This year it’s all about catching flights and amazing experiences. I’m on a mission to hit 12 countries in 12 months and July was a movie! Straight from an amazing trip to Zanzibar with @expediauk to my home island of Saint Lucia to party with the biggest baddest St. Lucian carnival band @just4funcarnival The question I get asked the most is why I love carnival and chase it so much. Most people looking in from the outside who don’t understand the culture just see it as an excuse to go wild but carnival means so much more than that to us! Most islands in the Caribbean have their own carnivals that are unique to that island and take place at different times in the year but historically carnivals use to take place just before lent in February and was used as a last hoorah of feasting, dancing and merriment before the more somber occasion of lent. What started as religious ritual brought over to the islands via European settlers and forced upon the enslaved African people was quickly turned into a beautiful rebellious celebration against slavery by the now free people. Once slavery had ended completely in 1834 the free people magnified their celebrations even more adorning themselves with colourful dress, mixing in their native music and dancing which made the foundation of what modern carnival is today. Carnival is a time to feel alive, to celebrate liberty and have absolute freedom from judgement and to celebrate the rich melting pot of cultures that the Caribbean has to offer, where all are welcome. It’s a BEAUTIFUL sentiment and it’s much more than bright colours & booty shaking. 🤷🏽‍♀️ #melanintravel #blacktravel #travel #blacktravelmovement carnival #caribbeancarnival #saintlucia #j4fcarnival