Carnivalista's Log - SLU Carnival Monday and Tuesday

A week ago  today I was parading down the streets of St. Lucia in my Just 4 Fun costume without a care in the world. Today, looking at my pictures of St. Lucian carnival I realize they don't do it any justice (thank goodness for video)! Now,  I know...I am a carnival addict so EVERY carnival is a good time for me but I think SLU has something for everyone. There are some things about Lucian Carnival  that are different from other islands: Carnival starts on time (Both Monday and Tuesday I had to run to catch up with the band), leave your US dollars home. (some people take it but most people are skeptical), and fishnet tights are a very popular carnival accessory (I almost bought a pair on Tuesday morning just to fit in). 
 loved the band Just 4 Fun! They really lived up to their name and there were non-stop from start until finish!  I can go on and on about my experience in St. Lucia. So  in order to keep this post concise I will highlight  my top 10 most memorable moments from SLU carnival,  in no particular order.. ; ) 

10. It was the middle of the afternoon carnival Tuesday and I just received some chicken from the snack truck. (This was the only time both Monday and Tuesday that I remembered to eat). I guess I didn't realize how hungry I was because as I was walking (chipping), eating, and watching everyone my life came to hault when my foot...no ...both feet, fell in this drain! I was so embarrassed...the piece of chicken I was eating fell as well! I couldn't even get out of the drain on my own because my WHOLE entire foot was in the drain...it was touching the bottom! It took two people to pull me out...

Can you see  my chicken in the drain...

9. Ran into St. Lucian soca artist Mongster (and I) on the road.... he had a time. SERIOUSLY!

8.  The Water Truck....I never got in the water truck but everyone that did made it seem like they were having the time of their lives.  I just enjoyed watching them!

7. Lucian ingenuity and creativity!

   Hmmm! Yes..that is a bottle of Tide, and yes they will drink from it!

Everything on his cart was made from recycled materials...

6.  Loved this guy! 

5. Burger King...This was the second one I saw in St. Lucia. I was shocked...I don't think there is Burger King in Trini...

4. The stretch of road parallel to the airport.  This was by FAR one of my favorite parts of playing mas in St. Lucia. I love having space to dance, chip, wave, and behave however I want to and this road allowed me to do just that.

3. I love this pic! It is one of the few pics that I have that illustrates the ENERGY of Lucian carnival! I know I said it before but the whole Monday and Tuesday was non-stop action. Even  the Lucian style of chipping involves your whole body. I LOVED it!

2.  The caption for the pic below:  " This is Nelly! She is visiting our country so you must treat her well!" ; ) Nyree, of The Sweet 7! The ultimate Lucian ambassador. She introduced me to everyone and made sure I had  a great time the whole time I was in St. Lucia. I have to shout out her hubby too, he is definitely a Lucian Ambassador in the making.

Nyree knows everyone...lol. Including DJ Barrie Hype from Miami

1.  NYREE! (Girl, you must be tried of me calling in your name). I know I said this was in no particular order BUT I saved the best for last. I wouldn't have went to St. Lucia carnival if she didn't convince me that it was a MUST DO! And folks I have to agree. SLU is a good balance of carnival madness and tranquil beaches. It reminds me a lot of Grenada's Spice Mas but with a different vibe! 

Will I go back next year? Calculating my vacation days as we speak! ; )

SLU...I miss you already.
Look out for more pics on my FB page www.facebook.com/kinkychronicle

Carnivalista's Log: SLU Day 6

It's carnival Sunday afternoon in St. Lucia and I know for a fact that I am currently in the EYE OF THE STORM. Everything around me is calm ...right now... but judging from my last few days in SLU, I know that this calm vibe will not last long! The music alone gives you a hint of the madness that will be the next few days. From "everything going to fall in here, everything going an fall...I can't help it, I giving trouble" ( BORN TO MASH UP by 2012 Soca Monarch Champ Superman HD),  Ricky T asking you, "how you could whine like that?", in his 2012 track EVERYTHING, and of course GALLOP by Soca Psycho. My goodness! In order to prepare myself I have been taking it easy, kind of. ; )

Friday...
Endless Summer Cruises! Now, first I must say that I am not a go to an island and go on a tour type of person. I  hate to look like or behave like a tourist when I travel and typically try to blend in with my surroundings.  I guess these are feelings I developed from spending summers and holidays with my family in the Caribbean and living in New York City. BUT this tour was recommended by Nyree of The Sweet 7, so I decided to give it a try. Sailing the waters of St. Lucia on a catamaran, enjoying endless drinks, getting a few history lessons from the crew, viewing the Pitons, smelling (yes, smelling) the Sulphur Springs, and enjoying some excellent Lucian food... #worthit

The Catamaran

Ruby and crew! The tours would not have been as great without them!

Me...rocking some kinky twists and cornrows #gotosummerstyle

Fond Doux Estate in Soufriere- I was supposed to be listening to the tour guide but I was obsessed with this donkey!

Finally got to meet the donkey. I also learned that he was demonstrating an old time Sugarcane Mill.

The donkey got a little too friendly with me. I am sad to report we are no longer friends...lol.

My other obsession, the Cocoa seed...random I know.

My first time tasting it. Yup, this is where chocolate originates from.

Behind me... the Pitons!



Me, on the line for food...lol. I think I have gained some weight since I have been here! Such good food! #carnivaldietnolongerexists



Island Life...

Friday Night...

Finally met Nyree of The Sweet 7 (and her hubby)  and went to Sexy in Black! They are so much fun and are definitely carnivalholics like myself! I can go on and on about these two, but I will save that for later ; ) I will say that I am glad that I came to SLU and I  can't wait to party with them on the road Monday and Tuesday!

Nyree and I ...

I think all black is so sexy...

Saturday...

Nothing to report! *holds head in shame*

I didn't make it out of bed until night fall. My body was on PAUSE and I decided to listen. Thank goodness for the hotel bar and cable TV.

Sunday. That would be today. Typing pool side and mentally preparing myself for Just 4 Fun Blue Devils later (that's the plan) and of course Carnival Monday and Tuesday. More pics to come later and some random video selections. Until then...

~Nelly


P.S- I apologize in advance for the foolishness that will take place in the next few hours....  ; )

Carnivalista's Log: SLU Day 3

St. Lucia....



View from my hotel ...

 I have been in SLU for less than 72 hours but I am in LOVE! Mind you, I had some hiccups along the way; a delayed flight, a missed connection, and I ended up in Castries (no where near my hotel) by accident last night (long story) but say what, such is life! I haven't met anyone in SLU who hasn't been helpful and friendly; not just hotel staff, but people everywhere. *Edited to add* I just came back from the beach and  reread this post. As I was reading I realized I neglected to mention Nyree of The Sweet 7! Thanks girl! Your suggestions have all been really helpful and saved me from having more than a few hiccups. I also sat and waited to pick up my Just 4 Fun costume with Mongstar, a St.Lucian Soca artist. He had me laughing the whole time, he has such a positive vibe...I wish him luck tonight at the finals! Ok,ok. More on all of this later.... some pic highlights:

I had to pick up the necessities... lol And yes, that is a can of sardines being covered by the logo #latenightsnacks

and of course my Just 4 Fun costume.. TEMPO!!!

Green Fig and Fish Broth.....For Dinner

Saltfish and Fry Bake for Breakfast... I'm eating well! Mommy would be so proud...lol

Last night at Colour Me Red... I learned a few things. The most important lesson, Lucian's have ENERGY!

Trini's are EVERYWHERE!



Me..doing something...lol.



That's all for now peeps! Time to soak up some sun and sea water!

~Nelly

CAA -->Carnival Addicts Anonymous

Hi, my name is Nelly and I am a carnivalholic!

Cropover 2011 pic--I haven't uploaded all my pics from Trini yet, sadly. It hurts to much to look at them. : (

No, I am not exaggerating. Yes, I have a problem, I am addicted to CARNIVAL. I am not even sure when my addiction got to this level.  I have always loved every aspect of carnival. I have loved Soca music as long as I can remember. I can remember my dad playing calypso in the car as we drove long distances and I would sing the lyrics to "Boots", "Teaser", "Nani Wine"and "Tiney Winey" in my head happily ( I did not discover the world of hip hop until I was in middle school).  I loved visiting my Mother and Father's birth places (Trinidad and Barbados) and I can vividly remember how sad I was the year I could not go to Trinidad for the summer because of the Coup. I have always loved playing Mas. Picking costumes. Touching the beads and feathers, wearing the elaborate headpieces. But I have no idea when it got to the point where I felt like I would simply not survive the year if I did not participate in A carnival. This year I went to Trinidad  for carnival and I had the TIME of my LIFE,  I was not disappointed and for some people that is enough. NOT me! So far I  plan to attend 4 Carnivals this summer and participate in at least 1. I know:

Nelly is going H.A.M.

Honestly, sometimes I feel guilty. Shouldn't I have other interests? Shouldn't I save more money? Shouldn't I try to visit Europe, Fiji, Africa,  or Australia this year instead (I would like to visit these places, honestly)? As the people say, LOVE IS BLIND (Ok, that saying may not make total sense, but you get my point). When I hear soca playing, and I am surrounded by hundreds of other people singing along. When I am in the midst of a crowd all waving flags in the same direction. When I am surrounded by my Caribbean people, eating a roti, drinking sorrel, and having a time. I feel at peace. I feel at home. I feel happy.  And I guess that's all that matters. ; )

So look out for plenty of posts and updates as I prepare and plan for Barbados' Crop Over (Yes, I am going again this year), Atlantic City's first attempt at carnival (we will see how that goes), St. Lucia's Carnival (Thanks to Nyree of thesweet7 who convinced me that this is a must do) , and Brooklyn's Labor Day Parade (hey, I live here)!

I apologize in advance...

; )

Nelly

Btw...If you plan on attending any of these carnivals PLEASE contact me! I would love to meet other carnival addicts ....