Junkanoo!

 Hi everyone!

I never quite know how to describe Junkanoo. It happens twice a year, on Boxing Day and New Years. This year it was postponed a day due to rain and wind. We had gone downtown on Bay Street at 2 AM only to find out about the postponement. We were quite chagrined but happy to find out that the alternate schedule started things at 6 PM. It meant we could see a significant portion and still get a decent night's sleep.

So, in a nutshell, it's a parade. Sounds pretty simple. But it has nothing in common with, say, the Memorial Day parade back home. Of course there is music, and this music is an auditory and visceral tour de force. It is combined with extravagant floats and costumes, waving to and fro in the tropical breeze. There are various groups competing for bragging rights and cash prizes. The bigger groups will be proceeded by costumed dancers and several exquisitely decorated floats on wheels. They are followed by an avalanche of sound, emanating from drums, whistles, cow bells, brass instruments, and various other sound producing devices of which I have no familiarity. Meanwhile, you are standing on the street, in a mob of happy people, about one foot away from everything. Even I was swaying to the beat. Best live music ever. And totally free. 

We ran out of steam around 1 AM and walked back to the boat. I have been delighted to have Mary and Malachi aboard. We went a short distance out of town and anchored near an island for some great snorkeling. We will bring Britt back to town for a departure on Thursday.  Things are going great!

All the best, Charlie