“They possess a level of pride in their country that is bigger than their country.
They are not fans of people messing with their land.
Especially if it was earned and not inherited.
They are some of the friendliest persons you will ever meet
But the omission of a hail
Can make you an enemy.
So always say
Good morning, when it is morning
Afternoon, when it is noon time and
Good evening when the dew gets ready to set on the flowers.
The white cedar, their national flower is pink in colour.
Their national dish is peas and rice
Not rice and peas,
With a fish,
And sometimes with plantain, but it is optional,
But on Sundays, it is necessary.
Their national sport is boat racing and it is such a spectacle to see
The crosses, the tacks, the hard lees
And how the fans literally go to the ends of the earth
To support,
Through rugged roads, high cliffs and even through personal properties
The passion they exude for this sport is not found anywhere else
Like boat racing is not found anywhere else,
In other countries it is called,
Sailing..
See boat racing is truly the national sport.
But every day in Anguilla is sport day.
Not reality.
It is just a slang they like to say.
Which actually means every day in Anguilla there are ordinary people here doing the extraordinary.
But there is truly nothing really ordinary about the typical Anguillian.
Not long ago
The beauty of their Island’s queen transcended this island’s topography
And the universe took notice.
In 2023, defying gravity their athletes kept on soaring till they were visible on top of the athletic world’s list.
Their chefs, masters in culinary, make some of the world’s greatest delicacies, while
Their bartenders make magical concoction and potions and
Their musicians make compositions that can cure depression,
Raise consciousness and make you dance all in one song.
Their twong is unique, indicative of their history and some of the words they use will never be found in a dictionary;
But they are theirs.
And it is next to
Impossible to visit and not learn at least two
Of their indigenous words or slangs as they are always willing and able to teach you.
‘Aya lawd’ something happen.
‘Bu buddy‘ really?
‘Lowmenious’ someone mean spirited,
This one is fairly new,
But you get the gist.
And as the history is rich
They have some of the best prolific poets and song writers, story tellers and linguists, decided in telling Anguilla’s story ensuring that her glory lives on.
They possess a level of pride in their country that is bigger than their country.
So in describing their geological location don’t call them a dot on a map.
Call them the diamond in the archipelago, the jewel of the Lesser Antilles
Call them the land of rainbows
Despite their national colours being orange, white and blue
Call them warm and welcoming.
Call them friendly and hospitable
Call them proud, because that is who they are.
As they possess a level of pride in their country that is bigger than their country.
True story : While we were photographing Alexis for this article, coincidentally, his father, a fisherman, motored into Crocus Bay with his catch, and we were able to capture Alexis helping him carry the boat in.
