http://oguyana.blogspot.com/


The Carnival and Parade
Viewing Some people think the best place to view the parade is between the Brooklyn Museum and Grand Army Plaza. True, this area gives some great views, but you miss half the fun. We much prefer getting off the subway at the Franklin Avenue stop and walking East along Eastern Parkway for a few blocks, crossing over to the North side of the Parkway, then walking back West toward Grand Army Plaza

Patience The going is slow, very slow. It's estimated that 2 million people visit the carnival sometime during the day; occasionally the police crowd control barriers don't quite facilitate traffic and long lines of people are forced through small openings. When you get a bit frustrated grab a cold beverage and step back out of the way for a few moments to catch your breath

Food and Drink There's plenty of both. Stands line the North and South service roads of the Parkway -- a huge West Indian street fair. See the sights and sniff the smells: jerk chicken, fried chicken and chicken stew; jerk pork, pork stew; BBQ beef, beef stew, oxtail stew; collard greens and salads; rice and beans, red beans and rice, rice and peas, chick peas and rice, black beans and rice; curried goat and roti; conch fritters, fried flying fish, codfish cakes, salt fish, baked fish; johnnycakes, callaloo and souse; baked macaroni, macaroni and cheese, macaroni pie and macaroni salad; cakes, pies and coconut bread. There's no alcohol at New York City parades anymore, but you can still refresh yourself with a ginger beer, mauby, sorrel drink or one of many fruit juices

West Indian and other island food vendors appear to be among the most sanitary conscious in the City. Trays of food are always covered and that makes it awkward for those a bit unsure of trying something for the first time. Don't be shy! Ask, point, talk. This is New York City where for decades the people of the melting pot have said: Try some of our food so you can get to know us a little better

Other stands are dominated by flags and banners of all West Indian countries, tee shirts ("Trini Girls Are Best," "Grenada Numero Uno," "Belize Baby"), handicrafts and native art. There are some of the usual street fair booths, but not many

The people are all out for a great time and there are not many of the disturbances that have been associated with other parades in the past few years. Most folk seem to go out of their way to avoid problems -- everyone knows that it's hot and sticky and crowded and noisy -- and they make the best of it

HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!