Trinidad Carnival ain’t for everybody! As a survivor of one of the greatest festivals in the world, I must say it takes some serious dedication, endurance, and skill to remain on your feet until Ash Wednesday.
In Trinidad, the Carnival season traditionally kicks off right after Christmas, into Carnival week and then ends in grand fashion with Carnival Monday & Tuesday with a splendid display of costuming, music, revelry, dance and rum! The annual bacchanal which parades throughout the streets of Port of Spain attracts thousands of people from around the world and has even drawn in international superstars like Idris Elba, Boris Kodjoe, Nicole Ari Parker, Amber Rose and even Beyonce.
Carnival is not your regular party or fete. It is an experience; it is a lifestyle and if you’re not accustomed to this lifestyle, “don bother wit it.”
For those virgin feters sitting in the airport awaiting your jet to Trinidad, this one is for you, a few tips for surviving one of the greatest shows on earth.
- Dress Comfortably: Trinidad is extremely hot, add to that a never-ending supply of rum and thousands of people. Shorts, t-shirts, crop tops, dresses, and sandals are a must. Parties are never-ending, and you will most likely have to walk a bit, don’t even bother packing heels unless you’re one of those people. Don’t be one of those people. #TeamOverdressed
- Sleep/Nap: There is a party every hour of every day. You will most likely not want to miss a thing, but if you want to make it until Carnival Tuesday, naps are integral. If it’s just a nap on the way home from a fete, to a fete, between the fete, take a nap and do it before Carnival Monday. My advice, sleep all day Sunday.
- Pig Out: You will need sustenance to endure til Wednesday. The food in Trinidad is absolutely amazing. Mouthwatering amazing. Don’t rob yourself of the experience. I feel it’s something that often doesn’t get as much attention as the parties and the music and the costumes. Bake n’ Shark, doubles, corn soup, roti, and pholourie are my major picks.
- Know Your Limits: Know when to say no. Know when enough rum is enough rum. No one likes a messy drunk or someone who’s always whining about how tired and sleepy they are. Stay home. Say no to ‘Punchy Punch”, say no! Although yummy, it contains Puncheon, over proofed Trinidadian rum. It tastes like fire going down. You’ve been warned. Know when you’ve had enough. No one is going to kill you for taking a break.
- Take A Vacation: Yes, you will need to take a vacation from your vacation. You will need a few days to come down off of the high that is Trinidad Carnival. You will need a few days before the rum completely leaves your body, a few days until your feet become your own again, and you will need a few days to deal with Carnival tabanca.
Follow these tips, and we ensure you, you will have the time of your life. Travel well!
