Paradise Sundays

 We go every Sunday, and have been doing so since the first     experience a few months ago. It’s  the same venue – our favourite  spot, Umbrellas Beach Bar, of  course.  Same Day of the week .  We order the same drinks – a  Guinness and although I try the  daily specials, when feeling adventurous, I have settled on Painkiller as my favourite – I limit myself to one though…watching the pennies. And same band – (well part of Barracuda) and perhaps we know most of the songs in his repertoire by now, but Barry always surprises and pleases his audience with a new addition or perhaps just does an old one in a way… a bit of country, a mix of reggae, flavoured with a dash of Italian opera – brilliant every time!
And some of the faces are the same, some different. But each Sunday turns out differently; different atmosphere; different moods – both band and audience; different weather – lucky if you could fit underneath an umbrella when it starts to rain. Some nights are dancing nights, some not. Some nights spirits soar higher, boosted by one too many rum punch. Special moments of interaction between band and audience, and if you’re lucky, Barry may even perform a request! Other nights people (not persons as is seems the norm to say, especially on radio and TV),people (nothing wrong with using this noun people) just chill, listen and enjoy the music ..the food…the company…the evening. Mostly we meet and chat with the same people. Other times we just sit together…no words necessary. A greeting and a little chat with the manager Wayne is always a welcome gesture.
Last night we were about to leave when we bumped into a bona fide friend. We stayed on. Another drink. A very conscious and stimulating discussion. Another thrilling climax to our Sundays in Paradise. Always worth it. Grenada Nice Oui!