Life Improvement Tips For The Wise Few

Yesterday, I was in the Festival Village, the new Carnival Village, and I must admit that the village has a professional look. It is a real attraction. I am a Carnival fan, and for the past years, I have been trying to slack off and not attend as much as I used to. Commissioner Theo, big props goes your way, this is one land mark that will be with us for years to come.
I used to take two weeks vacation, would spend my vacation going to all the shows, I really looked forward to Carnival in St. Maarten. It was part of my life, I would do nothing for those two weeks, but enjoy myself.

The shock I got yesterday was seeing the amount of locals that attended “The King of Kings” show. I am glad to see St. Maarten people supporting the local shows, it used to bother me, because I always wondered why they never support their own, even though the price was set much, much lower than the other shows, but I can’t say that anymore. Like “King Bobo”, the winner said, we have to fight, and I can see St. Maarteners are starting to fight and support each other.

KIng Bobo was the winner, 1st runner-up, the “The Mighty Dow” and “Stunky” placed third.

For those of you who haven’t been to the festival village, please do make some time to visit, it will be worthwhile. The village will put St. Maarten on the map for the quality of shows that will be held in the Festival Village.

The show was really great, and the crowd was really participating and enjoying, it was like a mini version of Trinidad Carnival. I did say Mini, but, we getting there.

I don’t like the idea that the Children parade is right around the corner, seeing that Carnival just started, it’s as if we ain’t fully warmed up and have to go into a parade already.

I know your wondering what this has to do with personal development, but this is just me ranting away on what I did for Carnival, but the key point will follow soon. It is part of enjoying yourself and not building a one track minded type of life where I do nothing but try to keep people motivated and inspired to face life. NO, I do have fun and enjoy the shows at the village, and mostly enjoy beating the crap out of those so called Dominoes players in St. Maarten.

If you didn’t know, well now you do. I am a fan of the game, if your ever on the Island or in the Village, come over to any booth and ask where the Dominoe players hang out, and you will find me. If you can play, them just have a seat and take a couple of “Shits” at the same time. Oh, for those who don’t know what a “shit” is, it’s when you don’t get any points during the game.

The sad part of Carnival that mystifies me each year is the amount of kids that are on the village during the wee hours of the night, and I do mean kids under 13 years of age. That image will always bother me, no matter how much I love Carnival. It is a very poor image and show lack of parenting skills. My advice: If you really want to attend the show, then find someone to baby sit or ask a friend to look after your kids, who isn’t going to the show.

Another touchy moment is when you see, those teenage girls, around 14 to 17 years of age hanging out in the village with boys at them funny hours. I can see why Carnival contributes to much of our teen-age pregnancies. As parents, we should attend the shows with them, but when we are leaving, they should leave at the same time. If you believe your kids is responsible enough to be out that late and all alone, don’t see how you can even think that, then talk to your kids, and give them deadlines to be home on time.

Carnival is what I call predator season, it is when Alcohol gets the best of everyone and they go wild drinking and partying all night long. Some folks don’t leave the village until late hours, even after the shows are finished, you still see people hanging around.

As parents, we have to make exceptions and be different, let our kids know what times is normal and stick to those times.

When I do go to any show with my teenage kids, I make sure each one has their cell phone, I tell them where to meet if they should get lost in the crowd, I also make sure to tell them to hang-out with only friend their age. They have freedom to roam the Festival Village, I make sure each one of them have 20 dollars in their pocket and give them a time limit as to when we will meet up.

Time limits is set, and I don’t care what time the show runs, I stay with them until we all leave together and around one o’clock is the latest. It works out just fine, that way they get to see what it’s all about and I make it no habbit, they get to go to only one show for the two weeks. The only other activities we watch is the parades, and we watch them together, eat BBQ chicken/ribs and drink until we have little pouches in front of us.

To all whom will be taking part in our Carnival activities at the Festival Village, keep it safe and enjoy your Carnival. It takes two to tango, so walking away is a wise thing. Have a safe and enjoyable St. Maarten Carnival to all our visitors as well.