OH! P.S. My friend Sher did a beautiful post on this(the photo shoot), describing St. George's and the route to get there in a very picturesque way.. So if you're local and feel like having a quiet reminder about where we live check it out... and if you're tourist, check her blog out as she paints a beautiful picture with her words.
And for you conservationists...how many of you actually regarded that tree in Willis with great reverence. I never did much follow up on it. I know, I know, I'm a horrible local. However, I heard the residents of the area were complaining about it being an eye sore and then it collapsed. Why is it everything ancient, old, vintage, traditional, historic is an eye sore and needs to be done away with but traditional values which we're clinging onto as a nation that don't work anymore we don't want to let go of?
Jamaica had their silk cotton tree that was one of their tourist attraction (Tom Cringle's Cotton Tree I believe). Guyana had their silk cotton tree that could not be cut down to build a road so they had to build around the tree in Perseverance on the East Coast. As Caribbean territories there's so much folklore surrounding everything that's ancient and old. I remember my mom used to tell me stories about Guyana and that the reason why the trees are so hard to cut down is because the Dutch plantation owners would bury their overseers or someone alive with their money and treasures to protect it. As a result, the spirits linger around the tree. I love telling the story about the tree in Guyana because I like that kind of stupidness/folklore. I like no better fun. She, my mom, even went on to say that long after every time someone would try to cut down the tree, that was in the middle of the road, they would die in the process or soon after and the one time they got a cut in, the tree bled blood. Hence, they built around the tree. Heck, I would build around it too. The original tree fell and a seedling grew back in its place...Mom also said the folklore with silk cotton trees is that you walk by them at night because of all the spirits lingering...
Sher was telling me the folklore is similar here. She knows the local tale as don't walk past at noon nor midnight or else 'booboo gon grab you.' She outlines the tale pretty well... and even if you've never seen the tree I do encourage you to check out her post because it's so well written you can feel looming presence of the tree and the heat of the midday sun as she describes walking past it.
The depressing story is... the tree is no longer there. Funny story is, she said locally, because of all the folklore it's hard to find someone willing to cut down a silk cotton tree. The irony is, they cut it. Not all the way down because "the tree supports the road." I don't know... they weren't thinking that all the time? They could've trimmed it or something. What if the tree dies now and collapses? Then self its real problems in camp.
And aside from that. It was a landmark.
I concur. Imagine how many stood before the same tree admiring it throughout history? The same tree we can't cut down fast enough.
C'est tout.
Enjoy.
And for you conservationists...how many of you actually regarded that tree in Willis with great reverence. I never did much follow up on it. I know, I know, I'm a horrible local. However, I heard the residents of the area were complaining about it being an eye sore and then it collapsed. Why is it everything ancient, old, vintage, traditional, historic is an eye sore and needs to be done away with but traditional values which we're clinging onto as a nation that don't work anymore we don't want to let go of?
Jamaica had their silk cotton tree that was one of their tourist attraction (Tom Cringle's Cotton Tree I believe). Guyana had their silk cotton tree that could not be cut down to build a road so they had to build around the tree in Perseverance on the East Coast. As Caribbean territories there's so much folklore surrounding everything that's ancient and old. I remember my mom used to tell me stories about Guyana and that the reason why the trees are so hard to cut down is because the Dutch plantation owners would bury their overseers or someone alive with their money and treasures to protect it. As a result, the spirits linger around the tree. I love telling the story about the tree in Guyana because I like that kind of stupidness/folklore. I like no better fun. She, my mom, even went on to say that long after every time someone would try to cut down the tree, that was in the middle of the road, they would die in the process or soon after and the one time they got a cut in, the tree bled blood. Hence, they built around the tree. Heck, I would build around it too. The original tree fell and a seedling grew back in its place...Mom also said the folklore with silk cotton trees is that you walk by them at night because of all the spirits lingering...
Sher was telling me the folklore is similar here. She knows the local tale as don't walk past at noon nor midnight or else 'booboo gon grab you.' She outlines the tale pretty well... and even if you've never seen the tree I do encourage you to check out her post because it's so well written you can feel looming presence of the tree and the heat of the midday sun as she describes walking past it.
The depressing story is... the tree is no longer there. Funny story is, she said locally, because of all the folklore it's hard to find someone willing to cut down a silk cotton tree. The irony is, they cut it. Not all the way down because "the tree supports the road." I don't know... they weren't thinking that all the time? They could've trimmed it or something. What if the tree dies now and collapses? Then self its real problems in camp.
And aside from that. It was a landmark.
...And when we did [the passing bus], almost like slow motion, i say almost because it was never slow enough, i took it all in, how thick the trunk was, how wrinkled and just how deep set those wrinkled WERE. I marveled at how high it stood, how far back it leaned like a tired but accomplished grandmother in her easy chair, sitting on her stoop, watching the neighborhood children walk past, their hands tightly clasped in their parents hands...remembering effortlessly when their parents were kids and their grandparents were parents....
...I breathed in the air that surrounded it and wondered, like I’d always wondered. What was the air like in this spot 200 years ago? Who stood at the base of this tree 200 years ago? Was it a slave hating it for what it stood for? Or one appreciating it for it’s merciful shade and lack of judgment? Who stood here 100 years ago? Was it a young couple courting? Was it a teacher and his or her students trying to escape the heat of the classroom? Who stood here 50 years ago? Who was she? Who was he? What did they think of this tree? Or more importantly…what did the tree think of them? Did it smile down at them? Resent them? What had it seen? So so much it must have seen!
Sher's Blog... Click here to see the rest of the post
I concur. Imagine how many stood before the same tree admiring it throughout history? The same tree we can't cut down fast enough.
C'est tout.
Enjoy.
...And therein commences... or ends my career in acting...
Saturday I somehow managed to get sick from the night prior - don't ask me how. I sincerely thought I lost my voice from all the karaoke. I reluctantly dragged myself to town minutes to 3, convincing myself that the art exhibition would be opened late because it was only running for a short time frame to maximize visitations - but I was wrong and they closed at 2. That's understandable I guess, it's Grenada. I should've listened to dad when he was trying to herald my sniffling, sneezing, possibly slightly feverish backside out of the house.
After I arrived, late, Sher managed to persuade me to come check out Dwight's photoshoot at Modern Photostudios for his 'Mute' clip. MUTE is an idea of his that he's been molding a while now which stands for 'Must Unfold The inEvitable.' The inevitable, in my interpretation, relates to your ultimate destiny - your true potential, tapping into every creative bone in your body to achieve your dreams to their fullest. For the time being, he's developing his Youtube channel and doing short clips to develop his ideas until he writes the full script of a film short.
During the shoot...
 |
| Dwight is the official camera man. Photo of him centering the camera on Cemal. |
 |
| Dwight explaining to us how it works... |
 |
| Me filming Dwight's clip. |
 |
| Dwight |
 |
| Fooling around afterwards.... Cemal |
 |
| Sher |
 |
| ...and that's a wrap folks! Cut! |
The finished product....
***
I was telling Sher... It's really amazing how these things work. I spent the last couple weeks musing to myself about what a disaster this semester is turning out to be. There's so many things I want to get on stream and make happen... Nothing is going according to plan... Distractions are popping up... And then BAM! You stop trying to find a way to make stuff work, and start focusing on what you want to happen and opportunities start popping up.
'When you walk with purpose, you collide with destiny.'
-Dr. Bertrice Berry
As Les Brown says, 'Walk by faith and not by sight... stop asking how it will happen - that's God's problem. You need to focus on your dreams and what you want to become a reality.' Next thing you know, I'm going to all these small events that are epic enough to give me some inspiration...Bring about some fresh ideas, revamp old ones... and as the story goes, when you walk with purpose, you collide with destiny... in that you start to find other people, like Dwight, traveling similar roads to pursuing their dreams - not necessarily the same dream, but a dream nuntheless - with a passion to fulfill it someday soon... And that kind of positive passionate energy is contagious. Even if you're uncertain as to what you want to do with your life, yourself, your job, whatever at that particular moment - it's hard not to feel compelled to do something positive too. It's almost as if all of a sudden motivation appears out of nowhere and plans suddenly start making themselves in your head... and the answers to all your 'how will this ever work?' questions to convert the plan into reality become revealed.
The only problem, I guess, is maintaining that 'wow' after the novelty and excitement wears off. My advice, keep on striving long after the spirit of inspiration has long departed. Somehow I believe, that little rays of sunshine shall shine their light when you least expect it, on the brink of giving up. Remember the darkest hour of the night only means that dawn is about to break.
So... to those pursuing their dreams, no matter how silly or seemingly futile. Much respect to you. Your efforts shall be rewarded.
Deuces,
Shelli out.
Double kisses.
xoxo
...Lest I forget Friday evening was an adventure as well.
As is customary, I overslept and deliberated on leaving the house until I actually ended up leaving late. However, that was ok because Sher was running a tad late herself. The irony of ironies is that we were going to the Bistro again for an evening of jazz and poetry and instead... before I could even get to town Sher called to tell me that not only was there no jazz but it was transformed so dramatically into a dance studio that it was as if the hardwood floor was picked up and rolled to a corner... and then I got another call saying it's now an Italian restaurant and she's ordered for us.
I must say that while it was disappointing to know the event was cancelled. Additionally, it was annoying that it seemed such a casual 'by the way we're cancelled today' notice... However, I never knew there was an Italian restaurant/cafe in town. Mind you, it's been there all the time and I just never noticed. I had my mind set on KFC so I basically sample ordered stuffed tomatoes and stuffed potatoes. It was delicious. I normally don't like tomatoes but it was pretty good. It had a mixture of cheeses in it... yummy goodness. The potatoes were stuffed with minced meat.
Afterwards, we went to check out the Art Exhibition directly opposite (the museum/restaurant). It's running now until the 25th of March. I suggest you check it out.
The theme is 'Woman' so all of the pieces are centered around an interpretation of the word. First of all, I don't even know what was in that particular space before (I hardly walk through town like that) but it's a lovely location for an little art gallery as the rooms just flow one into the other into a circular fashion. All that was missing was wine and cheese, but then again we arrived a few minutes before it was about to close. I have to pass back again and when I do I shall put up more photos from it.
It was very inspiring. There were some very simple pieces with powerful messages. I remember one in particular that struck me was a simple pastel/charcoal portrait done on black paper of a muslim woman. The background comprised of text, written in what I assume to be white pastel pencil, of different phrases along the lines of "I must be seen but not heard [as a woman]." Another piece I found interesting was a collection done with 4 varnished and painted calabash halves - one for the head, two for the naked breasts and another for the exposed large tummy. I interpreted it as a pregnant woman.
The following are some quick snaps I got before we left... I shall go back and get some proper photos and hopefully a proper write up.
So... this is all until I get my formal shots of the Exhibition. Do check it out if you get a chance.
Deuces.
Shelli out.
xoxo
As is customary, I overslept and deliberated on leaving the house until I actually ended up leaving late. However, that was ok because Sher was running a tad late herself. The irony of ironies is that we were going to the Bistro again for an evening of jazz and poetry and instead... before I could even get to town Sher called to tell me that not only was there no jazz but it was transformed so dramatically into a dance studio that it was as if the hardwood floor was picked up and rolled to a corner... and then I got another call saying it's now an Italian restaurant and she's ordered for us.
 |
| The menu... The chef only cooks Mahi Mahi when he gets it fresh the same day. |
I must say that while it was disappointing to know the event was cancelled. Additionally, it was annoying that it seemed such a casual 'by the way we're cancelled today' notice... However, I never knew there was an Italian restaurant/cafe in town. Mind you, it's been there all the time and I just never noticed. I had my mind set on KFC so I basically sample ordered stuffed tomatoes and stuffed potatoes. It was delicious. I normally don't like tomatoes but it was pretty good. It had a mixture of cheeses in it... yummy goodness. The potatoes were stuffed with minced meat.
***
The theme is 'Woman' so all of the pieces are centered around an interpretation of the word. First of all, I don't even know what was in that particular space before (I hardly walk through town like that) but it's a lovely location for an little art gallery as the rooms just flow one into the other into a circular fashion. All that was missing was wine and cheese, but then again we arrived a few minutes before it was about to close. I have to pass back again and when I do I shall put up more photos from it.
It was very inspiring. There were some very simple pieces with powerful messages. I remember one in particular that struck me was a simple pastel/charcoal portrait done on black paper of a muslim woman. The background comprised of text, written in what I assume to be white pastel pencil, of different phrases along the lines of "I must be seen but not heard [as a woman]." Another piece I found interesting was a collection done with 4 varnished and painted calabash halves - one for the head, two for the naked breasts and another for the exposed large tummy. I interpreted it as a pregnant woman.
The following are some quick snaps I got before we left... I shall go back and get some proper photos and hopefully a proper write up.
 |
| Some pieces by Francis Frances... she passed away recently. :( |
 |
| Maryse Faure-Taylor - Where It All Started Maryse Faure-Taylor - Women's Curves |
 |
| Stacey Byer - Forged |
 |
| Judith Jarvis - Sifting the Sand "What we will be when we grow up?" Believe it or not, this painting is almost as wide as a small wall - prolly about 4-5 ft. wide or more. I only got a quick glimpse and it was a quick blurred shot I took and tried to do some edits... But it's amazing in person. At least from my quick glimpse. I did a double take because it looks almost like a photograph... |
***
Deuces.
Shelli out.
xoxo
... to be sick.
Stupes.
It's been so long since I've been sick that I don't even know how to cooperate with sickness properly. Do I laze in bed all day? Do I ignore it and push ahead? I'm reluctantly taking meds because I absolutely can't afford to be sick for the remaining of this semester... grr...
I know, I know. I wrote about having mercy on the sharks just a couple days ago. However, it's a completely different story when you're in the situation. Yes I still say, 'Save the sharks' but I shall petition and picket from the beach - thank you very much.
Stupes.
It's been so long since I've been sick that I don't even know how to cooperate with sickness properly. Do I laze in bed all day? Do I ignore it and push ahead? I'm reluctantly taking meds because I absolutely can't afford to be sick for the remaining of this semester... grr...
***
What did I do this weekend?
Last week was midterms and I only had one midterm, the Monday, so I was home the rest of the week. I went to school a day to work on a group project, attended my old school sports and then... Friday I went to the beach amongst other things.
The most hilarious thing happened. I love kayaking on Grand Anse. So... I did what I always do --- go kayaking with a friend. We got as far as the jetty down by the Coconut restaurant, lengthwise along the beach, but we were a decent distance away from the shore. Mind you, I only recently got over my fear of the ocean. The water was kinda rough and the sky was overcast so you couldn't see clearly to the bottom... But that was fine because I'm now fearless of the water remember? I couldn't be bothered if my kayak toppled over or not.
So we're there kayaking away, feeling at one with the ocean and all that jazz. See me well passing my hand through the water and all, commenting on how oddly warm it feels. So my friend tells me that its typical for the water to be warm on days when the weather was like that.
Then, because of my recent courses I'm more cognizant about birds when I see them, and I point out a seagull on a boat. I've never gotten a chance to see one that close, just perched for my perusal or perhaps I never cared that much before... Nuntheless, I was fascinated.
However, what happened consequently was the complete opposite. To my "Oh look! Over there!" my friend responded "Oh, you saw the fin too?!"
Umm... I saw what? So I ask, 'Fin? As in shark fin???'
To which he gleefully responds, 'Yes! There it is again! Don't you see it? It's right by the boat... Let's go closer...!'
Let's do what???? I was too busy looking at the bird on the boat to see any fin. Stupes. And there went off my friend paddling away to get closer. I'm thinking he's crazy. If it is a shark. Why are you going towards it? I ask him... He says he wants to touch it and he's never seen one in person.
You have got to be kidding me. We're pretty far from shore - probably about 30-40 ft. away -- far enough to see bodies but not recognize faces. I can't see the bottom where we were, it's dark blue. And you're paddling frantically towards what you believe is a shark?
Shellon does what she thinks is the safest thing. Abandon the crazy person and head back to shore. The irony is that all the time I was paddling I didn't realize how huge the swells of water were. Then again I wasn't paddling against the waves as I now was. My adrenaline is pumping, I'm trying to stay calm and all I'm thinking is 'Don't turn over... Don't turn over... Stay calm... Don't turn over... Don't think about the possibility of the shark being right under you coming to bump you from below...' Every single shark movie I've ever seen, including 'Open water' is coming to mind... I'm trying to paddle strong single strokes so that if it is a shark, my actions don't appear excitable to it. I make it in close enough to shore to be about 10 ft away or less from a man that's standing waist deep in water... and pondering if to continue going in even though it means I'll have to drag the kayak back down to the far end of the beach...
My friend now realizes I'm no longer with him and calls out to me informing me that whatever it was it's gone now, and not to worry because if it was a shark it would be a great white or tiger shark and those like warm waters. This is to reassure me how? First of all, based on my research, tiger sharks are typically found in the Caribbean and are champion for being found in surprisingly shallow water and are known for being aggressive. Great whites bite because they mistake you for prey, Tiger sharks bite you because they want to. Furthermore, isn't 'trying to touch the shark' considered a provoked attack?
Well... he was able to convince me it was gone eventually and persuade me into thinking that perhaps it was the manta ray that resides on Grand Anse because when they turn you see the fin above surface. But he himself said that if it was, he should've at least been able to see the shadow.
Honestly, I didn't see anything. Perhaps there was nothing at all and it was just a mistaken wave. Furthermore, I haven't heard of anyone getting bitten by sharks in Grenada... and all of my research via Google doesn't have any attacks or fatalities listed as occurring within the Caribbean.
Nuntheless, that was enough sea adventure for one day for me. We paddled back down the beach, and of course, I stayed relatively close to the shore.
I know, I know. I wrote about having mercy on the sharks just a couple days ago. However, it's a completely different story when you're in the situation. Yes I still say, 'Save the sharks' but I shall petition and picket from the beach - thank you very much.
***
End of story.
Shelli out.
