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WHAT A CARNIVAL!?
by Powys Dewhurst
March 11th 2003
My carnival began with a funeral-a farewell to the flesh, and ended with a celebration of life. When the funeral procession rolled past a school, carnival began for me. The morning of the National Queen show-the sweet sounds of Calypso just breezed through the black clad mourners and slapped me in the face like never before. It hit me hard. I never would have thought, but carnival was fantastic. Well except for the King and Queen thing.
But Daddy Chess made me lose my wallet. He told me to jump, jump, jump and me and my stupid wallet listened. The wallet must have leaped out of my back pocket under hundreds of feet. But 30 minutes later, some Good Samaritan returned it to the Police fairly intact, along with 4 other wallets! We still have great Dominicans among us folks, and I wish I could have met the person who turned it in. Thank you. I hope I can return the favour someday, whoever you are. Its funny how killers get the front page, but Good News never sells.
Even Police were tops this carnival. Efficient, fast, no nonsense. 56 arrests, a new record on Monday and Tuesday. 56 jailbirds stuffed into 4 jail cells. It should have been a Tropical container bound for Jail Bird Island. I hope they learn why the caged jailbird sings in prison, but its family paper. The good people of Dominica sang out against lawlessness this year: In Roseau, its Clang, Clang, Clang, they jail somebodaay!!!
Still, Carnival was the best I had since Reunion 1998. 15 years! Maybe carnival doesnt have to be big, doesnt have to be flashy. I learned this year that its not how you spectate but how you participate. No need to spend money you dont have-Get with friends, somebody you like, and get some good clean fun going, add a dash of Carnival Corner and a sprinkle of monster costume and BAM! Send your negativity to Trinidad Carnival. It was an awakening this year, next year look out costume time. Still, I hope God didnt see me in that funeral procession chipping to Pissanit! Pissanit!
Powys Dewhurst is a freelance photographer and journalist.
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