In Our Neighbourhood

Small islands have big personalities too. Grenada certainly does.

It’s tempting to reduce all Caribbean islands to a monolith: sun-soaked beaches, turquoise waters and relaxing reggae beats. To do so is to miss the vibrant individual personalities of each island or territory.  No, if you have seen one, you haven’t seen all.

This is what I like best about exploring the region: seeing my own expectations and stereotypes challenged by the uniqueness of the cultural manifestations of each island, despite common geography and history. Here’s what I find most intriguing about Grenada, this proudly tri-island nation.

Enduring Caribbean Charm:  I grew up in rural Jamaica in the 80s and 90s. It was a world where villages were relaxed and unspoiled: a lush landscape where people greeted you with a warm smile and children ran about carefree and safe.  Grenada still carries that personality. The nostalgia for me is palpable.

Warm and Welcoming People: As a solo traveller, connecting with others while travelling is one of my greatest pleasures. Grenada makes this incredible easy. Throughout my journey, I was met with warm smiles, friendly waves, and heartfelt “good mornings” from complete strangers. Hotel staff, airport staff, and taxi drivers made me feel exceptionally welcome. The hotel even issued complimentary oil down (national dish) for Independence Day! That was definitely a first for me in all these years of travel.

Majestic Terrain: Being that mountainous makes for some daunting hairpin bends, but also the most stunning views of the natural landscape. Views of the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean are omnipresent. The interior is a lush, verdant paradise dotted with lakes and cascading waterfalls. Grenada is a stunning place.

French Heritage: Grenada was once a battleground for various European colonisers. Although the British ultimately seized control in 1873, the pervasive French retentions are fascinating. Folklore characters bear the French influence. French place names abound. In fact, it seems to me they are more prevalent than English names. French-based Creole or Patois still survives in some corners of the country. In essence, Grenada visibly bears the traces of its multicultural heritage: African, but conjugated by various European, Asian, and Indigenous influences.

Rich Folklore: This may be my favourite part. The Jab Jab (from the French word for “devil”) might seem frightening, yet it emerged out of enslaved people’s attempts to portray their colonisers as devils. It is resistance. Other characters in the traditional mas reminded me a lot of the Jamaican Junkanoo traditions. Then there are the stories of the hoofed and beguiling La Diablesse, the blood-sucking Soucouyant, and the trickster Anansi, a figure born from Ghanaian (Akan) myth and very familiar to us Jamaicans.

I sincerely hope that there will come a time when the cost of inter-island travel in the Caribbean is accessible. There are so many hidden gems right in our backyard. Until then, I am happy to continue sharing my own journey of exploring and falling in love with the Caribbean.

Have you been to Grenada? What part of its personality resonated with you most?