Last week I got my conformation that I was accepted into the Trinidad and Tobago PLU Gateway Program for 2014! I also received the Global Scholars award with it.
I have been talking to some of the people that are on the trip right now, asking questions about the culture, Carnival, the type of clothing worn, etc. Looking forward to doing some summer shopping! Not much more happens for a few months, sadly...things really start kicking into gear this October. Hopefully we are going to have a meeting before the end of the school year to discuss the trip before summer.
On a side note, my roommate got into the London program, so we will both be studying abroad at the same time!
Until then, here's some information on Trinidad and Carnival!
T&T has followers of almost every religion due to the vast ethnic population. The islands have changed hands more than any other island, about 30 times, leading to this diverse population. It has a reputation for being friendly and accepting, celebrating many different religious holidays despite personal beliefs. At least one public holiday is celebrated for each main religion. A few are Carnival, Divali (Indian Festival of Lights), and Holi (Hindu festival of Spring where groups of people throw colored dye at each other). The trip allows us to participate in this last holiday, as well as in Carnival.
Carnival is held the Mon. and Tues. before Ash Wednesday. The celebration is about 160 years old. It started with French holding large masquerades. The Africans slaves saw these parties and adopted them, adding their own culture and practices. After they were freed they started holding their own Carnivals. It is now a mix of many cultures. All ages participate, even children in Kiddy Carnival. Carnival draws about 50,000 visiters. Although it may not be as big as Rio's Carnival, T&T prides itself on giving the best experience.
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T&T (Trinidad and Tobago) is a unique set of islands at the southernmost point of the Caribbean. The islands lay about 10 miles off the coast of Venezuela. Although it is two islands they are one country. English is the official language, although it is spoken with a dialect. Most of the population lives on the larger Trinidad. It is thought that the books Robinson Crusoe and Treasure Island were based of T&T.
