Barbados has been an exciting adventure.Four of us were invited to Cave and Shepherd a large store in town to field questions about the Amistad, her story and mission, and our individual feeling of the freedom tour.we were also invited to entertainment provided by different schools in the area.these young people are some kind of talented.original poems set to song, choirs, skits, and dance groups.and the vocals of this one young lady that sang "Sometimes I feel like a Motherless child" this was a very old soul in a young lady.what an honor to be a part of all of this. and then there was dinner at the American Ambassadors home.

The people are warm and welcoming and the weather reminds me so much of Hawaii, sunny and a little rain everyday.there are some beautiful white sand beaches and the water a lovely warm blue.we have had a multitude of visitors from infants to elders and all have seemed to take something away with them with hopes of enriching their lives that much more.I know my life has become enriched by the conversations I have had with the many visitors and the friendships made.

This trip has been a rite of passage for me as I turned 60 on April 20th, I share the day with some dear friends, Don Murphy, Della Murray just to name a few and then there is Adolph Hitler and other savory characters I have met.. but what a lovely place to celebrate. I met an amazing lady Marcille Haynes who is a free lance photographer and a damn good one those are her photographs seen in the newspaper articles.any way she and I have become great friends and her birthday is coming up in July.but she decided that I should have a photo shoot for my birthday. (photos coming soon to face book) well she made arrangements with MAC cosmetics for a makeover an then we took off to take pics.it was great being all girlie.it has been a month of Sunday's since I have had make up on.but it was a blast and one hell of a birthday gift.then we went to Oistins which is a small community that on Friday nights vendors come out a sit up in food booths, art, jewelry you name it.there is music and Oldies but goodies couples dancing.. what a treat.oh yeah I got a tattoo of a gardenia on my right shoulder..heheheheh

One of the visitors to the Amistad wanted to do something for the crew so Ron Jones and his family took us all to the Hilton for brunch and it just happened to be my birthday.Ron & Beverly Cox, parents of one of our students and crew members, graciously baby sat the boat so everyone could go to brunch.it was wonderful. Ron made arrangements for Barbara from his office to help me with provisioning.after brunch we returned to the boat to get her ready for the closing ceremony.it was beautiful.drummers, dancers and a beautiful closing libation. as we sailed off into the sunset taking memories and new friendships.

 We anchored at Port Charles to take care of final details.one being provisioning.Barbara picked me up and we set off for a day of provisioning for 15 days for 16 people.she was wonderful and so much fun to hang out with.it made an otherwise hectic job smooth and enjoyable.and so I wouldn't have to cook after all the running around Ron and Serena invited us to their home for a bar-b-que. the next evening we had them on the boat for dinner.I prepared West African groundnut stew, fried whole Red Snapper, coconut rice, curry bread, cheese platter with crackers and grapes.and homemade ginger beer.and Ron and his family brought chocolates forever.more wonderful friendships..

Off for some much needed R&R.. hello St. Croix

Ashay
Ancestor in training chef dani

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