NOVEMBER, THE MONTH we celebrate the anniversary of our political independence, annually generates pleasant nostalgia as I reflect on my good fortune to live in this beautiful country, myriad current problems notwithstanding.
Recently, it seems to rain every day. However, one day last week the weather was fine from sunup to sundown and I went onto my patio in the early evening to marvel at the uninterrupted, picturesque South Coast vista from Atlantic Shores to the Hilton.
The multicoloured bougainvillea hedging my lawn is blooming, making the immediate landscape easy on the eyes. Beyond, the sea, garlanded by a number of new or renovated seaside properties, looked calm and alluring, testimony to why tourists come here to share our God-given patrimony.
Immobilized by the view, I kept thinking that this is the living reality of the songs Beautiful, Beautiful Barbados and Sir Don’s calypso This Place Is A Lovely Country Fuh Truth. A happy hostage, I pulled up a chair, poured an Extra Old and coconut water, gave thanks and soaked up the environment.
This came days after NBC, the United States network, did its popular early morning week-day programme from Sandy Lane hotel giving us a level of international advertising beyond the reach of the Board of Tourism’s budget. I called friends in New York and Fort Lauderdale to tune in.
They were watching, completely captivated.
The entire production was enhanced by calypso genius The Mighty Gabby improvising an appropriate ditty for the occasion. No doubt the benefits will be increased arrivals in the years ahead. Indeed, a friend I shared an apartment with as a student whom I have spent decades trying to convince to holiday here, called right after to say he is bringing his wife next Easter.
This was icing on the cake for the work done by Rihanna who, wherever she goes as one of the world’s top performers, works into her presentation the fact that she is from Barbados. I am told by a Swedish friend from my days as ambassador there of the massive disappointment when her recent illness precluded her performing.
Against the background of former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan telling the world Barbados punches above its weight, the country got more kudos from former US Ambassador to the UN Andrew Young, who endorsed the suggestion made some time ago by St Vincent’s cerebral Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves that Barbados is probably the world’s best managed black country.
This is high praise from Dr Martin Luther King’s trusted confidant who knows the region well.
All Barbadians should feel proud. True nationalism transcends politics and this country has been built by citizens of all political stripes.
Internationally, in horse racing, the stellar training exploits of Sir Michael Stoute, based at Newmarket in England, have catapulted him to the very top and Barbados onto the global map. Through the years, he encouraged many well heeled British citizens to holiday and invest here. Some Irish and a leading Canadian owner have named their horses after places on the island.
The annual blue-ribbon international race meeting is the Breeders Cup in Kentucky. The Canadian, Eugene Melnyk, who has a house and business investments here, is an owner who named a number of his horses racing at Woodbine, Canada’s top track, after Barbadian places. Some years ago, he sent out a horse named Speightstown to win a Breeders Cup race.
Two Saturdays ago, some of the owners of Sandy Lane Hotel, who also own the renowned Coolmore Stud in Ireland, sent a horse named St Nicholas Abbey to win a major Breeders Cup race. It was interesting hearing the commentator in the run-up to the race saying the horse was named after a historic property in Barbados. The owners flew in the father-and-son team of trainer and jockey for a Sandy Lane holiday.
As a country highly dependent on tourism for our survival, the benefits of these activities and attendant publicity are immeasurable.
In addition, one of Coolmore’s owners has also made a substantial investment in horse racing at the Garrison Savannah. It is admirable when people leave their countries of birth, settling among us to enjoy our salubrious surroundings, give something back in return.
Another noteworthy event was the mid-week visit of United States Attorney General Eric Holder. I recall as a schoolboy that was also the name of the Caribbean’s leading jockey. The distinguished Attorney General is the son of Barbadian parents, the enduring benefits of which he proudly proclaimed at his 2008 Washington, DC, swearing-in.
The Barbadian economy, like those almost everywhere across the planet, continues in a recession with the long-awaited ease showing few signs of materializing in the immediate future. Every little bit of positive exposure redounds to our collective good. Long may it so remain!
Peter Simmons, a social scientist, is a former diplomat. Email [email protected]
