Tuesday 15 January 2013

Swimming lessons and baptising in the sea, Carlise Bay, Bridgetown

The Caribbean islands have fantastic beach locations with crystal clear water and white sand. Most tourists look for a chair and lie down in the sun or go for a swim. We like to discover beach locations for snorkelling, swimming, walking, being one with nature and mix with the local community. Carlise Bay is located at the edge of Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados and we received our portion of local culture.

We are never going to forget this. In Europe kids take lessons in a swimming pool, in Barbados they learn it in the Caribbean Sea. What a challenge, you don’t know how to swim, step into the sea and after a few steps you fall a meter lower, that’s how fast you leave shallow waters. Respect.

A bit further, a group of people take pictures in the water. What’s going on? They are the family members and friends of adults who are being baptised. The baptized person wears a long blue robe and is supported by a priest in his swimming trousers and T-shirt. This is a highlight moment of interaction with the population of Barbados. Could the gap in baptising procedures between the catholic church of Europe and Barbados be larger? We doubt it.

De Caraïbische eilanden hebben ongelooflijke stranden met kristalhelder water en wit zand. Vele toeristen zoeken een strandstoel en leggen zich neer in de zon en gaan af en toe zwemmen. We houden er van stranden te ontdekken, te zwemmen, wandelen, snorkelen, één te worden met de natuur en de lokale bevolking te ontmoeten. Carlise Bay ligt aan de rand van de hoofdstad Barbados. Hier in Bridgetown kregen we zonder enige twijfel onze portie locale cultuur. 

Dit gaan we nooit vergeten. In Europa krijgen kinderen zweminitiatie in het zwembad, hier in Barbados leren ze het in de Caraïbische Zee. Wat een uitdaging, je zet enkele stappen in het water en valt een meter naar beneden, zo rap verdwijnt de ondergrond van onder je voeten. Je begeeft je in het ondiepe, veel respect hiervoor. 

 Een beetje verder staat een groep mensen foto’s te nemen. Wat is hier gaande? Het zijn familieleden en vrienden van volwassenen die worden gedoopt. De gelovige staat in de zee en draagt een blauwe jurk, ze wordt begeleid door een priester in zwembroek en T-shirt. Qua lokale gebruiken is dit voor ons één van de hoogtepunten van Barbados. Kan het verschil in doopgebruiken tussen de katholieke kerk in Europa en Barbados nog groter worden? Wij geloven van niet.. 
 
Carlise Bay Barbados

Carlise Bay Barbados

Carlise Bay Barbados Swimming lessons

Carlise Bay Barbados Baptising

Carlise Bay Barbados Baptising

Carlise Bay Barbados Baptising

Previous Barbados article: St. Michael’s Cathedral and St. Mary’s Church, Bridgetown, Barbados

Previous Beach article: Beach walk attempt from South Beach to Bal Harbour Bay, Miami

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12 comments:

  1. Beautiful photos and wonderful post.
    I saw the Jordan baptism.
    They were Baptists.
    Regards

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  2. Not sure if my first comment made it through. So I am commenting again! My mother used to swim in the Baltic sea! This is quite amazing, such glorious photos too, they are full of color and happiness. Surely this place, Bridgetown is a lovely spot!

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  3. 'k Zag ze reeds trouwen aan/in zee, Filip..., 'k zag reeds dopen in zwembaden, maar in zee... ?! Moet mooi en symbolisch zijn !
    Lie(f)s.

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  4. The local scene is always the best! I love the sandy "Merman."

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  5. What a good variety of the life here.John The Baptist never baptized in a church, it was always done out in nature in a river.

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  6. I have to say, one of my favorite posts of your trip so far. I love that you both go and interact with the culture and nature -- not your typical tourist!

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  7. very good post! very nice pictures! beautiful sea and sky! :)

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  8. how cool! btw I learned also to swim in the sea, in the Black sea with my cute duck-Rettungsring:-)))

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  9. Very interesting fotos !
    Greetings

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  10. interessante serie, leuk dat jullie een doop in zee konden mee beleven

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  11. Such an interesting Post Filip. And beautiful photos as always.

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  12. You were there just in time to experience the ceremony.

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