February 7, 2012 - Grenada's Independence Day


Today is the 38th anniversary of Grenada's independence from Great Britain.

People in Grenada are wearing red, green, and gold today, and they're waving flags. The streets are filled with the aroma of “oil down,” which is a combination of breadfruit, coconut milk, tumeric, dumplings, taro leaves, and salted meat. Calypso and soca music echo from every establishment. By-standers enjoy watching folk dancers and a military parade.

This island nation in the Caribbean is made up of seven islands and is a leading producer of several spices, including cinnamon, cloves, ginger, mace, allspice, and especially nutmeg. Even though Grenada is only about the size of the city of Las Vegas, Nevada, it provides one-fifth of the world's supply of nutmeg, making it the world's second largest producer. There is even a picture of nutmeg on Grenada's flag!

This short video of a nutmeg “factory” in Grenada shows a very simple, almost primitive, production process. 

Enjoy the beauties of Grenada in this slide-video

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