Watina Song Lyrics

Andy Palacio reflects on recording in Belize with the multigenerational Garifuna Collective, musicians keeping the sounds of their little-known heritage alive. Wátina, their new album, will be released February 27 on a label founded by Putumayo's Jacob Edgar. Editor's Update: Palacio, 47, died of respiratory failure in January 2008 in his native Belize City, Belize. Q: What are the roots of Garifuna culture, and how does it resonate with you personally? A: Long before the Europeans came to the Caribbean, my Carib and Arawak ancestors had been mixing and populating their island homes. Africans later came in and added another layer to the fabric. Today, as a Garifuna person, I am all of that. Additionally, I have been shaped by the Belizean society into which I was born. I am proud to be part of the cultural richness of Belize and our region. This mosaic should never lose its dynamism, and we must endeavour to keep it diverse, interesting, and colorful. Q: How did the Garifuna Collective come together, and what inspired you to create this album? A: The concept of the Garifuna Collective actually began around 2001 with a couple of us artists and musicians who had appeared on various Stonetree releases. We first began to travel internationally as the Garifuna All Star Band, and later, we went on to perform occasionally in Belize under the same name. Just before Wátina was completed, we came up with the name the Garifuna Collective, which we thought was more representative of the concept. Watina was created out of a vision to highlight lesser-known forms of Garifuna music. Punta, punta rock and paranda, had gained much popularity even outside of the Garifuna community over the past few years, and I believed it was time to introduce a more soulful and deeper side of Garifuna music to the global audience. In order to accomplish this, my producer, Ivan Duran and I brought together some of the region's finest musical talent. Q: Where did you record the album, and what was the atmosphere like during the recording process? A: Ivan basically "parachuted" into the seaside Garifuna village of Hopkins and took over Sandy Beach Lodge, a small resort operated by a Garifuna women's cooperative, for a few months. There, we laid the album's foundation, recording the basic tracks in that rural, communal setting. The whole environment was very relaxing and inspiring. It lent itself to a great deal of personal interaction among ourselves and making music in a way that simply felt natural to us. Q: What are some of the distinctive qualities and recurring themes of Garifuna music? A: In Garifuna culture, songs are viewed as "images" of reality; hence, Garifuna composers reflect a wide range of emotions, views on issues facing their families and communities, spirituality, and our history as a people. Issues of poverty, illness, and death are quite common, as are relationships between the sexes and nostalgia. Q: What led you to make the transition from punta rock to Garifuna? A: Let me point out that punta rock is actually a form of Garifuna music, albeit a recent innovation which eventually found its way to other communities. It continues to enjoy an incredibly high level of popularity in many places, but my decision to divert was largely based on the desire to show the world that there is much more to Garifuna music. Dancing punta rock is very sexy and entertaining. Wátina should help to keep our hearts, souls and minds us dancing for many other reasons. Q: Who do you hope will listen to this album? A: I intended Wátina for anyone with an open mind for music. It is also intended for the people of the world who wish to learn something about the Garifuna and places where we live. Above all, however, I hope that Garifuna listeners will find it uplifting and inspirational and that they will identify with my feelings, including my hopes, my concerns, and my pride. Q: In what ways do the songs on this album evoke a sense of place and community? A: Even though many of us on the album come from different communities, we have continuously felt a sense of oneness of purpose in our approach to our music. We all speak the same language and, in so many ways, we are singing to the same audience. Q: What do you think is the future of the Garifuna community in Belize? A: Reciprocity is a fundamental pillar of the Garifuna cosmovision. We have been able to enjoy much of that here in Belize, to the extent that our people have enjoyed many successes, while making numerous contributions in several sectors of society. We are an integral part of Belize's social fabric, and that is not about to change any time soon.

It's not often that a CEO offers a public apology, but that's what happened earlier this week when JetBlue's "humiliated and mortified" founder David Neeleman released a YouTube video , which you can watch on the company website. His message came after storms on Feb. 14 left passengers at JFK stranded on the runway for more than 10 hours and caused JetBlue to cancel hundreds of flights. In an effort to regain favor, Neeleman has announced a JetBlue Customer Bill of Rights promising to compensate fliers who experience delays. Customers will be compensated based on the length of the delays, with vouchers ranging from $25 to the full ticket price. The delays include airplanes unable to taxi to the gate within 30 minutes and flight departures held up for a minimum of three hours. JetBlue would compensate customers with a full refund or a voucher for a flight canceled within 12 hours of its departure. Passengers would receive vouchers if flight delays are the airline's fault, and JetBlue vowed to deplane passengers if an aircraft is delayed on the ground for five hours. What do you think of all this? Vote in our online poll on whether Congress should enact a Passengers' Bill of Rights!

Secret Hotels of California Wine Country You don't have to spend a fortune to visit the fanciest farmland in America. We've found a crop of lovely, family-run inns in Napa, Sonoma, and beyond for less than $200 a night. Hotel Database River Cruising in Eastern Europe Cruise ships are now larger--and have more attractions--than some small nations. But there's also a subtler way to sail: river cruising. Marilyn Holstein explores Germany, Austria, and Hungary while drifting slowly along the Danube. Cruise Checklist (PDF) My Brooklyn in Better Than Yours Manhattan? Fuhgeddaboudit. These days, the most interesting part of New York is across the East River. 3 Brooklyn Walking Maps The Cool List: The Best New Thrills We celebrate the best new thrills, from over-the-top water attractions and interactive art to North America's first bridge climb and New York City's best view. Watch the Cool List Videos Web Smart: Booking Cruises Online Buying a cruise used to be kind of like sailing in uncharted waters. A new online tool helps you get your bearings. Road Trip: Michigan's Upper Peninsula The area is gorgeous, remote, and quirky--where the people prefer ATVs to cars, and menus feature meat pockets and Paul Bunyan-size cinnamon rolls. 40 Best Vacations The Real Deals right now.

I argued that my name had no business being on this book. I'm the editor of Budget Travel, but I didn't come up with these tips--the readers did. When I made my case to the publisher, he said my name was on the book simply so bookstore workers would know where to shelve it. So please ignore my name. This is your book--and by "you" I mean every reader who has ever submitted a tip to the magazine. The 20 Tips section is the very soul of Budget Travel. It's where we share clever solutions and hard-learned lessons, where we're not afraid to admit our obsession with Ziploc bags. No wonder so many people love it. I know I do: I used to think an occasional tip was ridiculous--until I found myself using it while on a trip. We're sending a free copy to everyone whose tip was included in the book. I hope those of you who didn't make it will think about buying one--for yourself, for your family, for your friends, for your cat. And keep sending us tips! Over the next year, we'll be giving published tipsters not just the usual free subscription to the magazine, but also a copy of The Smart Traveler's Passport. Remember: Together we're the smartest travelers out there. Here's a sampling of what you'll find in the book: Make Packing a Breeze It's unnecessary to create a packing list for each trip. Instead, draw up a master list with everything you might need on any given trip--from ski goggles to snorkels. Save it on your computer. Before you pack, cross out anything you don't need for that trip. Bonnie Herbst, Ventura, Calif. Outsmart Snooty Hotel Clerks If you book a package online, print a copy of all the details that are included and take it with you. When a hotel clerk in Paris said the breakfast buffet we had enjoyed all week wasn't included, I was able to prove him wrong. He apologized profusely. John Lavelle, Avon Lake, Ohio Don't Get Stranded at Airports Try to get on the first flight out in the morning. Those planes often arrive the evening before, so you won't have to rely on an incoming plane, which could be delayed due to bad weather elsewhere, resulting in the delay or cancellation of your flight. George Glover, Brunswick, Maine Think Unconventionally When you attend a convention or trade show, the official prices at recommended hotels may not be the best you can do. Go to the hotel website. I recently got an AARP rate that was 30 percent below the special price offered through the trade-show sponsors. Duane Dahl, Santa Fe, N.M. Plan a Trip the Sneaky Way We send away for brochures from tour operators. They provide sightseeing itineraries and hotel and restaurant recommendations, which we then follow on our own. Raymond White, Dulles, Va. Pack Light or You'll Pay for It On a Ryanair flight between Glasgow and Dublin, my husband and I were charged over $100 for excess baggage. Always check the weight allowances--especially on low-fare airlines--before you leave home. Lynne Heath, Hudson, N.H. Be a Smooth Operator Dry-cleaning bags can stop clothes from wrinkling. Slide each garment into its own bag (leave the hanger at home) and place them flat on your bed, one atop another. Then carefully fold the entire stack to fit it in your suitcase. Once you get to your hotel, hang everything up ASAP. Claudette Christman, Colonial Heights, Va. Increase Your Recharging Power Many cruise-ship cabins have only one outlet, but you'll need more if you want to power up your laptop, iPod, cell phone, and other gadgets. That's why I pack a power strip. Jay Van Vechten, Boca Raton, Fla. Don't Just Stand There If your flight is canceled, call the airline's 800 number while you wait in line. They may answer your call before you reach the front of the line. Karen LoPresto-Arbaugh, Kennett Square, Pa. Destroy Credit Card Receipts I bought several items in London and noticed upon returning home that my credit card number was printed in full on each sales slip. (In the U.S., only the final digits of the number are visible.) When overseas, don't leave sales slips lying around. Jackie MacNeil, Santa Maria, Calif. Check In at Checkout Before you head to the airport, stop by the front desk of your hotel or cruise ship and ask if they'll print your boarding pass. It'll save time at check-in. It's worked for me at Marriott hotels and on a Celebrity cruise. Rose Jakubaszek, Jersey City, N.J. Ensure a Nice First Impression For overnight flights, pack a few Oral B Brush-Ups in your carry-on. You can "brush" your teeth before the plane lands! Janice Pruitt Winfrey, Marietta, Ga. Ask the Right Questions My family and I made reservations for a beach condo on Maui. Upon arrival, we were shocked to see a sign at the beach that read no swimming. Make certain you specify a swimming beach. Ruth Herlean, Richmond, Va. Don't Get Alarmed Always check to see if a previous hotel guest left the alarm clock on. I've been rudely awakened twice in the last few months. Rachele Hemphill, Napa, Calif. Shower Wherever You Can If you fly overnight to Europe and early check-in at your hotel isn't an option, ask if you can store your luggage and use the gym's shower. Pack toiletries and a change of clothes in your carry-on. Brian Huseman, Washington, D.C. Make the Right Call I have "hotel" and "taxi" on my cell-phone speed dial. On a trip, I change the numbers but leave the titles the same--no more slips of paper everywhere. Isabel Burk, New City, N.Y. Create Your Own Evidence I take a digital picture of the gas gauge to prove I returned the rental car with a full tank. I've used the photos to get refunds after charges appeared on my credit card bill. Jeff Mishur, Roselle, Ill. Liven Up Museum Visits When going to a museum with kids, head to the gift shop first and buy postcards of the museum's most famous works. Your kids can go on a treasure hunt for the masterpieces. Daphna Woolfe, San Jose, Calif. Avoid Getting Totally Soaked Always bring a few Ziploc bags whenever you're going to a theme park. They'll protect your cell phone and wallet when you're riding on water attractions. Jack Bell, Kissimmee, Fla.