Ann's Blog
Rodney Bay, St. Lucia:
March 17, 2012:
New additions to my sign collection
Whenever I’m on shore, – walking the road, careening along in a mini-van bus, or riding shotgun in a rental – I read every sign I pass, keeping an eye out not just for stops of interest, but also for worthy additions to my collection of whimsical and wacky signage. This hobby (if you can call it that) got its start six years ago when I spotted a sign over the frozen-food case in a grocery store in Roseau, Dominica: “It is an offense to switch chicken parts into different chicken part boxes.” The collection very quickly doubled when I spotted the following on a sign outside the LaQua Brothers Burial Society, the funeral home in Hillsborough Carriacou: “Our motto: Satisfaction.” The writer in me wants to know the story behind signs like those. But the editor in me focuses on ones that are unintentionally hilarious because of a misspelling or misuse of a word.
I’ve blogged about signs before — “Read ‘Em and Whoop” — but I can’t resist sharing some new finds from our stay in Carriacou at the beginning of March:
We spotted this gem at the start of a coastal hike from the village of Belmont to the ruins of an old lime-processing estate near Dumfries.
The start of another Carriacou hike, this one, to Manchineel Bay, passed this gate.
Each time we took the bus to Hillsborough or walked to L’Esterre or Paradise Beach, we passed this sweet little farm stand. I always hoped there would be something for sale on it, but there never was.
And I can’t resist ending with a photo of a sign that was sent to me by a friend in Trinidad, who had been sent it by other friends. The shot was taken outside a rum shop in Couva. I think they’re on to something, don’t you?
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I just finished reading your book “The Spice Necklace” and it was AWESOME. I love the Carribbean and my dream is to one day travel throughout the islands and try some of the traditional foods. Stay safe and keep writing!
Bwahahaha, signs are one of my favorite “souvenirs”. Fabulous. I picked up some of the Signspotting books and they are a hoot!
Hi Ann (again), well I just bought and read your first book and it was awesome as well. Do you have another in the works? I hope all is Ireeeeee!
Ed
One of my favorites — a packaging notice on tie-downs purchased in a motorcycle accessory shop: “Not for use for personal restraint.”
Ann — just checked your “The Spice Necklace” book from the Everett WA library; was there in search for “An Embarrassment of Mangoes.”
Would you believe my husband was just in Rodney Bay St. Lucia March 18-21st to look at a boat we just bought there?
Definitely subscribing to your blog as well as reading your books!