Braids and Carnival Preview
Yesterday morning I got my hair braided! Monica, my friend from work, gets her hair braided a few times a year. Of course, most West Indians have wonderful hair that lets them keep the braids in for months at a time sometimes! She suggested I go to her salon and she called them to say she was sending me. She told them they'd know me when I walked in, and they did!
Getting hair braided can be an all day activity and it starts mighty early. I got there at 7, as instructed, though on Saturdays it's a first-come, first-serve. Lucky for me, since I wasn't getting hair extensions put in (I think I was the only one), someone took me out of order and it started around 9am. My braiding took until 1pm! Wow, it took a long time. It's a very tedious job. I've got 65 braids in my hair!
I really like how it looks and that first thing in the morning, it already looks nice. It's also a big help to keep my hair off my face because it's definitely summer again. It was a bargain price-wise, but i'm not sure if I can endure sitting still for four hours again if I want to do it again sometime. One of the women was super nice and told me all these great things to do this week during Carnival.
This year's Carnival theme is Glamour and Glitz in 2006. Last night was the end of pre-Carnival calypso activities which started about a week ago. Calypso is Caribbean-style music with satirical lyrics. A lot of politics and commentary on local events. A bunch of calypso singers from all over the Caribbean performed at the stadium but we went to bed early and missed it. This is a week of lots of late night activities! Earlier in the week they had the younger calypso players. The Carnival Queen was chosen (I assume the King too?). Also the King and Queen of the Band were selected. I'm not entirely sure what that is, but the pictures of the winners on the front page of the newspaper were amazing - very glamourous and glitzy. (Click on the links above for photos.) Carnival Princess was chosen two weeks ago, and I know a Carnival Prince contest exists but I don't know when it was/is. Yes, the Virgin Islanders love pageants!
Tonight is the Steel Band Jamboree. Tomorrow at 5pm is the official opening of the Carnival Village. The Village is located in the large public parking lot somewhat close to where I work. Since the parking lot is in use, people have to park anywhere they can. Lucky for us, my spot at work is a prime place for the carnival happenings. Wednesday is the Food Fair. Wednesday night/Thursday morning is Jouvert (music parade). Friday is Children's Parade (and a holiday for the court!). Saturday morning is the Carnival Mile running race, followed by the Adult Parade. As we experience these for the first time, we'll post photos and explanations!
Getting hair braided can be an all day activity and it starts mighty early. I got there at 7, as instructed, though on Saturdays it's a first-come, first-serve. Lucky for me, since I wasn't getting hair extensions put in (I think I was the only one), someone took me out of order and it started around 9am. My braiding took until 1pm! Wow, it took a long time. It's a very tedious job. I've got 65 braids in my hair!
I really like how it looks and that first thing in the morning, it already looks nice. It's also a big help to keep my hair off my face because it's definitely summer again. It was a bargain price-wise, but i'm not sure if I can endure sitting still for four hours again if I want to do it again sometime. One of the women was super nice and told me all these great things to do this week during Carnival.
This year's Carnival theme is Glamour and Glitz in 2006. Last night was the end of pre-Carnival calypso activities which started about a week ago. Calypso is Caribbean-style music with satirical lyrics. A lot of politics and commentary on local events. A bunch of calypso singers from all over the Caribbean performed at the stadium but we went to bed early and missed it. This is a week of lots of late night activities! Earlier in the week they had the younger calypso players. The Carnival Queen was chosen (I assume the King too?). Also the King and Queen of the Band were selected. I'm not entirely sure what that is, but the pictures of the winners on the front page of the newspaper were amazing - very glamourous and glitzy. (Click on the links above for photos.) Carnival Princess was chosen two weeks ago, and I know a Carnival Prince contest exists but I don't know when it was/is. Yes, the Virgin Islanders love pageants!
Tonight is the Steel Band Jamboree. Tomorrow at 5pm is the official opening of the Carnival Village. The Village is located in the large public parking lot somewhat close to where I work. Since the parking lot is in use, people have to park anywhere they can. Lucky for us, my spot at work is a prime place for the carnival happenings. Wednesday is the Food Fair. Wednesday night/Thursday morning is Jouvert (music parade). Friday is Children's Parade (and a holiday for the court!). Saturday morning is the Carnival Mile running race, followed by the Adult Parade. As we experience these for the first time, we'll post photos and explanations!
posted by Kendra at 2:57 PM
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