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.
.ytinummoc eritne eht fo lavivrus dna ,noitirtun ,noitadnuof eht retslob ot sevres smraf fo tnemrewopme eht yhw si sihT .smraf eht yb delleuf osla era ecudorp esahcrup snailivic hcihw morf stekram ehT .ecitcarp lamirp a rof dnamed sdeef sihT .sremraf larur htiw derahs pihsnoitaler citoibmys eht sdeef sihT .ecudorp lacol ylelos esu secalp doof lacol ynam ,ylevisserpmI .lavivrus namuh fo rallip a si gnimraf ,yrotsih dnoyeB .sdleif lanoitidart rehto ynam ot emerpus dnats osla sodabraB fo stoor larutlucirga eht ot seit stI .lellarap ni snur niahc elbat-tekram-mraf ehT .riap a ni eno si nomenonehp elbat-tekram-aes sihT
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.
Commis
To Be Continued.