"Mon-eeque! Mek ah we walk 'bout likkle piece!"
"Miss Mary! Mek ah we walk 'bout likkle piece."
"Miss Prince, G'al, ah whey you dey. Come, ah we a walk 'bout likkle piece."
"Ah how fa-ahr you ah go?"
"Ah we a gwaan a sea side over by Ole Road."
"Wait likkle bit. Mek me get me shoes."
I won't translate it all. I will ask you to sound it out if you are Caribbean and make a Carib Folk Friend if you are not :-).
But, this was a very common occurence when I was at home in Bolans Village, Antigua. A group, usually connected to the local Christian Mission church, which was a locally-founded, sparse outfit, up 'de road a-piece from my grandmother's house. It was even closer to Mamma's house than Andrew's Corner shop (that green-painted shop from the St. Patrick's day blog over at THE Caribbean Folklore Project).
People walking with flashlight in hand by moonlight to sea side, gathering steam and company along the way until we wound up at sea side. Prayer was possible but it wasn't a requirement. Baptism was possible, but it wasn't a requirement. A mind that needing soothing, a spirit that needed accompaniment, a soul that needed community--and "mek me get me shoes" as a response was the only requirement. And we walked and laughed and talked and told about old folk creatures and characters until we were one under the moon.
So, you might guess my next piece of advice. Well, you could be wrong. I'm not suggesting power shoes and power walks. Get an old calypso tune blasting on your kitchen radio. Call a friend. Get those children under the age of 14 who have no choice if they wish to secure their allowances; get that love of yours who hasn't danced with you since the holidays. Open up your Skype account and "walk 'bout!" even if it's just in the kitchen stomping aroud like Lord Kitchener on stage. Make a family "pappyshow" or as I have been known to do in between grading papers--get a free standing full-length mirror and give yourself a treat: YOU!
If you need a good link. Here's YouTube of Lord Kitchener. I firmly believed he named himself before my birth for my benefit! And be like the old lady in the song: I'm referring to myself :-), and "walk a mile and a half".
We will travel across places other than your kitchen on this journey, BUT first I have to know that you are serious. So start in the kitchen, venture out to the living room--oh, yes, that's the spirit, step in and out of the pantry, too. See you on a "Walk 'Bout" near you.
m.
Epilogue Pages of Course #3: Before the moon was full.
Avant que la Lune est devenu plein
avant que la Lune était pleine
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avant que la Lune était pleine
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photo courtesy of La Cuisine Haïtienne Society on Facebook
If it's food and it's Caribbean, I'm there! Literally.
And I'm willing to take you with me, by land, by sea, or by Skype :-)!
We'll take you on an all expenses paid (to your Internet Service Provider) worldwide journey through our Carib Folks Kitchens/Retaurants/Food Carts all over the earth and moon. All you need is your pajamas and this passport:
which links you to Our Customs gate at: http://www.facebook.com/THECaribbeanFolkloreProject If you agree to get time-stamped by our "LIKE" button, you automatically get exclusive First Class seating, by being privy to our updates and FREE in-flight gifts. Now, that's a LOT better than waiting around for some uniformed dame or dude to toss you some peanuts!
by Patrice Douge: from Travel Across: 72 Hours in Jacmel/Marigot Haiti former Reuter's phtographer, photojournalist, and now a featured artist at our Skinny Carib Selects photo suite
AND For those of you, like me, do what my Aunt Alice calls "going local" -- using Human Transportation and Public Facilities to get around the shopping mall or the globe, you might find these useful. For me, they have been a health and peace-of-mind savior and when I found out that they give back to communities in need, mmmhmmm, that just sits WELL with the Skinny Carib.
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All that and they support Children Living in Poverty,too.
OR
Get the Pink Power Pack
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http://store.toletta.com/?Click=730
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Food Pics for QUAND LA LUNE EST PLEIN:
Breakfast, Lunch, Sides or Main, Pretty Drinks
[for approval by M. Simon, for perusal if you are lucky enough to enjoy this preview, pre-launch]
Photos Courtesy of Haiti Caraibe on behalf of La Cusine Haiitienne
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~~~~~~~~
Food Pics for QUAND LA LUNE EST PLEIN:
Breakfast, Lunch, Sides or Main, Pretty Drinks
[for approval by M. Simon, for perusal if you are lucky enough to enjoy this preview, pre-launch]
Photos Courtesy of Haiti Caraibe on behalf of La Cusine Haiitienne
