CARNIVAL - What I cannot hear you!

Ok, first a few feathers and then don't forget to read the post after the pics...

 

 

I am happy to report that we survived Carnival in Trinidad. Actually, the worst part of all (without a negative connotation) was the volume level of the music being played. Speaking of the sound systems, the music was blasted out of industrial quality speakers like those used at rock concerts. The speakers and electronics were mounted onto open sided 18 wheel tractor trailers, each with a separate diesel powered generator to produce the electricity that was required to power the electronics that created sound levels between 115dB (decibels) and 120dB. To put that into perspective, pain for a listener starts at 125dB and a jet engine at full power reaches @140dB. Each truck had multiple stacks of Wharfdale industrial grade amplifiers generating thousands of watts power. As a former audiophile and stereo salesman (yea, back when music was first invented), these systems were sweet!  

These sound trucks are not only awesome music delivery platforms, they are expensive to boot. Marlin, one of the sound guys on one of the trucks said to me (in his Trini Creole accent), "Wit dat ting you could buy t'ree houses here in Trinidad!" Imagine 50 or more of these trucks simultaneously playing different music at high volumes, all across Port-of-Spain? From the balcony of our friend's condo (at Carnival's peak) it all came together and sounded like a loud dull roar with nothing really distinguishable as music. But I could feel the bass all the way up on the 15th floor.

Carnival is a gathering of people formed into what are called "bands". Each band has their own team name (i.e., Tribe, Bliss, et al), their own color scheme and their own band song. Everyone in a band is decked out in an array of mostly feathered costumes of vibrant colors. For the larger bands, there were up to 4 of the sound trucks all spaced about a block apart. The music was controlled by a DJ on a laptop who was situated in the front-most truck. The playlist was then transmitted to the other trailing trucks over UHF wireless so that they were all synched to the same music selection. Very high-tech to say the least. 

"Winding" at Carnival in Trinidad

Lastly, I must say that Carnival in Trinidad was not what I had expected; it was much better! In spite of the non-stop revelry (and more than a little alcohol consumption), it was quite civil, very organized, safe and secure. Though many wear the skimpiest of costumes, I saw absolutely no nudity. You will see more on any weekday in New Orleans!! There is this thing called "winding" (pronounced wine-ing) that is quite suggestive, but it is much more of a dance move than anything else? I have found that the people of Trinidad come together once a year for this big party with a high level of mutual respect for one another and to preserve a now 50 year tradition on this island. It was a great experience and I am glad that I was able to enjoy a unique Trinidad celebration.

Cheers!

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J'Ouvert - It's All French to Me!

How does one describe J'Ouvert in Trinidad? If a picture paints a thousand words (pun intended), then you might just have a feeling for how crazy and fun this traditional street party was! We got up at 2:00am so that the girls (Brooke & Corey) could do their make-up. This includes sparkling eye shadow and bright colors. Of course this fancy-free, clean and fresh look would soon be marred by the pink and blue paint chosen by our Fantasy "band". You see, the tradition of J'Ouvert in Trinidad is to kick off Carnival by getting "dirty" and partying from 4:00am until sunrise. Some bands chose cocoa, others chose mud, and we joined the paint squad. By morning's start, we were covered in all including a dash of rum, vodka, and beer.

Corey makes Glen pink

So, our entire Fantasy band (over 500) met at what I will call our muster point  at 3:45am to start getting our dirty on.  At precisely 4:00am the celebration began with a procession through the streets of St. James, Port-of-Spain. Now, this is not your run of the mill procession, but rather, the perfect blend of Soca music, Carnival style dancing and an open bar! For those who do not know (like me previously), Soca is a style of music native to Trinidad and Tobago. It has its roots in Calypso with an influence of both cadence (Dominica) and East Indian rhythms of chutney (a distinctly Trinidad style). The party continued until after sunrise and ended with breakfast, which we skipped in favor of much needed sleep. 

Post-J'Ouvert!

In the end, it was an amazing experience and one that many (young or young at heart) should add to the bucket list. We have yet to visit Rio in Brazil, but I must say that this did not disappoint. Trinidad is fiercely proud of their Carnival celebration and, in fact, it is known as, "The Greatest Show on Earth". If you are ever faced with a debilitating choice as to where to attend Carnival, I hereby give a strong recommendation for Trinidad. Cheers!

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Trinidad by any other name is CARNIVAL!

 

Brooke and I headed down to Trinidad last Thursday and we are now preparing for Carnival, the biggest celebration in the Caribbean. We have already attended a "Fete" (held at the cricket stadium), which is a big cooler party that starts at around 11pm and then lasts all night. Okay, we made it until 1:30am and counted ourselves as quasi-locals. I can assure you that my hips do NOT move in the way that I saw others who attended. And let's not mention the fact that I am old enough to be the father of most attendees!!


We slept in on Saturday and then headed to the Maracas Beach. To say that I am not a good passenger (versus being the driver) would be an understatement! Both the brake and steering wheel on my side of the car were not working. It was described to me as "a one hour mountainous drive", but never was it said that the whole trip over from Port-of-Spain would be 2 feet from a straight drop to the sea below!! Did I mention the road was barely 2 car widths wide? And the cars are right-side drive (what were the Brits originally thinking?). And what driving school did these people attend? In spite of it all, the beach was beautiful and Brooke befriended a snake; life does not get much better than that!

So, it is off to bed right now as we will be leaving at 3:00am to attend, uh...participate in J'ouvert; the very start of Carnival. J'ouvert is a large street party in the eastern Caribbean region. J'ouvert is a contraction of the French jour ouvert, or dawn/day break. The celebration involves calypso/soca bands and their followers dancing through the streets. The festival starts well before dawn and peaks a few hours after sunrise. Fortunately for me, there will be at least 500 people in our "band" and it will be dark - no one will even know this particular guy can't dance!

Our best to all from Trinidad and Carnival...

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