Fly yuh Flag!

Norway is a new independent nation.  They became a free Independent Kingdom in 1945. This is Norway's National Day.  The entire country is very patriotic since they were once joined with Denmark and Sweden and are happy to be independent and free!
But the most beautiful thing to me are the flag poles in almost every yard!. This is not like america where you have a pole attached to your house or something .. These are the big ole 9 meter tall poles!!!!
On May 17th, Norway's National Day, it is traditional to fly a full sized norwegian flag. Of course in the streets there are the smaller ones, there are parades, there is fireworks etc ... but at your house there is a huge Flag flying proudly.
There are set "Flag days" they call them.  You can see all of them here if you are interested in some more history. These days include the Birthdays of the monarchy, Easter, Christmas, New Years.

But the more endearing practices are Family Birthdays.  It is allowed to fly the flag for someone's birthday since it is a celebration.
Weddings - When someone is getting married, the family usually hoists the flag for the day. It is also customary for the entire village to do the same, whether or not they are invited.
Funerals - It is perfectly appropriate for the village to hoist their flag at half mast for members of their family or members of the community  who have died on the day of the funeral.

When I learnt of this comradery, it made my pores raise.  It is such a beautiful thing to join together in something like weddings and funerals to show your support for your neighbours!
But then again , Trinis does make Anything a celebration .. so maybe the flags will be hoisted every day.  And yuh know how we have big mamajama weddings and funerals where everyone from all over will come to pay the last respects? ... hmmmm well actually .. the way tings going now, there will always be a flag flying half mast and/or full mast in a village... so much ting is go on nowadays.

I can imagine that it would be such an amazing thing. Do you remember when the Soca Warriers made it to Germany?? ... The patriotic spirit was so evident.  Can you imagine having a  huge flag pole with large Trini flags flying?

For Independence day this year ... I wanted to fly my flag high as well.  Unfortunately though, our flag pole didn't have string.  My husband, as ingenious as wonderful as he is,devised a plan to get that flag flying for the day!
A Window Washer screwed to the wall and the flag was up! :) ..

The Trinidad and Tobago Flag flying proudly in Norway on Independence Day 2010

I can't believe that I don't have Trini Tshirt???!!! None!! .. I didn't even have something Red white and black to wear on Independence day! ... Terrible I know!! .. I'll fix it next year!..

But we still have Republic day to come .. so YUH know I have to get meh a HUGE trini flag to fly high here! .... If you feel so inclined, feel free to ship one over for me :)

I love being patriotic when I'm outside of Trinidad... it makes the pride of the Islands so much more real.

Whey yuh say??? All meh people living outta Trini? HOLLAAA!