Sept. 12, 2010

 

100% garifuna

today we went to the garifuna festival in punta gorda

what a wonderful day

they usually have it on april 12 to commemorate their

anniversary in coming to roatan 

but they had it now and what a turn out they had.

it was so great!

usually they hold it under a small bandstand

that is packed with food vendors, dancers and drummers

but today they went on the beach opposite the church

and they had many tents set up with food to be tasted:

machuca, bbq pork, fresh whole fish, rice and beans,

refried beans and delicious cakes and cookies!

so delicious!

there also were alot of people selling things

i was happy to see that pedro's wife was there selling jewelry

i was happy to meet more of her children.

i bought a pair of earrings...of course!

and the dancing!!!

oh my goodness!

the garifuna know how to dance!

it thrills my soul to watch them in their colorful costumes

dancing to the earthy beat of the drum.

i have many photos which i am uploading to my other blog

i will link to that once i am finished there.

here you go! 

the girl in the previous photo is the little one in the purple dress

what a  way to spend an sunday afternoon

by the sea

with people who own the sand, the sea and the sky 

and dance like no one is watching!

August 24, 2010

  

jonesville point

a walk way to the sea and sky

this little bridge is at the end of the point

and charlie, our guide, who took us

through the mangroves

told us

'dis is where we's goes swimmin'

da wada she be real clear here'

oh i should tell you!

while i was flying home 

to roatan 

a couple of ladies overheard that i lived

in roatan and one of them

joanna

came over and asked if i'd take them on a tour

of course!

we had a great day together

isabel and joanna

two wonderful chicks 

from new york

made my day!

we went to miss peggy's clinic where

joanna gave a donation of medical supplies

then we went to jonesville

through the mangroves

enjoyed a nice visit with flora at 

punta gorda and the serene quiet of 

the simple  life there

went through coxen hole

visited the 'made in roatan' shop

where we picked up bob

then they wanted to go up in the colonia

so i took them there

we ran into roberto (not literally)

from channel 4 

and he introduced us to a family

so poor

yet so happy.

a young girl was there happily washing clothes outside

by hand

when he told us that the 8 year old girl

hadn't gone to school yet

both isabel (a teacher)

and i (a softie)

both started to cry.

there are so many needs on this island.

we need wisdom to know what to do

i gave them some money to help with food

but i think i will go back there with more for them

or perhaps you'd like to sponsor

the girl to go to school??

it costs about 500L (35.00) a year

for school supplies, fees

and the uniform to go to school.

let me know.

xo

June 19, 2010

my kind of traffic

today i took a couple of volunteers for a tour

to the east side

my favorite area of the island

this photo was taken 

while in jonesville

jonesville could be called the venice of roatan

since most people live along the shores of the bight

and use boats as the main way of transportation

we had a great tour through the mangroves

explored punta gorda

and gave the girls a chance to swim with  nurse sharks, turtles 

and stingrays
(yes it is safe)

a great day!!!

the plus was that bob decided to come along too

which makes any day better!!

where do you go to get away from all the madness, traffic and noise?

my advise:  Go there!

 then just stand still.  

It is good for the soul

be still and know that He is God

April 12, 2010

garifuna festival

went to Punta Gorda today for the annual Garifuna celebration.
This is the 213th year since their arrival on Roatan.
it is so wonderful to see how they have maintained
their customs, culture, language and authentic cuisine over the years.
they have not be affected by the south american culture or the
north american culture.

we walked along side them
in the hot sun
as they  paraded through town,
along the shores of their tiny fishing village
and watched them re-enact
landing on the shores in  dug out canoes
we so enjoyed their dancing, singing, drumming and enthusiastic joy.

 they were dressed to the 'nines' for this momentous occasion
the colors were astoundingly beautiful!!!
i met my friend catherine there
she had her dress made in the capital of  tegucigalpa
it was specially designed for this event.
those are her 3 daughters on the front!

the sounds of their singing and the rhythmic beating
of the drums
brought tears to my eyes
as it reminded me of years ago when bob and i were in
africa.

they have such spirit
such determination
such joy.
so glad we made the trek over the other side of the island
to share it with them!