A LOT OF PEOPLE CRITICIZE ME for not “writing about serious matters” in these times of economic recession and depression, possible devaluation via the IMF and Sandi-like public sector salary cuts and lay-offs, business collapse, student sex on camera, no-confidence motions, gun slayings, foreign reserves problems and astronomical food import bills (I hear we now importing sweet potatoes) and on and on.
Of course, I often consider commenting on such serious issues but for me to do so would be akin to trying to create a wave by throwing a glass of water into the sea. Just look at the number of other columnists around me on Sundays dealing with those matters, including Mac Fingall as serious as a judge.
So let me continue to do my thing in my own way and today I am dealing with a very popular “business” district in the centre of the UNESCO World Heritage site Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison.
It could be said that the place is appropriately named Bush Hill and for those who are unfamiliar with the location it could be likened unto a gym that specializes in the exercise and growth of a single muscle, the unicep. Because of this specialization it would be assumed that only men frequent the place but I have been told that quite a few women exercise there as well. Don’t ask me.
Because I have a very familiar face, I try to avoid Bush Hill even during the daytime to the point where if I am driving up Bay Street on my way to, say the Museum, I go past the Defense Force headquarters and then all the way around the Savannah.
So imagine my consternation one day, a few weeks ago, when a well-known Knight who retires daily to an office located near the little triangle-about at the top of Bush Hill invited me to meet with him there to discuss some business. The location came as a surprise because on previous occasions such meetings took place in the heart of Bridgetown. Maybe the location keeps him up. Even more surprising was the fact that after the meeting as he shepherded me to the door, he offered an apology in advance of somebody spotting and accusing me of being in the area to conduct the other business for which Bush Hill is best known.
His concern turned out to be somewhat prophetic when two weekends ago I responded to another invitation to be on Bush Hill, this time from the NATION’S advertising department for a 40th anniversary night-time function at George Washington House.
It was an enjoyable affair until I was leaving and my entertainment business associate Freddy Hill asked me to co-sign a cheque for airline seats for entertainers coming to perform at Hennessy Artistry.
I had been parked inside the venue but he was outside. So I drove out and was waiting on the hill for him to get the chequebook when another vehicle driving up Bush Hill slowed down to almost a dead stop next to me and from the dark inside came a loud female voice admonishing me, “Al Gilkes, you don’t know that you too old to be still picking?”
That was a classic example of why I have always had those fears.
• Al Gilkes heads a public relations firm.
Email algilkes@gmail.com