I have no problem with the changed Mash route

Feb 03, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
On Tuesday 31st January, I was travelling in a taxi cab. The taxi driver was not happy. He could not understand why the MASH route had been changed to Brickdam ending at D’urban Park. “What’s wrong with de ‘ole route?” he asked. Now, I have no idea why he was asking me because I only returned to the carnival spirit last year for the 50th parade on May 26th, 2016 after over 20 years’ absence. He continued to add to his side of the story reminiscing about how the old route was good for “liming” and the “little man can make a few bucks.”
I don’t think he drew breath, not allowing me to put in my two pieces, so I listened. When I got out of the cab at my destination I tried to console the driver with one of my favorite bumper sticker wisdom, “Change is hard at first but fantastic at the end.” He looked at me with a cutting look as he handed me my change then sped away. His point of view stayed with me all day and night, and I am angry at myself for not expressing my views.
Therefore, for the first time, I have put my fingers to the keyboard to write to you and your readers to express my view on the new route for MASH. In 2015, I voted for change; if this change includes changing the MASH route that’s fine with me. As I said earlier, I only re-joined the carnival culture last year. I released my carnival spirit with a jubilant crowd. Thousands of people were liming, eating and rekindling old friendships all along Brickdam.
Therefore, I don’t know what the taxi driver was talking about. I saw vendors doing their little business and bought my flags, roti, bun, t-shirts and drank over my doctor’s recommend amount. It was a fantastic day, and I will be back this year with my friends to be part of the MASH 2017 vibration, celebrating with dignity, liberty and greater unity (yes, that is the theme for this year).
What I recommend to the taxi driver is to get out there on February 23rd, forget the past embrace the new…go, enjoy and MASH it up! There is enough space, music, costumes and fantastic people to throw down. I hope to catch you there. Thank-you Editor for letting me put my point of view across. Next time I will say what I have to say at the right time.
J.R Hartley

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