After obtaining a master’s degree in fisheries and marine sciences, I got the opportunity to work in the Barbados fisheries sector. Amidst the shimmering waters of the Caribbean, the island country welcomed me with the joys of slow living. I reside in Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados – a port city on the island’s southwest coast.
I live near Chamberlain Bridge, in the heart of the city. It was originally a swing bridge constructed between 1865 and 1872, but in 2006 was replaced with a modern lift bridge. The walk on the bridge is scenic due to the waterfront where I love catching glimpses of the fishing boats and yachts.
Chamberlain Bridge
One of the attractions of Bridgetown is the George Washington House – a building where the first President of the United States stayed for two months. In 1751, George Washington visited Barbados because his half-brother was suffering from tuberculosis and was advised to spend the winter in the sunshine. Barbados seemed the perfect location for this, and since it was believed to be the only country he ever visited outside of America, the George Washington House has been preserved as a historical site.
George Washington House
There are many beaches in Bridgetown, but my favourite is the Pebbles Beach, which I have visited multiple times. It seems like a slice of paradise due to the turquoise waters and soft sand. Even after four years of staying in the town, I never want to come back whenever I visit the Pebbles Beach.
Pebbles Beach
A trip to the Cheapside Market is part of my weekly routine. Locals crowd around their favourite vendors with bags to purchase the countryside’s very best produce. Cheapside is where locals find it much more than the vegetables or fruits. At one of the market corners lie rows of stalls full of fiery spices. It also has a fully refrigerated meat section. Food stalls upstairs in the two-storey building provide a range of hot meals. There is also a selection for daily-wear clothes.
Cheapside Market
Nearby restaurants, stores and boutiques near the market area, are for the leisurely days and shopping sprees, with the St. Mary’s Anglican Church, one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in close vicinity.