As we get closer to Carnival we have been going to a lot more events.
We went to a Calypso tent which, for me, was one of the most boring events so far. Then again, all the singing is about the country's politics and I am not interested in that. Some of the students enjoyed it. One of the main factors in some of these events though is their length. We were at the Calypso tent for 5 hours with a short intermission. We sat right in the front which made it harder to hear since the speakers were aimed right over our heads. Still, it's an experience of Trinidad.
The second event I didn't enjoy as much was Panorama. It is the steel pan semi finals. It's like a big party in these wide tiered stands next to the stage. However the speakers are really loud and I wish I had earplugs to help with the noise. Also, we had the option to pay a fee for drinks and meals provided. I thought I would be fine with just a sandwich and water; bad idea. It would have been worth it for a variety of food and free liquor. That event was 7 hours.
The next event was stick fighting and was not at all what I expected. Stick fighting is when two men with sticks whack each other with a few rules. It is outdoors in mid Trinidad; about an hour drive away from Tunapuna. There is a rectangular ring and officials keeping the fight from being too brutal. Some people got bloody but we couldn't really see form where we were sitting. As a non violent person this made me happy; from Candice's description I was expecting something a lot more violent. It was pretty impressive to see the precision they use in fighting and strategy; it is an art form.
On Thursday we went to the Kings and Queen's preliminary. These are the giant Carnival costumes that can have three wheels for support and are 20+ feet tall. There were about 50 queens and 50 kings so we only stayed for the queen's competition. Half way through we got to go walk around backstage and see the costumes being set up as well as got to take pictures next to them. I think this was my favorite event so far.
Friday morning we went to a Parliament session. There are a lot of rules about sitting and talking and when you can and can't stand. It was a good session, though, an amendment was passed unanimously with both sides agreeing. We now have a break for the weekend before we are busy every day next week leading up to Carnival!
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Random Notes
Some random notes that would be helpful for next year's students.
There are a few banks that take American credit/debit cards. One of them is Republic Bank; it as across the street from the post office. Rattans is a really cheap clothing store that also has cheap towels and washcloths. It's not great quality, but a good place to get outfits that will be ruined. On the way to the post office at the intersection before (right side) there is a couple story corner all purpose type store. This is a good place to buy supplies for school (that or Charrans the bookstore, although the name is deceiving because it has hardly any books). Upstairs they have lots of household goods like mosquito nets, clothes pins, cups, plates, bowls, measuring cups, etc.
You are given 2 sets of sheets and pillowcases and a flat sheet to sleep under. One set is bright orange, the other aqua. You also get a pillow and some people got tiny rugs about 2 feet long and 1 foot wide. The floors are bare like the ones at PLU. You get a bowl, cup, 2 plates, knife, fork, and spoon. The corner rooms have two windows which is nice for ventilation but the middle rooms are close to wifi. BRING AN ETHERNET CORD! 100 feet will stretch to the end of the corridor. It is worth it; the cheapest one in Trinidad is $80US compared to buying for $20 online. The wifi is really slow and often goes down or simply does not work.
Also, packages are beyond expensive to ship. A girl in our group had a UPS package that was a couple pounds and it ended up costing her and her parents $400US with shopping and duty. Aubrey got a package sent from the post office of some shorts she wanted and it only cost $20 for shipping and I think $10 in duty. However, for items with value under $20 you can claim it is a "personal item" you already owned so you shouldn't have to pay duty. I am going to see of this method works or not.
If you like reading bring a few paperbacks; there are really no libraries here for pleasure reading. However, I haven't been to the on campus one so I'm not sure if they have a fiction section. Also, bring pictures and posters! I brought posters out of national geographic magazines or magazines and printed some color photos at PLU with some extra prints. I also cut up some calendars which is an easy way to have nice pictures on sturdier paper. They lay flat on the bottom of my luggage and it was so nice to have color on the walls. I haven't really seen anything for decoration here so it's better to bring stuff. At the end they can just be thrown away.
Clothing here is comparable in prices to the US, especially the mall. If you have to do shopping, go in Tunapuna. Trin City mall is a long 2 story mall about 15 minutes away that has some American places like Coldstone Creamery, Subway, Auntie Ann's (I'm told it tastes different), and Cinnabon.
I'm not sure if I mentioned this before or not but the moon is different here. When it's a half moon instead is the right or left side being gone the top or bottom are in shadow instead.
There are a few banks that take American credit/debit cards. One of them is Republic Bank; it as across the street from the post office. Rattans is a really cheap clothing store that also has cheap towels and washcloths. It's not great quality, but a good place to get outfits that will be ruined. On the way to the post office at the intersection before (right side) there is a couple story corner all purpose type store. This is a good place to buy supplies for school (that or Charrans the bookstore, although the name is deceiving because it has hardly any books). Upstairs they have lots of household goods like mosquito nets, clothes pins, cups, plates, bowls, measuring cups, etc.
You are given 2 sets of sheets and pillowcases and a flat sheet to sleep under. One set is bright orange, the other aqua. You also get a pillow and some people got tiny rugs about 2 feet long and 1 foot wide. The floors are bare like the ones at PLU. You get a bowl, cup, 2 plates, knife, fork, and spoon. The corner rooms have two windows which is nice for ventilation but the middle rooms are close to wifi. BRING AN ETHERNET CORD! 100 feet will stretch to the end of the corridor. It is worth it; the cheapest one in Trinidad is $80US compared to buying for $20 online. The wifi is really slow and often goes down or simply does not work.
Also, packages are beyond expensive to ship. A girl in our group had a UPS package that was a couple pounds and it ended up costing her and her parents $400US with shopping and duty. Aubrey got a package sent from the post office of some shorts she wanted and it only cost $20 for shipping and I think $10 in duty. However, for items with value under $20 you can claim it is a "personal item" you already owned so you shouldn't have to pay duty. I am going to see of this method works or not.
If you like reading bring a few paperbacks; there are really no libraries here for pleasure reading. However, I haven't been to the on campus one so I'm not sure if they have a fiction section. Also, bring pictures and posters! I brought posters out of national geographic magazines or magazines and printed some color photos at PLU with some extra prints. I also cut up some calendars which is an easy way to have nice pictures on sturdier paper. They lay flat on the bottom of my luggage and it was so nice to have color on the walls. I haven't really seen anything for decoration here so it's better to bring stuff. At the end they can just be thrown away.
Clothing here is comparable in prices to the US, especially the mall. If you have to do shopping, go in Tunapuna. Trin City mall is a long 2 story mall about 15 minutes away that has some American places like Coldstone Creamery, Subway, Auntie Ann's (I'm told it tastes different), and Cinnabon.
I'm not sure if I mentioned this before or not but the moon is different here. When it's a half moon instead is the right or left side being gone the top or bottom are in shadow instead.
Packing List (What They don't Tell You)
Some of these things they will mention you should bring, most they won't. These are all things I or the students wished we had remembered to pack! For anyone going next year, I hope this helps!
String
Scissors
Command hooks
Metal hook (for hanging mosquito net)
Business outfit
Church appropriate conservative outfit (long skirt, nice shirt or nice dress)
Q-tips
A hat or bandana
School supplies (somehow I forgot paper)
Extra notebook for J-term class
Extra razors
Lots of clothes (bras and shorts especially)
Blank paper
Colored pencils
Water bottle (with filter if possible, the water tastes odd)
Base makeup; bring brand new ones
First aid supplies
Anti itch cream
Tape
Fun tack (the sticky putty)
Hair clips and scrunchies
Long pajamas (I was fine in shorts and a t shirt)
Nice club dress (not slutty)
Nice flats or low heels
Curling iron
Hairspray
Non scented lotion (The bugs will EAT you alive with scented)
Lots of feminine/sexual/etc supplies (better safe than sorry)
Clothes pins (the dryer often isn't free)
Baby wipes or baby powder (you are always sweaty the first few days)
Sunscreen
Shampoo, conditioner, etc. Don't count on a travel bottle lasting you, it can be a few days before you go shopping
TOILET PAPER! There is none in the bathrooms, you have to buy your own. Bring a roll to get you started.
Mosquito repellent (just because you don't get by Mosquitos doesn't mean you're safe. These Mosquitos don't play by the rules; your legs are always an open buffet)
Sealed microwave meal that does not need to be frozen. The day I got here all the stores were closed and there was no food. A lot of people couldn't eat because of that. Same with breakfast. It was nice to have something to pop in the microwave and eat.
Underwater camera (I have a Pentax that works in and out of water. One of the girls had their camera ruined at the beach. Even a film disposable underwater camera; you can't buy them here and can't develop the film, though)
String
Scissors
Command hooks
Metal hook (for hanging mosquito net)
Business outfit
Church appropriate conservative outfit (long skirt, nice shirt or nice dress)
Q-tips
A hat or bandana
School supplies (somehow I forgot paper)
Extra notebook for J-term class
Extra razors
Lots of clothes (bras and shorts especially)
Blank paper
Colored pencils
Water bottle (with filter if possible, the water tastes odd)
Base makeup; bring brand new ones
First aid supplies
Anti itch cream
Tape
Fun tack (the sticky putty)
Hair clips and scrunchies
Long pajamas (I was fine in shorts and a t shirt)
Nice club dress (not slutty)
Nice flats or low heels
Curling iron
Hairspray
Non scented lotion (The bugs will EAT you alive with scented)
Lots of feminine/sexual/etc supplies (better safe than sorry)
Clothes pins (the dryer often isn't free)
Baby wipes or baby powder (you are always sweaty the first few days)
Sunscreen
Shampoo, conditioner, etc. Don't count on a travel bottle lasting you, it can be a few days before you go shopping
TOILET PAPER! There is none in the bathrooms, you have to buy your own. Bring a roll to get you started.
Mosquito repellent (just because you don't get by Mosquitos doesn't mean you're safe. These Mosquitos don't play by the rules; your legs are always an open buffet)
Sealed microwave meal that does not need to be frozen. The day I got here all the stores were closed and there was no food. A lot of people couldn't eat because of that. Same with breakfast. It was nice to have something to pop in the microwave and eat.
Underwater camera (I have a Pentax that works in and out of water. One of the girls had their camera ruined at the beach. Even a film disposable underwater camera; you can't buy them here and can't develop the film, though)
Friday, February 14, 2014
Valentine's Day
It's Valentine's Day! One of the worst days I could be away from my fiance, but we traded little gifts and cards. Some of the girls are going to a women's night concert tonight for Valentine's Day. Carnival is in two weekends which seems much closer than it should be. I am not sure if we will get to try on our costumes, or at least the full thing, until Carnival day. We also have large flags we use in our dance that we are pretending to practice with right now; I hope we get those before we have to perform!
We are getting better at our Carnival dance at least. Our moving one isn't that good, though, because we don't have a large enough space to practice and keep tweaking the dance. Still, I figure we will know it well by Carnival. I can see why we start so early!
Reading about the Sochi Olympics and problems they talk about the stray dogs...there are so many stray dogs here! After a while you get used to the sound of barking and howling, as well as the fact that you can't pet them, no matter how much you want to. They are everywhere; Aubrey and I walked across campus and saw them trying to have a threesome...wasn't working too well. All the dogs are wild/semi-tame, so they aren't fixed. That means lots and lots and LOTS of new puppies and dogs.
The cars drive on the wrong side of the road here (to me at least) but an odd thing is they walk on the wrong side of the sidewalk, too! One is supposed to stay to the left, not the right. This means that I'm constantly running into people wondering why they aren't moving. I'm the one who should move!
Pedestrians are valued maybe less than the dogs here! Being a white female there's a better chance cars will stop so I can cross the road, but a few of the other students have been brushed by cars coming too close. Cross walks here are called zebra crossings and there's not many of them!
I think I mentioned this before but people honk here for everything: hello, goodbye, hey sexy, get out of the way, I'm going to honk just in case something might happen, I can play a song on my horn (the maxis do this!), I'm bored, the sky is blue......the list goes on.
I haven't been to the clubs here but the students say they are fancy dress. People who go do their makeup fancy, do their hair, and wear really nice dresses. It's very classy.
As for the normal clothes here most of the students do wear long pants to UWI because most of the rooms are air conditioned so much you'd think they were trying to make it snow! However, lots of people wear spaghetti straps, tank tops, sleeveless dresses, etc. They don't really wear short shorts; about knee length or a little shorter are acceptable. Bikinis are only for wearing on the beach so one needs some kind of cover up or light clothes to go into town after or for food. Having some kind of hiking sandals would be great; the only ones I can find here are expensive! It is definitely good to have lots of long dresses, skirts, etc. for all the events we go to through the program. I do wish I had brought some more nice pairs of clothes like church clothes; I only have pair that nice.
The waterfall was amazing; swam in, climbed up, slid down, rolled around in, etc. the waterfalls! It sucked for anyone wearing hiking shoes though....we had to walk through the river a ways and there was no way the shoes were staying dry. Aquasocks would have been best but I forgot mine and wore flip flops; wasn't too bad off except in the mud! But it's an experience I won't forget!
This sunday we head to Panorama (steel pan) semifinals; I'll post again after that!
We are getting better at our Carnival dance at least. Our moving one isn't that good, though, because we don't have a large enough space to practice and keep tweaking the dance. Still, I figure we will know it well by Carnival. I can see why we start so early!
Reading about the Sochi Olympics and problems they talk about the stray dogs...there are so many stray dogs here! After a while you get used to the sound of barking and howling, as well as the fact that you can't pet them, no matter how much you want to. They are everywhere; Aubrey and I walked across campus and saw them trying to have a threesome...wasn't working too well. All the dogs are wild/semi-tame, so they aren't fixed. That means lots and lots and LOTS of new puppies and dogs.
The cars drive on the wrong side of the road here (to me at least) but an odd thing is they walk on the wrong side of the sidewalk, too! One is supposed to stay to the left, not the right. This means that I'm constantly running into people wondering why they aren't moving. I'm the one who should move!
Pedestrians are valued maybe less than the dogs here! Being a white female there's a better chance cars will stop so I can cross the road, but a few of the other students have been brushed by cars coming too close. Cross walks here are called zebra crossings and there's not many of them!
I think I mentioned this before but people honk here for everything: hello, goodbye, hey sexy, get out of the way, I'm going to honk just in case something might happen, I can play a song on my horn (the maxis do this!), I'm bored, the sky is blue......the list goes on.
I haven't been to the clubs here but the students say they are fancy dress. People who go do their makeup fancy, do their hair, and wear really nice dresses. It's very classy.
As for the normal clothes here most of the students do wear long pants to UWI because most of the rooms are air conditioned so much you'd think they were trying to make it snow! However, lots of people wear spaghetti straps, tank tops, sleeveless dresses, etc. They don't really wear short shorts; about knee length or a little shorter are acceptable. Bikinis are only for wearing on the beach so one needs some kind of cover up or light clothes to go into town after or for food. Having some kind of hiking sandals would be great; the only ones I can find here are expensive! It is definitely good to have lots of long dresses, skirts, etc. for all the events we go to through the program. I do wish I had brought some more nice pairs of clothes like church clothes; I only have pair that nice.
The waterfall was amazing; swam in, climbed up, slid down, rolled around in, etc. the waterfalls! It sucked for anyone wearing hiking shoes though....we had to walk through the river a ways and there was no way the shoes were staying dry. Aquasocks would have been best but I forgot mine and wore flip flops; wasn't too bad off except in the mud! But it's an experience I won't forget!
This sunday we head to Panorama (steel pan) semifinals; I'll post again after that!
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
1 Month Down
Hello everyone; I haven't posted much lately because there really hasn't been that much going on.
Brendan decided to leave the program about 2 weeks ago and started PLU for spring semester. For our Caribbean Culture and Society class we have usually 2 lectures a week with guest lecturers and short paper/reflections to turn in based on that. We also have dance class twice a week...seems more like boot camp than dance class! We are yelled at a lot for doing it wrong. We are learning two different dances to perform, one dance has to be moving to get across the stage quick enough with all the big bands now. We finished J-term and the third class with the volunteering doesn't start till after Carnival when things slow down. Below is an example of one of our schedules for the week.
We've had a few excursions on the weekends; went to Maracas Beach and had Bake 'n Shark (tasted like fish), visited some steel pan (drum) yards, went to a few more Mas costume camps, and we are going to a Calypso tent this weekend. This saturday we are hoping to join the UWI Bio club to go on a hike to a waterfall! I introduced my friends Aubrey and Giorgio and now they are dating. Classes have started at UWI; I'm taking photo and a Carnival class; Mas: History, Development, and Meaning. The Mas class is my favorite so far; we are learning about Carnival history, what the traditional costumes mean, etc. Our final is a paper on someone who works with Mas and to make a costume that we design. My sewing skills are not extensive so that will be interesting!
The internet is slower than expected; there is wifi but it's often dial up speed. I have a room at the end of the hall with two windows which is great for ventilation but not great for internet. The program isn't quite what we expected; I don't think it ever will be. Of course it gets hyped up, trying to get people to go, but sometimes I feel like it has been hyped too much. First they tell you you will have lots of free time, then they say you are always busy. In actuality it's a mix of both. When we have to go to events in the evenings or lectures it's busier, but we actually end up having a lot of free time during the week. There's not a lot to do in Tunapuna besides shopping and for a single white girl, I can't really travel without a companion. I mean, I'm sure I could, but it wouldn't be very safe.
When they say there is every culture food in Trinidad that is a lie. There is roti which is good and doubles which I could eat for every meal the rest of my life. There is Trini food which is lots of stewed chicken and pigs/chicken/ox feet/tail/random body part. We have a joke that if it moves, a Trini will eat it. They have a large Indian culture but that doesn't mean you will find Indian food like tikka masala or vegetable korma or anything. They don't have many sit down restaurants here. No Thai food either! Aubrey and I are longing for peanut sauce. At least I can cook italian food easily. Boneless skinless chicken breast is really expensive here; Trinis like their meat on the bone.
Things I miss: My family, Daniel, my cat, doughnuts, pad tai, indian food (an actual meal), stores with everything you need in one place, not sleeping with a mosquito net, italian food...mostly everyone here misses food!
Today was the first day it's been cloudy all day; it's the best! There's a cool breeze coming in my window all the time and when it rains it cools it down even more. I'd hazard it might even be 75 right now--pure heaven.
Registering at school was a mess; most people changed their classes from what they first picked so there was a ton of going back and forth to professors and trying to get signatures and registration codes for classes. We are still trying to get financial clearance so we can get our IDs, it took a week or two to even get the codes to register for classes. Everyone swears that the school system is better than it has been, but it's a far cry from PLU!
Things are slow right now, they are supposed to keep picking up as we get closer to Carnival March 3-4th.
Brendan decided to leave the program about 2 weeks ago and started PLU for spring semester. For our Caribbean Culture and Society class we have usually 2 lectures a week with guest lecturers and short paper/reflections to turn in based on that. We also have dance class twice a week...seems more like boot camp than dance class! We are yelled at a lot for doing it wrong. We are learning two different dances to perform, one dance has to be moving to get across the stage quick enough with all the big bands now. We finished J-term and the third class with the volunteering doesn't start till after Carnival when things slow down. Below is an example of one of our schedules for the week.
We've had a few excursions on the weekends; went to Maracas Beach and had Bake 'n Shark (tasted like fish), visited some steel pan (drum) yards, went to a few more Mas costume camps, and we are going to a Calypso tent this weekend. This saturday we are hoping to join the UWI Bio club to go on a hike to a waterfall! I introduced my friends Aubrey and Giorgio and now they are dating. Classes have started at UWI; I'm taking photo and a Carnival class; Mas: History, Development, and Meaning. The Mas class is my favorite so far; we are learning about Carnival history, what the traditional costumes mean, etc. Our final is a paper on someone who works with Mas and to make a costume that we design. My sewing skills are not extensive so that will be interesting!
The internet is slower than expected; there is wifi but it's often dial up speed. I have a room at the end of the hall with two windows which is great for ventilation but not great for internet. The program isn't quite what we expected; I don't think it ever will be. Of course it gets hyped up, trying to get people to go, but sometimes I feel like it has been hyped too much. First they tell you you will have lots of free time, then they say you are always busy. In actuality it's a mix of both. When we have to go to events in the evenings or lectures it's busier, but we actually end up having a lot of free time during the week. There's not a lot to do in Tunapuna besides shopping and for a single white girl, I can't really travel without a companion. I mean, I'm sure I could, but it wouldn't be very safe.
When they say there is every culture food in Trinidad that is a lie. There is roti which is good and doubles which I could eat for every meal the rest of my life. There is Trini food which is lots of stewed chicken and pigs/chicken/ox feet/tail/random body part. We have a joke that if it moves, a Trini will eat it. They have a large Indian culture but that doesn't mean you will find Indian food like tikka masala or vegetable korma or anything. They don't have many sit down restaurants here. No Thai food either! Aubrey and I are longing for peanut sauce. At least I can cook italian food easily. Boneless skinless chicken breast is really expensive here; Trinis like their meat on the bone.
Things I miss: My family, Daniel, my cat, doughnuts, pad tai, indian food (an actual meal), stores with everything you need in one place, not sleeping with a mosquito net, italian food...mostly everyone here misses food!
Today was the first day it's been cloudy all day; it's the best! There's a cool breeze coming in my window all the time and when it rains it cools it down even more. I'd hazard it might even be 75 right now--pure heaven.
Registering at school was a mess; most people changed their classes from what they first picked so there was a ton of going back and forth to professors and trying to get signatures and registration codes for classes. We are still trying to get financial clearance so we can get our IDs, it took a week or two to even get the codes to register for classes. Everyone swears that the school system is better than it has been, but it's a far cry from PLU!
Things are slow right now, they are supposed to keep picking up as we get closer to Carnival March 3-4th.
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