Carnival & Constitution
Editor’s note: This post will continue to evolve as I do.
Welcome, fellow travelers and curious minds, to the next chapter in our Around the World journey. A global series crafted to help you explore and connect with every country on the map, one story at a time. Whether you’re discovering places for the first time or revisiting them through a fresh lens, this space invites perspective, curiosity, and a little wanderlust.
Today’s post, “Carnival & Constitution,” takes us to a place where grand republics meet carnival islands, and these nations show North America’s many faces. From vibrant streets pushing with beats to historic halls where laws are shaped, this leg of t he journey weaves together rhythm, legacy, and identity.
We’re headed to Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States. Let’s take flight.
My hand-drawn flag of Saint Kitts & Nevis
SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS
Official name: The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis
Pronunciation: saynt kits uhn nee-vuhs
Capital: Basseterre
Official language: English
Location: In the Southeastern corner of the Caribbean in the Northen Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Near Barbados and Dominican Republic
Most known for: Being called “Mother Colony of the West Indies.
Fun fact: Smallest country in the Americas
Recent news article: Black, Gold, and Green Day Today in Jamaica (Editor, 2025) - https://www.thestkittsnevisobserver.com/black-gold-and-green-day-today-in-jamaica/
My knowledge: I’m aware of the country just too too much else
My hand-drawn flag of Saint Lucia
SAINT LUCIA
Official name: Saint Lucia
Pronunciation: saynt loo-shuh
Capital: Castries
Official language: English
Location: In the Southeastern corner of the Caribbean in the Northern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Near Saint Vincent and Grenadines, Barbados
Most known for: Its volcanic scenery, including the Pitons Mountains
Fun fact: It’s famous for being the only country named after a woman
Recent news article: Saint Kitts and Nevis celebrates National Heroes Day, tomorrow September 16 (SKNIS, 2025) - https://m.sknvibes.com/news/newsdetails.cfm/126550
My knowledge: I’m not too familiar
My hand-drawn flag of Saint Vincent and Grenadines
SAINT VINCENT AND GRENADINES
Official name: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Pronunciation: saynt VIN-sent and the GRE-na-deenz
Capital: Kingstown
Official language: English
Location: Far Southeastern Caribbean near South American coast in the Northern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Near Saint Lucia, Grenada, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago
Most known for: Being a volcanic island with black sandy beaches
Fun fact: Filming location for Pirates of the Caribbean movies
Recent news article: How a Small Caribbean Nation Developed a Whaling Culture (Christopher Bancroft, 2025) - https://www.themeateater.com/fish/general/how-a-small-caribbean-nation-developed-a-whaling-culture
My knowledge: I’m not very informed about Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
My hand-drawn flag of Trinidad and Tobago
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Official name: Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Pronunciation: tri-nuh-dad uhn tuh-bay-gow
Capital: Port of Spain
Official language: English
Location: Southeastern most countries of Caribbean and within proximity to South American coastline in the Northern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Near Grenada and Venezuela
Most known for: Being the best Caribbean destination for nature holidays
Fun fact: Home to world’s oldest protected rainforest in the Western Hemisphere. It’s known as Tobago Main Ridge Forest Preserve
Recent news article: How Trinidad and Tobago Preserves its Cardinal Roots While Embracing the Future (Yesha Callahan, 2025) - https://www.bet.com/article/3jgrog/how-trinidad-and-tobago-preserves-its-carnival-roots-while-embracing-the-future
My knowledge: I’m not too familiar
My hand-drawn flag of the United States of America
UNITED STATES
Official name: The United States of America
Pronunciation: yoo-nai-tuhd stayts uhv uh-meh-ruh-kuh
Capital: Washington District of Columbia (Washington D.C. for short)
Official language: No official language until March 1st, 2025 when English was made the official language
Location: Middle of North America in the Northern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Canada and Mexico
Most known for: Its powerful economy, technological innovation, medical advancements, and cultural influence through Hollywood, movies, music, and food industries
Fun fact: The Statue of Liberty statue was a gift from France
Recent news article: What Day is Thanksgiving 2025? What to know about the U.S. holiday (Sandoval, 2025) - https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/life/2025/11/22/what-date-is-thanksgiving-2025-what-to-know/87385217007/
My knowledge: I was born and raised here in the states, so a lot but not enough to call myself a representative by any means
As we wrap up this vibrant chapter of “Carnival & Constitution,” the journey through these five nations reminds us that identity wears many hats. Some feathered in festival parades, others etched into foundational documents. From Saint Lucia to the United States, we’ve seen how celebration and structure can coexist, and even elevate one another.
Before we part, here is a travel tip I have: balance your itinerary the way these countries balance their spirit. Leave room for both spontaneous joy and grounded learning. Dive into a street celebration, then step into a museum. Let both move you.
Curious where it all began? Our first post in the Around the World series, “Just the Beginning” think of it as your boarding pass and itinerary. It offers a glimpse of the full route, from continent to continent, one group of countries at a time. Check it out here to see what gate you’re boarding next.
I’d love to hear if you’ve lived in, visited, or have roots in any of these nations. Drop your stories or favorite memories below, and get ready, because our next flight takes off in just two days.
As a signature of my blog, I’d like to end this post with a suggestion to “Pass on kindness.” There’s no time like the present to Inspire Those Who Inspire You. Acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, can have a direct, positive impact on someone else. Go out there today and change someone’s life for the better!
***These are my personal opinions and may not be those of my employer.***
