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Bermuda Images 001
Johnny Barnes.
If he was anywhere else in the world the men in white coats would lock him up and throw away the key. But this is Bermuda, and each weekday morning from 05:00 to 10:00, retired bus driver Johnny Barnes stands in the middle of Crow Lane roundabout and says a cheery ‘Good Morning!’ to Bermuda’s commuters.
Rain or shine he's always there with his radio, backpack and straw hat; providing a glimmer of hope that work won't be as bad as it normally is. In recognition of this, many Bermudians clubbed together and commissioned local sculptor Desmond Fountain to create a bronze statue of Johnny that now stands near the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute.
The "friendliest man in Bermuda" bestows his good wishes on locals & visitors alike.
Johnny Barnes does not have a degree in philosophy or physics, but he is convinced that he knows the secret of life. "The world is made for love" he tells Bermuda visitors who are curious or brave enough to stop in traffic and shake his hand.
Beloved by both tourists and locals, Barnes has devoted much of his life to spreading goodwill and cheer at the Crow Lane roundabout outside of Hamilton. Here the 80+year-old icon of Bermuda hospitality stands 5 days a week, waving and blowing kisses at passers-by. "Good Morning!" he calls."God Bless You!".
Some drivers raise their eyebrows. Others stop to shake Barnes' hand. Some present him with flowers. Others simply return the smile and wave. In any case, Barnes believes that it is his mission to spread joy throughout Bermuda.
It all started back in 1983. Barnes, then 60, lived in Paget and worked at the bus depot in Hamilton as a driver and repairman. On his way to work one morning, he had what can only be described as an epiphany.
He stopped at the roundabout and began calling out to passers-by. At first people thought he was crazy. Then as they continued to see him morning after morning, they began to appreciate his joy and perserverance.
Barnes who was born in Bermuda in 1923, says his mother taught him to love everyone and be kind to all, even if they weren't kind to him. "Each of Us has a part of God in themselves" he says.
Barnes showed up at the roundabout each morning with a bagged lunch, portable radio, and a knapsack full of postcards of himself that he sells for $1 each. Sometimes he joins hands with tourists to pray for their safe journeys.
Most commuters say they enjoy seeing Barnes each day. His smiling face, they say, helps them to face another day of stress and hard work and makes the morning traffic easier to bear.
Also known ar "Mr Feel Good" and "Happy Man" Barnes has gained international fame for his friendliness. His portrait adorns Hamilton's Visitors Service Bureau and he's been honoured by Queen Elizabeth II.
A few years ago, the Spirit of Bermuda Trust raised funds and commissioned sculptor Desmond Fountain to erect a bronze statue of this Bermuda icon.
"I never thought I'd have my own statue," Barnes exclaims with the broadest of smiles. Now Barnes' spirit of joy and hospitality will live forever in this island whose friendliness and ideals he long has epitomised.
Bermuda Images 001
Johnny Barnes.
If he was anywhere else in the world the men in white coats would lock him up and throw away the key. But this is Bermuda, and each weekday morning from 05:00 to 10:00, retired bus driver Johnny Barnes stands in the middle of Crow Lane roundabout and says a cheery ‘Good Morning!’ to Bermuda’s commuters.
Rain or shine he's always there with his radio, backpack and straw hat; providing a glimmer of hope that work won't be as bad as it normally is. In recognition of this, many Bermudians clubbed together and commissioned local sculptor Desmond Fountain to create a bronze statue of Johnny that now stands near the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute.
The "friendliest man in Bermuda" bestows his good wishes on locals & visitors alike.
Johnny Barnes does not have a degree in philosophy or physics, but he is convinced that he knows the secret of life. "The world is made for love" he tells Bermuda visitors who are curious or brave enough to stop in traffic and shake his hand.
Beloved by both tourists and locals, Barnes has devoted much of his life to spreading goodwill and cheer at the Crow Lane roundabout outside of Hamilton. Here the 80+year-old icon of Bermuda hospitality stands 5 days a week, waving and blowing kisses at passers-by. "Good Morning!" he calls."God Bless You!".
Some drivers raise their eyebrows. Others stop to shake Barnes' hand. Some present him with flowers. Others simply return the smile and wave. In any case, Barnes believes that it is his mission to spread joy throughout Bermuda.
It all started back in 1983. Barnes, then 60, lived in Paget and worked at the bus depot in Hamilton as a driver and repairman. On his way to work one morning, he had what can only be described as an epiphany.
He stopped at the roundabout and began calling out to passers-by. At first people thought he was crazy. Then as they continued to see him morning after morning, they began to appreciate his joy and perserverance.
Barnes who was born in Bermuda in 1923, says his mother taught him to love everyone and be kind to all, even if they weren't kind to him. "Each of Us has a part of God in themselves" he says.
Barnes showed up at the roundabout each morning with a bagged lunch, portable radio, and a knapsack full of postcards of himself that he sells for $1 each. Sometimes he joins hands with tourists to pray for their safe journeys.
Most commuters say they enjoy seeing Barnes each day. His smiling face, they say, helps them to face another day of stress and hard work and makes the morning traffic easier to bear.
Also known ar "Mr Feel Good" and "Happy Man" Barnes has gained international fame for his friendliness. His portrait adorns Hamilton's Visitors Service Bureau and he's been honoured by Queen Elizabeth II.
A few years ago, the Spirit of Bermuda Trust raised funds and commissioned sculptor Desmond Fountain to erect a bronze statue of this Bermuda icon.
"I never thought I'd have my own statue," Barnes exclaims with the broadest of smiles. Now Barnes' spirit of joy and hospitality will live forever in this island whose friendliness and ideals he long has epitomised.