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[kilgiraffe]

So tomorrow, being the first Monday of August, is a very monumental time in the island. Why? Because it's festival time And this year, it's on August 3rd [tomorrow!] So I shall enlighten my fellow TravelPodians to our little party..

Kadooment Day is the culmination of the Crop Over season. It is historically to celebrate the end of the sugar cane season, where the workers were able to finally rest after months of labour. Today, it's a huge cultural celebration and a way of reminding the population of our heritage

Crop Over lasts for a little over a month, with various activities. Unfortunately I don't know all of these off of the top of my head [this post needs more research, eheheh..] but it goes something like this..

*It starts with the Ceremonial Delivery of the Last Canes, towards the end of June/beginning of July. This is fairly self explanatory..
*Next, there's our version of American Idol: Pick O' De Crop. Basically people writing and performing their own soca [soul + calypso] songs, battling for the top position
*There's the King and Queen of Crop Over.. not sure of the specifics on this, I think it has something to do with costumes though? Will research this *blush*
*Finally, there's Kadooment Day, known locally as "Jump Up Day" because of the huge festival! Several bands will be on individual trucks rolling down the Spring Garden Highway leading into Bridgetown and persons may choose a band of their choice to "jump up" behind - basically, dancing. Ridiculous amounts of alcohol is served for free as part of the band admission, and everybody is in costume. For girls, this means a very skimpy sequined bikini with a feather headpiece, and for guys surf shorts and some form of neckplate. It's also in midday sun so we get very VERY sunburnt..

For the record, yes I am jumping up this year and yes I will be putting photos in my blog. Keep an eye out! And I'll update this once I get the chance to research.. gotta get ready now, though!

[greekcypriot]

Even the name Barbados has an exotic atmosphere!
I believe this month is the beginning of tthese kind of celebrations in every part of the world, but the place where you live makes the picture more interesting.

Let us know when you post those photos. I am sure they will be very interesting.

[kilgiraffe]

Okie just for reference, the blog I put up for this is here:
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entri...40725/tpod.html

But wow my legs hurt, didnt realise how far I'd have to walk!

[greekcypriot]

" After getting a healthy 3 hour sleep" !!
Probably this was one of the reason that you were exhausted too soon.
Do you mean for you the 3 hour sleep is natural?

The day sounds interesting - like a carnival. But walking under the heat is indeed an exhausting experience. Plus drinking! Makes things even worse. But it is an experience that you will always remember and this is good.

Waiting for the photos now.

http://www.travelpod.com/members/greekcypriot
(New entries of the Aegean Sea in Samos, Many photos)

[kilgiraffe]

No, 3 hours sleep is DEFINITELY not natural, that was me being pretty sarcastic.. but probably! It was more from the walking that I was tired, though..