Friday was a national holiday in Suriname celebrating Maroon culture. So of course you want to know what that is.
Apparently the British mispronounced the Spanish word for wild escaped African slaves - cimarrónes. The most famous group of self governing ex-slaves was established in the north coast of Jamaica but apparently they also found refuge in the interior of Suriname.
The city pretty much shut down for the holiday. We had chatted with our landlord who told us half the country’s population had goes to the Netherlands to find work and the three hundred thousand people that the sun need more than one job to survive so I’m guessing a day off is a day of rest. We went shopping at Wow.
Wow is a giant store filled with household goods of all kinds. We were looking for new non skid rugs for GANNET2 and nail clippers for Layne. Success on all counts.
Black clouds were rolling in and sure enough it started to rain. I’m getting the uncomfortable feeling rainy season may be kicking in early and with 70 miles of dirt road to cover when we get to Brazil, mud will not be our friend.
We had a plan to buy some Indonesian soup to go but predictably it was closed so we stove home and Rusty was glad to see us.
We’d be going south if it wasn’t for my sisters wedding. She really wants me to give her away and I want to be there. Big brothers have obligations too and this one I’m looking forward to. Besides himself is enjoying living in a proper house.
Rusty’s wishes count too.
