Traveling to a place you’ve never been can be very exciting,
but there are numerous things you must take in consideration. Specifically for Junkanoo, timing, safety,
food and interacting with the locals are key elements I have recommendations
for. The timing of the Junkanoo may be very difficult for any visitor although
a common tradition for Bahamians. Therefore, I recommend any person attending Junkanoo,
to get a lot of rest the day before as well as the day of the festival. Attending a festival that starts at 2:00am was
very unfamiliar for my classmates and I, and often times we struggled staying awake
regardless of the excitement going on around us. Although, certain groups had
such lively performances we forgot what time it was and was on our feet dancing
to the band’s music. Next, safety is an important factor due to the time frame that
the festival is held. It may be very obvious that you are a tourist, which
could make you a possible target. Therefore, be careful not to bring large
purses or valuable electronics with you besides maybe a phone or small camera
to take pictures. This is imperative because more than likely you may have to
walk to the festival grounds which involve walking down dark streets. Another
recommendation is to eat a well balanced meal before attending because you may
eventually get hungry and the concession stands may only offer smaller bites
such as conch fritters and hot dogs.
Lastly, I highly recommend taking advantage of the opportunity of being
surrounded by local Bahamians and communicate with those in your seating
section. This will allow you to learn great knowledge about the festival from a
local’s perspective as well as details of each group in the parade as they pass
by.
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