4:00 a.m. BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. Actually, it wasn’t too bad waking up. I was actually happy it was time to get up, its not like I had to go to work. Working sucks. Why do people work. If I had to wake up at 4:00 am to go to work, I would be on the verge of mass depression. Even though the official start time was 4:00 am, I am a long enough resident to understand “Island Time.” I figured 4 means 5 so I worked it out to hit it around 5. Headed down to the Waterfront and noticed the lack of people. Now there were people walking around and there was decent traffic, but nowhere close to what I would consider a lot based on something as large as Carnival. Well, my “Island Time” still needs to be dialed in. Although the crowds increased there was still no dancing or even any music. We just sat there and sat there saying “good morning” to a few people I knew. Around 7:30 the music kicked on, finally. Now an added benefit to island life is the surprise rain storms. As soon as the music started, it was like a rain switch turned on. We got drenched but it only added to the fire. It was cool when a rainbow popped up. Anybody who plans on doing the J’ouvert, let me clue you in on some helpful hints.

First, don’t go at 4 am. Hell, don’t get up until around 7. It might be tougher to get parking since a lot of the streets are blocked off, but it in no way compares to the strain of getting up earlier. Secondly, this is not a grab a lawn chair and sit and watch as the parade marches past you. This is best watched as a participant, elbow to elbow, well make that elbow to ass as that is what the dancing is all about. The parade actually starts down by the Cemetary, so you might as well head down that direction first thing. There are 4-5 18 wheeler rigs carrying these huge ass speakers and a bunch of band equipment. They crank up the tunes until your heart starts beating in a different rhythm. The crowds pick a trailer and surround it while “shaking that ass.” The truck cruises at around a half a mile an hour giving everybody a chance to get their grind. Its not the big costume party as one might imagine although there were a lot of people dressed up, but it was primarily a chance for people to participate. Well the whole parade lasted about 4 hours. With my eyes still vibrating from the girations of some pretty good shakers, I dragged my less that active ass home. Sleeeeeeepppppp.

Here are a couple of short vids to get you in the Carnival mood.

parade vid 1

parade vid 2

parade vid 3

parade vid 4