By geoff
We started the day shooting broll in various locations, including Bridgetown, with the plan that we’d be meeting Suki in the afternoon for some more face time. As the afternoon arrived it became clear that the day would not necessarily go as planned. Anyone who has met Suki knows that the man has no use for our uptight American standards of scheduling and time management. To be honest, I fully anticipated that a moment like this would arrive. In his defense, he and I have a considerable accent barrier when we speak on the phone. His particular patois is thick even by Bajan standards. A few wasted hours is a small price to pay for a week with the king. Things eventually got back on track. Here’s some pics from beautiful Bridgetown.
By geoff
Today marks our very first news conference in conjunction with King Me. I’d like to say that I did a good job but Keith reminds me that I don’t watch enough Sports Center to really master the technique. Something about not mentioning giving “110% on the field” or something. In all seriousness, print and broadcast journalists turned out to hear about our movie and the plans that Suki has leading up to his silver anniversary as Go As You Please Checkers Champion. Here’s some pics.
We covered a lot of ground today. We topped the night off with a true Barbadian (Bajan) creation, Road Tennis. It’s super fun, especially with a galley of hecklers telling you that you look - but don’t play like Andre Agassi. Here’s some Quicktime.
roadtennis
By geoff
We’re falling into a bit of a rhythm. We spent the morning at Grantley Adams school watching Suki pass on his knowledge to a bunch of eager kids.
Once again Keith is the pied piper of children. That's him with the headphones.
We spent the second half of the day interviewing Barbados Minister of Tourism, Richard Sealy and Director of The Barbados Sports Council, Erskine King. We thank them for their time and hospitality.This is a beautiful place but the weather isn’t exactly cooperating with us. Despite the weather, St. Lawrence cove is pretty scenic at dusk.
The cove at St. lawrence Gap
A few inches to the left.
Apropos of nothing: Rock Cakes definitely live up to their name.
By geoff
We arrived on Barbados late last night. We will be spending the week with the undisputed King of Go As You Please Checkers, Ron “Suki” King.
In keeping with the time off year (hurricane season) Day 1 was wet but that didn’t keep us from our first get together with our man Suki and some extremely helpful people from the Barbados Ministry of Tourism. We spent the remainder of the day doing some location scouting with our new friend Roger Moore who will be with us for the trip. We’re here all week. Stay tuned
Bathsheba Beach, East Coast
Bathsheba from the hilltop.
A St. George Parish cemetery
Misty Mountain
By geoff
We were pretty excited to wake up with some sunshine this morning. I was starting to worry. We spent the morning shooting some island broll before meeting up with Suki on the top of Cherry Tree Hill for a long chat. Sunscreen is no match for the Bajan sun. I got scorched.
Keith and Roger, South Coast
Speightstown Marketplace
Beachside Snacks, South Coast
Setting Up on Cherry Tree Hill
Tonight was a spectacle. Bajan track and field star Ryan Brathwaite recently won a gold medal at the IAAF World Championships in Berlin effectively making him the World Champion in the 110 m Hurdles. The nation of Barbados threw him a huge celebration at Kensington Oval Cricket Pavilion upon his return home. Music, speeches some dancing….and then more speeches. The Barbados Government was kind enough to grant us access to the event.
Kensington Cricket Oval
Feelin' it Barbados style.Keith notes that this man looks very much like Cap n' Crunch. I agree, I'm sure you will too.
A nation celebrates
School children line up to receive dignitaries
none of the journos standing next to the stage realized that this marching band was going to cruise through and kill all of our shots of Prime Minister Thompson and Ryan Brathwaite arriving. That's Ryan in the blue suit, the PM wearing sunglasses and a clarinet player in red and white. Guy blew a mean clarinet.
