o be chipping down the road, Angostura 1919 in hand, and a hot tune on my lips... The only hitch in the plan is the fact that I'm not going to be in Trinidad for Carnival for the first time in my ENTIRE life! Lawd... Sometimes when I sit down and study the situation properly, I feel like crying harder that a baby! But I've got enough ground troops in Trinidad scoping out the scene to keep me up to date, so I guess that will have to suffice. In the meantime, I'm going to share the do's & dont's with you. Maybe this is your first Trini Carnival in years, or your first Carnival ever. Maybe you're telling yourself "Well I've been to the NYC Halloween Parade on 6th avenue, and Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and Caribana in Toronto, so I'm all ready, man!" No you're not - you're 'almost' ready - so I'll tell you what you need to know to be completely ready for the Greatest Show on Earth! This Trini Carnival thing is a different sort of beast. It's the kind that lures you in and swiftly slips into your system - you'll love it and keep comming back for more!For starters, whether or not you're a visitor to Trinidad or a native, there are some Carnival essentials (b
eyond the costume, of course) that you must have at your disposal. SaucyTrini does a good job of breaking down the basics on her blog www.SaucyTrini.blogspot.com. The basics are the little things like an extra safety pin in your purse - Things that you'll wave off when you're leaving the house but bawl out for when you're prancing down the Avenue and your bra strap bursts... She's got it all on that list, so go check it out. And while it's cool to just amble about, waiting for a 'vaps to ketch' you, informing you of where you should go next and which fete to patronize, its also good to have a loose game plan mapped out with your mates. Trust meh here. You will feel the aforementioned 'vaps' that 'ketch' you leave very quickly, when you realize that Brian Lara's Fete, the only thing worth missing Dimanche Gras for on Carnival Sunday night, is all sold out. Why oh why didn't I let the vaps ketch me earlier on so I could have bought tickets for that fete? I can hear the cries already... You must understand that Carnival is serious business in Trinidad, and as such, you've got to be prepared. Know all the details before you leave the house because it's not uncommon to buy tickets for one event and mistake another fete for the one you've got entrance to. There's going to be a lot happening at once, so be aware of that. Know who your crew members are, where they are at all times and how you all are going to and comming from the events - Designated driver in tow.Dress sensibly for fetes and on the road. Show off your toned body, yes, but you don't want uninvited advances,
now do you? So have some measure of decorum in your manner of dress and go have a ball. I know you'll be tempted to think, "well it's on an island, for God's sake! I'll just don my bikini and throw on a sarong and rasta flats". And with that you'll be promptly ignored at the gate. Trinidadians are a rather stylish lot, so you have to make sure you look your snappiest. The usual party/clubbing outfits are fine, but leave home the sky high heels - you don't want to break your ankle mid jump & wave, because that would ruin everything! On the road for Mas, it's customary to wear a part of your costume for Monday (the relaxed day) and the full getup on Tuesday (the serious competition day); the band officials would tell you what is what. Have fun with those costumes and put your own touches on the ensemble. And make sure to get to the starting point on time. I can't stress this - Especially on the Tuesday, it doesn't matter if they're a bit late in leaving the venue, because you don't want to be running through the city for half of the day trying to meet up with your band. But beyond all of that, this is going to be the time of your life, so go with God and have a blast for me!Take ah jump & wine...
L.M.N. Harris.
0 Responses to "Carnival is Bacchanal & Bacchanal is Carnival!"
Post a Comment