We did it! They all answered the call!
First, our participants: ten interpreters in 2019; seven in 2020; all of different nationalities, all brimming with excitement, endlessly curious and eager to discover a new culture – your typical bunch of interpreters. They were lured by our promise that “English in the Caribbean” would be far more than your run-of-the-mill language class in a tropical setting.
Second, our incredibly dedicated teachers at CELL (Centre for English Language Learning), filled with enthusiasm and eager to please.
And third: our high-caliber lecturers, i.e. experts and professors affiliated with the UWI (The University of the West Indies), hailing from Barbados, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica and Trinidad, ready to offer participants a glimpse into a different world and become ambassadors of the richness and diversity of their Caribbean region.
From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU, everyone, for following me on this adventure!
We shared so many great moments and strong emotions that I can’t keep track. We were
… shaken to the core when we fully grasped the impact slavery has had on millions of human beings, even to this day,
… entranced by the magical world of African religions,
… entertained by the regional languages ranging from Jamaican patwa to Martinique’s special brand of creole,
… stunned by the linkages between contemporary Caribbean economy, slavery and international financial hubs,
… captivated by Caribbean literature classes,
… astonished by the variety of democratic practices throughout the region,
… taken aback by the complexity of Caribbean societies, oscillating between openmindedness and conservatism when it comes to issues as diverse as violence against women, homophobia, the prison world, medicinal cannabis, Carnival…
Each class uncovered a bounty of cultural discoveries, with practical demonstrations to boot! Cricket, road tennis, Calypso*, fashion design, cooking, folklore and tradition, you name it.
To familiarize everyone with the Bajan** accent, it would be hard to beat the coast-to-coast island tour we took with Klebere, our expert and captivating tour guide! She has the knack for enlivening thorough historical accounts with amusing anecdotes on life in Barbados. Likewise, what better illustration of the difference in attitudes towards the island’s colonial heritage (depending on one’s ancestry – slaves or settlers) than the stirring visit we made with Sam, our teacher and guide, at St Nicolas Abbey, the former sugar plantation.
Now, did the whole thing go without a hitch? Not quite. There were a few slip-ups, especially the first year when it came to logistics. But wouldn’t you agree that accepting a different approach to priorities and time management is part and parcel of embracing a new culture?
If Swiss rigor had prevailed, I doubt members of CELL would have interrupted their weekend to drive to the airport and greet participants to the first course. Nor would they have modelled clothes at the closing ceremony fashion show in 2020. And would chef Mikael have filled in for a colleague at a moment’s notice and treated us to Flying fish and Coucou**** at the cooking class as planned? Would Sam, our wonderful literature professor, have volunteered as a talented Tai Chi instructor and tour guide?
A little more humanity and flexibility – isn’t that part of what we seek in faraway places known for an easygoing lifestyle? Without that human touch, there’s no question the soul of Barbados wouldn’t be the same.
After slowly revealing itself to us with every new class, this proud and generous soul possessed us completely on a few memorable outings. As we stood on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, marveled at horses bathing in Caribbean Sea at sunrise, sat on the beach and raised our rum punch to the flamboyant sunset, enjoyed celebrations or street parties, or let our hair down on the festive catamaran trip, the upbeat vibe emanating from this proud people, descended from slaves, cast its spell and took us well beyond the white sand.
* Calypso: Folk songs from the Caribbean with witty and satirical texts
** Bajan (pr. bay-djun): noun or adjective, derived from “Barbadian”
***Flying fish: a local Caribbean fish species which is served with Coucou (a sort of polenta) to make up the national Barbadian dish.
Translated by Edna Setton
Mars 16, 2021