Don’t ....
stop me now, we’re having such a good time, we’re outa control. Sounds like we’re doing a Freddy Mercury &
Queen song to me!

 

Yes, we’re
back home. On the wonderful island of St Maarten. And have been for about 5
weeks. It’s just been just so hectic as well, that I’m not even sure where to
start there have been so many wonderful things happening. Within a week or so
of us arriving, someone on the island organised a fashion show, but one with a
difference. The fashion was that all the clothing had to be made from stuff found
in a commercial flower shop; so the girls could wear cellophane wrapping, flowers and all that sort of floristry stuff.
Sounds bizarre really and we only heard about it taking place a couple of hours
before it was due to take place. Well, a friend of ours (Marian) has just
landed herself a super job as one of the editors of the biggest tourist
magazine on the island. So, all she had to do was phone, and say we were all
going to arrive . The organisers put the three of us right at the front. What
you might call ringside V I P seats.... and then we waited for the show to
begin. And we waited..............and waited. The start time of 7.00 came and
went.......... just like Caribbean time! 7.30...7.45 and finally it had gone 8
and then the DJ turned the music up and we were under way. The costumes were
really interesting in the way they had been fashioned out of all the floral
bits and pieces and I hope you like the photos. To tell the truth, I was just not that
impressed as the others.

But then on
to more exciting things. It’s carnival time. Yes.... as if we haven’t been to or seen
any carnivals over the past couple of months. Remember, the first one we went
to was the one in Dubrovnik; followed by the one in Venice; and now the one in
St Maarten. It’s a very big thing here, and most people want to get involved
making it as spectacular as they can. There are some major differences though
between the three of them. In Dubrovnik for example; the accompanying music is
played by a few musicians; all very sedate and apro po . In Venice, they should
be playing Vivaldi to accompany the wonderful masks and 18th century
costumes. All very gentile and totally sedate. Here, in St M on the other hand,
they hire a huge articulated vehicle; wack an enormous generator on board;
strap and nail it down to the floor of the vehicle and just let it power the twelve
or more huge speakers that stack about eighteen feet high on the back of the
truck. So with the sound system turned up to full blast (you can hear it coming
many hundreds of yards away) it blasts out something all Caribbeany at this tremendous
maximum volume. So with the bands And singers giving it all they can I’m sure
it can probably be heard in St Barts; 
even with the wind blowing in the wrong direction.

And so the procession starts, albeit two and a half hours
late, something quite normal for here, and nobody minds either. Nobody bitching
or tut tutting! We know it’s going to happen, it’s just a matter of when!
That’s all. Definitely worth the wait though! There must have been at least
thirty of these sound blasting lorries; each followed immediately by a set of beautifully
costumed dancers . And what dancers..... Rio, eat your heart out. Sometimes, (and
you may not believe this), but the skimpier the costume the better they like it,
and were there some skimpy ones. Please click on the pictures because they turn
into very short video clips and you’ll see what I mean. To make sure everyone
is having a good time they hand out free beer and chocolates; now what do you
think of that. Isn’t it just wonderful? Yes! And everybody, including Dyana
& I loved very second of the performances. But just like everything else
here, it’s completely and totally disorganised. And that’s all part of the
charm of the place and event; nobody quite knows what’s happening, but the
crowd don’t mind and they’re also having a brilliant time dancing to the music
which is a cross between samba in some instances right down to mother rapping
and African music. What a brilliant few hours to watch the floats come by
blaring music with their dancers following in quite magical costumes. We’ll
definitely be going again next year. Hope you like the short videos .

Then on to
would you believe it?... Fish Day!
Yes,, you read it right! Fish day. And I was just as surprised as you, and just
had to go to find out what it was all about. Fish Day,.... I ask you! Held on
the French side, (where else), it’s a tribute, if you can call it that, to the
fishermen who bring food to the island..... or something like that. Any idea
can be turned into a great day here. The idea is to bring in a big catch, bring
it ashore and straight into the tents which double as local restaurants, and all
set up with somewhat crude cooking facilities. Well, It was totally mobbed with
people. And would you believe it, they had music too. Although this time it was
courtesy of a drumming band led by a woman in such a costume I could just not
believe what she was wearing. Firstly it was in the 90’s. (thirty something to
those of you in centigrade). And she was covered from head to toe; including a
big hairy wig. I just don’t know how she stood the heat....., but stand it she
did . And did a great job of conducting the band. Click on the pictures and hope
you like the videos. For a drink, we had coconut milk, and while the guy was
hacking away opening it up I was reminded about the sort of nonsense you have
in England with health and Safety. The way he was preparing each nut would
definitely send the health and safety taliban into a state of total apoplectic
paroxysms. But that's just the way we live on the island. Free and easy. All I
can say is we had great food and a great time.

And now, you
know what they say, what goes around comes around. We have just had the most
amazing bit of luck, I still can’t quite believe it. A friend of ours, (lets
call him Pirate Paul... 6 feet 8inches tall.... one gold ear ring...... grey
bearded..... the sort of pirate bandanna around his head..... the obligatory
gold toe ring... and a wonderfully softly spoken American accent. All in all a
wonderful person.) Lives on the complex and owns a boat. A 14 foot dingy really
and needed to get it moved from where it was moored . Now as luck would have it,
(wait for it), we just happen to have a dock right outside our apartment. Now
isn’t that just a fortunate bit of luck. And now, we have the use of it while
he’s off pirating somewhere else, and life just does not get any better than
this. Please click the picture to see the short video. So now you know why I
titled this blog “Don’t stop me now we’re having such a good time,” and we are.