Planters, recycled from plastic buckets, trim cottage stoops, and front yards are furrowed into rows of corn and pigeon peas. Though many of the islanders don't have much in terms of material goods, they express well-being. You will see babies delighting in their morning sea bath, men playing earnest games of soccer on the beach, and night-time gatherings at the crossroads for conversation. For Carnival, villagers competitively recite Shakespere, and at weddings, four-piece bands play for intricate quadrilles which spouse will dominate. Nonetheless, Carriacou is on most days a quiet place where you get up with the sun and go to bed with the moon's rising.
Cows cool themselves on the beach and braying donkeys graze at roadsides.
And though Canute Caliste's naive paintings have been internationally recognized, he is proudest of his 23 children and more than 200 grandchildren. Carriacou has perhaps a dozen restaurants but a multitude of eating establishments. Ask what they are cooking that day, for even in season what you see on the menu is not necessarily what you'll be offered - menus merely sggest the range of the cook's skills. Since they rely on fresh foods, their repertoire is determined by availability. Most, if not all produce is imported from Grenada, St. Vincent or Trinidad, so don't expect California-size salads.