Trade Winds Hotel Trinidad

I decided to take advantage of my paid vacation and spend two weeks in Trinidad and Tobago. My good friend Kevin Fortune, who I met in college, is from Trinidad and was a phenomenal tour guide. I stayed away from computers, cell phones and any reading materials related to the economy and/or the environment.

... them whilst they were in their trance-like, semi-conscious labour (sounds nice eh?) and we learnt all sorts of interesting facts about them. They can grow to 9 feet but the ones we saw were a measly 6ft. I heard a reggae song today about child abbuse. Its chorus went: Daddy don't touch me there, I'm gonna tell on you I swear, Can't you see I'm scared, You're supposed to be my father. An unusual topic for a song. Reggae always sounds so happy aswell.

... told to be sure to try "doubles". These are two soft fry breads slathered with mixtures of HOT sauce, channa (boiled chick peas), shadow benny (cilantro sauce) and tamarind sauce. We were warned that they look awful, but taste great. We agree. One local at our first event said to be sure to try the "Bake and Shark" and the "Corn Soup". After we ate those, she assured us, we'd be practically "Trinni". As I waited for my order of "Bake and Shark", I asked the young ...

... and DJ's - blasting music and most important a truck that has porta potties. The music is so loud - everyone wears ear plugs. Check out some of the pictures of the costumes.

Another event is the steel drum contest. Imagine over 100 steel drums playing at one time. The contest consists of neighborhood steel drum bands, each with at least 100 players playing an original selection. It is awesome!

no really, SERIOUSLY? did our engine REALLY just die? the waves were tossing our little speedboat around, pitching us closer to the jagged rocks and cliffs that ring tobago. it was really a lovely sight if you blocked out the reality of the matter. bright blue waves striking massive black rocks that sprung from the ocean. the white spray jetting up. the cliffs specked with foliage, the birds cicling overhead. birds...are they ...

... drum band with Trinidadians who have been dancing their whole lives is freaking priceless. I love it!! Most of the moves I don't know and are difficult to mimic (Micheal Lucien leading), but I'm pretty sure I'll learn pretty quick. Hopefully. ^^; I discovered that the gym is only 2 blocks away at the expense of 100TT ($16US) and brining my own towel. The gym doesn't ...

... note. It's hard to describe, but I just feel so at home standing in the middle of their rehearsals. It's the happiest, beat-driven musical experience. I've recorded a few minutes of rehearsing, and when I have a good enough connection I'll try and post to share a sliver of the experience! :) I should note some basic reflections on the first 2 weeks of my stay. Doubles are amazing. It's this food that we all discovered in Tobago when this guy made these doubles ...

... every morning at 8 to be brought to the yard. On Monday, the driver was early. On Tuesday and Wednesday he was on time, on Thursday he was 15 minutes late, and Friday a half hour late. We were unfortunate enough to have to work on Saturday and the driver picked us up with a hang-over an hour and 15 minutes late. However, on monday, he was early again. We worked hard in the heat and got all out stuff mobed up as fast as possible at the end of the second day we went ...

... day. We really thought it was a waste to spend another night in Caracas, but we had no choice... and to this day we will never agree on whose fault it was that we missed the flight ! Was it the internet or me buying a last minute razor and rum at the supermarket?? So the next day we were charged a tax of US$90 to leave Venezuela .... it really felt like good riddance. We never saw another tourist around Caracas and all other travellers we have met missed out Venezuela and went ...

... Dexter's friend, Johnny, said when he saw me working, "Dexter, is that any way to be a host?" I took a short rest. There was red primer on my hands and red pride in my stomach. Hard work makes the world go round, I thought. I left Dexter to work and sang, "Hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to work we go!" The Seven Dwarfs were definitely communists. I finished my work for the day, turning the rusted gate from dingy white to maroon red. It looked good, even the ...