Sunday 26th Feb
The bands starts at 5am this morning, we had been warned that the whole streets would be alive for the pyjama parade. We were quite taken by the idea of rowing ashore for it but rain came, not that it seems to put a damper on the proceeding, we could still hear the music go but I did not fancy being soaked to the skin in my nightie! It sound really mad though!
Fortunately, the sky is clear for the main event in the afternoon. This really feels like the revellers of the early morning are still swamping the streets and have been joined in the meantime by the whole of the population of Fort de France. We are over an hour early and all the pavements are lined with people up to 3 deep in some places, all along the parade route and everyone has made an effort and is dressed up, even little tots. There are food stalls, ice cream sellers abd my favourite the whistleman. His white suit is covered in whistles of all shapes and sizes glinting in the sun, even his hat is a whistle... must have one!
And then it starts, mayhem from the word go. The gathered crowd was only waiting for the music to join in and join in they do, either parading around in wonderful costumes or making statement with their outfit. I have never seen so many men dressed in fishnet tights and tutu, again very much in a fun way, with make-up to match. All the bands have a swarm of dancing and singing people following them, all ages, all shapes and sizes. It is just brilliant. The energy is overwhelming and the music compelling. Even the kid’s hooters which are so loud are punctuating the general din and goading you along. We do manage to stay put, jigging around on the spot, until we recognise the first float coming back for its second circuit and then we just jumped in, following the bands.
