Brilliant Costumes, Great Spirit, Wonderful Atmosphere. But ......?

I did not heed the very advice I was given which I'd sought. I did not go to Food Fair after reading a list of the foods being offered in the newspaper the day before. I was aware of, but had not tried many notable known dishes. My mistake was in not taking advantage of this opportunity to try some of the best of these, given the competitive nature and long tradition/reputation of many of the booths contributors. I guess I was turned off about the idea of Goat Water! I had heard about Fish Water, but was not prepared to imagine what on earth Goat Water might be???? I have goat milk soap, but goat water to drink or slurp? I realize that I missed a great fun experience and will not miss it next year.

I watched the Children's parade, or some of it to be more accurate, on tv and ventured to town for the Adult Parade on Saturday.

I was, I thought, fashionably island-time-late for the slated 10am start of the parade - arriving shortly after 11am. However the Grand Marshal didn't get the signal to enter the area in front of the post office, the reviewing stand block, until almost 12 noon! Okay, not a problem. Rain gave a fleeting freshing to the morning and then got out of the way - for the moment. No problem. But immediately it became evident that something strange was going on that I just didn't fathom. Pace, or rather a total absence thereof. A parade from my stateside view of them, is something that begins and proceeds with some pace up the street - once it starts, it KEEPS MOVING! This way, all spectators lining the parade route are treated to the performance and infection of energy from the participants. A good parade builds the momentum like good theater.

Alas, any semblance of pace, real, intended or imagined, was totally absent - and thus from my limited perspective, was not achieving the desired infusion of energy between participant and spectator that I think would have brightened more peoples day, had some reasonable pace been established. Mardi Gras, and Rio come to mind as great transfers of carnival spirit between one and all, and all are caught up in it.

How difficult would it be to achieve that atmosphere here - which I think is a desirable thing as it was attested to having happened by all I heard after it.

What if one tiny change was made - to allow only 1 song or a maximun time limit for each group to perform in front of the reviewing stand? (I am not aware of any time limits now?) I mean, come on, how many of the spectators actually saw the "peformance" aspect of each troupe? Not many from my POV. Why not keep the parade moving and perform all the way up the entire parade route so all can be caught up in the spirit?

Next year I will attend much later in the day as the really great Troupes and Floupes (do I really know the difference between the two - no) came fashionably later in the parade which I watched on tv when I returned home. I did not realize that the parade was intended as an all day affair.

Getting a Carnival booklet the day after the parade give me much needed insight into some of the historic troupes, allowing me to approach next years affair with more knowlege and thus a greater appreciation.

I don't understand, nor will I ever fully appreciate Majorettes! - but I now know their tradition goes way back - Happy Carnival!