A Family Immersed
Amidst a pandemic, the Seawell family searched for a sun-soaked destination that would provide an immersive cultural experience for their three children. Both parents would need to work remotely while the rest of the brood attended virtual school. Between spirited backroom dominoes games, impromptu football on the beach and having many tourist destinations all to themselves, the whole crew got more than they bargained for during their sojourn in Barbados.
Duncan, Susie and their children Lucy (14), Caroline (12) and Ellie (9) enjoyed having the freedom of a car to explore the island from their home base at Sea Glass Villa in Weston, St. James. In planning for the trip, maintaining a healthy work-life balance was a top priority. They carved out extra family time on Friday afternoons creating extended weekends to explore a variety of beaches and sights all over the rock. A few of their favourite adventures included swimming out to snorkel with the turtles, a magical visit to the Animal Flower Cave, exploring St. Nicholas Abbey and enjoying lazy afternoons on the deck chairs at Pier One.
On one cross-island jaunt the family happened upon a road tennis game in progress. Intrigued, they quickly pulled over to watch. Despite pleas from her teenage daughter in fear of the potential embarrassment she might face by association; Susie accepted an invitation from the sweaty-browed contestants to try her hand at the sport. Duncan filmed and photographed not at all surprised that Susie could hold her own for a first-timer. He proudly reports, “She is a natural at most things”.
That roadside experience is one of Susie’s fondest memories of their trip. She credits the wonderful month her family spent in Barbados to the warmth and generosity of Bajan people. All five family members made connections in the Weston neighborhood. Tropicana or Thunder Bay beach was quickly renamed ‘Faye’s Beach’ after their favourite beach vendor who kept a watchful eye as they swam or joined in on football games. On their last morning before flying home the children requested to have breakfast at Faye and Simone’s on the beach. After enjoying their meal and marvelling at the unusually massive waves that had descended on the West Coast, the kids decided they wanted to assist one of the local families they had come to know through Simone. Caroline laughed, “Our bags were much lighter on the way home because we left all of our shoes and half of our clothes”.
Navigating a three hour time change, The Seawells enjoyed their weekday mornings at the pool and nearby beaches swimming and paddle boarding before school and work started at 11 AM. Free time in the mornings meant a later finish and several local food vendors delivered to fill the dinner gap as both parents continued to work into the evening. Marilyn, who you will find in Taylor’s Gap most school day mornings and afternoons, catered to the family’s healthy requests for fish and vegetables in addition to her delicious rotis. Randy’s pizzas, also from the area, were also a big hit, loaded with more toppings than the girls had ever seen on a single pie. The unanimous favourite however was Simone’s fishcakes.
Venturing further afield, the Seawell’s relished in an extra lively Friday night at Oistins as the local crowd snuck in one last outing before impending pandemic curfews. In the opposite direction from the villa, they meandered up the coast road for fresh fish and a relaxed seaside atmosphere at Braddy’s Bar in Six Men’s Bay. The whole family marvelled at a rickety table top that was able to withstand a lively group slamming dominoes and making sport.
Ultimately, Duncan and Susie were delighted with their choice to say in Weston. They quickly integrated into local life walking just a few minutes to the Millie Ifill fish market, Shawn’s vegetable stand and world-famous John Moore Bar while enjoying all the amenities the West Coast has to offer in nearby Holetown and Speightstown.
Their goal was to provide the kids with an opportunity to explore what it would be like to truly live in another country, and particularly to experience the rhythm and pace of life in a different culture. Based on the tales of their journey, Susie and Duncan may have inadvertently reaped just as many rewards from the very same atmosphere they were creating for their children.
For more pictures, recommendations and links from the Seawell family adventures visit: www.livingbarbados.com/friends-of-barbados
