4 hrs, 6 kms

It seems like much of Barbados is just one massive urban sprawl where one neighborhood or town just kind of blurs into the next . Don't know how many of these towns I'm going to count as parkbenchable.... I guess I'll just figure it out as a go along.

Oistins does have it's own post office and government offices, so I suppose it'll count. It also has a nice beach with a shady wooded area right next to it. That'll work.

An older local fellow spots me strumming, and invites me to join him for a jam session. "I'm a musician as well, and I come here to swim--and play music" he tells me.

He knocks at the back door of a drink vendor stall where a friend of his is practicing his guitar. "This guy is an amazing musician" he tells me "but it's just so hard to get him motivated. He'll just sit here in this stall playing by himself when he could be out making money."

"All eyes are on Barbados right now" he continues, "thanks to Rihanna. Scouts are looking for the next big thing here . It's a great opportunity for local musicians. Of course, they're not really looking for old guys like us... but I can still make good money. If I had my CDs with me I'll bet I could sell 10 of them in an hour."

We go and sit on a log, and pretty soon he joins us. I'm not quite sure if this fellow is exaggerating in some of his stories (he claims he wrote some very famous songs--but they were stolen from him)... all the same, it is a fun encounter/jam session... and yes, he does draw a small audience with his raspy, passionate blues style (although no one gives any money)

A young tourist couple pass by carrying a guitar as well "come and join us!" we invite them,

"Oh I'm finished!" the heavily tattooed fellow says "I'm a veteran and I've got PTSD... coming here to the beach to play is my therapy"

I get a little suspicious when my new friends suggests that I should buy them drinks. That doesn't sound quite right... I politely excuse myself and continue on my way... I was still a cool encounter though.