Have you ever given yourself a meggie? For those of you who don't know or can't remember exactly what a meggie is, it's surprising someone with a hand gesture that consists of bringing all your fingertips together (creating a small circle) and pointing that hand in the direction of some unsuspecting person. It's only valid if you catch the person unawares, and for some reason, it's a big old "ha, ha, made you look (well at least in T&T).

Anywho, long story short: for those of you who missed me (although lets keep it real, not that many people even know that this blog exists, lol), after my last post, I gave myself perhaps the biggest meggie of my life! But in a good way. How about on Friday July 31st, 2009 @ 3:35 pm, I found and purchased a REASONABLE ticket to head to Cropover!!! YAAAAAYYYY MEEEEE! (Of course you know I immediately began reversing my rain dance steps).

Can I just say that my Cropover experience was SPECTACULAR this year? I landed at BGi on Saturday afternoon, made a quick change in the airport bathroom (don't judge me!) and the partying began.

First Stop - BLISS

Talk about an all around experience, this event was set in a GORGEOUS outdoor venue: after walking down a pebbled driveway dotted with strategically placed stepping stones, I made my way down a narrow flight of stairs and ended up awed by the excellent mood lighting, a cliff view of the ocean and a ginormous rock pool that was just begging for some company. I'm not a drinker, but my friends' drunken smiles at the end of the night were a testament to the heavily stocked, strategically placed bars: the cocktail bar to the immediate left of the entrance, the looooong main bar at the estate's edge, not to mention the liming bar in the food court. And speaking of food ...

I cannot tell a lie, all-inclusives are wasted on me because I've never had the slightest inclination to let a full stomach impede my wining. I do know that there were some hors d'oeuvres like salmon on crackers, chicken legs/wings and sushi (according to my drunken friend who may very well have been referring to the aforementioned salmon). I saw several people with tea plates with various meats, rice, vegetables who said that the food was good but I'll have to take their word for it.

What I can attest to is the fantastic music and beautiful people. The night started off a little too stush for my liking, but that didn't stop me from working up a sweat ... sorry, WUKKING up a sweat. What I appreciated about this party was the fact that there was enough space and enough vibes for the bourgie and the party animals to coexist without messing with each other's modus operandi. Two thumbs up!

Booze Cruise

So I didn't make it onto the ship. Had some friends with connections access some tickets for me but then had some friends with sleepy heads who could not wake up for love nor money. From all accounts, however, this was THE BEST year for the drunkard ship. Vibes for days, food flowing like sea water, and of course enough alcohol to sink the ship. Judging from the way attendees had to hold on to each other, the pier railings and in some cases, after disembarking, I think it's safe to say that this event lived up to its name.

Cohoblopot

Front and center and ready to wine ... I had a time (which is usually the case), but it was interesting to note that most Bajans treated this event more as a concert than a fete. Imagine Machel and the HD family on stage followed by Her Royal Bumsee Alison Hinds (apt last name right!) and people just standing up staring intently at the stage. That was okay though, this meant when I was flinging my hands in the air and wining down low there were less body parts to worry about colliding with!

Baje International

Combine unimpressive costumes (one was even recycled from Trinidad and Tobago band Evolution this year - that made it on to my worst costume list), a steeper than usual price tag and a late start for the parade and what do you get? PHENOMENALITY!!!!

This was without a doubt my BEST road experience EVER for Cropover. Vibes was the name of the game and my friends helped me to prove that with the right people and the right band, even the ugliest costume can look sexy! All hail to the DJ who pulled out "Heart of A Man" and inspired me to start pumping by the fence, the gate, the street, the wall, that man's shoulders ...

And I can't forget the fact that I actually had company in running into that gorgeous salt water in full costume this time. A dip in the salt is the perfect way to end a parade yes!

P.S. Did I mention that the food was delish? 

Cropover 2010 here I come!!!