It’s satisfying to be blessed by their progressive, constructive mentalities. Them appreciating their mentors, shaping their children, and building with their partners is impossible to view with only light admiration. These are the justifications of the flavour and authenticity prevalent throughout their culinary crafts.
The spotlight must also be shone upon ECO Lifestyle + Lodge, a futuristic blueprint regarding hospitality within the Caribbean region. Reece is the appropriate face of ECO’s kitchen. Kyle is the appropriate face of the overall company. Maximising resources for the potency of their menu is magnificent. From the food on the table to the mahogany from which it is constructed, heritage reigns supreme. Even the sourcing of ingredients is local. Beyond the kitchen, they also participate in providing clean water in an appealing way. The ECO entity is a symbol of progression and unilateral development. All parties involved serve to benefit from their initiatives. Hopefully, they can resonate across the entire region and help to shape the perception of “cool”.
“Sustainability” = “making the most of what you have and passing the rest to the next generation”. It’s about minimising waste. One slice of the sustainability pie covers resources like food, water, and energy. Maximising their uses mitigates the negative effects of waste such as high costs and pollution.
The most powerful thing about sustainability is its diversity. Another avenue that it entails is that of knowledge and tradition. This is where respect to those before us shines. This is the adoption of traditions, stories, practices, information, history, and more. This powers dynasties. This aligns generations with those beyond and before them. This resembles MINT’s agenda: analysing the future to adapt it to the present with respect to the past. Respect and appreciation must also always be granted to mothers. The common vessel through which all parties must pass is the womb. Beyond birth, motherhood is a blanket that eventually serves as a springboard. Mothers mould character. Mothers are facilitators of existence.
Another form of sustainability is apprenticeship. To explore how this works, take a step into barbershops. The majority of these artisans have been ushered and coached by barbers who once walked in those same apprentice shoes. There also seems to be adaptation to the times regarding equipment and digital tools. This is treasured. Barbers prove the need for trades to be learned as the world develops. Barbershops also exist as cultural hubs hosting stories and perspectives from elders and youths alike.
Salons are the fraternal twin sisters of the barbershops. They are identical in terms of value and transmission benefits, albeit mainly geared towards women. The relationships that salons hold with beauty supply stores are resemblant of the ones between restaurants and fishermen/farmers. The supply stores keep salons updated on trends and products while forwarding clients to them. Sisterhood prevails in this instance as well.
Hair care deserves to be respected as an art form just as much as those who craft jewellery, clothing, and fragrances. On that note, craftspersons are very unique and important to the ecosystem as well… especially the ones who remain true to their identity. Identity is a fluid concept as location contributes to its state. It’s lovely to see a place fully represented as the sole cultural reference point, in combination with lovely to see immigrants add layers of such flair to their own foundational reference points.
Evolution is inevitable and unavoidable. If you don’t get with the flow of time, you will be left behind. In order to make your present a gift to the future, you must contribute to the next generation. Every single thing you do is a contribution to the next generation. Millions of butterfly effects occur per second. Every single decision counts. The only way that we can benefit the next generation is to make intentional decisions. Our impact must be constructive and selfless. We must consider our energy deposits as investments. The only way to truly connect with the flow of time is to aggrandise and expedite the production of solutions to global problems… but, it starts at home. Local -> regional -> global. This is why “technology” needs to be properly understood as simply “the use of discoveries”. We need to become faster at solving problems. We need to utilise contemporary tools to solve problems. It’s as simple as that. We need to facilitate literacy regarding contemporary tools. We need to facilitate innovation and invention of tools. We must stay connected and obsessed with technology for the sake of humanity.
With that being said, refinement is also an essential element of progression. Fixing and enhancing the processes with which one is affiliated is substantial. Supervision is substantial. Research is substantial. Maintenance is substantial. Additionally, at the root of it all… establishment is key. In order to establish, it helps to understand one’s purpose, passion, and pain. It’s helpful to know with whom your intentions can resonate, and what the intentions even are in the first place. Establish your mission to be the change you want to see. Be the superhero you wished could have saved you. Sacrifice your dream (singular) for others’ dreams (plural).
We must make the right concepts famous. Concepts… not people. We must make sustainability and technological adoption “cool”. In order to do that, we must empower those who keep the society running and equipping them with the latest technological and digital tools. We must empower each person who wants to contribute to society’s sustenance and development with the tools to attract attention. It makes no sense having beneficial entities only able to produce a video or two for insane amounts of money. Let’s bless them with the rods and lessons instead of a few slices of fish. That’s what MINT is doing with this campaign. We are laying out the full blueprint on how progressive entities can expedite the process of video production and adopt the key principles that will allow them to develop systems that amplify their local, regional, and global resonance.