Moments of Gratitude #1

Since arriving in Grenada I've learned that life is so much more beautiful then I ever gave it credit for. Mother Earth has so much to offer and most people overlook the precious moments given to us because they are too busy working, running errands or talking on their cell phone. I find myself just daydreaming sometimes about beautiful things around me. Life moves so slow here it has given me an opportunity to not miss out on the moments of beauty that surround me. So I've decided to randomly post moments of gratitude and beauty as they come at me.

Today I had a hard time getting anything accomplished at work. Not because I didnt have any work (because I have tons), but because my mom and aunt will be here in less then 24 hours. They are coming to visit for a week and its got my mind racing on things I need to do to prepare for them. I was rushing around ton picking up things I needed for the house (cleaning supplies, toilet paper, food, etc) and dont thinking much about what was around me. Life in town moves alot faster then the rest of island, partially because there are so many people. I hurried to the bus and got on, being only the third person seated. I knew it was going to take some time to fill the bus (15 people) because it was an odd time of the day. I sat by the window people watching (which I love, thanks psychology degree!) and was noticing how people were just strolling along with not many worries. I love that about this culture, people seem to have the mentality of 'whatever goes'.

Then all of a sudden I found myself observing a mother and her child. The mom had one of those baby holder things strapped on herself with the most adorable little boy the flopping around sound asleep. In her left hand was the little hand of her about 2 year old daughter bouncing along eating a sucker as it dripped on her clothes. In her right hand was three bags full of groceries, probably all for her children. She was obviously struggling to keep two children and groceries in order, but I saw such beauty in that moment. Mothers are so beautiful and powerful. In a society where women are so oppressed, I still never fail to see determined mothers caring for their children as no man is in sight.

In that moment....I saw peace.

Carnival SpiceMas 2K10

It has been a crazy five days in Grenada. Carnival, which celebrates the culture and deep history of the Caribbean made its way to Grenada this past weekend and man was it a blast. Many locals don't work the entire month of August and local business' can been seen with closed doors. Its a celebration worth losing business over apparently. haha.

Friday was the Soca Monarch competition. Over the last month, competitors have been going through "American Idol" type competitions to be narrowed down to just a few to compete at Soca Monarch. Soca is a genre of music here that takes some getting used to, but its defiantly "jump up" music. I call it a cross between techno dancehall and rap music. Crazy? haha. It started somewhere around 9pm and i didn't walk through the door til almost 4am. Grenadians like to party.



Saturday I took the day off from the big festivity and opted for the steel pan competition. Steel pan originates from Trinidad but has a strong following with young adults in Grenada. I have made it my mission to attempt to learn how to play the pan by the end of my service. Its such a cool sound and takes some serious talent.





Sunday was the day of rest and was much needed.

Monday morning started to majority of the Carnival festivities, with J'Ouvert taking the lead role at 4:00am. Yes you read that right, I was up and 3am and at the starting point by 4am. J'ouvert is a large street party during Carnival and is a contraction of the French jour ouvert, or dawn/day break. The origins of street parties associated with J'ouvert coincide with the emancipation from slavery in 1838. From Wikipedia: Emancipation provided Africans with the opportunity, to not only participate in Carnival, but to embrace it as an expression of their new found freedom. Some theorize that some J'ouvert traditions are carried forward in remembrance of civil disturbances in Port of Spain, Trinidad, when the people smeared themselves with oil or paint to avoid being recognized. To paint a picture (literally) in your head, we paraded down the street with buckets of paint smearing it on everyone around us while dancing behind a massive music truck playing Soca music.



Monday midday (after a nap in the Peace Corps office) started the Fancy Mas procession in the streets. Some of the PCVs decided to participate this year and they looked great. You joined a certain band, paid alot of money and got a Vegas show girl looking costume. It was a sight to see such elegant outfits.








Monday night was the Monday night Mas celebration and probably my favorite activity of the celebration. We paid 75 EC dollars (about 37 US) to join a band, which happened to be a cell phone company, Lime. We got Madri Gras themed costumes which included a tshirt, hat, glow sword, blinking bracelet and mask. We again paraded behind a massive music truck in the dark while we all swung around blinking swords. It was a complete blast!


Yesterday was another Fancy Mas procession with the show girl outfits. I went and watched the other PCVs have a good time, as I was still recovering from little sleep over a 5 day span.

Overall, I had such a great time learning about the culture and history from Carnival celebrations. I hope next year I will have some visitors from the States to show a good time!

Speaking of visitors...MY MOM AND AUNT WILL BE HERE FRIDAY!!!!!!