DAY 1 - Monday Feb 16th
An early flight brought me into Piarco International, and securing my Trinidadian dollars, collecting my bags and making my way through customs was a smooth affair. You immediately feel the full national impact of Carnival when a customs officer stamps your passport and says: "Make sure you don't overdo for the Carnival!" I must have looked like a usual suspect.
I stayed my first night with some Trinidadian family of mine who live in Trincity in the east of Trinidad, and within an hour of my arrival, had been caught up on all the island's 'bacchanal' - some debacle between Machel Montano and Shurwayne Winchester at a concert last weekend, the postponement of the popular party "Jamboree" due to heavy rain and the island's feverish preparation for the upcoming Summit of the Americas (probably in that order!). Having the inside track of local family, is a bit like staying with a Royal in London or Rihanna in Barbados - you get an Access All Areas pass!
Most radio stations are at 100% Soca Music rotation, and so far Hunter's slow chutney soca "Jep Sting Naina" is one of my favourites! The television advertisements are fully endorsed by soca artists and their songs, so even the TV on in someone's house sounds less like a TV and more like a fete.
Lastly - a little story. I asked a Trinidadian en route here, what I must see at Trinidad Carnival. The response was: "It's not what you must see, it's what you must eat!" So far, I've eaten: doubles, pholourie and home cooked fried fish, and I have decided that I am willing to gain weight this week. As the Trinis would say..."don't study it!"
--By Alex Jordan: Port of Spain, Trinidad
BBC Caribbean.com
1 comment:
I have this blog on a list to link to it, as soon as Blogrolling is fixed. It was hacked.
Sounds like fun.
Post a Comment