I've always loved being in the passenger seat of a car. When I was younger and the moon was full, I always believed it was following behind and that made me feel safe, like it was a blanket of protection when I felt most vulnerable. I was used to long car journeys. Being in foster care meant I was driven all over the place when one family didn't want me anymore. It happened a lot. But I didn't mind because I'd always have the car journey to look forward to. I stared out of the window and saw the glimmering lights of the city. The lights reminded me of Christmas in Yorkshire with my cousins, it's the only thing I can reminisce about that makes me happy, it was the last time my family really wanted me. Something about me changed that Christmas and that's when my life took a unsteady tumble that it just couldn't recover from.
Then we drive through a part of town that people try to forget exists, I see women on the pavement makimg unsavoury deals with men twice their age and my memories turn to my mother. This is where the car stops. 'Here we are, Em. Try and stay here for more than a month this time.' I hesitated for a moment then reluctantly forced myself to get out of the car. It was dark and all I heard were vicious dogs growling and what sounded like a group of men following and taunting some poor girls. I gazed up at the empty sky, smog covered the stars I was so used to seeing and suddenly my vulnerability was back but the moon no longer in sight.
Tuesday 3 September 2013
Friday 30 August 2013
Post 2 - Travel Article
Bridgetown, Barbados: Little town, lots of adventure
Barbados is located in the western part of the Northern Atlantic and during the dry season of December - May, temperatures range from 21 - 31 degrees celsius. Bridgetown is it's capital and is home to the famous Kensington Oval cricket stadium and George Washington House. This small town's beaches also possess some the most turquoise waters you will ever see.
Whether you want to lounge by the pool all day whilst being served Mojitos or go on bone aching island safari just off the beaten track, Barbados boasts the best hospitality to do so, as well as offering more attractions per square mile than any other Caribbean island!
Accommodation
Radisson Aquatica Resort (4 star)
Set on the picuresque Carlisle Bay Beach in Barbados, this new Resort features 124 renovated rooms with upgraded amenities including 42" flat screen TV with expanded cable, laptop size safe, complimentary wifi. One restaurant and two oceanfront bars plus new oceanfront fitness center and pool. Ideal for singles, couples and families looking for a quiet escape.
Island Inn Hotel (3 star)
Island Inn is a quaint, 24 room, all inclusive property situated less than a mile from the centre of Historic Bridgetown. The hotel is footsteps away from the beach at the beautiful Carlisle Bay and Pebbles Beach and is conveniently close to shops and restaurants.Whether you’re here alone, with the family, or with a group, travelling on vacation or on business, the Island Inn Hotel offers an unrivaled warmth of atmosphere.
Amaryllis Resort (3 star)
Look out at the white beach and crystal blue water of the sea while enjoying breakfast in the open air restaurant. No need to rush to reserve space on the beach, there's plenty of space for everyone. You can look forward to a day of peace and tranquility. Enjoy a great family conversation while tasting authentic Bajan cuisine. After dessert, sit by the pool or enjoy the sound of the waves on the beach while star gazing in the Caribbean sky. This is one resort that keeps the noise level to a minimum so that you can do exactly what you came to do… relax and rediscover what it means to be a family.
Attractions and Sightseeing
Fun in the water:
Tiami Catamaran Cruises
Why not take a day of leisure and book a catamaran cruise? The gorgeous catamarans will whisk you away for the entire day providing lunch, drinks, many snorkeling opportunities alongside turtles and often dolphin watching for $90.
The Black Pearl Party Cruise
Looking for something more child-friendly? Why not try sailing on the Jolly Roger! Offering a BBQ and unlimited drinks along with 2 swimming stop-offs with turtle and fish feeding for $87 per adult and $45 per child including hotel transfers.
Atlantis Submarines
If none of those are floating your boat why not try floating in a submarine! This all day adventure means you don't have to get wet to see the beautiful marine life of the Atlantic ocean. For just $90 per adult and $50 per child you can experience Bajan hospitality at its finest.
Fun on land:
Adventureland 4x4 Safari
Had enough of water sports for one day? Try a safari! This company allows you to chose a location you'd like to explore, maybe go to Mount Hillaby, the highest point on the island, or perhaps Welchman Hall, a protected gully. The stop off for a Bajan BBQ on the beautiful east coast. This package costs just $87 per adult and $55 per child, or maybe you'd like to drive around the island yourself? Hire a 4x4 for $350 a day.
Garrison Savannah
The name sounds just as perfect as the day you'll have. This ground hosts many horse racing shows throughout the year, so if you're an occasional gambler, horse lover or adrenaline seeker, this is the place to be! At only $10 admission, it'd be a *neightmare* if you didn't visit!
Flower Forest Botanical Gardens
For the gardeners amongst you, Flower Forest is the most idyllic location to explore. It boasts 53 acres of botanic land overlooking the Chalky Mountains for the small admittance fee of $12.50 per adult and $6.25 per child.
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Dining
Top 5 Restaurants (TripAdvisor):
Cuz's Fish Shack at Needhams Point
Perfect for Breakfast, Brunch or a beach bite. The fish is as fresh as the ocean breeze and the staff welcome you like old friends.
Budget - £3-£5.
Mama Mia Italian Pizzeria and Deli
If Bajan food is getting too much to handle, head to Harts Gap for a traditional pizza. This quaint, little shack has a family atmosphere and laid back attitudes
Budget - £8 - £19
The Boatyard
This bar and restaurant is ideal for group gatherings and a cheap eat after a day at the beach. It offers basic food such as sandwiches and salads as well as traditional Bajan style cuisine.
Budget - £5 - £17
39 Steps Wine Bar
A wine and seafood restaurant located in the Amaryllis Resort. Perfect for a family meal or romantic night near the rolling waves of the ocean.
Budget - £13 - £16.
Lobster Alive Restaurant
Open all day every day on the West side of Carlisle Bay. A meal with a view for certain, this restaurant is beautifully located on the beach, so kick off your shoes, let the sand get between your toes and lobster get between your teeth!
Budget - £ 10 - £48
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Upon leaving Bridgetown, a great sigh of sadness escaped my mouth. It's the most astonishing place I have ever visited, with so much culture, beauty and diversity, it's beyond compare to anywhere else in the world. If you haven't had the absolute honour of gracing this town yet, I advise you add it to the very top of your bucket list.
Friday 23 August 2013
Post 1 - Diary
Procrastination is my best hobby. Obviously I pondered for weeks on what to write about my travels this summer and how I was going to attempt to impress 2 teachers I had actually never met before and maybe the killer opening sentence was not the best way to do so.
Nevertheless, as soon as I saw the word 'journey' a stereotypical thought of mine was 'Ooh I'll write about my holiday to Greece!' I could ramble on forever about how the disappearing ocean glimmered under the harsh midday sun, or how the financially inauspicious local's seemed so melancholy. But, one day I was stood supervising a Nigerian wedding of 400 guests from the Hausa tribe and I had a sudden realisation that I only had to travel 15 minutes down the A37 to the Marriott Hotel to discover a completely new culture and way of life.
I arrived at work the day of the wedding to discover hundreds of wedding guests piling into the foyer of the hotel and that it was my duty to serve canapes to them, but once I clocked eyes on the tray I'd be carrying I let out a little yelp like a lost puppy. To my horror I'd be carrying fish heads, pounded yam and goat soup. Now, I appreciate different cultures and welcome them with open arms, but the stench of that food was foul and it's safe to say I will never look at a goat the same way again. Later in the evening I got to supervise the room whilst the bride and groom made their entrance. To my surprise, the song that was making the room shake was 'Run The World - Beyonce' remixed with some bongo drums and coconut shells, I was in shock. The entire wedding party broke out into a crazed, unrehearsed dance and it was honestly one of the best things I have ever witnessed in my 17 years and deserves to be a YouTube sensation.
The African outfits astounded me. they were so densely packed full of material, I could barely walk through the aisles yet the women seemed to dance so effortlessly once the traditional band began to play their Udu's and Kakaki's. The wedding vibe was amazing, there was so much love and compassion present and it really touched me, so much so, I actually cried during the speeches and in turn received a very austere glance from my boss. Finally the bride and groom performed a ceremonial 'coconut smash'. A traditional way of saying that they have started their life together. An odd way to emphasize it, even so it was a sweet gesture.
To add to the wonders of working for such a diverse brand, I've also had the pleasure of working at an Indian wedding of 500 people, where arranged marriage was rife and the women were so neglected they took out their rage and anger on the staff. Another culture I got to have a dose of was the Gypsy culture where they had a very 'low key' and 'small' wedding of 550 guests as well as a 20 stone barbie pink wedding dress that looked like it had been made by the offspring of Louis Spence and Mr Blobby. Mysteriously 400 pint glasses went missing that night and to this day we still cannot fathom what happened to them...
I only hope my job continues to be so diverse and high speed because it's helped me find myself and realise that there is a world out there and one day I am going to explore it on a journey for myself.
Jessica Lacey 12A
Nevertheless, as soon as I saw the word 'journey' a stereotypical thought of mine was 'Ooh I'll write about my holiday to Greece!' I could ramble on forever about how the disappearing ocean glimmered under the harsh midday sun, or how the financially inauspicious local's seemed so melancholy. But, one day I was stood supervising a Nigerian wedding of 400 guests from the Hausa tribe and I had a sudden realisation that I only had to travel 15 minutes down the A37 to the Marriott Hotel to discover a completely new culture and way of life.
I arrived at work the day of the wedding to discover hundreds of wedding guests piling into the foyer of the hotel and that it was my duty to serve canapes to them, but once I clocked eyes on the tray I'd be carrying I let out a little yelp like a lost puppy. To my horror I'd be carrying fish heads, pounded yam and goat soup. Now, I appreciate different cultures and welcome them with open arms, but the stench of that food was foul and it's safe to say I will never look at a goat the same way again. Later in the evening I got to supervise the room whilst the bride and groom made their entrance. To my surprise, the song that was making the room shake was 'Run The World - Beyonce' remixed with some bongo drums and coconut shells, I was in shock. The entire wedding party broke out into a crazed, unrehearsed dance and it was honestly one of the best things I have ever witnessed in my 17 years and deserves to be a YouTube sensation.
The African outfits astounded me. they were so densely packed full of material, I could barely walk through the aisles yet the women seemed to dance so effortlessly once the traditional band began to play their Udu's and Kakaki's. The wedding vibe was amazing, there was so much love and compassion present and it really touched me, so much so, I actually cried during the speeches and in turn received a very austere glance from my boss. Finally the bride and groom performed a ceremonial 'coconut smash'. A traditional way of saying that they have started their life together. An odd way to emphasize it, even so it was a sweet gesture.
To add to the wonders of working for such a diverse brand, I've also had the pleasure of working at an Indian wedding of 500 people, where arranged marriage was rife and the women were so neglected they took out their rage and anger on the staff. Another culture I got to have a dose of was the Gypsy culture where they had a very 'low key' and 'small' wedding of 550 guests as well as a 20 stone barbie pink wedding dress that looked like it had been made by the offspring of Louis Spence and Mr Blobby. Mysteriously 400 pint glasses went missing that night and to this day we still cannot fathom what happened to them...
I only hope my job continues to be so diverse and high speed because it's helped me find myself and realise that there is a world out there and one day I am going to explore it on a journey for myself.
Jessica Lacey 12A
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