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I always look forward to reading your writing, Shem. At least if the bus system is a disaster you describe it in a very entertaining way.

Is hitchhiking culture a thing on Barbados? Not that that's a solution, of course.

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I am grateful that you enjoy my work!

Unfortunately hitchhiking culture is non-existent here. From an early age we're taught to avoid strangers and their cars lest we end up a morning news headline from a ditch. And because of how expensive cars and their operation can be here, few are inclined to let just about anyone into theirs. Perhaps Uber could have changed that, but our local taxi union has lobbied to keep them out.

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So much! I'm constantly telling people about things I've learned from you (and also from Rasheed.) Thank you for your work.

I live on Saba, which, like sister island St. Eustatius, has a robust culture of hitchhiking. But both these islands are very small, which probably makes a difference. But they're also Dutch, and the Europeans Netherlands has a culture of hitchhiking, too.

I wrote about hitchhiking children on Saba here:

https://doctrixperiwinkle.substack.com/p/are-you-going-my-way

Also, just since I don't see enough other Caribbean folks on Substack, I feel compelled to share with you my love letter to Saba and Caribbean ecology here:

https://doctrixperiwinkle.substack.com/p/where-the-heart-is

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