You Tube Playlist-SVG

www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE2CDFAB6567B5827

is a place where you can find a group of You Tube travelogues
of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Dig a Caribbean holiday

About the Project:
The SVG Public Archaeology Program, affectionately known as SVG Digs, provides volunteers with an opportunity to be an archaeologist on a highly unique and significant site on the island of St. Vincent in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG). This program was created out of the desire to rescue and record significant archaeological sites from being destroyed during construction of the new Argyle International Airport. Prior to 2009, no large scale excavations had taken place in St. Vincent and, to date, there is no local archaeological presence on the island. The work of SVG Digs raises awareness for archaeology both locally and abroad, and helps give Vincentians a fuller understanding of their prehistoric past. At the same time, volunteers are provided with an unforgettable experience, doing work that many people only dream of.


What to Expect?
Volunteers receive training in the major principles and practices of archaeology, with a small daily lecture on topics such as archaeological survey, artifact identification, artifact illustration and recording, survey and mapping, including the use of a total station, and some minor exposure to the use of GIS in archaeology. This is followed by on-site, hands-on experience for five full days on the site of Argyle 2, cleaning surfaces and identifying, exposing and mapping archaeological features, excavating postholes and burials, and exposing, identifying and collecting artifacts. This work is quite relaxing, and occurs in the hot Caribbean sun in the middle of winter.
 
After work, if weather permits (likely), volunteers can go swimming or walking in the local area, before a home-cooked Vincentian meal. They can also opt to participate in the cleaning and cataloguing of artifacts, or they can simply relax with the sound of the waves crashing on the shore. Participants are also taken on an excursion into the Grenadines as part of their experience. This can be a catamaran ride complete with snorkeling, swimming and relaxing on white sand beaches, or it can be a day trip with fishing and dolphin and/or whale watching. The high ratio of archaeologists to volunteers also allows for a maximum learning experience both on and off site. Not only will you learn to work as an archaeologist, you will learn all the ins and outs of living as one.

Other Details

http://goo.gl/VIUnS

Tears of joy for Manning

By Susan Mohammed susan.mohammed@trinidadexpress.com
January 27, 2012
PRIME MINISTER of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, yesterday wept as he spoke of his visit to see former prime minister Patrick Manning at the San Fernando General Hospital.

Speaking at the hospital following his visit, he said he was happy to see Manning recuperating after suffering a "mild" stroke five days ago.

"These are tears of joy for seeing him and see how he is recovering", Gonsalves said as he wiped the tears from his eyes. "It's a remarkable recovery for somebody who has had a stroke, but of course there is still a journey to travel. We must give him his time to rest and heal. He is obviously getting excellent treatment".

Gonsalves said Manning was equally happy upon his visit. "His eyes lit up. He smiled. I wouldn't tell you about what he spoke about. The bond is there, there was a lot of joy. He will get better", he said.

Gonsalves arrived at the hospital around 11 a.m. and was greeted by Manning's son, David, People's National Movement members Joan Yuille-Williams and Gary Hunt, as well as Chief Executive Officer of the South West Regional Health Authority a (SWRHA) Anil Gosine, and SWRHA Chairman Dr Lackram Bodoe.

A smiling Gonsalves waved to the public and the media on his way in and said:"I hope you all praying for Patrick, eh. We all have to pray for our brother."

When Gonsalves emerged from the hospital he seemed emotional when asked about the visit.

"I should tell you I love Patrick", he said. "You know I love him. He has been my friend since university. We played pan together. We did a lot of things together. We worked well when he was in government. I have remained his friend through all the ups and downs of politics. He is my brother. I didn't spend a long time with him. I just wanted was for him to see my eyes and for him to see my eyes, and the love we have for each other."

Gonsalves said he prayed with Manning and gave him two books — an autobiography which contains some pictures of both of them, and the other a diary which Gonsalves wrote about a ten-day visit at Mount St Benedict in 2005.

He said yesterday's visit was a special concession by Manning's family, since visitors were limited.

Of Manning as a political leader, Gonsalves said:" He is a revered political leader of Trinidad and Tobago and the region. The fact that he lost an election does not mean that he is not a person of extraordinary merit. And worse, we have this thing that when people lose elections, they don't have merit. That is an old fashioned colonial notion. We have to value our people".

Gonsalves said he was spending one day in Trinidad and Tobago, and hoped later yesterday to visit a calypso tent and Desperadoes panyard.

The San Fernando East MP suffered a "mild" stroke on Monday night and was taken to the San Fernando General Hospital. His wife, Hazel, said Manning sat up for the first time on Thursday and asked the doctors to go home. He asked about the nation's development and wanted to know what was happening to him.

Manning was assured that he was on the road to recovery and is expected to be back on his feet in three to six months time.

Doctors were unable to say when the former prime minister would be allowed to go home.

A bulletin issued by the San Fernando East constituency yesterday at 5.44 p.m. stated that "Manning continues to improve daily" and that he "sat up, spoke, read the newspapers and is in good spirits".

The bulletin mentioned that Manning was visited by Gonzalves who received "clearance from the Chief of Medical Operations for a brief visit this morning".

It added: "Internationally, we have received well wishes from many countries including the Office of the President of the United States and Foreign Missions for China and Cuba."



Trinidad Express Newspaper National News of Trinidad and Tobago
Originally printed at http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Tears_of_joy_for_Manning-138241614.html

Prime Minister Gonsalves accepted 3.42 million EC dollars.

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves accepted three cheques that amount to 1.274 million US dollars, which is equivalent to 3.42 million EC dollars. Dr. Gonsalves said this money will go towards civic development projects, along with flood rehabilitation work following heavy rains which impacted the north eastern side of St. Vincent last year.

Gonsalves outlined that these civic projects include rehabilitation work to the Langley Park River Basin and the construction of the Vermont/ Francois Bridge.

Taiwanese Ambassador, Weber Shih said he was delighted to present monies to St. Vincent and the Grenadines to help with the rehabilitation work after the destructive flash floods and civic development projects.

The Taiwanese Ambassador said these projects will assist in the development of the particular areas where they are found. He further added that Taiwan will continue to assist us here with the Youth Empowerment Service (YES) programme, which goes a long way in the development of the nation’s youth.

Palm Island Photos

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g147379-d148234-r123114084-Palm_Island-St_Vincent_and_the_Grenadines.html

has a number of photos of Palm Island Resort

St. Vincent and the Grenadines, A Hidden Gem!

January 10, 2012     by Valerie Caulin

Royal Caribbean has announced a series of 11-night cruises setting sail for the islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.  For three months beginning Dec 2012, the Vision of Seas will take 2000 lucky passengers on an 11-night cruise  to this largely unknown, definitely  unspoiled group of islands,  made famous as the location where all three Pirates of the Caribbean movies were filmed as well as serving as a Caribbean getaway for both British Royals (Princess Margaret) and Rock Royals, (Mick Jagger) among others.

Secluded beaches, private cays, legend of both real and Hollywood pirates – this is St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Located near Barbados,  St. Vincent and the Grenadines is composed of 32 islands, only  9 of them inhabited. It’s capital Kingston will be the port of call for the Vision of the Seas. Kingston is a delightful mix of wonderfully restored colonial architecture, with shops filled with local goods and handcrafted items. And it is not a typical Caribbean port of call.

St. Vincent, The Island of Pirates

 Throughout the centuries,  the many cays and beaches of St. Vincent and its 32 islands have been irresistible to the many pirate ships sailing the waters of the Caribbean. Rumors of hidden treasures have existed since 1500. Pirates from Henry Morgan and Annie Bonny to Jack Sparrow have trod the beaches.  But, in  October 2002,  cast and crew descended on St. Vincent to film the first of the Pirates of the Caribbean movie, bringing the biggest treasure of all to St. Vincent, Hollywood gold.  And yet, St. Vincent has dealt with their new-found fame in a way that has not destroyed the charm and history of the islands. 
 
Best way to spend a day –  St.Vincent

As one of the Vision of the Seas ports of call in the Caribbean for winter 2012 -13, St. Vincent will welcome you with an assortment of activities. A surprisingly perfect blend of sea, sun, and sand, St. Vincent will no doubt be the highlight of your cruise Long a favorite of the yachting set, St.  Vincent offers an unspoiled Caribbean  -  Hiking, bird watching, turtle, whale and dolphin watching compete with simply  lounging on the beach. A journey to the west side of the island brings you to a botanic park where descendants of bread-fruit trees brought to St. Vincent by Captain Bligh after his second, less mutinous sailing to the South Seas still grow.
  
Royal Caribbean has created a series of shore excursions, designed for every level of activity imaginable. For a more physical challenge, sign up for water sports or snorkeling and diving activities.  Hire a boat and driver to take you to Mopion,  a small sand spit of an island,  all sand, about ½ mile off shore. For cruise passengers who prefer something a little drier, a sightseeing boat tour in Kingston Harbor or an inspection of  Fort Charlotte will fill the bill.  And walking the cobblestone streets will  provide a photographer many interesting sites, and shoppers a great assortment of non-typical trinkets and items. Foodies will love the small restaurants crowding the harbor, each with spectacular views and the freshest fish you can imagine.   

St. Vincent is what the Caribbean should be, hassle free, an escape to the past.  Enjoy and have fun in St. Vincent and the Grenadines while cruising aboard the Royal Caribbean Vision of the Seas.

See: http://www.facebook.com/Vcaulin

New Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean

Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean: Who Is Larry Leon Palmer?
Monday, January 16, 2012
The United States will soon have a new ambassador to the Caribbean island nations of Barbados, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. President Barack Obama nominated Senior Foreign Service member Larry Leon Palmer on November 1, 2011. If confirmed, Palmer will be the first Foreign Service officer to serve in this post since President Jimmy Carter sent Frank V. Ortiz, Jr., in 1977.

The son of a minister, Palmer was born in Augusta, Georgia, and graduated from T.W. Josey High School as valedictorian in 1966. He earned a scholarship to Emory University and graduated with a B.A. in history in 1970. Shortly after graduating from Emory, Palmer joined the Peace Corps and served as a volunteer in Liberia from 1971 to 1973, teaching high school biology, science, chemistry, physics and American literature. Back in the U.S., he received an M.Ed. in African History at Texas Southern University in 1973, and then began an academic career as assistant director of financial aid at the University of Virginia from 1973 to 1974.

Returning to Liberia, he taught history as an assistant professor at Cuttington College in Suakoko from 1974 to 1976. He earned an Ed. D. in Higher Education Administration and African Studies at Indiana University in 1978 and then taught at Wake Forest University in Winston Salem, North Carolina, from 1978 to 1981.

Palmer entered the U.S. Foreign Service in 1982. He served as vice consul at the embassy in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, from 1982 to 1984, and then as personnel officer at the embassy in Montevideo, Uruguay, with concurrent responsibility for personnel posted to Asuncion, Paraguay, from 1984 to 1986. Returning stateside in 1986, Palmer served as staff assistant to the Assistant Secretary for African Affairs from 1986 to 1987, and then served a tour in Africa as counselor for administration at the embassy in Freetown, Sierra Leone, from 1987 to 1989.

In 1989, Palmer became a Pearson Fellow, serving as assistant to Diana Natalicio, the president of the University of Texas at El Paso, with the task of promoting the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), creating faculty and student exchange opportunities in universities throughout Mexico, and serving as university consultant for International Affairs. At the end of his two years as a Fellow, Palmer served as personnel officer at the embassy in Seoul, South Korea, from 1991-1994, and then returned to the embassy in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, as counselor for administration from 1994 to 1998. From 1998 to 1999, Palmer attended the State Department Senior Seminar. He returned to South America in August 1999 to serve as chargé d’affaires at the embassy in Quito, Ecuador, remaining until July 2002.

Palmer began his first ambassadorship on September 9, 2002, as ambassador to Honduras, where he served until July 2005. He was then named president of the Inter-American Foundation, an independent agency that provides grants to Latin American communities to foster economic development, serving until June 2010.

On June 28, 2010, President Obama nominated Palmer as United States Ambassador to Venezuela, and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the nomination. However, in September 2010, Venezuela announced that it would not allow Palmer to enter the country because at his Senate hearing Palmer had testified that morale in the Venezuelan army was low and that members of Venezuela’s government had ties to leftist Colombian rebels. (All nations have the right to approve foreign diplomats; for example, Vatican City in 2009 rejected three American nominees for being insufficiently anti-abortion.) On December 28, 2010, Venezuela confirmed the finality of its rejection of Palmer’s nomination, and the next day the U.S. revoked the visa of Venezuela’s ambassador, Bernardo Álvarez Herrera.

Palmer and his wife, Lucille, have one son.

From Wikipedia?

SVG on ABC

ABC morning feature on SVG

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/weekend-window-st-vincent-grenadines-9523772

Peaceful Caribbean Conference

Peaceful Caribbean Conference
Barbados April 20, 2012

Who among us does not yearn for a return to the peaceful, serene Caribbean of yesteryear?

With this in mind, the Peaceful Caribbean Initiative, in association with Caribbean News Now, is holding its first regional conference in Bridgetown, Barbados, on addressing the increasing problem of crime in the Caribbean, featuring top personalities from the Caribbean and the US, as well as the publication’s editors and contributors. There will be key addresses and panel discussions on the major issues confronting peace and stability in the Caribbean. It promises to be a hugely important event for anyone interested in the future of the Caribbean as a place to live and visit.


Speakers/Panelists/Moderators

Dr Ralph Gonsalves
Prime minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Barry Randall
Managing editor of Caribbean News Now


Nicholas George
Superintendent (retired) in the Dominica Police Force, attached to the Special Service Unit

Spence Finlayson
Internationally recognized expert in the area of personal and professional achievement

Rebecca Theodore
Conference Director, featured speaker and Caribbean News Now columnist and senior editor

Contact Us
Write directly to us at info@peacefulcaribbean.com, or by fax to 1-206-339-3648


http://www.peacefulcaribbean.com/

PM knocks ‘narrow-minded’ perception of SVG

POSTED BY KENTON X. CHANCE ⋅ JANUARY 7, 2012 ⋅ 1 COMMENT

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent – Persons here who think that this country, because of its small size, should not get involved in foreign policy issues are “narrow minded” in their thinking, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves said this week.

He further said that thinking that monetary and financial policy is the only instruments at the state’s disposal is flawed.

“I just want to make a broad point. There are some narrow minded people in our country who hold a view that St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a very small place and what you should do is keep your small self to yourself, know your place, fix the little road here if you can fix it but don’t get involved in any foreign policy set of issues and the prime minister who takes an activist part in foreign policy, [they say] ‘Ah, [he’s] travelling!’” Gonsalves said at a press briefing this week.

He was speaking on his return to the country after a 15-day trip over the Christmas and New Year period to Bethlehem, Georgia, and Azerbaijan.

Gonsalves told reporters that travelling “is a tiring business” and every time he leaves this country “it is for the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines”.

He said that he would address the issue of narrow-mindedness in his budget speech on Monday.

He, however, said, that because of the nation’s small size, it means that “we must use all the instruments at our disposal to enlarge our economic and political space in our own interest”.

The nation’s foreign policy, Gonsalves said, “must be predicated on the requirement to enhance our capacity to deal more efficaciously with our external environment — challenging as it is — and the condition within that external environment in our own interest.

“There are some people who think that the instruments which governments have are the instruments of monetary policy and fiscal policy,” he further stated.

“But that’s an extremely narrow reading of the instruments available to states like St. Vincent and the Grenadines. There are several other assets to be used and … a bundle of them are the assets of sovereignty and independence to be utilised in our people’s own interest.

“Without the utilization of those instruments, we couldn’t dream of starting the international airport,” Gonsalves said.

He further stated that there are several development projects here, which are “connected to the way we utilised in a principled manner and in a practical way our instruments of sovereignty and independence.

“So, those who just want to confine St. Vincent and the Grenadines to the 150 square miles and the 100,000 here and maybe then the diaspora — because they are now forced to consider the diaspora — those narrow-minded persons, they are making a profound error.

“And you have to go; and you have to go and look for resources for your country and the instruments to be utilised are the instruments of sovereignty and independence along with other instruments, of course, but these are critical in the process.”

Gonsalves said that islanders tend to look inwards because they are surrounded by water.

‘But our history has taught us that while we must have an inward look, there must always be an outward gaze. And that outward gaze takes different forms. At an individual level, it takes the form of migration.”

He noted that from 1991 to 2001 net migration from this country exceeded the natural increase in population — the difference between births and death — and this was the reason for decrease in population.

“So people themselves go for all sorts of reasons,” he said, mentioning family reunions, education, and “a small group seek refugee status”.

Gonsalves said that the government, too, must also look outwardly while it is linking it outward gaze with and inward look to develop country.

“That is the concept and that is the basis. It is so self evident …”

He said that it does not make sense to tell people they must not migration, especially in a democratic country like this one, there is “a pull” from Canada, the United States, United Kingdom and other Caribbean countries.

Gonsalves said that that the migration pull, hitherto, came from South and Central American and the Caribbean.

“This is the history of our people over the last 100-120 years.”

He, however, said that the country must train its people at a higher level so that on migration they enter the international division of labour at a higher level.

This country, the prime minister further stated, must balance brain drain so that person that the state trains fulfil their obligations to the nation.

“These are large concepts which take you away from the narrow views which you will hear parroted from time to time,” Gonsalves said.


http://i-witness-news.com/2012/01/07/pm-knocks-narrow-minded-perception-of-svg/

17 out of 45 in the World: Mainland St. Vincent in the NY Times

The New York Times (yes, that New York Times) has mentioned St. Vincent (yes, St. Vincent and not just the Grenadines) as one of 45 must go places for 2012. The notice is based on Argyle Airport and the Buccament Bay Resort, but those trendy travelers who want to beat the crowd don't mind more primitive accommodations if they can brag about it. Maybe now that the New York Times has given it's imprimatur (Number 17 out of 45 places in the World, and one of two places in the Caribbean) we'll have the pleasure of being crowded with tourists even if a boat's not in.

About time. In case this causes this blog to be noticed, remember that there are a lot of pictures of St. Vincent on the "Karlek" and "ctsnow" pages on Flicker, and this blog has a lot of entries about St. Vincent, some original and others from sources that you aren't likely to (and certainly don't want to struggle through) find casually. I'll see if I can revive some of the other sources of stuff I've posted.

After all, now that St. Vincent is in the A-list of places to go you'll want to know all about it so you can know more than the New York Times does. But here's what they wrote.


"17. St. Vincent

A new resort may put this Caribbean island on the map.

The fact that American Airlines does not fly there could explain why St. Vincent remains among the Caribbean’s best-kept secrets: a stunningly lush, unspoiled gem of an island surrounded by water cerulean enough to render that of other islands murky by comparison. What there is here — a climbable volcano, dramatic waterfalls, black-sand beaches — is dwarfed by what there isn’t: chain stores, crowds, big hotels.

Except, that is, for one notably new exception. Buccament Bay, a five-star resort, opened in the fall and boasts more rooms, about 360, than all other hotels on the island combined. And there are the resort’s five restaurants, a spa, a soccer camp and performing arts center. The resort, along with a new international airport that is scheduled to open in late 2013 and designed to handle five times the number of passengers currently arriving at the island, will most likely let the cat out of the bag and attract the long overdue crowds. Get there before they do."

BAZ DREISINGER

For previous posts, there should be a search box. What I'll do over the next weeks is put tags on the significant blogs to make that search box more useful.

Buccament Bay Comments

Tripadvisor gives guest's opinions of Buccament Bay Resort. I havent been over there yet to see how they
are doing.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g147380-d1719145-r122155080-Buccament_Bay_Resort-St_Vincent_St_Vincent_and_the_Grenadines.html

Digital Detox Vacations

by Samantha Murphy

Caribbean nation St. Vincent and the Grenadines is challenging travelers to leave smartphones, tablets and other gadgets behind as a part of their new digital-detox vacation package, complete with a guidebook explaining how to function on a trip without tech, and a life coach.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines — which is made up of 32 islands and cays, nine of which are inhabited – has launched a vacation package designed to wean people off their technology. Before arriving to the islands, visitors will receive tips on how to prep and de-tech for the stay, and an on-site life coach will provide advice on how to not let tech control your life.
“This means actually experiencing a real vacation with human interaction, social skills and quality time with family and friends,” St. Vincent and the Grenadines said in a statement.

The seven-night getaway on the luxury island costs $3,799 for each person, including flights and hotel accommodations. Some establishments on St. Vincent and the Grenadines such as Petit St. Vincent Resort have embraced
this concept by offering no TV, Internet or telephones in hotel rooms. In fact, at Petit St. Vincent Resort, guests who want room service need to get in touch with staffers by hoisting a small yellow flag on a bamboo pole outside the front door.

The country said it embraced the idea of a digital detox package after a recent study found that 77% of consumers believe that time spent without gadgets and technology would help liberate them, improve their relationships and make them a better person.

In addition, about 17% said their New Year’s resolutions include going away on vacation and becoming less dependent on technology.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines isn’t the only vacation spot that has embraced the concept of unplugging. Other so- called “Black Hole Resorts” include Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur, Calif., and The Hotel Hāna-Maui in Maui, Hawaii. In fact, there aren’t even clocks located in the rooms at The Hotel Hāna-Maui.
Would you consider a digital-free vacation stay or would leaving tech behind be your worst nightmare?

Ralph Gonsalves: Still the best man for SVG By Lesli Patterson

I try to avoid politics, but it doesn't make sense to me to defame an elected Prime Minister. You can't do that unless you don't mind insulting the voters. So here, for a change, is something positive about the Comrade--Karl
..........................................................................................

Posted January 4, 2012 by vincikallaloo in Politics.

Love him or hate him, Ralph Gonsalves is the best man for St. Vincent and the Grenadines at this time. Indeed, should elections be called next month, next year or in the next four years, Dr Gonsalves should be returned as Prime Minister with an overwhelming mandate.

I am one on the Comrade’s biggest critic! But even as I critique some of his policies, his politics and general approach to governance, I do so knowing full well that the alternatives, Eustace and the NDP, are patently worse.

My differences with Gonsalves are deeply philosophical and ideological. While he espouses a social democratic approach to governance that is grounded in the core applicable tenets of the Marxist remedies for addressing societal inequities, I am a classical liberal who forever preach the paramountcy of the market and the purely capitalist path to social and economic development. Deep differences of this nature are difficult to overcome. However, in the context of political discourse on issues related to statecraft, one is still able to find some common ground.

Recognizing that ideology must be tempered by the harsh and unforgiving reality of the times, one must be pragmatic in addressing the extant socio-economic issues. It is his commitment to embracing pragmatism that has led me to be an admirer of the Comrade despite our ideological differences.

I therefore declare Ralph Gonsalves as the best for St. Vincent and the Grenadines for a number of reasons:

Given his intellectual depth and academic acuity, more than any of his contemporaries, Gonsalves has a grasp of the complex and challenging issues impinging on the development of the country.

Gonsalves, is prepared to take the risks that are necessary to ensure that SVG can leap beyond its present state despite the difficulties.

The Comrade has the capacity to envision a desired reality and possesses the force of discipline, committment and dedication to create that reality in the face of insurmountable obstacles.

No one has demonstrated the depth of love and the breadth of understanding of the people known as Vincentians.

Comrade is a political genius. Love him or hate him, he knows how to win national elections.

I envision that Dr Gonsalves and his party will be in office for a very long time. Should he demit office, it would be on his own terms and in his own time. The Comrade will play a very long innings; he will retire not out; and proudly walk back to the pavilion with his bat held high and tons of runs on the board.

There is none like the Comrade!

Lesli Patterson

http://vincikallaloo.wordpress.com/2012/01/04/ralph-gonsalves-still-the-best-man-for-svg-by-lesli-patterson/

Experts in Cuban Forum about Afro-descendants

Havana, Jan 4 (Prensa Latina)

Academics, researchers and artists from Spain, Venezuela, Argentina, Brazil, Ecuatorial Guinea, Portugal and Cuba will begin on Wednesday in this capital the XVI Scientific Workshop on Afro American Social and Cultural Anthropology and the V Festival of Oral Narration.

Both events will be held in the House of Africa, attached to the Office of the Historian of Havana City, until January 7.

Both forums will stimulate reflection on issues such as culture and identity, the African Diaspora, resistance and maroons, oral history visual anthropology, religion and the role of museums in the community.

On the opening day, the Havana City Historian, Eusebio Leal Spengler, will deliver a lecture to mark the 26 anniversary of the foundation of the House of Africa and later Herman van Hoff, general director of the Regional Office for Culture of Latin America and the Caribbean of UNESCO, will give a special presentation on topics related to the forum.

The photo exhibition of musical instruments and dances of Ecuatorial Guinea and the Maferefum painting exhibition of Cuban artist Nelson Jose Garcia are two examples of works exploring African roots through art.

The books The Silence of the Garifuna and The Voice of the Garifuna, from the researcher Bienvenido Rojas, will also be presented at these meetings, which open the cultural program of the capital's historic center in 2012.

hr/as/cgm/jam
Modificado el ( miércoles, 04 de enero de 2012 )

SVG Market

​St. Vincent and the Grenadines, sometimes known as the spice islands of the Caribbean, lie in the southern part of the island chain. Not as popular with tourists as St. Barts or Barbados, the island has more of a local vibe. There are no T-shirt shops or places trying to sell you a Rolex. The black-sand beaches are filled with fishermen and children instead of sunburned tourists, and the plentiful nature trails are pristine and virgin.

St. Vincent's center of commerce is the sprawling market in Kingstown. Set along the water, the market runs for blocks. Saturday is an especially busy day, when shop merchants sell their wares in the streets to compete with local farmers and fishermen for business.

The market consists of many parts. The indoor market's first floor is devoted to locally grown produce and spices, while second-floor merchants sell clothing and housewares. The market spills into the sunlit courtyard and outside, where small huts serve as individual restaurants. There's even a bar. The Kingstown Fish Market is directly on the water and sells mostly jack fish, strawberry grouper, and Caribbean lobster.

St. Vincent lives up to its spice island moniker, with merchants selling freshly grown anise, cinnamon, nutmeg, tumeric, ginger, clove, and guinea pepper. Coconut oil, green bananas, tomatoes, and breadfruit are also readily found.

Local farmer and park ranger Erasto Robertson was our guide to the maze-like marketplace. Erasto sells home-grown vegetables on the weekends and took some time to identify the various fruits and spices indigenous to the island, as well as point out the best place to grab lunch.


http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/shortorder/2012/01/saint_vincents_sprawling_marke_1.php

SVG: Top ranked tourist destination

Jan 02, 2012 (Caribbean News Now - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Two of the world's most recognized international travel organizations have ranked St Vincent and the Grenadines among the world's top travel destinations. Both "Travel + Leisure" and "CNN" have been blown away with the magnetic and exotic beauty of our 32-island paradise in the sun. Travel + Leisure ranked SVG third among thirteen destinations world-wide, and CNN ranked us as being fifth among the nine they selected.

The report, which was published last Tuesday, listed the other eight destinations that made the CNN list as being Orlando-Florida, Chicago, the Netherlands, Uruguay, Atlantic Canada, England, Burma and the World of the Maya.
CNN quipped, "What's not to like about a tropical paradise that bills itself as one destination, 32 gorgeous Caribbean Islands? Located between St Lucia and Grenada, this island chain has long drawn vacationers with deep pockets, but it will become more accessible to a wider range of travelers thanks to a US$240 million international airport scheduled to open in St Vincent."
In compiling their list, CNN considered suggestions from Travel + Leisure and Budget Travel, but it was also based on recommendations from travel experts Robert Reid, a US travel editor for Lonely Planet. Also weighing in with their recommendations, were Martin Rapp senior vice president of leisure sales at Altour, Anne Banas, executive editor at Smarter Travel, and Jeanenne Tornatore, senior editor for Orbitz.com.

Commenting on St Vincent's impressive placement on the 2012 list, as being the best in the entire Caribbean, the group commented, "As always, some places will stand out above the rest when it comes to unforgettable things to see and do."
Were I in a decision-making position regarding St Vincent's tourism product, I would have pushed 'Vincymas' and our unique nine-mornings festivities as potential areas of future development. Eco-tourism and a 'tre-tre'-catching experience must be high on the list of activities seriously promoted as well.

One area that we as a people must look at is nautical tourism. As a tropical nation of 32 sunny and sandy islands, blessed with some of the best sailing, swimming and snorkeling in the entire world, it would be a gross error to ignore this advantage that we enviably possess. The naval academy planned for Canouan is a step in the right direction, and the Vincentian government must be complimented for this positive move.

Nautical tourism must be considered a tourist product related with entertainment activities in contact with bodies of water, where many different nautical activities can take place, always with an ecological outlook and respect for nature. In addition to its being an important complementary offer for a tourist destination, it is also a well defined product whose main characteristic is to offer the sea and beaches. This tourism activity is not isolated or specific, but a conglomerate of many branches of a particular type of activity, of public administration, infrastructure, and general complementary services.

"St Vincent and the Grenadines has long been an under-the-radar getaway for the jet-setting elite." This has been true for many years, ever since Princess Margaret of England built her home-away-from-home in Mustique many moons ago, and the Beatles vacationed here as well. They were quickly followed by the likes of the King and Queen of Greece, ex-Beatle Sir Paul McCartney, Donald Trump, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Kate Moss, Phil Collins, Claudia Schiffer, Calvin Klein, Jerry Hall, David Copperfield, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Tommy Hilfiger and company. This truly, is the playground of the rich and famous!
Travel + Leisure also commented on the Argyle Airport's construction, which could only be a boon for this fabulously beautiful island. They noted that "the coming international airport would make the region more accessible to a broader audience." Comments like this put the lie to persons whose short-sightedness and or polluted political view- points prevent them from seeing the value of an international airport in this modern day and age.

The report was also complimentary of Young Island Resort, Palm Island Resort and the privately owned Petit St Vincent Resort, which has reopened after a top-to-bottom renovation. The resort is comprised of 22 stone-walled thatched-roof cottages done in earthy tones... where driftwood palapas now line the beach. The new Buccament Bay Resort and Mustique, with its world-class villas, came in for high praise as well.

Travel + Leisure observed that some of its picks for the 2012 destinations reflect travellers' increasing thirst for adventure and desire to immerse themselves in local customs. Their "clients are interested in remote, off-the-beaten- path destinations that still retain their traditional culture." So said Scott Wiseman, president of Abercrombie & Kent USA.
In their list of thirteen destinations, Travel + Leisure only selected Sri Lanka and Toronto ahead of St Vincent. They however listed SVG ahead of every Caribbean destination, and to complete the list they selected Guimaraes, Portugal; Abu Dhabi; Costa Navarino, Greece; Xishuangbanna, China; Southern Bahia, Brazil; Hamburg, Germany; Panama; Mozambique's Northern Coast, and Bentonville, Arkansas.

This exceptionally impressive showing bodes well for the future of St Vincent's tourism.

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