12 August 2013 | St. Georges, Grenada
We are fortunate that Grenada's Carnival falls in the middle of the Hurricane season. This way we know we will be around to participate in it. Even though we have done it before, this time we had a few new experiences that made it even better!
Paul and Sheryl Shard are a Canadian couple that have one of the coolest jobs anywhere... they produce, film and star in their own TV series about cruising and the places they visit, and are soon going into their tenth season. Look for their series
"Distant Shores" where ever you are, odds are pretty good one of the networks is airing it! Anyway, we knew them a bit from back home from Canadian Power and Sail Squadron stuff, and have been paying attention to what they have been up to through their newsletters. Their show isn't fluff, they really do show cruising warts and all. Paul's tech blogs on their web site are very interesting and educational. We last ran into them in Rodney Bay, St. Lucia after they crossed the Atlantic with the
ARC
Anyway, they are currently in Grenada, enjoying the cruising life here, and doing some work, too. We hooked up with them up to play J'Ouvert (the "Dirty Mas") this morning. When the alarm went off at 3:00 am, we seriously questioned our sanity. We had a taxi coming to pick us up at 4:00 pm, as we wanted to get a jump on things before it became too hectic and busy to bring the camera equipment through the crowd. All I can say is thank goodness for digital technology, as it has allowed the cameras to be a little smaller, and LED and battery technology has removed some of the hernias associated with camera work.
"Distant Shores II" was moored at Port Louis Marina, party central; a mere stone's throw from the center of the action. We knocked on the hull at about 4:30 and gratefully accepted the offer of caffeine. By 5:00 we were on the street, dressed in our grubbiest clothes.
Previously for J'Ouvert, we wandered through the crowd and walked most of the route, checking out the different groups and getting very painted up. With the camera, this wasn't as easy, so we essentially stayed pretty close to the marina and let the crowd come by us. It was a blast! The camera acted as a magnet, and people came to us. Paul had one young woman come up and start whinin' on him like nobody's business. The look on his face was hilarious, and Sheryl caught it all on camera. This was a novel way for us to experience this part of Carnival. Ken ended up as the sherpa, carrying the camera bag, which was fine by him. Like so many events, it was more fun being with someone who hasn't experienced it before.
We were impressed with how respectful people were of the camera. They had no problem playing it up for the digital eye, but everyone was very careful not to bump it or mess with it in any way. We were fair game for the paint, if we wanted, but the camera was acknowledged as a no-touch item.
After a bit, and with the sun fully up, we started to wander back to the marina (no easy feat with the crowd at times). Paul was well and truly covered with paint by this time (the things he does for the viewers!), including an eye catching gold face paint. Imagine our surprise when we discovered that one of the "bands" was co-sponsored by the Grenada Chocolate Factory... and instead of paint, they were using real organic chocolate to cover people from head to toe! It was absolutely edible, and darned good. I knew a few people who were "playing with the band" and they were quite happy to "paint" us with the chocolate. I covered my face, figuring that people pay good money for chocolate facials! For some reason, I kept licking my lips, though. I have decided that I will "play" with them next year, if they sponsor a group. Ken's note: I certainly enjoyed sharing half a dozen kisses with Lynn's; just to help her out with the chocolate...y'know?
The bakery at the marina opened at 7:00 am, so we had more coffee and chelsea buns for a second breakfast. They also offered the use of their hose and tap to clean up with. The marina also wisely had a hose and bottle of detergent available to let patrons hose down before getting to their boats (a good way to keep the showers clean). After cleaning up, more or less successfully, we returned to "Distant Shores II", changed into clean, dry clothing, and had a little more coffee and chatted. By 10:30 we went back to the bakery for hamburgers. In the meantime, Ken and Paul had fun talking tech (Ken did television studio and camcorder repair for many years, after all). Remarkably, boat batteries and heads did not play a large part in the conversation.
It was a unique way for us to experience J'ouvert, and also gave us a new appreciation for the work that Sheryl and Paul do. They had fun, but there was still the responsibility of getting enough footage to work with, and the camera could not be put away. They are also very gracious hosts. I am sure that they are going to have a big editing job to pare it all down, though.
Ken and I finally took our leave and headed for home. We walked about half way before getting a bus the rest of the distance back to the marina that we had left the dinghy at. A sea bath to get the last of the paint and chocolate (and maybe a little motor oil) was had, then naps. Let the rest of Carnival happen without us!
But, yeah, that chocolate "paint"...
We didn't take pictures, but the
"Distant Shores" J'Ouvert blog about it has many great pictures, and you can get their take on the morning.