Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine October 2017 | Page 98

The Bajan Rum Shop Experience

If you’re in Barbados wondering
where you can get a taste of the
authentic-Barbados, with no
hint of the usual touristy-feeling,
usually found in places politely
geared towards creating pristine
impressions for the visitor, I
suggest you head to a rum shop. strangers can enjoy the light
hearted banter, interspersed
with intellectual discourse,
story-telling or at-times
nonsensical ramblings which
marks a visit to the most sacred
of social settings, the Bajan rum
shop.
Barbados is known for the
prolific rum shops which dot its
landscape from north to south.
Being a part of Bajan culture
dating back 300 years, over
1,500 of these iconic symbols
of Bajan-ness provides a place
for locals to congregate - to eat,
drink, gossip and vociferously
express their varied opinions
on a wide range of topics. At
one moment, it may be heated
discussions about politics, then
it may move on to cricket or
some other sport. Then there’s
the laughter. Friends as well as But you won’t find only rum in
the rum shop. While there, ask
for cou-cou and flying fish, after
all, what better place is there
to find the island’s national
dish but at a rum shop? There
may be other local food there
as well, just ask. And, as you
sip on your rum punch while
nibbling on local delicacies,
you’ll realise that you have
learnt a lot about the island
and its people by just being in
the rum shop. As you entered,
you were warmly greeted, I’m
sure. Your opinion was probably
Photo Credit: Rufus
sought as the lively discussions
ensued. You may have shrugged,
deferring your answer to the
local gentleman beside you,
suggesting he may be better
suited to answer. You may have
been nudged by an elbow or
two, may have even endured a
gruff hug or hand shake, but at
the end of your rum shop visit,
you will be glad you went.
“Hop in, I’ll give you a ride to
your hotel.” You look around,
asking, “Me?”
“Yes,“ you’re told.
You smilingly accept - you’ve
made a friend.
You’ve just had a Bajan Rum
Shop Experience.