Our tickets leaving tomorrow are through Port of Spain, Trinidad, so we had to get back to the bigger island before tomorrow morning.
The timing was as close as it could be. We had a 9:45pm flight out, which meant we could hit the concert.
Trinidad and Tobago aren't very far apart. So the flight between them is a bit of a joke. Twenty-five minutes of flight time. We spent twice the much time on the tarmac, loading and unloading.
But one final night in an airport hotel, then back to real life. No more swimsuits, sundresses, or 70-degrees. But also no more sand in every crevice, suspicious beds and showers, and covering oneself in greasy sunscreen. It will be good to be home.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Friends, Part Two : Feb. 24
The PLU girls and some of their friends were meeting up for dinner, then going to Shade, the only nightclub on the island. We had heard of this place through a few different avenues and on a Friday night, it was the place to be.
I napped while Alisa stood guard. About 11:30 we got the call that the girls were in the area and ready to go dancing.
We stopped at a bar to have a drink first, since apparently the club wasn't "hot" yet. Perhaps this was a reference to the "Inferno Friday" at which we found ourselves.
All of our friends and acquaintances were there, so there was never a boring minute and always someone to dance with. It was the wee hours when we finally left with our ringing ears and jelly legs.
I napped while Alisa stood guard. About 11:30 we got the call that the girls were in the area and ready to go dancing.
We stopped at a bar to have a drink first, since apparently the club wasn't "hot" yet. Perhaps this was a reference to the "Inferno Friday" at which we found ourselves.
All of our friends and acquaintances were there, so there was never a boring minute and always someone to dance with. It was the wee hours when we finally left with our ringing ears and jelly legs.
Machel Montano : Feb. 25
It was another scatteredly rainy morning. The first shower drove us into a roti place, where we had the delicious naan-wrapped curry. The second shower caught us out in the open on the trek to the beach, so we were soaked by the time we arrived.
But I couldn't stay unhappy (or wet) for long. The sun came out, we sat in the sand, we played in the waves, we had fruity blended cocktails, and we read.
The far end of Pigeon Point was boarded off for the concert at which we were going to finish our final day in Tobago. Through our interesting group of friends, we had all planned to go.
It was a giant beach party. You could bring in a cooler, which meant people were probably drunker and misbehavin' more than an equivalent party in the States. But that's pretty much the motto of Carnival.
Machel Montano was the headliner, and probably the most played artist at Carnival this year. We have a few of this songs memorized. So we were most excited for his performance, which of course happened an hour before we had to leave.
While it was a fascinating concert (I learned was the "6:30" dance move is), there was enough detracting from the fun to make it annoying. We had all our beach stuff that we had to guard. We had the same forward men we've encountered all trip, but now with more alcohol. We had the drunk girls behind us using us as supports for their dance moves. And we had a plane to catch.
But I couldn't stay unhappy (or wet) for long. The sun came out, we sat in the sand, we played in the waves, we had fruity blended cocktails, and we read.
The far end of Pigeon Point was boarded off for the concert at which we were going to finish our final day in Tobago. Through our interesting group of friends, we had all planned to go.
It was a giant beach party. You could bring in a cooler, which meant people were probably drunker and misbehavin' more than an equivalent party in the States. But that's pretty much the motto of Carnival.
Machel Montano was the headliner, and probably the most played artist at Carnival this year. We have a few of this songs memorized. So we were most excited for his performance, which of course happened an hour before we had to leave.
While it was a fascinating concert (I learned was the "6:30" dance move is), there was enough detracting from the fun to make it annoying. We had all our beach stuff that we had to guard. We had the same forward men we've encountered all trip, but now with more alcohol. We had the drunk girls behind us using us as supports for their dance moves. And we had a plane to catch.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Rainforest with no Rain : Feb. 24
One thing I will say about the perchance to rain - we have never been completely inconvenienced by it.
Today we had booked a birding tour into the rainforest with Newton George (who we found recommended somewhere on the web). We will pass on the recommendation because, though neither Alisa nor I is a birder, we got into it.
We drove up into green-covered hills with a mother-father-daughter from New York. The mother was clearly the impetus. (But hey, I'd go along with my parents' crazy whims to take awesome trips - rocks? sure...)
We started off right near the entrance to the forest, near some cows. And saw the giant cowbird. (Alisa and I both thought he was joking that the cows were the first "birds" of the day, but quickly discovered we were wrong.)
He had two extra pairs of binocular, so Alisa and I didn't miss out on anything. Highlights were definitely the pair of male manakins displaying to try to get a lady and the saber-winged hummingbird dipping down to bathe in the rainforest stream.
And the galoshes we rented to slog through the mud. Another priceless moment (though the Hello Kitty ones were too small for my feet).
Thankfully, Newton gave us a list of the birds. My list is more like "the yellow-tailed one with the funky hanging nest" (crested oropendola) and "the zebra-tailed red-bellied one that Newton loved" (collared trogan).
Though when they were still trying to spot birds at lunchtime, I was ready to take a break and just eat. Though no one ate the chicken...
Today we had booked a birding tour into the rainforest with Newton George (who we found recommended somewhere on the web). We will pass on the recommendation because, though neither Alisa nor I is a birder, we got into it.
We drove up into green-covered hills with a mother-father-daughter from New York. The mother was clearly the impetus. (But hey, I'd go along with my parents' crazy whims to take awesome trips - rocks? sure...)
We started off right near the entrance to the forest, near some cows. And saw the giant cowbird. (Alisa and I both thought he was joking that the cows were the first "birds" of the day, but quickly discovered we were wrong.)
He had two extra pairs of binocular, so Alisa and I didn't miss out on anything. Highlights were definitely the pair of male manakins displaying to try to get a lady and the saber-winged hummingbird dipping down to bathe in the rainforest stream.
And the galoshes we rented to slog through the mud. Another priceless moment (though the Hello Kitty ones were too small for my feet).
Thankfully, Newton gave us a list of the birds. My list is more like "the yellow-tailed one with the funky hanging nest" (crested oropendola) and "the zebra-tailed red-bellied one that Newton loved" (collared trogan).
Though when they were still trying to spot birds at lunchtime, I was ready to take a break and just eat. Though no one ate the chicken...
Friends : Feb. 23
Of course, because we had a 5:30am wake-up call the next day, we decided to stay out until 1am.
We have met a lot of people on this trip, and because the tourist track isn't so packed, we've seen quite a few of them over and over.
During Carnival, it was a friend of a friend from CMU that we arranged to meet. Then it was her friends. We also met some New Yorkers when we were waiting for our costumes, so ran into them during Carnival again and again. We met another couple in line and saw them again. Those were out Trinidad friends.
When we were on the ferry to Tobago, a guy recognized us from a conversation he tried to have with us during Carnival Tuesday. We had snubbed him then (mostly because he was just mouthing words at us). Turns out, he's a tour operator and hooked us up with our speed boat tour yesterday.
When we left our hostel on Wednesday to get food, we met two girls from the States. When we hung out at the beach with them later, we met two Bostonians. While at the beach, the bartender was super nice, and lots of numbers were exchanged.
So then, Thursday night, it was a big reunion. We went out with the PLU girls. We saw the New Yorkers from the speedboat. We met up with the Bostonians. The bartender got us some drinks. And we were out until 1am.
It's looking like tonight is going to be something similar.
We have met a lot of people on this trip, and because the tourist track isn't so packed, we've seen quite a few of them over and over.
During Carnival, it was a friend of a friend from CMU that we arranged to meet. Then it was her friends. We also met some New Yorkers when we were waiting for our costumes, so ran into them during Carnival again and again. We met another couple in line and saw them again. Those were out Trinidad friends.
When we were on the ferry to Tobago, a guy recognized us from a conversation he tried to have with us during Carnival Tuesday. We had snubbed him then (mostly because he was just mouthing words at us). Turns out, he's a tour operator and hooked us up with our speed boat tour yesterday.
When we left our hostel on Wednesday to get food, we met two girls from the States. When we hung out at the beach with them later, we met two Bostonians. While at the beach, the bartender was super nice, and lots of numbers were exchanged.
So then, Thursday night, it was a big reunion. We went out with the PLU girls. We saw the New Yorkers from the speedboat. We met up with the Bostonians. The bartender got us some drinks. And we were out until 1am.
It's looking like tonight is going to be something similar.
Flip-flop Weather : Feb. 23
We are in the middle of dry season, but this is the wettest dry season they've had in years.
So on our speedboat tour, we got rained on. A lot. We were already in our swimsuits, so it wasn't bad until we were blasting through the waves and the rain was like pellets. Then it was a little uncomfortable and chilly.
We started at the mangrove trees at Bon Accord wetlands with a German couple, a single Trini woman, a U.S. couple and their ten-year-old, an older English couple, and two women from Barbados (but who live in New York).
We worked our way along the northern coast up to Castara. I mentioned the snorkeling in another post. During one of the sun breaks, we had the chance to snorkel or swim to a beach and take a walk. Alisa, feeling seasick, and I, feeling discouraged, took a stroll on the idyllic beach.
Of course, once we left, it began to spit on us again. We had rum punch to lift our spirits. And those spirits stayed lifted through our barbecue lunch and straight out to the Nylon Pool.
The Nylon Pool is a ground-down coral reef about 500 meters from the nearest shoreline, but the water is only four feet deep, which makes for a great middle-of-the-ocean club.
At least at the Nylon Pool we saw a rainbow to make up for all of the rain. But, there it was again, the patter of the scattered showers. Which brought us right back to where we started.
So on our speedboat tour, we got rained on. A lot. We were already in our swimsuits, so it wasn't bad until we were blasting through the waves and the rain was like pellets. Then it was a little uncomfortable and chilly.
We started at the mangrove trees at Bon Accord wetlands with a German couple, a single Trini woman, a U.S. couple and their ten-year-old, an older English couple, and two women from Barbados (but who live in New York).
We worked our way along the northern coast up to Castara. I mentioned the snorkeling in another post. During one of the sun breaks, we had the chance to snorkel or swim to a beach and take a walk. Alisa, feeling seasick, and I, feeling discouraged, took a stroll on the idyllic beach.
Of course, once we left, it began to spit on us again. We had rum punch to lift our spirits. And those spirits stayed lifted through our barbecue lunch and straight out to the Nylon Pool.
The Nylon Pool is a ground-down coral reef about 500 meters from the nearest shoreline, but the water is only four feet deep, which makes for a great middle-of-the-ocean club.
At least at the Nylon Pool we saw a rainbow to make up for all of the rain. But, there it was again, the patter of the scattered showers. Which brought us right back to where we started.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Snorkeling : Feb. 23
So we went on this tour thing, right? And the morning's activity was snorkeling.
I think I have a funny-shaped face. And I can't breathe through only my mouth. Both of which led to only semi-productive snorkeling.
But we saw little squidlets!
Also, those coral reef movies where there are fish everywhere - I thought they were editing out the boring parts. Turns out, coral is just as inhabited as those movies make you think. Fishes!
Besides the squidlings, we saw blue and yellow fish, and growly-looking fish and really flat fish, and fan coral and brain coral and coral coral. I swallowed massive amounts of Caribbean Sea water (whatever wasn't in my eyes and nose) which kept me tided over until lunch at least. But survey says - Corinne is not very good at snorkeling
I think I have a funny-shaped face. And I can't breathe through only my mouth. Both of which led to only semi-productive snorkeling.
But we saw little squidlets!
Also, those coral reef movies where there are fish everywhere - I thought they were editing out the boring parts. Turns out, coral is just as inhabited as those movies make you think. Fishes!
Besides the squidlings, we saw blue and yellow fish, and growly-looking fish and really flat fish, and fan coral and brain coral and coral coral. I swallowed massive amounts of Caribbean Sea water (whatever wasn't in my eyes and nose) which kept me tided over until lunch at least. But survey says - Corinne is not very good at snorkeling
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Pigeon Point Park : Feb. 22
"Sea, sand, and love." That's what Dexter (or Phillip or Alex or whichever guy that was approaching us) told us.
After agreeing with Daryl to do our tour tomorrow, we went into Pigeon Point. Though you have to pay (gasp) $3 USD to get in, it was idyllic. There is a road through the palms with the ocean on your left. Boats are rocking in the waves just below the curve of the sand. Beach huts begin to appear, then a small, brightly colored market is nestled in the trees. You keep walking, until you hit the beach, and it's like your feet are melting into the soft sand. The surf is varied but always warm (but keeps you cool).
Around the curve of the beach (the point of Pigeon Point, I'm sure), is a cabana hut with a slow, but trustworthy, bartender (who is a bit tipsy himself). As he said, the three people you should trust are you taxi driver, your chef, and your bartender. So we trust away as he mixes drinks that we name after the girl who orders them. And, if you stay by the bar, he tops up your drink with liquor.
So you don't stay too close to the bar. You drift out to the welcoming sand where you can sit and chat and listen to the surf mingle with the sounds of your voices.
Close to 6, the sun begins to plunge toward the horizon. A playful dog comes up and you start the chase up and down the beach. When you get tired (and the sun is at the brim of the sea), you attempt a game of fetch, but inanimate objects are much less interesting.
So you pull out your camera for the two shots of the sun before it bottoms out in the sea. The dusky light allows not quite enough time to get back to the guesthouse, but the group dances back, making friends the whole way.
After agreeing with Daryl to do our tour tomorrow, we went into Pigeon Point. Though you have to pay (gasp) $3 USD to get in, it was idyllic. There is a road through the palms with the ocean on your left. Boats are rocking in the waves just below the curve of the sand. Beach huts begin to appear, then a small, brightly colored market is nestled in the trees. You keep walking, until you hit the beach, and it's like your feet are melting into the soft sand. The surf is varied but always warm (but keeps you cool).
Around the curve of the beach (the point of Pigeon Point, I'm sure), is a cabana hut with a slow, but trustworthy, bartender (who is a bit tipsy himself). As he said, the three people you should trust are you taxi driver, your chef, and your bartender. So we trust away as he mixes drinks that we name after the girl who orders them. And, if you stay by the bar, he tops up your drink with liquor.
So you don't stay too close to the bar. You drift out to the welcoming sand where you can sit and chat and listen to the surf mingle with the sounds of your voices.
Close to 6, the sun begins to plunge toward the horizon. A playful dog comes up and you start the chase up and down the beach. When you get tired (and the sun is at the brim of the sea), you attempt a game of fetch, but inanimate objects are much less interesting.
So you pull out your camera for the two shots of the sun before it bottoms out in the sea. The dusky light allows not quite enough time to get back to the guesthouse, but the group dances back, making friends the whole way.
Convenient Encounters : Feb. 22
We had barely finished checking in when two other American girls walked in the doors of our hotel. We started walking out for food not that much later, and they were right behind.
They are PLU (Pacific Lutheran) students, of all places, which is where half of my friends from my high school church went. They have been studying abroad since January and are here through May. And just happen to be the injection of fun we'll need on this island.
We headed toward food. It was dandy up until Daryl approached us. He had played with the Island People (Alisa and my band) and had trying to chat with us during Carnival (unsuccessfully). He had then been on our ferry (and Alisa recognized him). And now, he had finally trapped us.
But, he had a tour to sell, and whole he was taking us to the beach to get roti (which were delicious, the one they had left), he suckered us into (eh, maybe just sold us on) a day-long, all inclusive speedboat trip. There was fishing and drinking and beaches and musical and stingrays and partying. Like most T&T events. Well, maybe the stingray is a bit unique.
Regardless, we have tomorrow planned now. And the other American girls are headed out on Friday.
They are PLU (Pacific Lutheran) students, of all places, which is where half of my friends from my high school church went. They have been studying abroad since January and are here through May. And just happen to be the injection of fun we'll need on this island.
We headed toward food. It was dandy up until Daryl approached us. He had played with the Island People (Alisa and my band) and had trying to chat with us during Carnival (unsuccessfully). He had then been on our ferry (and Alisa recognized him). And now, he had finally trapped us.
But, he had a tour to sell, and whole he was taking us to the beach to get roti (which were delicious, the one they had left), he suckered us into (eh, maybe just sold us on) a day-long, all inclusive speedboat trip. There was fishing and drinking and beaches and musical and stingrays and partying. Like most T&T events. Well, maybe the stingray is a bit unique.
Regardless, we have tomorrow planned now. And the other American girls are headed out on Friday.
Bumpy Boat : Feb. 22
Alisa and I weathered a ten-minute rainstorm this morning to get to our ferry. Sharon (one of our hosts) continued her kindness by giving Alisa some anti-seasick pills. (Plug for them : Sharon and Wayne at Kiskadee Korner are wonderful. Look it up.)
It was 9am when we reached the port. All of the flights had been sold out, so this was our option.
The boat didn't board until 10am (when it was supposed to be leaving) but we found some seats roughly in the middle of the boat and started off.
Trinidad rises up from the sea into lush green hills. It was über-picturesque.
Then we got into the open ocean in the 20 or so miles that separate the islands, and it got choppy. Thankfully, Alisa was asleep. I had done my picture-taking already (but not on the iPhone, so no pics til later), and now just hunkered down, trying to avoid the sun coming through the window and also trying to nap.
We made it though. Welcome to Paradise, as our cab driver said.
It was 9am when we reached the port. All of the flights had been sold out, so this was our option.
The boat didn't board until 10am (when it was supposed to be leaving) but we found some seats roughly in the middle of the boat and started off.
Trinidad rises up from the sea into lush green hills. It was über-picturesque.
Then we got into the open ocean in the 20 or so miles that separate the islands, and it got choppy. Thankfully, Alisa was asleep. I had done my picture-taking already (but not on the iPhone, so no pics til later), and now just hunkered down, trying to avoid the sun coming through the window and also trying to nap.
We made it though. Welcome to Paradise, as our cab driver said.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Carnival! : Feb. 21
"It's Carnival!"
Alisa and I left this morning, dressed (or more like undressed) in our Carnival costumes, playing with the Island People.
We spent the first hour trying to find our band (since we were like 3 hours late, in true Trini style). But once we found them, we danced, drank, sang, and marched the day away.
We spent about two hours waiting for our turn to be judged at the main stage in Queen's Park Savannah, a park in Port of Spain. Alisa and I had to split up into our sections (Element and Kaimana, respectively) so I spent like half an hour dancing with strangers that were all also wearing blue across a giant platform between two sets of bleachers. Then I waited and watches every single other section go by until Alisa and I easily met up again.
Then it was partying down the Avenue. We were in our skimpy costumes, sweating like crazy anyway, and having a grand time.
Similarly to yesterday, we headed home before the sun went down. A bit dissimilarly, I was dancing the whole way back (which I can't tell if Alisa appreciated or not).
We changed, chatted with our hosts, then heated up some pizza from Sunday's dinner. And again, after eight hours of dancing, I'm sore, exhausted, and satisfied.
Alisa and I left this morning, dressed (or more like undressed) in our Carnival costumes, playing with the Island People.
We spent the first hour trying to find our band (since we were like 3 hours late, in true Trini style). But once we found them, we danced, drank, sang, and marched the day away.
We spent about two hours waiting for our turn to be judged at the main stage in Queen's Park Savannah, a park in Port of Spain. Alisa and I had to split up into our sections (Element and Kaimana, respectively) so I spent like half an hour dancing with strangers that were all also wearing blue across a giant platform between two sets of bleachers. Then I waited and watches every single other section go by until Alisa and I easily met up again.
Then it was partying down the Avenue. We were in our skimpy costumes, sweating like crazy anyway, and having a grand time.
Similarly to yesterday, we headed home before the sun went down. A bit dissimilarly, I was dancing the whole way back (which I can't tell if Alisa appreciated or not).
We changed, chatted with our hosts, then heated up some pizza from Sunday's dinner. And again, after eight hours of dancing, I'm sore, exhausted, and satisfied.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Stripper Sign Posts : Feb. 20
I have a wildly different view of all the signposts in Port of Spain.
We spent the day with the Island People Band. We wore the Spandex one-sleeved midriff-baring shirts with our shorts and dancing our way through the streets. There were the DJ trucks with heart-shaking bass interspersed with the beverage trucks, part of our all-inclusive package.
And there were the hoards of people, dancing along with us. "Wine" is a word we learned when we started reading up on this trip. It is basically grinding. And there was wining all over as we were going through the streets. And the signposts weren't spared.
We spent the day with the Island People Band. We wore the Spandex one-sleeved midriff-baring shirts with our shorts and dancing our way through the streets. There were the DJ trucks with heart-shaking bass interspersed with the beverage trucks, part of our all-inclusive package.
And there were the hoards of people, dancing along with us. "Wine" is a word we learned when we started reading up on this trip. It is basically grinding. And there was wining all over as we were going through the streets. And the signposts weren't spared.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Bake and Shark : Feb. 19
As Alvin, our cabdriver, said in barely comprehensible, Caribbean-accented English, "If you go to Maracas Beach and don't have bake and shark, you haven't gone to Maracas Beach." (Except he said something more like "IyagotaMaaraacaasBichndawntavebekenshark, yoohavantgoontaMaaraacaasBich." He was also a fan of the phrase "what really happened.") He recommended Patsy's, which was conveniently by (but not too close to) the showers and bathrooms
Bake and shark is fried fishy-something on a delicious breadroll bun. I would assume at least some of it is shark, though any assorted fish could be in it. There is then a buffet of fresh, delicious toppings and sauces.
I want one every day for lunch. There are enough combinations of sauces and toppings for me to indulge this whole trip. I only hope the beaches in Tobago have them!
Bake and shark is fried fishy-something on a delicious breadroll bun. I would assume at least some of it is shark, though any assorted fish could be in it. There is then a buffet of fresh, delicious toppings and sauces.
I want one every day for lunch. There are enough combinations of sauces and toppings for me to indulge this whole trip. I only hope the beaches in Tobago have them!
Miraculous Maracas : Feb. 19
Alisa was insistent that we go to the beach.
The SIM card that we picked up in the airport has been very useful (in my wonderful roommate's unlocked phone.) We called cab companies, got two quotes, and 45 minutes later were in the back of Alvin's taxi headed to Maracas Beach.
First, the drive. From the airport to Port of Spain is a flat bit between the ocean and this green mountain. The drive from Port of Spain to Maracas Beach is straight through and over the green hills, to the point where the green plunges down to meet the sea. As Alisa said, good thing we weren't driving because we couldn't have kept our eyes on the narrow, curvy road.
Second, the beach. White sand, palm trees, a little overcast in the morning, some odd sprinkles (while it was sunny) in the afternoon, and a while bay to play in.
We'll disregard the slight sunburn as a warning for the rest of the week.
The SIM card that we picked up in the airport has been very useful (in my wonderful roommate's unlocked phone.) We called cab companies, got two quotes, and 45 minutes later were in the back of Alvin's taxi headed to Maracas Beach.
First, the drive. From the airport to Port of Spain is a flat bit between the ocean and this green mountain. The drive from Port of Spain to Maracas Beach is straight through and over the green hills, to the point where the green plunges down to meet the sea. As Alisa said, good thing we weren't driving because we couldn't have kept our eyes on the narrow, curvy road.
Second, the beach. White sand, palm trees, a little overcast in the morning, some odd sprinkles (while it was sunny) in the afternoon, and a while bay to play in.
We'll disregard the slight sunburn as a warning for the rest of the week.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Costume Chaos : Feb. 18
Our only task for today was to pick up our costumes for Carnival.
Carnival in Trinidad is the largest in the Caribbean.* Hundreds of thousands flock into the tiny island.* The celebrations start up to two weeks before Ash Wednesday and culminate the Monday and Tuesday before.
"Playing with a band" or "playing mas," as they call it, means buying a package that includes a costume (yes, a ridiculous, skimpy costume), meals for Monday and Tuesday, and booze. Then, you travel in a giant horde all over the city, with your DJ trailers and toilet trailers and snack carts and bars-on-wheels.
At least, that is my understanding of it.
We are playing with the Island People (www.islandpeoplemas.com). Each band is split into sections with different costumes, so Alisa and I chose different sections and costumes. During the judging points, you have to stay with your section, but we'll be able to hang out otherwise. And look flashy in our bikinis. She's in Elemental, I'm in Kaimana. Have fun picturing us in that garb.
Today, we walked the ten minutes to the distribution point. There were lots of confusing lines, so I started standing in one while Alisa did recon. Turns out my section, because it was by a different designer, had no line at all!
But then we queued up for an hour and a half to get Alisa's gear. Her backpack wasn't ready yet, so we'll have to return again this evening.
When we got back to the guesthouse, it was fashion show time! But, we're not going to release photos to the public until Tuesday, when we have the hair and make-up, too. Be ready, because we're dazzling!
*Unverified fact that I might have heard somewhere.
Carnival in Trinidad is the largest in the Caribbean.* Hundreds of thousands flock into the tiny island.* The celebrations start up to two weeks before Ash Wednesday and culminate the Monday and Tuesday before.
"Playing with a band" or "playing mas," as they call it, means buying a package that includes a costume (yes, a ridiculous, skimpy costume), meals for Monday and Tuesday, and booze. Then, you travel in a giant horde all over the city, with your DJ trailers and toilet trailers and snack carts and bars-on-wheels.
At least, that is my understanding of it.
We are playing with the Island People (www.islandpeoplemas.com). Each band is split into sections with different costumes, so Alisa and I chose different sections and costumes. During the judging points, you have to stay with your section, but we'll be able to hang out otherwise. And look flashy in our bikinis. She's in Elemental, I'm in Kaimana. Have fun picturing us in that garb.
Today, we walked the ten minutes to the distribution point. There were lots of confusing lines, so I started standing in one while Alisa did recon. Turns out my section, because it was by a different designer, had no line at all!
But then we queued up for an hour and a half to get Alisa's gear. Her backpack wasn't ready yet, so we'll have to return again this evening.
When we got back to the guesthouse, it was fashion show time! But, we're not going to release photos to the public until Tuesday, when we have the hair and make-up, too. Be ready, because we're dazzling!
*Unverified fact that I might have heard somewhere.
Gorgeous Guesthouse : Feb. 18
Alisa and I have arrived! We got picked up at the airport and were whisked off to our idyllic guesthouse in the sunny tropics. I'm not even kidding. It is gorgeous. Landscaping and birds and coconut trees and a fountain.
Our bedroom is tiny but air-conditioned, which is all I ask.
Our bedroom is tiny but air-conditioned, which is all I ask.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Nail-biter in Newark: Feb. 17
I'll admit it. I left work late. I was enjoying trying to finish my project.
Then the metro station closed the entrance to our typical meeting point. I waited for Grandpa in the wrong spot.
We scarfed down dinner. Grandma asked which airport (thankfully), or we might have ended up at Dulles instead.
There was traffic, to add to the fact we were 30 minutes behind. Grandma was in the front reassuring us (and herself) the whole ride.
When we got to our connection in Newark, we weren't given seats. They were actually asking for volunteers to take a later flight. We were scared we were going to get bumped.
Then, the sun broke through. We got seats. We got McDonald's. (I got a shamrock shake.) We got exit row seats! Trinidad in the morning!
Then the metro station closed the entrance to our typical meeting point. I waited for Grandpa in the wrong spot.
We scarfed down dinner. Grandma asked which airport (thankfully), or we might have ended up at Dulles instead.
There was traffic, to add to the fact we were 30 minutes behind. Grandma was in the front reassuring us (and herself) the whole ride.
When we got to our connection in Newark, we weren't given seats. They were actually asking for volunteers to take a later flight. We were scared we were going to get bumped.
Then, the sun broke through. We got seats. We got McDonald's. (I got a shamrock shake.) We got exit row seats! Trinidad in the morning!
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