Strolling St John’s Antigua: A Style, Soul Photo Excursion

St John’s Antigua doesn’t reveal its true character at first blush. Nor does it share its real charm to passersby traversing her thoroughfares by car. To tap into the soul of Antigua’s capital, you really must stroll her streets… slowly.

The city disappears street by street as you enter it.

The famous saying by the English poet/professor Ian Seed really plays in St John’s. The further you walk, the more the city’s concrete, asphalt, ironworks, and galvanize adopt a distinctive style and personality.

St John's lunch spot — Local lunch spot in the heart of St John’s, Antigua | Photo by Steve Bennett

It’s gritty and rugged in parts, as most urban areas in the tropics are, of course. At the same time, though, St John’s also bursts with vibrant style and personality.

T.I.N.Y St John's, Antigua — T.I.N.Y St John’s, Antigua | Photo by Steve Bennett

There’s a wonderful energy to these streets fueled, in large part, by enormous speakers blaring all manner of music, news, sermons, and melee from storefronts and balconies all over town.

Sermons in the Street — Sermons extend to the Street in this corner of St John’s, Antigua | Photo by Steve Bennett

A loud and steady stream of preaching booms from The Life Saver. Nearby, a fashion boutique blares saucy soca and dancehall tunes featuring decidedly ungodly lyrics. The dichotomy in so many ways reflects the raw and authentic West Indies and the many contrasts that make life in our islands so colorful.