carnival

i ended up going to carnival on tuesday after all.  it was a good time.  watched the start of the parade with two fellow PCVs, austin and allegra.  there are different groups that they call bands because they follow a big truck with speakers on it blaring different calypso songs.  some of the groups were contestants and winners from the carnival princess and queen contests (pageant shows), school groups, and companies.  some of the costumes were so elaborate.  the lady w/ the parrot was pulling it on wheels and stopped every now and then to flap the wings.  the guy in the middle is dressed as a sensay, a traditional costume for carnival.  i think it's absolutely terrifying.  the little ladybug is too cute.

as the day progessed, it was hot and we had to seek refuge in rituals, the starbucks of the caribbean, which made us a little sad, but it was worth it for the AC. we weren't allowed to hang out in the PC office.  met up with another PCV julie and some of her friends with whom we had a few drinks and watched the sunset over the caribbean sea (julie, me, and austin):

at night, the parade continued, but the music switched from a very light calypso to bouyan and some of the top bands on the island rode around on the big trucks playing while people followed around on the streets chipping (dance walking).  met up with some of my trafalgar friends towards the end (bernel, arthlene, and arthurton):

i'm glad that i decided to go, had a lot of fun.  going to work the next day being tired and with a much worse cold than the day before wasn't fun, but everyone was in the same boat.

tomorrow 10 new trainees arrive in dominica.  we're going to the airport to meet them.  they seem cool from the facebook stalking i've done.  should be fun.