Carnival in Grenada
In most countries carnival has something to do with religion, at least remotely. And in most countries, carnival is celebrated in February. Not in the Caribbean. Every country proudly promotes their carnival, which coincidentally never overlap each other. If you really want, you can practically carnival all year round.
In Grenada carnival is celebrated in August, starting Monday morning at 04:00. Luckily we had been warned to wear old clothes, because we had to throw away everything but our underwear when we got home. Locals bring in barrels of paint in every colour, and the less wealthy throw in a couple of gallons of old motoroil. Everyone dances in such close contact that staying clean is not an option. Even Maarten’s dad Rudi, who had just landed with a jetlag and swore to stay clean, turned into a human painting within minutes. Trucks with gigantic speakers stirred up the chaotic parade with relentless Soca. At 10AM, when the heat had become unbearable for dancing, we finally decided to head back home. What a party!
Carnival continued for 3 days afterwards, with more official parades and costumes in Trinidad and Brazilian style. Although it was spectacular, the real party had obviously been the first one.
In Grenada carnival is celebrated in August, starting Monday morning at 04:00. Luckily we had been warned to wear old clothes, because we had to throw away everything but our underwear when we got home. Locals bring in barrels of paint in every colour, and the less wealthy throw in a couple of gallons of old motoroil. Everyone dances in such close contact that staying clean is not an option. Even Maarten’s dad Rudi, who had just landed with a jetlag and swore to stay clean, turned into a human painting within minutes. Trucks with gigantic speakers stirred up the chaotic parade with relentless Soca. At 10AM, when the heat had become unbearable for dancing, we finally decided to head back home. What a party!
Carnival continued for 3 days afterwards, with more official parades and costumes in Trinidad and Brazilian style. Although it was spectacular, the real party had obviously been the first one.