Crop-Over exodus begins

Renée (second left) and Patricia getting some last-minute farewells from family. In the double stroller are Aiden and Sydney.

Wed, August 04, 2010 - 5:17 PM

HUNDREDS of people were lined up at Grantley Adams International Airport as the annual post-Crop-Over mass exodus has begun.

Yesterday the main contingent was heading back to the United States as the crowd lined up for American Airlines dwarfed that for any other air carrier.

Most of those spoken to were headed to New York. Among them was Nadia Thorne who said she came to Barbados for three weeks and managed to take in a few of the events, and jumped in the band Contact.

“It was really good but the route was too long. I was tired by the time I reached Eagle Hall,” she said.

Jillian Sherman and her friends were also heading back to The Big Apple. They were in town for only four days and described their sojourn in Power X 4 as a “workout” which left them “sore”. However, they said it was fun all the way.

While Garth George was also on his way to New York, he was doing so with the intention of going on to Philadelphia. He said he came in on July 28 and thoroughly enjoyed himself.

“This is my third Crop-Over and it gets better every year. I went to fêtes like Wadadah’s but I did not jump. I preferred to spend time relaxing on the beach,” he said.

Many people had limited time to play mas’ and had to return to school or work overseas. Shirley Pierre had to do both.

“I came in for a week for the first time and jumped in Baje International. I’m a student and I work so I will only be able to come back if I can get the time off,” she said.

As for the length of the route, she said the Miami carnival was longer and she had to spend 13 hours on her feet then, so Kadooment was a relief in comparison.

Many families had to say goodbye to their relatives as they could stay no longer. Cousins Renée Brathwaite and Patricia Burrowes had to go back to New York, so after a week in Barbados they said farewell to their Barbadian cousins and aunts.

Burrowes, the mother of twins, eight-month-old Aiden and Sydney, said all three of them had a great time on the beach and at Kiddies Kadooment. (CA)