MAY MEETING – THE WOMEN’S GROUP LEARN ABOUT LIVING IN TOBAGO
We had an extremely interesting talk on Wednesday 3rd May from Stephanie Parkes about the time she and her family lived on the Caribbean island of Tobago. She began by showing us where it actually is situated by drawing a sketch map of the area and followed this by telling us the history of the island too. We learned about the people and their way of life including holding frequent harvest festivals when produce was plentiful and also about the different food and the fact that meals usually finished with cake and ice cream.
She spoke about church life and also about carnivals held on the Monday and Tuesday before the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday when revellers parade through the streets immersed in mud before changing into colourful costumes later in the day (after dipping in the sea to wash off the mud first). Calypso music and drumming are also an important part of the island’s musical heritage.
We discovered that Stephanie and her family also had to learn to live with the wildlife around and in their home. She gave several examples of rather hair raising moments involving ants, snakes, bats and, worst of all in her experience, black cockroaches!
Everyone really enjoyed hearing her stories and we hope that she will come to talk to us again, maybe next year, as she still has lots more to tell us about this memorable stage in her life. Our next meeting is on Wednesday 7th June when we are to have a quiz night and we will also finalise arrangements for our visit to Hope House Costume Museum on Wednesday 5th July.
Jean Lee