Carnival, Homecoming and a Goodbye

It's been a busy couple of days.  We enjoyed the final "pretty mas" parade, marking the end of Carnival and, as was the case for the first parade, Isla tried to get in on the mix.  This child loves herself an audience and was not a smidgen shy about going right up to the paraders and trying to dance and march alongside them.  I was constantly having to chase her down (have I mentioned she is running now?) amidst the throngs of carnival revelers and partakers and, despite getting in the way more than once, she was quite a hit with everyone.   Carnival was three days of frenzy, fun and mayhem and while I'm super glad to have been able to experience some of it, I am looking forward to a night of sleep free from the pulsating rhythms of soca music blasting across the harbor.

The highlight of the past couple days, however, was not the booming parades or costumed beauties - but the fact that our ship came in last night!  That's right, Scott is back from work and we have him all to ourselves until his next rotation in November.  Sadly though, when one door opens another closes, and his homecoming marked my mother's departure.  It was sad to wave goodbye to her this morning - Isla has fallen head over heels in love with her - but it's all good because we're going back to the states in a couple weeks to visit family and friends, so what would typically be a tearful parting was merely a "see you later".  We prefer those around here.

Sleeping Beauty

We debated back and forth about whether or not to go back to the hotel last night.  I was worried about a repeat of the night before, but in the end, after talking to friends here at the marina who promised us last night's party would be louder-than-loud and sleep would probably evade us anyway, we opted to go back to our room and risk it.  I am so glad we did too, because Scott had arranged a lovely note and flowers for my mom and I.  Awww....

Isla feel asleep with me on the bed, and twenty minutes later I transferred her perfectly sweet little baby body to the pack-n-play where she slept until 6 a.m.  I, on the other hand, woke up at midnight and couldn't fall back asleep until 2 a.m, but her sleep is much more important than mine so it's all good.  Cruising and motherhood has made running on empty the new 'default' mode anyway.  Coffee was invented for the likes of us.

Yesterday we went to the "dress rehearsal" of Pretty Mas.  It was incredible.  So much fun.  The most amazing thing, however, was watching Isla.  She was non-stop dancing, clapping, laughing, spinning and even started marching with all the ladies every chance she could get - she apparently enjoys being the center of attention and having all the glittery costumed folks fawn over her brought the most precious look of awe and joy to her darling little face.  The fact that she was wearing her hula girl costume didn't hurt either.  I would post pics, but I am going to wait until tomorrow because today's parade is supposed to be bigger and better than yesterday's...but okay, I'll tease you with a few...

J'Ouvert: (Up) All Night Long

So our plans to stay in a hotel in an effort to get a good nights' sleep completely backfired.  Turns out, Isla's not one for sleeping on land.  Or in a pack and play.  Instead, we shuffled around together in my bed, tossing and turning most of last night.  Since we don't usually co-sleep, I learned the unfortunate fact that she is a real squirmer, and likes to throw herself all over me as she tries to get comfy;  legs in my face, head nuzzled up in my neck, arms flung over my chest, full body on mine.  The few times I tried to get a little space and scootch over, her little hands would find me, grip me and we'd be nuzzled up again.  I must admit, it was kind of adorable.  But we needed our rest.  Just when movement settled and I thought we might be getting some zzzz's, I was awoken by a blanket being thrown over my head at 1 a.m, and when I took it off I saw Isla's face an inch from mine. "Peek-ah-boo!" she said with a smile.  And then giggled.  And then did it again and again.  It took me a while to convince her that it was not playtime, but sleep time.  Two more hours, in fact.  No bueno.

So, despite not having partaken in J'Ouvert, (pronounced "jew-vey") the all-night street party that - it would seem - inspired the Lionel Ritchie tune "All Night Long" (video. is. awesome.), I kind of feel like I did.  Anyway, I hopped in the dinghy when we put Isla down for desperately-needed nap #1, and got some pictures to give you the gist of it.  As awesome as it looked, I was very happy to be on the other side of the camera.  Some of those folks looked straight-up wrecked.  Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt thankyouverymuch.  That ship has sailed for this girl.

Now, it's nap time for all before Pretty Mas this afternoon...

Costuming for Carnival: Glitter, Sequins and Feathers, Oh My!

The word "carnival" might conjure up a whole slew of images depending on your experience; perhaps you imagine the tilt-a-whirl, cotton candy and a toothless pixie dust spreader....or maybe you envision scads of leggy, busty Brazilians wearing ornamented head-dresses and bejeweled thongs...or, perhaps, if you are Venetian, you might picture a mysterious and elaborate Masquerade Ball with exquisite costumery...the list goes on.  Either way, it usually involves dressing up, a party, and no shortage of alcohol.

Here in the Caribbean, Carnival (pronounced car-nee-VAHL with the soft "a" drawn out) is the biggest party of the year and what may or may not surprise you is the fact that every island celebrates it in their own way, on their own time.  The Carnival in Antigua is different than the one in Dominica which is different than the one in Martinique which is different from the one in Trinidad and so on.  What is consistent is the fact that each carnival is steeped in traditions like parades, music, costumes, steel drum competitions and lots of parties.  Each year there is a new theme and costumes are always specially made for it.  When talking about Carnival, most people refer to participating as "playing".  As in: "Are you 'playing' mas?" or "Do you 'play' carnival?" or "I usually 'play' the pretty mas".  "Pretty Mas" or "Fancy Mas" or "Pagent Mas" is the parade/party where participants or 'players' wear beautifully elaborate (and often very small) costumes while dancing to Calypso music in the streets.  It is this parade, or "mas", I am the most excited for.

Yesterday, we heard about a little shop in town that is working feverishly on finishing the "fancy mas" costumes for their particular group (multiple groups "play" and there is a competition for best costume).  We decided to check it out and what we found was a humble storefront that, once inside, would bring a hands-to-the-heart inhaled gasp of joy and a single tear to they eye of any self respecting drag-queen.  The smell of spray adhesive, rubber cement and hot glue filled the air.  Glitter, sparkles and sequins (oh, the sequins!) were everywhere. Bolts of shiny fabric, reams of decorative edging and Vegas style accouterments covered every feasible piece of real-estate.  Feathers, boas, brassieres and bustiers all sparkled in the sunlight as the modest team of people continued cutting fabric, tweaking masks and applying the finishing touches to their masterpieces.  These folks had made hundreds of costume pieces.

We are looking very forward to seeing these in action on Monday.  If you are curious Grenada Carnival, check out the official website for festivities, pictures and details.