By: La Shawna Griffith
There’s something about Barbados that never leaves you no matter how far across the globe you go. For many Barbadians living abroad, the scent of salt in the air, the familiar rhythm of life, and the warmth of a neighbour’s greeting remain etched in memory. We caught up with a few proud Bajans living overseas to find out what they miss most about the island they still call home.
For Jason Gaskin, who now resides in Canada, it’s the unhurried nature of Bajan living that he longs for. “Bajans don’t take life as seriously as Canadians,” he reflected. “It makes for easier friendships and a more relaxed work environment.” That spirit of ease is something he deeply cherishes and misses.
Representing her parish with pride, Kathleen Cummins beams when she speaks of St. George. “Anywhere I go, people want to know why I am happy so. St. George I come from a parish that is so diverse and different.” Though she lives abroad, her heart beats to the rhythm of home, and she never hesitates to represent her island.
Jonathan Cumberbatch misses his family and the way Barbadians celebrate the Christmas holidays. . “ I miss my family, crop over, because when I was in China, obviously there was no Crop Over, and I miss a good ham at Christmas.”
For Sherry Kirton, the cravings are unmistakably Bajan. “The thing I miss most about Barbados is the beaches and food and especially the pears and mangoes,” she said.
And for Edgar Sargeant, the nostalgia is deeply rooted. “I miss my growing up years, my family, the beaches, fruits and foods, my friends, and lastly believe it or not the weather. The heat doesn’t bother me, but the cold could get under your skin.”
From safe streets to sweet mangoes, relaxed mornings to radiant sun, it’s clear that for Bajans abroad, home is more than a place; it’s a feeling. And though they may walk foreign roads, their hearts remain wrapped in the warmth of the Rock.
