Carnival
Carnival!
The Carnaval of Romans (Emmanuel Leroi Ladurie) shows how the world is turned upside down, multiple times, in the mediaeval town of Romans' Carnaval. South American and Caribbean Carnival is an explosive festive show to present oneself and it becomes very visible who is presenting. Some grow and ignite their surroundings with a joy and fiery enthusiasm, few look depressed and damaged despite their costumes and make-up. The kids carnival in Philipsburg is equally interesting for the parade as for the people watching the parade; proud parents and grandparents on the sides and young adults making their own statements through clothing, attitude and behaviour.
Outsiders are made to fools wondering where and when what will happen. The schedule is changed days before the events, only sketchy information is available while insiders know exactly what will happen. The world upside down must be a bonus for the insiders. We as outsiders ask many times and get an array of opposing answers. In the end we follow our noses and arrive in time at the perfect spot at the beginning of the parade. A friendly atmosphere, day to day issues have dissolved and distinction between classes vanished. We are a group of four cruisers, three Dutch one American. I manage to shoot 400 photos in the 40 minutes the parade passes. Through the lens I see kids of equal age, one nearly grown up in her perception of the world, the other still very much a child. I notice the contagious joy and leadership of one person extending to a whole group. What a fun! I hope you can see the same things from the photos shared with you.
Sunday and Monday are the big parades. I will select the date with the best light for photos. You will hear more from me.
Tuesday May 3, 2016
Yesterday was the final grand parade with grown ups and kids in Philipsburg. I was glad that I did see the kids parade. They were more enthousiastic then, a bit tired now. The adult or as the organisers said, the mature people, were still very much into it. Mostly women were in the parade. Proudly showing their costumes, in most cases designed to show their bodies. And I must admit, they are right to be proud of their bodies. Fat or thin, old or young, the fierce proudness makes them beautiful. I was very visible with a big white telelens at the side of the parade and I guess some women hoped to get their picture in next days newspaper and did an extra effort to let me take their photo's. They had a nice smile for me as thanks!
Sunset over Saba
This is the Lagoon as seen from the fort over Marigot with Marigot bay in the foreground.
