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.
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