Bill

Last week Adrian had the unique experience of meeting and escorting Mr. Bill Marriott, the chairman and CEO of Marriott International, through the Vacation Club Property here in St. Kitts. Here is Adrian and his management team with Mr. Marriott.

Something new

We see some very interesting things from our back patio, including monkeys, kite-surfers, horses, weddings, pelicans, and we even had a front-row seat for hurricane Earl last September. But this last week we had something new to see- a few times a day there have been skydivers floating by our window and onto the Marriott beach about 50 yards away. It's been fun to watch, and the kids have something new to get excited about. When they hear an airplane overhead or see the flag out in the sand, they come screaming because they know the skydivers will be coming soon.

The "Graceful Savage"

Over the holiday we happened to spot the elusive and infamous "Voo-Doo Man" over in our neighborhood. It was unusual to see him out and about and away from his "home." Since he was not at home, my friend Angela and I decided to go by and take pictures because we really do want a picture of where he lives.

We're not sure which name he actually refers to himself as- "Voo-Doo Man" as it says on one sign, or "The Graceful Savage" as another reads. I really don't know if he's as scary as he looks either, but the rumors and stories are out there, and most people say they are scared to take his picture because he will cast a spell on you. Hmmmmm. This is one interesting character though, and when it comes to fitness, he is one bad dude. Can you see the concrete molds made out of 5-gallon buckets that he uses for weightlifting on the side of the road ?

Look close

This picture makes me laugh. Check out the "extra" topping that was cooked into the pizza. I'll do our hotel a favor and NOT tell you where the pizza came from.

Reminds me of the time we went to one of those big Texas steakhouses and there was hair in my salad, so they gave us a free meal for our next visit. Then on the second visit, there was a ladybug in my salad. We never went back.

"Las Lap"

I know there are lots and lots of pictures, but I couldn't stop looking at the pics of all the interesting/colorful/creative/unique/strange/(and many skimpy) costumes from "Las Lap," meaning the last lap of the 2-week-long Carnival celebration in St. Kitts. The annual Carnival event is the biggest party of the year for Caribbean islands, and each island's is different. Here in St. Kitts, Carnival officially begins a week before Christmas and doesn't end till after the new year.

My friend, Angela, and I took the kids to see the final parade and saw a lot of interesting sights to say the least! We had fun though and got some great pictures so that we can remember and share with others the traditions and folklore of St. Kitts through their Carnival celebrations.

If you're interested, the following is a great history of Carnival that I got from this website-

The history of Carnival celebrations began hundreds of years ago in Italy where Catholics held wild costume festivals right before Lent. Since they were not supposed to eat meat during Lent, the festival got the name, "Carnevale", which means "to put away meat." The famous Carnival celebrations eventually spread to other Catholic countries, including France, Spain and Portugal. As Catholic Europeans set up colonies and entered the slave trade, Carnival took root in the New World as well.

Today, Carnival celebrations are found throughout the islands. They have been transformed, however, from those original Italian costume festivals to something distinctly Caribbean that differs from island to island. The Caribbean Carnival is a blending together of many European cultures, as well as African dance and music. Important to the celebration of the Caribbean Carnival is the African traditions of parading in costumes and masks and moving in circles through villages in order to bring good fortune, heal problems and calm angry spirits. Carnival is an important way for the people of the Caribbean to express their rich African cultural traditions by creating elaborate masks and costumes. It takes months and a lot of energy and creativity to come up with a concept and develop costumes for the dancers to depict a common theme.

I've learned since the last post that these stilt walkers are called "moko jumbies." From Wikipedia- moko, in the traditional sense, is a god. He watches over his village, and due to his towering height, he is able to foresee danger and evil.

Food was being prepared everywhere for the street party after the parade that would last until the wee hours of the morning.

Check out the kid's faces in this picture. I am the only one who looks happy to be here! Maybe they are just shocked by everything they see or with the loud, loud, loud music.

See, this driver is smart with his earplugs.

This was really and truly part of a float going down the street, with 2 port-a-potties on the back.

I guess during Carnival the phrase "Don't Drink & Drive" doesn't apply. (Actually, I don't think it is against the law at all here to drink and drive.)