Ooow yes, the season of fêttin' started and it is time for Sint Martin Carnival. If you have never been to a Caribbean carnival, this is something you will never forget. Multiple days, all kinds of music, colorfull outfits and lots of food.
Yesterday I was in the festival village for the first time this year. During the day you have about 70 little booths that sell food and drinks. The prices are super reasonable on everything and the vibe is good. The festival village is where all big events are hosted and where all the parades end.
ShowS.. as in plural??
Oow you have no idea! My Dutch roots always let me believe that carnival was 4 days and the beginning of lent. But here is it different: carnival is a season. Take a look at the schedule!
Pretty Crazy right!!
Yeah that multiple days of events and almost to say a way of life for a lot of people. I got this image through whatsapp (so I dont know the source unfortunately) and this reflects exactly how Sint Martin people prioritize carnival even after hurricane Irma
The show must go on.
I have warm feelings to carnival and the village since I had a foodbooth myself last year. Super hard work, Ive never been so tired in my whole life, but the chance to have a little miniature restaurant for a couple of weeks is priceless. And we made some very cool friendships there, times to never forget. So yesterday when I walked in the village I felt some sentiment from not doing the booth this year. That was a choice. It was just to much work to do again this year with our current jobs. This was me working the grind there ;)
Everything in this booth was homemade and installed by us. Fridges, stoves,signs, literally everything. It was really our own concept and it worked!
The other side of the bar
This year I will be on the better side of the bar. I wont be going to all the big shows, but I love the parades!
This is a typical Caribbean carnival parade outfit. Lots of feathers, lots of skin, and well accepted to show some Caribbean butts haha. So many ladies walk these parades with pride. It beautiful to see! Minor detail, an outfit like this will cost you around $600-$1000, that is how important this event is.
An other parade I will attend is the jouvert morning parade. This parade starts at 4 AM and contains a lot of paint coming from the tradition that people cover themselves with mud for protection of the sun at the break of dawn.
During this parade people will jump in from everywhere and the fact that it STARTS in the middle of the night gives it an extra dimension.
Well there we are!
Two weeks of party still ahead of us! Time to hit the road!
Images from Sint Martin Carnival website and the outfit is from pinterest