The Grenada Wrap Up: Sights & Fashion Picto Journal

Gorgeous views of Grenada from the Marian area atop hills beyond beautiful mountain peaks.

This trip was supposed to be ten days and in accordance with the Grenada Chocolate Festival.
Alas, I was able to attend one event on one day as opposed to a fully packed nine day schedule. I had to unfortunately cancel my previous nonrefundable bookings, change my Airbnb dates, and lost my wallet in Atlanta. The unperceived financial losses were vast and severe. If it hadn't been for Moneygram, I doubt that my trip would have been as good as it became.
I spent eight days in the warm pleasant environment of Grenada, right in the heart of the Caribbean. Although things hadn't gone originally planned, most days I had a solid time, especially with my lovely host and her family. The weather was supremely gorgeous--not too scorching hot and it rained every night-- which meant cool breeze s through the window and tranquil noise. In addition to the splendid weather, however, there are lots of stray dogs roaming around the island. I have a stray dog phobia and that made my lonely treks around the island much more timid. I managed in the best way possible to overcome the fear-- at least for a little while.

Majestic views from my sweet Airbnb. My host is also a frequent traveler, having just returned from D.C.

Day One: a flowy, mid-calf asymmetrical dress with thick straps,

Day 2: Afrodelik tank, a gift from a friend.

Breadfruit, one of Grenada's primary food staples, grows almost everywhere. Apparently, breadfruit tastes like a potato or fresh baked bread depending on how it's prepared. It is the star of the national dish called "oil down," a one pot meal consisting of breadfruit, bananas, callaloo (or spinach), coconut milk, and spices. I plan to make a vegan version of this soon.

Day 3L Patterned orange tank dress (backless cutout and pockets), a $5 thrift store find.

My host, her son, and I went out to the beach, the Allamande Resort side of Grand Anse. Mother and son swam together. In fact, her father and father-in-law were also swimming. I watched three generations interactwith pure joy and affection, sadly missing out on the simple wonders of life. I had ordered a swimsuit that never arrived. Still, even if had been tucked into my suitcase, I don't think I would have braved standing in the idyllic waters. I don't know how to swim or how I would be able to withstand the breezy waves.

When one has no buckets to make sand castles, there's other art to make-- albeit flatter and portrait like.

On top of the stray dogs, goats are plentiful. These cuties were in my host's backyard curiously staring at me.

Day 4: This dress that I loved so much that I took it to Paris too. Another thrift store find.

Bus fare is 2.50 (or 93 cents in US dollars). Queen Elizabeth I is on most of the monies here.

Breathtaking views at the Melville Street Cruise Terminal where ships and boats of various styles sit in the harbor.

The Osprey Lines Limited Ferry transports inter-island passengers for 80EC each way ($30 US) to Carriacou and Petit Martinique.

I wish fiction fever wasn't boarded up-- probably was a terrific store too early for the time.

Yes! My dry, thirsty skin was thankful to acquire pure cocoa butter (from House of Chocolate). Leaves the skin super moist and chocolaty smelling.

Splendid views from the other side of Grand Anse Beach.

Day 5: Global Couture T-shirt. On a previous day, I had acquired the worst bug bite. It had infected the right side of my nose bridge and underneath my eye, looking like a horrific purple veined bruise. I splashed water on the painful, stinging infection and massaged in Argan oil and cocoa butter. Good as new the next morning-- or as witnessed here on a sun-kissed outing to the beach.

This brick oven wheat bread loaf was extremely delicious. Often, I warmed and coated slices in an olive oil drizzle. I also broke pieces off for the Sweet Potato Coconut Milk Soup.

Fort George formerly Fort Rupert where Maurice Bishop and several of his followers including his partner Jacqueline Creft were executed in October 1983. After the execution, their bodies were burned at another location. Tragically enough, their remains were never recovered. The Maurice Bishop International Airport, located on Maurice Bishop Memorial Highway, is named after Bishop.

An alarming amounts of blood stained the steps towards the fort. I didn't find the hurt victim for the tracks finally stopped (red drippings were on all of the steps and there were many steps). Thus, in regards to history, what happened to Bishop and his devoted followers, my thoughts turned metaphoric.

Day 6: long sleeved black top with a pretty purple floral skirt. The skirt was too large, but I'll tie a string around it or have someone make belt loops for it. The hat (made of paper) is a gift from a friend-- once part of his thesis exhibit at PAFA.

The Sendall Tunnel, a Grenada's national landmark, is a modest structure built for horses and carriages. Cars and buses and pedestrians travel through this daily, but it can be dangerous for pedestrians.  

I took the bus, a 6XCD ($2.22 USD) trip, towards Greenville, sitting through the gorgeous sights of Grand Etang Rainforest (where one can see cacao pods hanging from the trees).

Beaches of Greenville.

A nice guy bought me a drink. He said, "most ladies drink this." Bitters is a usually a botanically infused alcohol, but this is a non-alcoholic beverage that tastes like a Sprite. The Angostura company, also a distillery, is still around in Trinidad and Tobago,making bitters, rum, and other beverages.

A purple spot that sells chips and drinks along the beach.

The first flight is a short one to Trinidad and Tobago (along a tremendously long layover period) then off to Houston, Texas and New York's LaGuardia Airport.  I look forward to returning to Grenada next year-- with better, ironclad plans.

Back to Toronto Part II: 'Brown Girls Begin' Premiere

Red carpet style.

Athena Film Festival and planned Toronto trip fell on the same weekend.
I usually volunteer at the awesome made by/for/about women at Barnard College. However, I couldn’t pass up another trip to Canada, having not visited my dear friends in almost two years. As for the Athena Film Festival, Patty Jenkins' Wonder Woman was the highlight. I don't see myself in that character for endless reasons. Shiri Appleby (from Roswell onto UnReal), the NYC debut of Rungano Nyoni's I Am Not a Witch (recently won a rising star BAFTA among awarded honors from Stockholm, Adelaide, and Mumbai Film Festivals), and Tracy Heather Strain's PBS documentary on playwright/activist Lorraine Hansberry Sighted Eyes/Feeling Heart were the bigger misses.
Thus, on an euphoric Saturday night, I was more than thrilled that my friend and I attended the spectacular opening of Sharon Lewis's feature film release of Brown Girl Begins, an adaptation of Nalo Hopkinson's celebrated dystopian novel, Brown Girl in the Ring. Remaining an exceptional treat, maybe this could be played at Athens Film Festival 19. I believe everyone would enjoy it as much as I do.
Isn't it grand that a woman uses another woman's work as a means of creating a piece guaranteed to inspire all women? Hopkinson had revealed Lewis's persistence in obtaining the book rights, of wanting that story to be brought onto the screen no matter how many years it would take. I loved the narrative of a futuristic world that not only included black people, but also starred a courageous black woman leading the fight against evil.
Art Gallery of Ontario provided a nice, relaxing environment, a great opportunity to mingle: saying hello to the stars, receiving a hug from Emmanuel, asking Nalo Hopkinson writing advice, congratulating Sharon on the street, experiencing the film through my dear friend's eyes. She knew the film locations and some of Toronto's hottest talent like Nigel Shawn Williams who plays Papa Legba.

Us on the red carpet.

Across the red carpet were original concept sketches for the important characters in Brown Girl Begins futurist Toronto. Whip and all, gotta love that Grace Jones was a focus behind Rachel Crawford's vicious villain, Crack.

Tony (Emmanuel Kabongo)'s rustic jacket and boots plus the multi-patterned sweater with asymmetrical white lines outlined in black and vivid orange that he often shares with Ti-Jeanne (Moara Traore).

The sketch and the inspiration-- futurist.

One of the biggest characters in the later part of the film is Ti-Jeanne's vest. It was awesome to see this in person, the details, the cut. Also, I enjoyed it on a smooth, black mannequin.

Art and style inspiration. 

Frills and thrills collide in this fetching long sleeved, silver gray gown with floral adornments and giant faux fur fringes that Measha Brueggergosman's character wears.

The Future is Her....

As fashionably worn by Mouna Traore, serving epic hairstyles and headwrap flawlessness.

With the gracious"brown girl in the ring" herself.

And leading handsome actor Emmanuel Kabongo.

If you missed out on the gorgeous AGO premiere, do not fret. All of Toronto and surrounding Canada still has the chance to see Brown Girl Begins starting tomorrow at the Cineplex Duplex on Yonge-Dondas. For a limited time, please go out to see what audiences are raving about. Plus, last year, I wrote a review on my film blog, FemFilmRogues.
Also, the DVD is on sale now. Yay!!!!!!

Thrifty Fashion Arrives in Florida

On the hammock swing near the treehouse built at Gram's Hostel, in a wash and go 'fro style, Pacifica Enlightment Gloss in Poppy coating pout, I'm in a wild schematic designed polyester dress with asymmetrical trimmed bottom that cost only $7. 

Prior to hitting pleasant Florida scene, at Philly Aids Thrift-- my favorite secondhand shop in Philadelphia, colorful, distinctive clothes spoke my name and shouted out my phone number. Made of breathable fabric, I thought it beneficial to be prepared to relax in the hottest of temperatures with outfits containing thin, weightless material. No sense in being distracted by humidity.
Lace and pattern easily led snazzy curating decisions, matching my upbeat attitude and flair for artsy vogue.

I loved this $7 red on mauve skirt. It matched the gorgeous tone of lettering in Frida's name, flowers, ribbon, and lipstick and has a black mesh lining. However, looking chic was problematic seeing as the skirt kept sliding. I'll be wearing it with suspenders from now on. Or perhaps have my sewing friend make and attach pretty belt loops. Either way, I'm not throwing out the skirt on a technicality that could be mended. After all, little tailoring efforts are key to maintaining a successful thrifty style.

Vintage white polka dot and dark blue three quarter sleeve cotton blouse with black tie ribbon for $4 and beautiful white lacy top with thin black stripes for $3.

$4 Forever 21 light blue and white Peter Pan collar blouse with $5 heather gray lace and black jumper dress in another sweet bathroom pic. And let me say, this is a beautiful bathroom-- brick and mortar, wide open space, clean tiled floor, dim lighting. Good job Café Hey!

Happiness is being on a bunk bed, resting weary travel bones on the top bunk, taking advantage of the ceiling mirror, adoring frugal thrift store finds that border between modern sophistication and vintage trendsetting. I think the Powerpuff Girls would agree on these things.