“Happy Valentine’s Day,” I say to Nicola this morning. She’s out on the terrace and I know by the look of her that she’s reminiscing about loved one’s and times passed and other times not so long gone. I even think she had a restless night of dreams and doubts and that her pillow may have soaked up more than daydreaming drool. We’ll have to do with one another for romantic action today although I do get multiple texts from Fergal and my mother; she found her card in the cereal box again this year Thankfully retail therapy often suffices in times like these and so we decide to hit Fort-de-France.
Whispy texts. He’s looking for lodgings not love. Dene and he are off to Dominica and they need somewhere to stay on their return.
Nic and I hit Whispy’s favourite haunt for lunch; it’s not the local Chinese as I had anticipated. Cyber Délisse is quite full for midday lunch and the ambiance is noticeably more gay than usual. I don’t know what the staff make of us two but we bring them business so despite their odd ways and strange looks they’re civil towards us. I get a broccoli and goats’ cheese tart which is divine. Nic has her salmon and spud salad.
There’s a special Valentine’s Day menu for €45 but we decide to suck on our iced-teas instead of being sucked into the flakiness of foie gras and champagne; we’re not such die-hard romantics. In fact, I find it refreshing not to have love hearts and sweets and flowers tumbling all around me. Surprisingly there’s not the same commercial intensity of red and pink pounds here as there is at home.
Carnaval is the event to watch – and to prepare for. We set off on a quest for our Carnaval wears. Wigs, sparkly spray, wands, ties, face paints and funny hats are bought. I’m also looking for a red ensemble for Mardi Gras. Each Carnaval day has a theme and on Tuesday everyone dresses in red; I could have borrowed my brother’s ManU strip as Red Devils are all the rage. I had my eye on a red dress a while back and when I return to the shop it’s still there. I also get some black patent brogues for Monday’s outfit; I’ll be dressing up as a leprechaun for the Mariage Burlesque when women dress as men and men dress as women.
While we’re in the shopping mode we decide to get David a little something to spice up his Valentine’s Day. Some oriental underwear does the trick. We plan to meet David in the Mayflower but our female obsession delays us and he comes looking for us. We spy him on the street and escort him to the Mayflower for a panty and pint shower. He’s half horrified at the present but he’s half happy too. Beijing 2008. That’s what graces these delightful red and pink pants. The Chinese may be preparing but the Japanese are coming from one boat to another as a group of them lands in the Mayflower. It’s very quiet today but we soon find out where everyone is…
Some assistants may be at a beach party in Diamant but the rest of the world is kicking off Carnaval at the Parc Floral. Our bus doesn’t arrive so we decide to follow the throngs down to the river where drums, whistles, costumes, flags and festivities greet us. It’s loud but it doesn’t last too long and we soon find ourselves back on the booze boat; the Mayflower. Christophe, Fabian and Sebastian are at the bar but it still is uncannily empty; just like our stomachs. We decide - or rather the others do, to hit McDo. McDon’t. It’s another McNugget fest but thankfully it’s not as frenzied as the last time; there’s no BBQ sauce so that’s probably the reason.
Nic and I get a taxi home. David decides to walk. The taxi man remembers us from last Saturday night; he brought us home from Lil Buddha. He picked us up so it’s my turn to pick-up the conversation where we left off and he leaves us home for €10. Ten Euros!!!!!!! Dix Euros!!!!!!! €5 each. C’est incroyable! I text David; half out of concern but also to gloat at our cheapo depot. I take Francois’ number for future reference and we roll down the hill into bed.
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