Monday evening the DJ Trucks cranked up the music and energy to extreme levels and again took to the the streets of St. George around the Lagoon and Carenage for the Monday Night Mas . We could hear these Trucks all day even on our boat anchored outside the harbor so by the middle of the day we too could sing along with most of tunes. This Mas is comprised of different bands of revelers who have purchase packages to participate in this unique nighttime parade. Packages can be purchased from local business sponsors, by anyone for about $75 EC. Packages include, a commemorative cup or drink container, all you can drink beer and rum from the bands bar truck that drives along with each group, a glowing wand or saber as well as a Band T-Shirt and an Illuminated Hat and other glowing accessories. The DJ’s riding atop the trucks keep the energy of the slow moving throng up by singing along and shouting directions to syncronize the mass of light saber waving revelers. It was a spectacle that was difficult to capture on film. A number of cruisers purchased packages to participate in this glowing high energy Night Mas. There was a bit of a damper put on the evening for some of these participating cruisers when they discovered they had become victims of a ring of professional pickpockets. One of the cruisers even had the side of his pocket that he had his hand over, cut with a razorblade to gain access. They were lucky to have come away with only the loss of a small camera, a phone, and a little cash. The police and the participating business that sponsored the MNM were very professional and went out of their way to see that the lost items were reported and some were even replaced at a substantial discount. The police later that night busted what turned out to be a number of the pickpockets and found them to be affiliated with a professional ring out of Guyana that follows the Carnival circuit around the Caribbean. Everyone who heard about the thefts was appalled,saddened, and primarily concerned that the incident not reflect badly on warm and caring reputation of the Grenadian People. After a day that started at 3:30am, the evening ended for us around 11:00pm as we drifted off to sleep with the memory of the vivid colors of everything from body paint, to feathers, to light sabers, the sounds of the Songs Mo Mas and Tornado ringing in our ears, and a little buzz from spectacle of the day topped with a few beers and rum.
Tag: Spicemas 2010
Pageant Mas
After a nap we returned to town around 1:00pm to watch the next Mas. The Pageant Mas reminded me a bit more of a high energy home town parade. It again involved the massive sound systems of the DJ Trucks playing a mix of the same 4 songs, followed by extravagantly costumed groups singing and dancing and representing different themes. This parade is also open to anyone who would like to purchase a costume and join in with one of the bands. A number of cruisers, who were staying at the Port Louis Marina, did just that. We walked the parade route and took quite a few pictures before settling down at a spot near one of the judges’ stations along the route. We were dazzled by the creativity and vibrant colors of the costumes some of which are quite elaborate. Everyone including small children walks the entire parade route in the same rhythmic small steps stopping to shake, shimmy, and gyrate along the way. Some of the women did this all in high heels, Yikes! The atmosphere was festive, the people beautiful, and the entire performance was repeated again the following day for the final judging, in even higher heat, with many of the previous days’ high heeled beauties now sporting tennis shoes. I wondered how long they could hold out!
Living the Dream 