Bunch of Q's
 

First of all, have been hovering on the board for a while now as my wife and I consider a move to Barbados. While not ex-Brit, I hope we qualify as current residents of a former colony (Canada)! In a nutshell, we are both 40 with two kids - boy is 11 daughter is 9.

Lots of great information in my searches of the board, but have a few questions that I haven't quite answered yet:

1) Asthma/Allergy - My son has intermittent asthma and we can't get a handle on asthma issues in Barbados - can anybody speak from their experience with kids? I'm sure I'll be traded air pollution for humidity, but want some first hand experience if possible. Also, any guidance on the allergy seasonality on the island. In the Great White North, with the arrival of April I both look forward to the snow melt and cringe at the budding of the trees.

2) Traffic - Only question - are scooters frowned upon? Is it too dangerous? What about cycling to work? Realize its hot, but it beats sitting in gridlock.

3) Karate - My kids are working there way up and will continue once we settle in. Wondered if anyone can comment on the facilities / programs available.

I'll continue to follow this wonderful board and look forward to the feedback!

Re: Bunch of Q's
 

Ok..

1. Asthma is a big issue in Barbados so you aren't alone at all. While my children are not asthmatic, I do have nieces who are, and friends children as well. you will not lack for information depending on what you are looking for. Treatment is available, and most, if not all pediatric doctors are very good with this.

As for seasonal allergies, we don't really get the "winter to summer" type trees buddy allergies, but we do have something called Sahara dust, which happens around this time of year. It effects some but not others.

2. Traffic.. - there are scooters here, but the cars out number them by alot. it's not frowned upon however.. you might do better with a car and A/C rather than a scooter just to beat the traffic.. roads are narrow in some cases and it does depend on where you live, work and play as to how the traffic patterns effect your life.

There is a Karate school which trains at the Ursuline Convent School as well as one that trains at St. Gabriel's School. I'm sure there are others as well. both are very good, as are most on the island (these are not attached to these 2 schools, just use the facilities..

http://www.universalkempo.com/branch...mation&UID=140 this is one of them I think...

http://www.shotokanbarbados.com/ (this is the one that trains at the Ursuline Convent School) contact Peter Warren for information.

hope this helps..

sunniebgi

Re: Bunch of Q's
 

Thx sunnyBGI for the quick response and the links! We'll talk to our physician about options - hopefully will take a trip to the island towards the end of may to check it out first hand.