I think I heard that after 27 years, today will be the last day for the Frontline Bookstore in Dominica. If so this is the second bookstore which has closed in recent months (Pages bookstore also closed this year). For me this is a sad occassion. When I used to come on holiday to Dominica, I could not go back without at least one visit to FrontLine and being back it became a regular Roseau stop. I could always get the latest books by local authors and poets, the latest CD by our musicians, find out what cultural shows, poetry readings, art exhibitions, hikes etc were taking place or just stop for a chat. So I wish Sealey, Zenith and all the others I used to meet at Frontline the very best. It will certainly be missed.
I read on http://thedominican.net that the Frontline Cooperative Bookstore was founded in 1982 by Eddie "Izzar" Toulon, Gabriel Christian and others.
The other night I was driving home and came across a snake in the middle of the road. I got out to shoot it (we have no poisonous snakes in Dominica but I was still keeping my distance) and this crazy cat started stalking the snake...I had to admire its bravery...or stupidity
In September 1976, when I was 8 years old, my father said we were leaving Dominica for England. To be honest I had no idea what he was talking about. All I knew was one minute I was coming to terms with the end of mango season and trying to decide which halter neck top and bell-bottom combination to wear, and the next, my halter necks were replaced with thick woolly jumpers, I was getting off an aeroplane at Heathrow wondering what on earth just happened and wondering what language people in Ipswich would speak. My journey back home probably began at that very moment and ended on September 8th 2005, nearly 30 years later. We hear about migration all the time. It has completely changed, and will continue to change, the global social landscape. It has had huge and complex consequences for countries and individuals, sending ripples down generations. The majority of Dominicans are likely to have been touched by migration in one way or another. Our own history as a people begins with forced and voluntary migration. I have always been interested in the human element, the impact on individuals; those who leave, those who remain and those who return, the children and grandchildren down the generations. The impact on things like identity, culture, belonging, family units, the place you regard as home. I recently read an article about reverse migration or return migration and how the economic situation has prompted some Latin American migrants in the US to return home. It will be interesting to see if this reversal becomes significant and if it causes any unforseen issues. Nation's economic woes prompt reverse migration Stories from returned Dominicans: Home Again Book
Ever since I saw my friend Steve's fab hummingbird shot Steve's Hummingbird Photo
I have been trying to capture my own hummingbird picture. Unfortunately these fidgety birds never stay still and by the time I have composed, focused and pressed to shoot, they have long gone, together with my patience, laughing their little heads off.
But last weekend I had some time on my hands and happened to be in a garden full of hummingbirds. I spent hours chasing them up and down and finally managed to get a few shots. I wish I read these useful tips beforehand. Shooting a Hummingbird with a camera
There are 4 species of hummingbird found in Dominica. This one, the purple-throated carib (eulampis jugularis) is the biggest. The others are: green-throated carib hummingbird, antillean crested hummingbird and the endemic blue-headed hummingbird.
It has been a while since I have been on a long hike. Too much sitting in front of the computer and driving around the island so I was itching to stretch my legs. Not sure I wanted to stretch them that much though. The hike up to Morne Micotrin is not for the faint hearted and pretty much every step has the potential to sprain ankles. Don't think serious hikers would be impressed with my technique for getting down, much of it was spent on my backside. The views are breath taking though. More Morne Micotrin Hike Photos - click here
Since coming back home I find myself saying a lot "Wow! Dominicans have so much talent". And yet again at the 2nd Nature Island Literary Festival and Book Fair held from the 7th to the 9th August, I sat watching an array of gifted Dominican poets, writers, musicians and readers.
Last year one of the highlights of our reunion celebrations was the 1st literary festival and after hearing so often "Dominicans don't read and aren't interested in books" I was glad the event was such a success and that it was to become an annual event. With an impressive line-up and more resources last year, this year was always going to be a challenge for the organisers but we were not disappointed.
From our local line-up:
The readers made me want to revisit old books and keen to read the new ones (I especially thought the "Home Again" readers did a fab job... ;-) I might be slightly biased as these people hold a special place in my heart), the music of Gelina Fontaine and her musical partner was refreshingly very different, the Spanish love poems were indeed very passionate and read with much enthusiasm, the Sixth Form Sisserou Singers were great as usual especially under trying sound and lighting conditions (they would go down so well at a World Music event) and the open mike/new voices from DA poets were again so encouraging and inspiring (Ameka Cognet and Tamara Lowe completely blew me away).
From the invited guests:
Colin Channer ("Bob Marley with a pen", conscious man, the murmurs and glances from the crowd when he read a certain passage from his book was priceless), Earl Lovelace and his daughter Asha Lovelace (Asha's film "Joebell and America" adpated from one of her fathers short stories was funny but had some important messages), Marie-elena John (very fascinating insight into the challenges of turning a book into a movie. Look out for the movie of her book "Unburnable" to be produced by Rudy Langlais), Rudy Langlais (How these two people got connected is a story in itself & I only found out recently that this famous producer had Dominican roots), Aja (spreading the poetic message that we should be more united and the world needs more love), Kwame Dawes (funny, engaging, thought provoking. His readings from "Wisteria", poems written from interviews with elderly African American women from South Carolina was food for thought with regard to our centenarians), Adrian Augier (powerful poetry and beautifully read) & Janete Scobie (daughter of Edward Scobie, I will look out for her new book "The Seeds of Green Mangoes").
All these sessions were entertaining and interesting but Earl Lovelace reading from his new book, "It's only a movie" (very topical) just had me in stitches and I really did not want him to stop.
What appealed to me most about the event this year, was how relaxed, unpretentious and casual the atmosphere. You didn't feel like you had to have a Phd. or dress in a certain way to feel comfortable there. All were made to feel welcome.
The guests chosen for this years event had alot to do with that, what nice, generous people. These were well known, published writers, performance poets, producers, film makers, busy people who did not have to come to our little island but who did and looked like they were genuinly happy to be here. They read and performed as if they were in front of a much larger audience than our meagre offering. They held workshops, answered questions, sat amongst the audience, interacted, were open, encouraging, engaging, approachable and most of all inspiring. They were people, the younger generation especially, could identify with, talking about things they could relate to.
All in all I thought the festival was captivating and stimulating.
It stirred up a hunger for me to read more Caribbean writers and exposed what talent we have to nurture. For sure we have the makings of a Colin, Earl, Marie-elena or Kwame in our midst.
I am just sorry that the audience turn out was not higher over the weekend. Dominicans truly missed out. I have no idea why as the event was FREE, the UWI open campus garden setting was relaxing, the weather excellent, there was food and drink available and the programme jam packed and very impressive.
Sincere thanks and much cudos has to go to the hardworking organising committee headed by Alwin Bully. I know I'm not the only one who thoroughly enjoyed this years festival and wish it every success. We are already looking forward to next year.
I am not sure which year the first rabbit festival was held in the village of Cochrane, Dominica but this is the second one I have been too. It really is a beautiful setting in a field surrounded by lush green mountains and a great example of a thriving community event. It's a day the whole family can enjoy and is normally a lot of fun with different rabbit dishes to sample. The rain dampened things slightly this year and getting in and out of the village was even more eventful than last year but I'm already looking forward to next year's event. More Rabbit Festival Photos - click here Rabbit Festival article in the Dominica Food & Drink Guide - click here
