a to z the usa: Arts and Culture in U.S. Virgin Islands

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a to z the usa: Arts and Culture in U.S. Virgin Islands: Arts and Culture in U.S. Virgin Islands The cultural life of the U.S. Virgin Islands is filled with contrasts and connections.

Travelling on LIAT - My Experience

I am sharing my positive experience with flying with LIAT over the past few days. The customer service was on point and the flights were all on-time and problem free. I was updated at every point during the travel and literally have no complaints. Kudos on great service, LIAT!

We complain when there are issues but we hardly take the time to report the successes. Therefore, I think it is time to share more positive feedback and highlight good service. LIAT is the original Caribbean Airline and should be acknowledged for continuing to serve us. I compare this experience to my travel on Air Jamaica some years ago and the experience was similar - positive. 

If I compare this recent flight to my trip to Guyana in 2008 when Caribbean Airlines bumped me off in Trinidad and left me to sleep in the airport with no apology, then I have to praise LIAT... because I surely cursed Caribbean Airlines.

The only criticism I would give is that the service counters should ensure that they have Immigration forms for the various destinations. BVI did not have Trinidad forms and Antigua did not have BVI forms. This was especially important when we got to Trinidad because the Trinidad Immigration team could use some customer service training.

On the return leg home, there was an alarm raised in St. Maarten and we were notified and updated. We were still able to arrive in BVI on time! I will be happy to travel on LIAT again!

Some Musical Storytellers

I like to listen to all types of music. Sometimes the lyrics are garbage but the song has good rhythm and dance vibe. Sometimes, the dance vibe is enough. On the other hand, I do love a song that tells a story and keeps me enthused at the same time.

Some of the music of the 60s to the 80s told a story. Country musicians loved telling stories and a good example was Kenny Rogers in his song The Gambler. The Mighty Sparrow told lots of stories and he greatly influenced the soca and calypso we enjoy today. Jean and Dinah and Obeah Wedding are great examples of Sparrow's lyrical genius. Bob Marley was another exciting lyricist who shared so many aspect of life in his reggae albums. No Woman, No Cry and Trenchtown Rock keep us listening to hear a tale in reggae style.

Nicholas "Daddy Friday" Friday was one example of a talented musician, along with The Jam Band, who kept people in the Virgin Islands and the wider Caribbean enthralled by his catchy and insightful lyrics - all sung to a rhythmic balance of rhythm box, live instruments and drums. Jam Band's discography include We From De VI, Hugo and Let Loose.

Hip Hop had its share of storytellers including Slick Rick in Children's Story, Sugar Hill Gang in Rapper's Delight, and Will Smith as Fresh Prince in Summertime. Later R&B had hits like I Wish by Carl Thomas, Boyfriend Number 2 by Pleasure P and Need You Bad by Jazmine Sullivan.

I listen to many genres but these days, I mostly listen to the old school music. The depth of the music is not the same today. I do find myself listening to more soca these days because I think the genre has grown and there's even a collaboration with Machel Montano and Ashanti in The Road. 

Soca that I am pumping in car these days include:

• Kerwin Du Bois - Right for Somebody
• Teddyson John - Vent
• Jougo (VIBE) - Rule Numba Uno
• Kelly Jr. - Love Trip
• Pressure BussPipe - Do It and Done
• Machel Montano - Epic (2014)
• Skinny Fabulous, Machel Montano and Bunji Garlin - Famalay
• Farmer Nappy - Hookin Meh

Music is entertainment, it influences, it inspires, it evolves and it helps us to keep fit. Music is truly life.

Poem: As We Are

I don't want to be consistent
But yet I want to be resistant
Not because I'm being difficult
But sometimes I don't know who to trust
I've never believed in luck
And that's how I got my guts
To stand up and stand out
I do doubt myself and my strengths
Because the world focuses so much on
Weaknesses or personal appearances
Forgetting that so much is unknown
And our little temporary thrones
Are really useless and of little interest
Thrones have no depth and
although there is temporary wealth
It can't save our souls or make our bodies
Whole if we get sick
I'll just be me
With my flaws and talents
My bravery and need to repent
My frankness and shyness
My moods and my quirks
I'll remain inconsistent
Obstinate and tolerant
Because all of us are as we are

© Linette Rabsatt

THE GOD MOVEMENT - LION OF JUDAH

POEM: Easter

When it's Easter

It's either a siesta

or a fiesta

but there's a good reason

for the season

and even though the story has some treason

and we do spend some time grieving

over the deceiving

we stay believing

that we have a heavenly father

who looks after

us despite our falters

our shortcomings

wrongdoings

and falsifying

our resistance

our pretense

and our negative insistence

Thank God for his blessings

his caring

and his understanding

cause if he goes by what he observes

for sure we don't deserve

any part of his love

Linette

Knots76

Ribbon

Thoughts About A Vine

It's easy to get distracted and detracted from what you have to do. We are so busy and are so involved. We are social and yet so anti-social. I like how a vine runs because it flows by its needs. It has to survive and will grow on other trees, on concrete, on soil and depending on the situation, even through a car.

Sometimes we need to be like a vine and be tough and resilient. We have to push through and make things happen for ourselves. We have to be able to adapt and develop ourselves. There is a lot to do and a lot to learn. The key is in our hands. A vine starts with one root. A pumpkin vine develops other roots along the way and we have to develop positive relationships while we are on our journey.

You can learn a lot from nature because of the way it adapts and grows. I want to be a vine of positivity and of compassion. I want my vine to have success, growth and inspiration as well. Think about your life and your journey. What impact do you want to make? What will you be a vine of?