Don't play with it

Yes, this shall be another backlogged post finally getting typed up. However, until I get these out of the way I'd feel too guilty to post the new stuff. The good news is though, I'm just going to put everything in this one post.


Our tiny little isle received its first Olympic gold medal with Kirani James in the 400-metre race. It was an extremely proud moment for the country. The day he won, I swear it was as if the country temporarily shut down as everyone awaited the race to happen. This was also the same day as the annual Beachfest leading up to Carnival. After he won, there were vehicles upon vehicles on the road, tooting their horns happily, waving flags patriotically and mostly headed towards Guoyave, Kirani's hometown, to celebrate. I think that was the most vehicles I've ever seen parked in Guoyave. Traffic was so heavy that the route going in and out had to be diverted. There were vehicles parked 'til outside of Guoyave on byroads and even that road that's been closed off a while now. The streets were filled with people.

And he's coming in today. More celebrations to be had. There would be a live stream by Lime shown on GIS as well as several re-broadcasts over the weekend. Does this mean tomorrow will be a holiday?

Now, while I could do a write-up on Kirani I found this wonderful blog-post that outlines everything I'd want to say in a manner that I couldn't say better without plagarizing so take a peak --- I guarantee you won't regret it ---> http://dougrun365.blogspot.com/2012/08/usain-bolt-vs-kirani-james.html?spref=fb The blogger compares our two Caribbean star athletes highlights and lowlights.

In Guoyave

And it starts with Kirani James Boulevard...

Some new pretty lights went up during summer... they're still there.

And the streets of Guoyave filled with people...!




And of course, I was one of those that passed by the Beachfest first.

Maurissa and I, you may recognize her from a few posts back. Yes she's back in the country visiting.

Donald and I... Saw the post about me learning to drive a manual car and a motorbike? Here's the brave guy that's risking his life to teach me as my bike lessons initially included him holding the seat walking along yelling "Brake! Brake! Clutch clutch clutch!" when I accidentally turn the handle to accelerate rather than the clutch... hahahahaha

And the three of us..!

And then I went on a little island tour with Maurissa to show her cousin around the island. Maurissa's friend Joshua was both the cook and tour guide.

He made a yummy lambie waters with okro, carrots, etc. I think this was my first time having waters with okro in it -- I'd definitely repeat.

Annadale Falls

Man jumping into the water at Annadale falls.

Sam (her cousin), Josh & Maurissa

Sam, Maurissa & myself

Then we played tourist... I mean Sam is one, but we all were for the day.

If you think I look slightly under the weather it's because I was recovering from a cold. There's an annoying story behind the cold.. I'll close of this post with it.

Grand Etang lake

Grand Etang Lake, gorgeous as per usual

 Then we passed by Pearl's airport, which was the airport used before Maurice Bishop Int'l located on the north-easterly part of the island. Maurissa was inciting lots of "You only live once" moments which I had to decline because I was sick. She wanted to dance in the rain, jump in the lake, etc. However, I did indulge her in going up close and personal to see the planes that remain on the old air strip.

The inside...

The cockpit...

Tail view of one of the planes

 And then we passed by The Grenada Chocolate Factory...! Yes, I thought it was a bit obscure myself. I had expected something far bigger since... ya know... it's a factory. This is what American television has cultured me into thinking. *sigh*


Then we passed by the Belmont Estate. This is one of my favourite places to visit on the island. It's almost like a mini-petting zoo for kids (and big kids like myself) and a nice little tour of history. The tour guide takes you to see how chocolate is made from the picking of the cocoa to the point of it being processed. Apparently, they've done it historically. They still do the 'dancing of the cocoa' and visitors are invited to join in the "dancing" with the music and rum.

I took a picture of the bell. Why? I never noticed it before I went on the tour. The bell was placed there by the French and is about 300 years old and still works..!


Some of the animals! They normally have horses and donkeys walking around as well...!

Who's a pretty birdie?

***

River Antoine Estate... where Rivers rum gets manufactured. Best & worst experience of my life.

Rivers rum is still made mostly as it was done historically. The tour was amazingly done (or we just had a really good guide) but I'd recommend visitors to take it.

The water from a river was channeled to come through the trough at the top and fall onto the water wheel which powers the churning of the cane.

On the other side of the water wheel.

The cane goes up on end...

To get crushed on the other end as it's churned...

The skin/bagasse that remains goes here. The rotting bits are taking back as manure for the fields. The dry bits are burnt as fuel for the remaining processes of making rum.

The cane juice goes from one into another... each hotter than the previous, the juice naturally thicker than the previous.

Then goes to ferment...

And heated... The vapor upon condensation is what forms the rum. And no, they're not feigning interest just for my photo, I don't even think they knew when I took the shot... hahaha

From there... it comes here to be tested for alcohol percentage. If it's sufficient (75% and higher) the thermometer will sink... if not, it will stay afloat).  If too weak, then it heads back outside into the chambers in the previous photo to be re-processed and strengthened.

 Rivers rum, the one that can't be exported because of the alcohol strength, is anywhere between 75-86% alcohol. At the end, you get to pour your own sample. Yours truly and Maurissa decided we were expert alcoholics and took a huge shot of the strongest rum available. It was awful. As it went into my mouth, so it went back into my cup. I drank half of my shot to prove a point afterwards. Everything burned. I felt sick for the rest of the day. I thought I was going to die. Not me again. Ever. In life. This life and the next.


And lastly, Levera.

Magnificent Frigate Bird

Levera pond... the other end

The tower at Levera Pond... I have one too many posts at this place. I do think it's truly beautiful... In fact, Josh, it was his first time visit to this particular locale, said when he decides he wants to get married, he thinks this is the spot where he'd propose.

Ladies Night Out...!

So, about that cold... This year I actually stayed home from Carnival and still managed to catch the post-Carnival cold.

C'est tout!
Deuces

I'm feeling way too lazy to do the watermarks for any new posts coming up. What was turning out to be a not as uneventful Carnival, did a 180 into something memorable.

Last Thursday, I volunteered in the Grenada Carnival 2012 Queen Show along with a few classmates from school. We were all assigned various backstage duties. My duty was to be the gofer for the singers and MCs. It was very fun and the artistes were very pleasant to work with.

Unfortunately, as I was backstage I didn't get to enjoy the front view... but being backstage was pretty awesome.

***

The setting up...

Hayley's summer nails!

...and her bow-hair. I wanna try this style...!

Organizing the folders for various people in charge.

***
The celebs....!

Singing Sandra & Denyse Plummer

Singing Sandra & myself

 I remember as a kid bellowing her song "Die with my dignity" along with the radio on an early morning. It's about being a woman and trying not to compromise your integrity to attain a job to support your family - a nice positive message.

Alison Hinds & myself

 Remember the days of "Faluma" with Square One from Barbados... up to "Brace & wine" last year as one of her many solos? So much of my childhood in one night.



And let's not forget... "Woman is boss" by  Denyse Plummer... and "Nah leaving," another childhood favourite.

Did I mention how nice all these ladies were?

***

Backstage...

Ariel & I also assumed the responsibility of distributing food and drinks backstage.

 ***
At the end, the lazy, idle vain moments promoted by tired feet and available mirrors in the dressing rooms/tents.




C'est tout.
Deuces

She always gets the Club Sandwich...

I always get the Daddy O' Dog..

These days my nights consist once more of wild unplanned adventures involving bikes and fun escapades. I used to be rather hesitant about bikes, never really saw the appeal before... And then I went to a riverfest in the country and I realized bikes and their riders are sexy! Next thing you know, I wanted to learn to ride. As the laws of attraction deems, what you focus your mind on, is what you attract.

After lamenting about not having my license or access to a vehicle to practice on. (Especially since the bf doesn't seem to have even the remotest trust of me behind the wheel of his precious baby) One day I bounced into a close friend I haven't seen in a while - we resumed communication and now?


Last night I had the opportunity to drive both a manual car and a bike. The manual car first to get the basics. Then the bike as bikes tend to be manual. I actually rode all by myself. It was epic. Can't wait to do it again...! Now if only the stupid Tropical Storm Ernesto didn't pass, I could've been well enjoying myself tonight... but no --- it's raining cats and dogs.

So my fun escapades has brought me to hidden beaches and abandoned houses. No it's not what you think. Currently, I have a friend visiting from away and in the midst of conversation cool spots would come up. Since we only get to meet up on evenings for the most part due to schedules, late night spontaneity is as good as it's going to get to see some of these places.

This was a spot we found overlooking the airport. It was gorgeous... but I didn't have my good camera with me. Therefore, I had to rely on my android and Picasa's lovely editing abilities.

Then there was a mini-pool party by Jermaine's house. We cruised around with the top down... Got some of Jermaine's yummy cooking, took a dip in the pool

Drank some wine

Then Sher and I bounced into some old college friends...

Richie & I

Richie, Genis & Sher

Sher and I (btw, you may know her as The Wordy Phoenix poet)

And then I passed out on my floor...