I didn’t list in the title what actually happened, because I want you to come on the adventure with me!
So, I headed to the cricket game. Tickets were a little pricey, but since the game was almost over, I thought maybe a scalper would be dying to get rid of their’s, and they WERE!
I bought a ticket for like $10 (US).
I headed on in. I got some food (a little macaroni pie), and some water. And of course when I was buying the water, they said I absolutely had to take a rum punch. Yeah, okay, sure. Why not?
Then, I went to the game itself.
Side note: I did see three cheerleaders. And then I had all sorts of questions about the cheering world in Barbados, but alas, I don’t know anything about that. Maybe another time, I’ll learn all about it!
There was a big group of rowdy guys to my right who were doing chants for Johnny Barstow. And then, to my left (and in front of me) was a local Bajan who was talking to two people with him about the game.
I leaned forward and was like “hey, I don’t want to butt in too much, but might it be possible I can get in on this explanation? I don’t know anything about cricket.”
They very much welcomed me in! They were so nice. (Tbh, I still don’t know that much about cricket, because they just started making conversation with me. But that’s okay. I can always learn.)
When they were asking me all about my trip, i was saying how it had just been the absolute most magical things. I loved Barbados so very much, and had such an amazing time!
I talked about diving with that shipwreck, and going on the Catamaran Cruise, the amazing hot sauce, how gorgeous Hunte’s Garden was, the beautiful island safari and Animal Flower Cave – all of it.
And as we were talking, I mentioned in passing that the only bummer was I’d really wanted to tour Parliament.
I love government, and was interested in learning more about how it worked. But alas, Parliament was closed to the public, because of renovations.
And then they kind of had this tiny laugh. And I asked why they were laughing…. Then I asked “do you work at Parliament?”
And they’re like “oh, something like that.”
Then they started asking when I’d be leaving Barbados. I said the next morning. They’re like “oh, you’d have to tour it tonight then. Could you do that?”
And it’s like “Could I do that?! Is that a possibility?! Let’s GO!”
So THEN, this guy gets on the phone, and boom. One phone call, I have a PRIVATE TOUR OF PARLIAMENT.
TURNS OUT this was Wilfred Abrahams – the equivalent of if I’d met the Director of Homeland Security!
He says a clerk is just hanging out and will take me around whenever I’m ready, and I’m even welcome to stay for the end of the game if I want.
But no, forget cricket. I thank him profusely, and am on my way!
I jump in the cab, and we race to the hotel so I can put a real dress on, instead of bathing suit bottoms and a t-shirt.
I’m messaging Alex like “let me know if you want to come!”
He wanted to, but he was tied up on the other side of the island with his old roommate’s friend. So, I made a super quick stop at the hotel, grabbed my dress, and made my way down to Parliament!
And this is where I’ll pick up tomorrow!