Bacchanal Jamaica Update
Ok. Again, Let me start by stating that I LOVE my islands carnival. It is beautiful and full of a vibe that only our vibrant Jamaican people can bring. The following commentary is more a plea for improvement than criticism.
Today was advertised as the opening of Mas Camp here in Jamaica and the first day of availability for costumes and the launch of the official website.
Well, your man Lehwego trundled down to the new Mas Camp to take a look.
Construction on the venue is in full swing and on entering the venue i got a good look at the work in progress.
I turn the corner and see a small tent sheltering about six or seven people and a small table.
The table houses a small binder with photographs of this years costumes.
There is one binder and its not that big…so I wait…and wait…getting distant glimpses over shoulders.
Nearby is a small cramped office with staff already taking costume orders.
The female costumes cost just under 200usd for some of the costumes…still a bargain by many standards especially knowing the fun that the road experience is here.
My problem was it felt like I was signing up for a job on the construction site more than for a beautiful and relatively expensive experience on the road.
What I experienced today did not make me feel that I was signing up for something special. It was simply a method of collecting money.
Now, I can already hear “This is Jamaica, and its much cheaper, we should just take what we get“. How much money would it cost to find a more comfortable location for sign ups at least till the construction at mas camp is complete. One of the many sponsors could be approached to provide a convenient space. A convenient space owner could be approached to become a sponsor in exchange for its use! That cost excuse is like saying you shouldn’t aspire or attempt to improve because you dont have resources currently! Some innovative thinking can go a long way, especially when you have the ONLY carnival in the entire country on your side of the bargaining table.
Others will say…”this is not soca country”. I, however, think that carnival in Jamaica is reaching a point where we too have fanatic masqueraders who will (hopefully) demand a better overall experience both on and before the road.
I personally can think of MANY more ways to make the Jamaican Masqueraders experience more fun and more convenient and comfortable. I’m going to do my best to bring some of those ideas to you this year. Stay tuned, hopefully good news is on the horizon.
Check out the official bacchanal jamaica website.
For now, Bacchanal Jamaica is our only choice when it comes to getting our carnival fix here in Jamaica. I will do my best to bring you all the news, photos and video I can (if I dont get banned).
Stay tuned.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_etcIDs9Tk8?wmode=transparent]
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AriaDne. I hate apostrophes:). It’s a bad habit of mine to not proofread before I publish. There are many more mistakes if you read more of the articles. I will make an effort to be more creative and put in those pesky punctuations:).
I do agree that they could have found an alternate location to open the Office until construction of the Camp was complete- it would have surely continued the mystery of the place.But I suppose with so many things on their minds for the new place, they just set up shop like how they have become accustomed.It was hot and steamy. But excitement (and disgruntled patrons) was palpable.I hope LIME sorts out their phone line very soon so that they can take calls, and get in their card machine!!! PS> LehWeGo- don’t you like apostrophes? lol.. I LOVE my island’s Carnival, too!!