page 1 of 6

I haven't been down to a Red Ants J'Ouvert in quite a few years, and I say that would put me in a good position to come to a nice conclusion based on some comparison. Without putting down any other J'Ouvert band, ah must say that putting back on the antlers (well cricket bat.... since the theme for 2007 was "West Indi-ants" in support of the West Indies for 2007 World Cup Cricket) this year was a nice experience. Like everything that falls under the TRIBE umbrella... I found the presentation very professional.

Dat said, TJJ fall thru bout 3:30am after struggling to get mankind outta he bed or out of some other fete. I does wonder why I trying to linkup so much people just to lose dem as soon as ah reach! Somebody help meh! By de time we reach and find a “quasi” safe parking spot, de army of ants was done out of de nest and ready to bite.... music trucks were warming up and plenty paint was done gushing bout de place. In my experience Red Ants have real smallies.... so is time to look for some “biting insects... ent!”

Pulling out of Wild Flower park and heading north thru St. Clair, thru Federation park, de trucks make a small pass round a block of Northern St. James.... pass Long Circular and right back where we come from. Now I ent have no problem with de route.... it was good for the time and distance, it was safe (very important) and it pass a few places where ah wall crew could assemble. What I ent feel from de route was de “real” J'Ouvert feeling of running thu de streets like a "Ole Devil." Is like de mas making ah change. This route was very secluded and private, not even de bourgeoisie people stick out dey head outta dey big house to see what causin all de rucksion.... tuh me is was like one ah dem furrin J'Ouvert parties were you does go and get muddy or paint up.... and party in de people compound. Maybe I missin some black oil and meh pitch fork??!! I felt like getting dutty till I look like I crawl outta de pitch lake and come to take prisoners back with meh! ;-)

Ah put dem nostalgic emotions behind meh and settle for one ah dem pretty Red Ants bumsies for ah small wine. If lucky, I might ah find one who woulda take me back to her pitch late? Hehe. But that wasn't the case. Truth be told, but de well ever flowing bar was my date that morning..... drinking meh joys and sorrows away, ah find meh self amongst de best of friends and end up having de time of meh life.

Antlers for me again next year! Oh, there's a touch of Section 8 J'Ouvert pics at the end of the gallery.

Dr. Ram Dass for the TJJ fam

====================================
Related Galleries
TnT Carnival 2007 Coverage
TnT Carnival 2006 Coverage