Baby turtles, Native American culture and house painting

Hello hello hello!

So, this is going to be one heck of an update.

Last weekend we set of for Cayenne in the hope of seeing some baby turtles in their dash towards the sea. French Guiana happens to be one of the nesting spots of one of the worlds largest marine turtle species, called "Luthe" in French. Sadly, the season for spotting this type of turtle had already passed - I shall have to wait a year until I get another chance to see one of these turtles. We did however encounter a smaller turtle species, both a female laying her eggs, and a dozen tiny baby turtles making a sprint for life. I was not able to take any pictures because of the darkness; the eggs usually hatch under the cover of darkness. And anyway, I did not want to disturb them. It was fantastic thought, dozens of little turtles all around you for a couple of minutes, all of them just racing towards the sea. Just magical. We did come across this makeshift piece of turtle artwork, which I thought was quite lovely. Yay for creative people!

Unbeknownst, this particular weekend was also the awareness week of the Amerindians, the native tribes of the Amazon. We then spent the evening in Cayenne center, where the square was filled with tents of artisan amerindian bits and bobs for sale. They also exhibited the outfits and dances of some of the major tribes.

I simply love how colorful they all were! Absolutely fantastic traditional wear - I was totally jealous. 

Anthony made me pose with a native american man all dressed up. 

Anthony walked up to a group of natives and took some pictures of them - standard move - I then asked him whether we shouldn't ask them first, if it would be alright to take some pictures of them. Upon which a girl standing next to us must have overheard us and said "Oooh it's fiine! These are all my uncles! Take as many pictures as you want." Standard uncles - smoking, drinking and making cultural instruments from a bamboo shaft. Awesome.

A girl from one of the local tribes exhibiting one of their traditional dances - and yes, that is her real hair.

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The following monday and tuesday I was invited to attend a little workshop to make my own element of the amerindian culture, a 'Ciel de Case'. This is a painting done on a small wooden board, of a traditional figure, done in a traditional style with a (very intricate) design - usually mounted in the tent/hut of the main or central building in order to protect the village and keep evil spirits at bay.

Of course, I picked the design which looked like a horse, the 'Apuweika', but which actually, upon more careful research, is actually a two-headed cat-like creature - oops. Anyway, it took about six hours of detailed work to complete so it better keep our house safe from any passing evil spirits :D

 

I documented the process of my labor - Hah! So here we are, making the border!

 

Once the border has been drawn on to the board, the figure is designed and drawn onto the board.

 

 
Viola! Like so. Then begins the real work - every single line has to be carved into the board, to contain the paint later on.

 
After the tough process of carving every line, you may begin the painting, which is not done by paintbrush as you would expect, but with the actual cutter tool; paint is dipped and scrapped onto the triangle shapes - slow but fun!

 
My fellow companion hard at work!

 

 
Now it is beginning to take shape!

 

The finished result! My Apuweika 'Ciel De Case', which is now mounted at home on our wall :) Yay for personalized art!

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The weekend arrived again and this time we had our work cut out for us, no prancing around town this time. The entire living room and kitchen needed re-painting (... and scraping, and brushing, and cleaning and ... and...). Fun. Times.

But first I made Anthony pose with our very first harvested pineapple!

 
I don't think he appreciated it much... but look how fantastic the pineapple looks!


I was very excited about this painting business! So I took lots of pictures :P


Our house was a mess though... that part was not so exciting. Still, on we drudged.


Serious business - let's get this painting show on the road people! Arrr...


Then I encountered one, and two and three of these... then it was less fun. By the end of it I had dust everywhere and my arms and legs were aching - I needed refueling.


Lunchtime was spent on the terrace for lack of chairs and tables and all that. Good stuff!
We managed to get the whole thing painted in one day (two coats!), which I really think was rather well done, if I may say so myself. Now we have one blueish green wall and pretty white walls in our house - and a TV-mount, rather amaze-a-roo!

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Now it is time for a week of teaching English and learning French! 

Tip of the day: Eat an avocado, it is super tasty. And smile, it is good to smile.

Boooyaaah! :)