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Cultural Caravan Report
by Nasaria Suckoo Chollette 
This summer was the first summer since I began teaching that I was not off on summer holidays, but rather was sitting at my desk behind a computer feeling envious of my teacher friends who were on various flights headed towards late mornings, family reunions and freedom. Now don’t get me wrong, I love my work, but a six week vacation, who wouldn’t like one of those. That got me thinking about the September looming ahead where normally I would frantically be trying to remain in the carefree headspace of “no work” and working hard only at forgetting how much preparation I still had to do for the next term ahead. And I felt some comfort knowing that when my colleagues were heading back to the classroom, I would be taking my vacation. That's when the idea for a New Teachers Cultural Caravan Programme popped into my head.
I remember how bad I used to feel for the new teachers arriving to the island with barely a couple of weeks to find a home, buy a car, find their way around and all of this in the midst of a new cultural experience. Could be an adventure, could be a disaster. Wouldn't it be great if they could get some kind of cultural heritage induction to welcome them to our islands, to help them transition smoothly into the schools, to show off all the things that make me proud to be a Caymanian? Finally I was in the position that I could make that happen. All excited I passed it by my boss and slam bam, we were on our way.
The next couple of weeks were spent researching cost, scouting resources and putting together my proposal; and halleluiah the Ministry of Education accepted.
Skip forward to Sat. Oct 3, 2009, armed with two busses, a detailed schedule and cold water, the Cayman Islands National Museum set off on its first annual Cultural Caravan. First was a tour of the Museum itself where the participants were treated to the blowing of the conch shell at 9am on the steps of the Museum, taking us back to a time when fishermen communicated with their customers through a special language. That's when the emotion of all of this started to build in my chest. This Museum has just reopened since hurricane Ivan's devastation, and in the last year, all I have been dealing with are the new exhibits for our re-opening. So it should be no surprise that while I am proud of what we have accomplished, I am have seen those exhibits is several stages of construction and so I am just a bit jaded about the whole thing. But what really amazed me was the way this Museum visit transformed the spirits of these teachers. They became like children, at this gasping at that. I had to call them four or five times before they would follow me, so enthralled they were pushing buttons and taking rides on submarine, asking a million questions. What…why...where!!!
Needless to say the rest of the day continued in much the same fashion at Pedro St. James; getting lost in the bushed searching for tamarinds, trying to climb cherry trees to get to the cherries on top and parading nosily through the Great House. It seemed to come alive again.
The Josie Senior Centre was much of the same, skipping through this old house, mouth hanging and eyes blazed open, just drunk off of the rainbow of colour, from thatch work to, candy coloured yoyo quilts, to the most delicate of crocheted lace. That's all after we had been stuffed on tuna and cornbeef sandwiches, tamarind drink, light cake, cassava cake and macaroni pudding. Mrs. Josie Solomon and her Crafting Ladies spoiled us rotten, just like Grandmothers are supposed to do.
As if we could possibly take anymore beauty, we stopped at Al Ebank's Art Studio where the teachers were introduced to Native Son's Artists and their work. It was a fantastic opportunity for artists to share their vision, their passion with guests. They loved the one on one time with the artists and making contacts that will become invaluable to them as they make plans to incorporate art in their lesson plans.
We toured through North Side, East End and West bay and landed on Seven Mile Beach, ready to feast on fish and fritters from Mrs. Georgeann’s Kitchen, and just sit and take in the cool breeze and watch the sunset. Not before they are treated to some drumming, storytelling and dialect poetry though.
At the end of this tour, I was tired, but I was simply touched because I had proven what I believe to be true; if you invite someone to come and enjoy your culture, rather than try to thrust it down their throats, the process forms friendships that will last a long time and sets a foundation for them to come to feel love and responsibility for preserving, sharing and respecting the rich cultural heritage of these Cayman Islands.
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