A few weeks ago my new friends Sharelle and Vanessa taught me some Crucian slang. Here on the island it's easy to distinguish between a local and an outsider- outsiders talk about how much fun it was to "hang out", while locals will talk about "bustin ah lime". While there isn't an official origin to this phrase my guess is that it refers to slicing up limes to go with a glass or rum and good company- who knows? This past Friday a group of us drove down to Christiansted for Jump Up, an event that happens a few times a year to celebrate life, culture, music, food and crafts on St Croix.
Jump Up began as a way to boost the economy and moral on the island, and quickly became one of the favorite social events for both locals and tourists. At four times a year the streets of Christiansted are flooded with people enjoying music from a steel drum band, local cuisine, local crafts for sale and performances by the famous Moko Jumbies. My only regret from the evening was that I never actually laid eyes on those talented performers. (http://www.st-croix.net/fun/mokojumbies/index.html) All in all we had a great time, and ended our evening on the boardwalk enjoying a concert projected from boat.
Christiansted Boardwalk
Boardwalk (note the Christmas tree on top of the fake sugar mill)
King Street looking inland
Youth steel drum band- very cool!
King Street looking towards the bay
Queen Cross Street
And the garbage runneth over!
The "Gypsies" who hula hoop fire
Shane, Sharelle, Vanessa, myself and Erica. From what I heard there is little interest in eating food from the street vendors once you're out on the town.
Kirsten (an NPS turtle intern), Jordan (a UVI student we met at Heritage Day) and a random dude who had no idea his face would end up online.
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