With Love From The Bahamas - Junkanoo!

Hello Lovelies!

Yes, I have been awol for a while but I have lots to share with you! In my next post I will let you know where I disappeared to all this time and why I took a break from blogging.  I love you all. :)

Now for some exciting stuff.
I bring you the greatest cultural festival on earth!

This stunning explosion of Art, expression and color is called JUNKANOO which is one of the truest expressions of Bahamian culture.  If you are from the BAHAMAS, you bleed Junkanoo. End of story.

Junkanoo is held on Boxing day and New years day.  It is a spiritual experience that is unlike anything you will ever experience.  The closest to it is Carnival.  But, even Carnival does not even come close.  Imagine a parade more than 1000 strong with people wearing and carrying the most creative, stunning 3d Art pieces ever created.  Now imagine more than half of the members masterfully playing music in unison.  The most energetic rythmic pulsating, hypnotic "get in your marrow" music.  The music is so infectious you literally lose control....



As you dance to the sound of


Handmade
Goat Skin Drums.

Horns


Custom made
Cow Bells!

And other instruments.


There are many groups and they all dance and perform
with unbridled intensity and passion.

It is phenomenal.  
Epic. 
Amazing.

All that and some biscuits!


(And this Bahamian girl is not biased at all. :) 

CHERIO!

There's No Place Like home

My brother's girlfriend went to the Bahamas recently and shot these exquisite pictures. They really made my day.  I live in Atlanta now and even though I love it here, I miss home. I miss the laid back lifestyle, the food, the music, and the ocean......especially the ocean.   Like Dorothy said in the Wizard of Oz, "there's no place like home." I feel you girl.

When I was a little girl I would take my fishing line and spend hours sitting on these rocks trying to catch a fish.  I loved to feel the little nibbles on my line, even though I could not see the fish that was doing the nibbling below the waves.  It was always fun to imagine it was a huge fish although I never did catch a fish more than eight inches long.

In my family, there are five of us and we were all aquatic creatures almost as soon as we could walk.  This is my little brother in the picture, he is a very experienced diver and fisherman as is my dad and older brother.  As good as they are though my mom is probably the best at fishing.  That woman is no joke.

If you have ever snorkeled before, there is something magical about being under water.  It's like a whole other world.  The colors are so vivid and beautiful and there is so much life, tranquility and peace while you are down there.  Time seems to stand still.   I used to spend hours diving and swimming, I never tired of it.  Ever.

Sunsets in the Bahamas are spectacular, each one is different and more amazing than the last.  The only thing that can make it more amazing is watching it with the one you love.  My husband and I spent many evenings watching the sun go down.  These pictures brought all those cherished memories back.  It's amazing how precious the little moments are...the ones that we think are not so important at the time.  Like sunsets, dancing with someone special, dinner with friends, a reassuring smile or pat on the back....

So, here's to beautiful memories and enjoying life.  Take time to smell the roses, like right now, and if there should come a time when there are no roses to smell, you will still have the memories.  Forever.

Cherio

And I say to myself....What A Wonderful world!!!