The Antilles sunshine, sea, holidays, a catamaran… everything you could wish for to meet someone special. On a boat trip on April 28th 2012, Lucie from Calvados explored the sea beds, swam with turtles… and met Tabari, a Bajan skipper. It was love at first sight and a leap of faith: 4 months later, the Norman went back to Barbados to take the relationship further. When October came around, with no visa, they were separated again but this time there was a baby on the way… Tabari made his own leap of faith in June 2013 and left his island for Normandy. 8 years and 2 children later, this is the amazing story of a pair of ambassadors!
For me, Normandy has it all
Tabari Hinds shares his first experience in Normandy and its culture
Tabari: “I arrived in Normandy on June 17th, the day before my daughter was born! It was beautiful weather, there was a festival in Bayeux, it was vibrant, lively, decorated and there were lots of people in the streets. When Lucie told me she was French and from Normandy, I couldn’t place the region. I pictured a small area with a bit of sunshine, like the south… Back home, only the captain of the boat I worked on knew the connection with World War II.”
Lucie: “Tabari was on his own at my mother’s house. She doesn’t speak a word of English, nor do my brother-in-law and little sister… When I got home, the house was covered in post-it notes. They managed to communicate through pictures, I thought it was great.”
Culture shock
Tabari: “When I arrived, I went to a bar with my sister-in-law. I remember ordering a cognac – we drink it a lot in the Antilles – but here, cognac is more for after a meal than a drink… Food in general was tough at the start.”
Lucie: “…He didn’t want to try anything at the time, but now he moans if there’s no cheese on the table! (Laughs.) There’s not much dairy produce in the Antilles – the only cheese is cheddar and there are lots of saucy dishes, unlike here. I told him he’d have to get on with it or else he’d die of hunger! “
My favourite Normandy food
Tabari: “Caramels d’Isigny! It was love at first bite. I ate the ice cream, cakes… Lucie promised to take me to the factory, her parents only lived 15 minutes away, but we only went after I’d been here for two years. Ever since then, if it’s open and I’m nearby, I’m there! “
The best thing: diversity and location
Tabari: “I always say that where we live is strategic: we’re close to everything. Everything’s within 15 minutes. Caen, Bayeux, the forest, sea… even Cherbourgwith its total change of scenery! I also love the diversity of the landscapes: you don’t get the sea and forest in the Antilles. I’ve learnt about the tides too.”
Lucie: “Although I knew he’d love the scenery – Barbados is beautiful, but you can get bored with it – I did warn him that it’s a totally different atmosphere. It’s always party time in the Antilles, whereas some seasons in Normandy are quiet in the countryside, like in winter…”
Tabari: “People think that we Antilleans love partying all the time, but we like peace and quiet too, as I’ve discovered living in the countryside. Plus we’re 15 minutes from Caen so if we want to go out and do something, we don’t have to go far.”
Let’s break down stereotypes
Tabari: “The weather? I don’t like it when it’s too hot.” (laughs)
Lucie: “He’s the only person I know to be covered from head to foot, and wear a hat in summer. Then he’s in shorts and flip flops in winter! “
Tabari: “That’s another thing I love about Normandy. I work at a water sports centre, I meet a lot of tourists and I always try to make them see that the climate in Normandy is perfect. Winter is mild, there are only a few days when we drop to minus temperatures; in summer it rarely exceeds 30. It can be very sunny in winter, all year round, then it can rain in summer. That’s what makes Normandy special. You never know what the weather will be like… When you go out, you take your coat, umbrella, parasol and sunscreen! “
Tabari is now a sailing and land sailing coach in Calvados
Welcoming Normans
Lucie: “I was a little worried as people in the countryside aren’t used to seeing people of colour. I was very surprised to see that they were friendlier towards him in the countryside – they may seem gruff but they’re actually very welcoming – than in the big cities where people can be rude…
Tabari: The Normans are friendly, they’re open-minded. It’s very important to say it and realise that! I didn’t speak the language at the start, but I felt very welcome very quickly. People said hello to me, they approached me… it helped me feel at home.”
My role as an ambassador
Tabari: “We get around a lot, me, my wife and kids. We often try to spend a weekend or a week in other places or regions. I love comparing… Normandy is currently my favourite region and I tell everyone about it! People are happy to share recommendations and talk about places they’ve been to in Normandy. At work in Courseulles, I recommend a lot of places to visit and things to do in the area. For me, Normandy has it all: sea, forest, history, things to do (on land, at sea and in the air), food and drink etc.
Colleville-sur-Mer: top of Tabari’s places to visit
Top three places:
- Omaha Beach: “For me, it’s the number one place to visit”
- Rouen: “An old-fashioned city with a real buzz about it”
- Cherbourg and Cap de la Hague: “An incredible place – the perfect change of scenery. It’s like being in Ireland, it’s breathtakingly beautiful.”
Three activities:
- Land sailing: “I’d never heard of it before I came to France but now I’m a coach! “
- Sailing: “There are a lot of water sports here.”
- Outdoor activities: “Hiking or cycling: there are more and more paths and they really showcase the coast.”
Become a Normandy ambassador abroad
At heart, by adoption, by birth… You’re from Normandy.
More than anything else, you love Normandy: its diversity, its lifestyle, its dynamism.
The network of ambassadors brings together all those who, like you, share the values, the spirit and the desire to bring the region to life.
Together, let’s make Normandy shine.
