Nutmeg Nation with Carlene Humphrey
Nutmeg Nation is a show devoted to Grenadian experience. It is a show that educates Grenadians on the issues they are facing everyday. Issues that affect them and the rest of the world. Life, relationships, family, work and all the relationships we have with people who are in our direct circle. What are people talking about in Grenada? What is the culture like? This is one of the main things we discuss on the show, and I hope you will join us on this new adventure with Nutmeg Nation.
Nutmeg Nation: "Listen, learn and be apart of Grenada"!
Nutmeg Nation with Carlene Humphrey
Discovering the Heartbeat of Grenada's Islands with Kerron
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Hi, I'm Carlene and this is Not Mag Nation. It's a new year and I have with me my friend and also my co-host, since we did a little conversation in the summer. Hi, Caron, Hi, how are you?
Speaker 2:I'm well. How are you doing?
Speaker 1:I'm doing well. Thanks for asking so.
Speaker 2:Happy new year, happy new year, happy new year yeah, happy belated, you know thank you, thank you, yeah, in the season of it yes, the season.
Speaker 1:Do you follow astrology? Do you care for that stuff? Are you like I'm a Capricorn, like through and through?
Speaker 2:well, I, I am a Capricorn but, like I guess, follow it like religiously, not religiously, but I will sort of, you know, take in some of the I guess you want to call it Capricorn antics or whatever. You know, you know some personalities. I should say yeah, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1:So do you think that your personality traits are that of a Capricorn?
Speaker 2:yeah, I do yeah, okay, okay.
Speaker 1:So, for those who are Capricorns, what's the personality trait of a Capricorn?
Speaker 2:uh, sort of just stick to your lane. You don't really lots of overthinking or thinking of like three or four steps ahead, sort of a thing, all of that okay, so what do you plan ahead? I would say I think ahead.
Speaker 1:I don't think I properly plan ahead but you do think ahead okay okay, yeah, yeah, yeah okay, so you're organized that way, like you always think about things in the future yeah yeah, yeah, oh, okay, okay, I like that. So the reason you're on today is we're going to be talking about Grenada. I mean the show's about Grenada, and I haven't been in a minute, but I know you recently went. Yes, who did you fly with?
Speaker 2:I actually got a really good deal with Canadian Airline. I don't know if I should say their name. I don't know how your sponsor is going.
Speaker 1:Oh, right right.
Speaker 2:Let's not say the name.
Speaker 1:You know what, With all this talk of like airlines overcharging, did they charge you for your no?
Speaker 2:no, actually, I actually got a really good deal. I actually went down for about $650.
Speaker 1:Oh my gosh, that is a really good deal. That's like what.
Speaker 2:I know because my mother went down as well, seeing basically the same time with a different airline. She paid about $1,200. Wow, I got a really good deal. So you know I can't complain.
Speaker 1:Yeah, no, I wouldn't complain either, because I mean normally that kind of price is like when you go in slow season, because a lot of people like to go down for Christmas or during the holidays, right, so how long were you there for?
Speaker 2:Just a week.
Speaker 1:And where do you normally stay when you're in Grenada?
Speaker 2:St Andrews.
Speaker 1:St Andrews. Ok, I don't know much about St Andrews, so please tell me about this lovely parish.
Speaker 2:Well, country, country, country.
Speaker 1:Oh, okay, okay, Okay, so you're in the country. Are you close to Bathway Beach? Is it close to it?
Speaker 2:No, no, I'm more. I think the closest beach I am is probably Paradise.
Speaker 1:Oh, ooh Paradise.
Speaker 2:How's that beach it's okay, it's okay, it's okay, it's okay, it's okay, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1:Okay. Do you go there when you visit or like when you go to Grenada? What?
Speaker 2:do you do? This time? I did not go. I actually just went to Grenada and speech at this time.
Speaker 1:You were there to visit family.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, we'll take care of some family stuff and just see different parts of the island at the same time.
Speaker 1:Or see different parts of the island at the same time, or revisit the parts I should say visit right parts that you haven't been to. So how long has it been since?
Speaker 2:you've been to granada, I want to say three, four years, three years, three years okay, okay, oh.
Speaker 1:So it's not too long since you've been. For, for those who have not been or who haven't been in a few years, how has Grenada progressed? Remember, like we're we're a little like when it comes to everyday life, technology and simple living. What do you say to someone who hasn't been to the island of Grenada? Like, you know what I mean. Like it's a small island, lots of lovely beaches, parishes, very peaceful living. But you know what I mean. Like it's a small island, lots of lovely beaches, parishes, very peaceful living.
Speaker 2:But you know that's a good question. So I would say it hasn't progressed in leaps and bounds in terms of technology that you see. But what I do like now is that most places that you go now you basically you can get wifi if you're, if you're someone who doesn't like, maybe get a SIM card from down there or anything like that. So that's that's a progression in itself, because I remember years ago maybe five, six years ago, when I went, you weren't getting that, even at the airport. You would get maybe a little bit of it at some places you'd have to pay or whatever the case is, but that's not the case now. So I think in that sense there is more accessibility across the island with wi-fi and stuff, and they've got a lot more stuff in terms of apps and whatnot, or at least web-based stuff, like they've got their own version of uber eats no way yeah, yeah, but it's only I think it's only available in like the St George's or the more like the touristy areas and stuff like that.
Speaker 2:But yeah, they've got that, so they've come some ways, but not like, obviously not like here. I think my main beef with like Caribbean in general, or some countries, I should say especially particularly Trinidad, and I noticed it this time in Grenada too, it's like customer service, because it's not good, it sucks, it's really bad. If you're looking at say hey, yeah, to compare it to, I guess, north America, it's not really and you got to like wait really long for mostly everything.
Speaker 1:So when you say customer service, are we talking about the service when you are at the airport waiting through customs, or when you're ordering something to eat at a restaurant or what that?
Speaker 2:yeah, oh, all of it, oh I had a good example, as I was at the airport coming back and, um, you know you, basically they call you over once you get to the counter to come over. So I'm first in line, I'm waiting and the girl's just looking and I'm like, am I coming or am I not going? So she eventually decides to wave me, so I come. She just doesn't say anything. I'm like, so what am I doing? You know, because you have to say, hey, give me your passport, whatever the case is. So I give her the passport, yeah, and then she does everything and then that's it. She didn't say anything else.
Speaker 1:I'm like are you good to go?
Speaker 2:yeah, yeah. Basically, I was like is there anything else? And she's like no. I'm like okay. So that's another example. Like you know, there's no courtesy, yeah, there's no manners. Manners or courtesy, like, and that's something that's sad because that's something you, you got like hammered into you as a kid when you're growing up there, right.
Speaker 1:So yeah, no. And and was she younger? Older like what do you think like new generation or what?
Speaker 2:probably say mid-30s, 40s, I don't know oh okay, wow.
Speaker 1:So how did you like I mean you kind of wrapped it up or you had to like ask questions, like I mean, what is going on?
Speaker 2:yeah, yeah, no, I have to ask questions. I'll be like yo, you done, or because I'm just standing here. You gave you the stuff and she's just not doing any eye contact or anything. So you know, not actually give me the stuff, that she sort of put it to the side right that's just an example. You go different places. It all depends on where you go to, I think, but most places that you know if you're ordering food, it's a long way oh my god, it's a long way.
Speaker 2:I was. What is it I want to say what? 10 people in line at KFC. It probably took about 45 minutes for me to order what.
Speaker 1:With 10 people in line. Yeah, how about that? Oh, wow.
Speaker 2:And 10 people is nothing. No, that's not a lot of people it's not a lot of people. No, oh my gosh, oh my god. 45 minutes to an hour to order and then another 15 minutes to get your food.
Speaker 1:15, 20 minutes, so yeah wow, what is happening right now. Like, I guess, because you were so used to things going at a certain pace it's like what's happening, let's go, yeah, I mean, I think it's like. The one thing about grenada, though, I like is when you go down there everybody's so friendly and they say hi, and you know what I mean?
Speaker 2:yeah, were you feeling that? Yeah, that's every day, yeah, that's like, that's like the people you walk by. But what people in like working technically, working technically in customer service? They're not friendly yeah they're not friendly, like you know.
Speaker 1:So that's, and that's the sad part, I think that's that's sort of lost and in wow and like the fact that you had that experience at the airport the airport's supposed to make you feel like welcome, like you know what I mean. Like when I went to not to compare anything when I went to Bermuda, like they were really friendly and they were, they were so in tune, like I haven't been to Bermuda in a long time, but the first time I went was the first time I tried Airbnb and the lady was like, how did you find this Airbnb? How did you know? I'm like, actually I had nothing to do with it. My friend is the one who booked it because, I mean, at that time Airbnb was just up and coming. So the fact that my friend already knew about it, they were quite surprised because most people, when you're going down to the Caribbean, are staying at a hotel, right like yeah.
Speaker 1:Princess Hotel is like a very popular place. I guess it's more expensive, but, like I guess they were surprised that I even knew that I could stay at an Airbnb. You, you know what I mean. So yeah. But that Airbnb, let me tell you, Keron, I wouldn't go back.
Speaker 2:Why not?
Speaker 1:Let's just say that the picture like you can't go and see an Airbnb before you book it, right? So here I am, online. I'm like, oh my gosh, these pictures look so good and let's stay here. So we booked it. And then when we got down there, I walked in, I'm like, wow, so it didn't look like it was all in one. So basically everything was all in one. So I walked in. The bedroom was there, the kitchen, the shower stall was like it was a stand in shower and it was so small. So the way they took the pictures, they made everything look bigger than what it actually was.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, yeah, it's just like when you're selling a house, right or something, it always looks bigger yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1:But I mean I was like, wait a minute, the bed is in the living room and everything. What Is that why I paid for this? No, it was just misleading. But getting back to your experience in Grenada, obviously customer service has changed. That's disappointing, I have to say.
Speaker 2:It is especially because you got to think of it too. I guess I don't know if the customer service is different if you're not Black, because I'm Black, so I don't know, right.
Speaker 1:Right right.
Speaker 2:Other than when I open my mouth. I think I would get different customers or different service Right Personally, but I don't know, so I don't know what it is for the other side.
Speaker 1:That would be interesting to see.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and I don't really dress up and stuff too. I'm not acting like a tourist when I'm down there, so I don't know.
Speaker 1:What were you wearing Like? Were you dressed like a local?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I just wear regular stuff. I don't, I don't, I don't, wait a minute.
Speaker 1:So when you go back home you're not like, oh my gosh, when I go back home I'm all like I get all these outfits and everything because I'm like I'm on vacation. You don't do, do that on vacation, I don't care.
Speaker 2:Wow, this is a different approach. Wait a minute, what so you like? You're like in your home clothes.
Speaker 1:What were you wearing?
Speaker 2:shorts and a tee. Uh, yeah, yeah. Why do I want to stick out?
Speaker 1:I don't know, but like I think, when I go, well, I guess it's different from a female perspective, like guys are so different when they travel. Like you pack light, don't you like? How do you pack when you go, when you go away?
Speaker 2:yeah, I gotta pack light, gotta save room for the rum bottles that's funny, wait a minute.
Speaker 1:So like how much did you pack? Well, you only went for six days. So what?
Speaker 2:you only packed like a few things or what I actually went for a full seven, basically seven days, because I yeah, yeah I landed in the afternoon and I left in the afternoon, sort of a thing. So it's basically seven days but yeah, but like, yeah, just some t-shirts and pants and stuff and shorts and swimming yeah, yeah, but you're not like wearing.
Speaker 1:You didn't buy like a few nice shirts or something. No, what?
Speaker 2:am I doing that?
Speaker 1:for, wow, you're like a nomad. Oh my goodness, you don't even like dress. I would be bringing like some nice dresses if we're going out for dinner or whatever. You know what I mean. Nope, you're acting like you're home. Then you're not even well, I know you're home yeah, yeah, okay, okay, so you're not doing like.
Speaker 1:So what if? Ok, what if we were going dinner in the nighttime or something? You wouldn't even wear a nice dress shirt, like, say, you were going what's the name of that restaurant I forgot? Maybe at the Esplanade Mall or no, not even the Esplanade I'm trying to think of like a nice restaurant in town. I can't even think of anything that's like really.
Speaker 2:But then again, again, I'm also not planning to go to any nice restaurants.
Speaker 1:I'm not down there for that, so I know you're there. You were there to visit family, right?
Speaker 2:yeah, yeah, that's it really okay, were you relaxing, though?
Speaker 1:did you get to relax when you were down there?
Speaker 2:yeah, yeah, actually this is the first time when I've been down there. I went to just visit a bunch of other places, like I went to granite tank wake, I went to different stuff. I went to a bunch of other stuff because usually when I'm down there I don't, you know oh okay, so what were the highlights? Uh, just spending time with like younger family and stuff like that. I think that was the the better part like family, more my age and stuff yeah, yeah and and um, I'm meeting new people.
Speaker 2:I met some people from from caracoo and stuff when I was down there oh, my goodness, wow.
Speaker 1:So how was that? You? Did you go to caracoo, or you just met them?
Speaker 2:they're actually no, I met them. I met them. They're from car. Actually. They own one of the islands off of grenada and we were talking they're from well, they used to live in the UK and they're just back now sort of helping fix up their home. But they own one of the bigger size islands there north of Grenada and we were talking about different stuff and they were saying how bad it is still is in Carriacou, that like there was a big outbreak of dengue and all this other stuff, that people people aren't really lack of a better word coming together to help fix carriacou and I mean the local people in carriacou they're sort of just being nonchalant about it right so they're not.
Speaker 2:They're not taking the initiative to get up and just fix. They're sort of waiting on a handout. And they said they've had people from from trinidad come over to help. They've had people, I think they said from guyana as well, that's came over and helped them with building, rebuilding, trying to rebuild and stuff like that. Yeah, but at that time they were saying there's still houses without roofs and all that stuff, but the local people they're not. They're not taking the initiative to get up and do it, which is sad because, again, it's your home. So take the initiative to, to, to stand up and and fix your home and fix your neighbor's home. You know, because it's. It's a small community. Caracoo is small, like you know, so it is small.
Speaker 1:I think I think I read it it's 10 000 people that live in caracoo, like it is. Yeah, like I mean, I can look at, like I could just verify, but yeah, I was just. You know, it seemed like we we did have a lot of people help. Like you said, a lot of people did help, so let's hope. I mean, I talked to someone else what was the artist? His name is Slata and he said that he's still, they're still dealing with a lot in caracu, right? So it's one of those things that it seems like with everything, if they don't band together, then it's going to take longer than average, right? Like I mean, any hurricane has a deep impact, right? So the fact that they're not banding together, what do you think would? Would, would need someone would have to push them to do it? Like what do you think I?
Speaker 2:have no idea. Yeah, I have no idea. Like, I think there's sort of just like, from what I understand, they're just waiting on handouts. Basically they're not really sort of doing it, which is again sad, but so it's taking the rebuilding effort longer by doing that, right. Yeah, the rebuilding effort longer by doing that, right, yeah. I just saw on google, as of 2022, the population was 6081.
Speaker 1:So, yeah, I guess, like if we're gonna get into it, like just to talk a little bit about what happened in caracus. So hurricane ivan right that they were hit with a hurricane like a category three hurricane in September, and I mean this is crazy because, like you said over from what I'm hearing, like 90% of the island's buildings were damaged or destroyed, so they're like starting from the bottom, like they have to rebuild everything, right. So yeah, so yeah.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's a complete rebuild from what they were telling me and I know obviously for a while they had no electricity and stuff. I think that's from what I understand. It's back up and running now, so yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I know they were out of power and everything like that, cause my aunt was telling me she knows a nurse that's there and that you know they like I mean in the summertime. Obviously they were just trying to get power back to begin with, right?
Speaker 2:yeah, I know, and I know I don't know how much recovery, because apparently not even people in Grenada itself know how bad it is there, because it's, it's, it's again. They're sort of isolated right.
Speaker 1:So yeah, that's crazy. Well, let's hope that this year things get better. Like, I mean, september was a few months ago and I don't know there's there's got to be some inspiration because, like you said, it's your home, it's where you're coming from and like, maybe more people from grenada or saint George's have to go, or you know, to help together and something like of that nature, to help Karaku, who knows? Yeah, so the people you were talking to, they're rebuilding, right, and what did they tell you, like in terms of like how long it's going to take them? You know what I mean. Like it's your house is gone.
Speaker 2:Well, yeah, yeah, I think he said when I was speaking to them there's a couple, and he was just basically saying, where they're obviously doing their best, their roof and everything is has been put back together.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:For the most part. At that time I think they said that I forgot the name of the restaurant the bigger restaurants on the island, like the main tourist and whatnot that that one's back up and running, so things are slowly getting there. It's just that it would have been faster if they had put the effort in.
Speaker 1:Right, right, I don't know. I feel like, even when Caracoo side, I remember when there was a hurricane in Grenada and that happened, I think, in 2004. Like, we just missed it, me and my sister, we were down there and then I got back, I visited Grenada, like four years later, and Caron there were some parishes, like, let's just say, in Grand Ams, like by River Roadside, there, like we I went to go visit my sister I have another sister, um, she lives over there and there were still some areas, like I mean, obviously they'd recover, but there's still some houses that you could see. Oh, that's from the hurricane, you know.
Speaker 1:So I feel like, even four years, like you could probably go back to caracou in a few years from now and like you could still see the impact, like I, I feel like it's the people, the money, the resources, everything like all in one, all encompassing right, because, like, even though caracou is a separate island, it's still a part of grenada, so it's like the government of Grenada to all in one. But, like you said, it's like just how people are, like I guess they expect others to come and help them. I don't know why, but well, this is the thing.
Speaker 2:Like you say, yes, the government has its responsibility to help the people Right, people right. But if, from the way I understand it, if you're getting supplies and you're being given the means in, by getting those supplies, you would take the initiative to fix your own property. That makes sense. Yeah, and I think and I think that is what's not happening from my understanding, from the conversation, right, just right, and like everything from people complaining, hey, you know, you gave the free food that they're getting to say, I don't like this, like you're only giving me rice, chicken, vegetables and baked chicken. Why can't I get like a roti or something like that as a free meal? You got a free meal, right, you know stuff like that. That's that's my understanding of what happened or what has did happen yeah, I understand that mental.
Speaker 1:I understand what you're saying because that's someone's um telling you about the experience where it's like you give them an inch, they want a mile, kind of mentality.
Speaker 2:Basically yeah.
Speaker 1:Basically, yeah, yes, which is unfortunate, right, absolutely yeah, I think it's hard. Like, either way you take it like it's hard as a community. Like, do you think, like if, knock on wood, like Grenadians, like people from Grand Anse and St Andrew have a different mentality, like versus like? You know what I mean.
Speaker 2:Like, I would say yeah. I would say yeah yeah, I would say yeah, but again, this is what I was told.
Speaker 1:Yeah, this is yeah you haven't been there to see how it is, like I mean everyone, there's three sides to every story and like obviously this is one person's opinion and we've seen like the impact of it Right, and so it's hard, right, either way it's, it's hard for anyone to recover from from anything like yeah, or any, any disaster like that yeah. Any disaster yeah.
Speaker 2:Grenada. The Grenada fared pretty well, yeah, well, yeah, there wasn't. There wasn't much or any damage at all, right, but did take the brunt of it. And I remember I think it was right before I left too I saw a news article pop up online saying that they're still in desperate need, and so it was interesting that on the way back, when I was speaking to that gentleman and his wife, they're like they're saying they're stressing out about how bad it is and was, and not many people even know about it because life is just happening normally. So I think there's also a bit of awareness, or lack of awareness with it. That that helped combine all of this. But at the same time, like I said, if you're not taking responsibility to get up and fix your home, don't expect someone to do it for you, you know.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, and it's one of those things like you're saying they got some resources, but who's to say everyone got the help? Right To get them the help, yeah, like it's hard.
Speaker 2:But I mean, but for six, like six, let's say we've got consent, that census of approximately 6 000 people. For six, let's say that was 2022. Let's say you add an extra two or, if right, round up to 10 000. For 10 000 people, how hard is it? For 10 000 people, you know that's not a lot of people and again, that's coming from a north american perspective that that's not a lot of people. When you have countries like trinidad and Guyana and the government of Grenada helping, right, I don't think it would be too difficult to get all of that sorted out. Right. For it to be as long as a period because when I went down it was probably, I think, a month after the hurricane, so that came back in December. I went down in December-ish, so I want to say or beginning of December, so that I can't remember when the hurricane was.
Speaker 1:The hurricane was in September.
Speaker 2:There you go. So October, november, december, three months after you know, or two months you know that's, that's not a lot of people.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's, on a grand scheme, that's not a lot of people. Yeah, yeah, exactly. But yeah, I mean regardless. Maybe there's that lack of awareness, lack of help with certain resources, that it will take longer than here. Like I'm telling you because, like, even as we're talking, we're running down. Okay, so even me, like because of this this is a podcast and because Grenada doesn't have the same resources that we have here in North America, like there's so many more podcasts here in Canada. Because of the population More people, more resources, more funding and because Grenada is at a different capacity population, there's less resources, less funding like everything is on a smaller scale. I think even poverty is higher. Last time I checked it was like 33 percent, and so I think it's like one of those things where, at the end of the day, it will take longer for them to recover. I think I, I guess, like you said, we're not there to see the ruffle, and like even someone else I know is telling me he's still helping out with it.
Speaker 2:So it's crazy, right, see that's yeah, so I guess those stories aren't far-fetched based on that right, but that's also but that's also part of the thing, right. It goes back to even that customer service thing. Things just take extra long in the Caribbean.
Speaker 1:They do, they do, they definitely do, for no reason.
Speaker 2:For no reason, they just take extra long.
Speaker 1:The fact that you oh my gosh, you were at KFC for that long, like most people here would be like I'm going somewhere else for that long, like most people here would be like. I'm going somewhere else. Yeah, like we're impatient because we're so used to things being so fast, right?
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, or at least some sort of haste, I should say it doesn't even have to be fast. You know, you don't gotta be like, eh, watch paint dry. Just to you know, we, you don't got to be like watch paint dry.
Speaker 1:Just to you know, we're just like it's night and day. It really is. Oh my goodness, thank you for listening to Nutmeg Nation with Carlene Humphrey.
