The IP happy ending

(part 2 of yesterday's review)

It’s Sunday, 11:13am. I’m standing online outside of the stadium, there are 16 people all lined up in front of me; four in back. Various displays of sleepy people still wearing yesterday’s sexy. Must have come straight from Insomnia like me. I figure that those 16 people should be taken care of fast enough, and buying an unsold costume from IP will definitely not be an all day thing. I should have enough time to buy some stuff to fix up costume, make my adjustments AND get some rest before jouvert. My hopes were laid to rest soon after, sharing the same burial plot as my patience and enthusiasm.

The line began to curve alongside the Stadium as people stood near the building to avoid the noonday sun. It would have been nice to have some complementary water for the people patiently waiting. Hell, I would have gladly paid for it. 1:30pm the gate was still not opened for anyone other than those who needed to use the bathroom. At 2:14pm they began letting customers people pick up their missing headpieces and make size swaps. “where de big titty gyal dem?” was the catcall of a ‘helpful’ husband who was assisting his female companion with finding someone who wanted to exchange a small bra for the large one that she ordered. Island Peoples personnel walked up to gate and looked upon the mayhem and did absolutely nothing.

A security guard walked up to the gate and asked, in a voice so low only the people being crushed against the gate could hear- ‘allyuh make two lines’. People passed along the message to the back but no one moved. A short while later they allowed six people in, at this point everyone began to crush towards the front. One of the security guards managed to find his way outside and made small talk with us. He told us that the reason for the delay was because when they closed up the night before, no one stayed late to organize anything. Inside all of the boxes were mixed sizes and even parts from other costumes, not to mention pieces of costumes missing in its entirety. Long story short, ‘it’s just a mess in der’ is what he told us. He then went on to say that he gets an ‘employee discount’ and could buy our costumes for us for ‘a little sumting, nah’. Ok, that seemed like great idea.

No waiting on line, a discount on the costumes and we get to find out whats available and make our decision before we get inside. We gave him our sizes and the sections we wanted to play in (Carnival frontline, Touch, and anything white) He came back and said they were all available. We were unable to cut in the front of the line to get in so he sent us to an alternative entrance where trucks were coming in transporting backpacks for frontline costumes and a few headpieces. After seeing the colorful valances on carnival we decided that it’s ether touch or the white costume with the wings.

“NO WINGS” my cousin muttered. Damn it, so much for our ‘sea salt boots’ matching our costumes this year. Touch it is. (And thank god we listened to her) :
www.slide.com/r/zQIYZo2f7D8JfHxzwlys0twbdYyn3yAD

We told him the section we wanted and he returned to us an hour later saying that the Carnival frontline is 4900tt and the touch costume is 3800tt. We told him fine, and to please hurry up so that we can get out of there. Two hours later we saw the people we were standing in front of online earlier that morning, leave with their costumes. WTF??? We found the guy and asked him what was taking so long, let us give you the money and give us the costumes so we can go. He said we had a bit long erto wait. Frustrated, my cousin decides we should just go to the cashier and pay because we are obviously not getting out any faster. She went to the register and met with a woman who had a price list in her hands. She ran back to me with it and I couldn’t believe my eyes. Touch was only 3095tt?????????????? That guy was trying to make money off of us?!!?!? Wtf happened to the ‘employee discount’.

We tracked him down and asked him the price again. He repeated the 3800 and we showed him the price list. All of the sudden he is telling us to pay the cashier and wait on this ridiculously slow line. Anyway, at the register the cashier says that boy shorts are 75 dollars. I told her I’ll just take the panty option. Our ‘friend’ the security guard went to get us our costumes. Despite the issues, we had to admit, the costumes were beyond gorgeous. We told him that we should be given boyshorts for compensation of all this madness. He went and got them for us. As we were getting ready to leave he told us we couldn’t have the boyshorts for free and that we had to pay for them. I asked him for the price, (already knowing the answer) He looked me in my eyes with all the innocence in the world and said……150tt. I told him I only had 40tt and handed it to him as I walked out of the door. I watched him put the money in his pocket. The time was then 6:10pm.

His name was GAVIN

Despite the bad costume pickup experience I went on to have a wonderful carnival Monday and Tuesday with IP. I Think I broke almost every rule in Mimi’s boots rulebook blog


No, the food wasn’t gourmet. No, we didn’t have foot rubs, or makeup refreshing. We wasn’t misted with neutrogena spf 70 sun block spray, we weren’t fed grapes and there wasn’t any piggy back rides for the tired masqueraders who could not hang. But then again, that’s not what I played mas to experience. I wanted the drinks to flow (and it did), I wanted to dance and hang with some of the most wassy, beautiful, jammish, friendly and fun-loving masqueraders on the planet while wearing a gorgeous, sexy and creative costume. From morning ‘til night. And That’s exactly what I got. The lack of sleep, the constant rain and even the ‘wild antz’ song on repeat did not interfere with my sexy or good cheer. I’d definitely play with them again. I won’t ever buy another costume on carnival Sunday, but i’d play with them again.

Btw: The Security in the surrounding sections was good:


People? Awesome
www.flickr.com/photos

We didn’t have many people in our section, but the camaraderie was there in abundance.

Refund for Missing Island People Headpieces

This appeared in the Trinidad Express Action Line today:

click to enlarge

While I commend the refund and 15% future discount given to the two masqueraders by Penny Gomez (Island People Mas PRO) why wasn't the refund automatic if the headpieces were never delivered?

Especially since the same Ms Gomez said this in an article from the Trinidad Guardian's preview of Heaven on Earth:

Quality matters

Gomez said assuring all masqueraders get quality for money is always high on the band’s agenda. “When you think of IPM mas, you don’t only think of jumping up. We offer a quality mas experience.

Lewis asserted: “The masquerader playing with us can expect an all inclusive band, exceptionally good catering services, high security, among other amenities. We want our masqueraders to have a true heavenly experience.

You can read the full article below:

Kudos to Action Line for following through on the story and publishing it as well. I suggest that all of you Island People masqueraders who did not receive you headpieces and did not get a refund for the item to write to Action Line as well or to Ms Penny Gomez of Island People mas.

It is a shame that a reputable organization would cheat customers for what they already PAID for and should have been given with no recourse or accountability until the media gets on their case!

Island People Feedback

Dear Island People Mas

I am a three time masquerader with your mas band and therefore was triply disappointed at the service that was meted to me by your organization. There is a need to personalize this because it was I who made the conscious decision to fork out a mammoth $2,695.00 in the hope of having IP mas deliver to me nothing but a surreal experience on the road. Many things contributed to this and I believe it is incumbent on the management of IP mas to unequivocally apologize to all its loyal masqueraders for the multiplicity of issues faced on the road.

SECURITY
It is my honest opinion that a CEPEP gang could have done a much better job than the Security Sweep team IP boasted of having. Stormers infiltrated the band on both days and will even go on to say that it was evident that some of these illegal masqueraders were associated with some of our “illustrious” security detail. Additionally, even some of our masqueraders took the liberty to bring their sisters, brothers, man, woman and cousins six times removed illegally into the band. Personally, I do not care who you love or don’t…once you do not have a legal band on your hand you should be ejected forthwith from the band.

I had first hand experience being harassed by these “wining space bandits” as I was chipping to the Victoria Square stands on Monday.

Two stormers were permitted to be within the confines of the useless ropes. One later on proceeded to attempt to befriend me by taking my waving bandana out of my hand and wiping his dirty sweaty face with it; and with a smile returned it to me. I would not go into the details of what transpired in between but only because one of my crew alerted security were these miscreants removed. I am sure many other masqueraders can relate to you’re their litany of security woes.

It makes absolute no sense having a robust looking team of security officials who are more concerned about wining and getting drinks, and not concerned about the safety and security of the masqueraders who make IP management millionaires.

LUNCH
As far as I am aware, the name of our 2009 Presentation was “Heaven on Earth” and not “Dogs in Pound”. I would like to know if the food you presented to us on Monday and Tuesday is the quality of food you eat within the confines of your homes. I even saw with my own two eyes a senior member of IP management discard his box of food after a few bites. If that is your idea of “lean, healthy meals”, please in the future provide us with fattening tasty food. I did go to the gym prior to Carnival and will burn off the fat and calories in wining. Additionally, I do not like to feel like I am waiting for food in a Somali refugee camp. The lines and hassle for food were beyond ridiculous.

MUSIC
I was particularly disturbed this year at the fact that the soca Mafia obviously became a major shareholder within IP mas this year. Why it is Island people had to be the ONLY band in which ALL its trucks played that Wild Ants song when crossing the judging points? Obviously, you were not privy to the plethora of Road March contenders who had songs which were better loved than the one your Deejays FORCED us to jump to. We all love Machel’s music- don’t get me wrong. But this year, that song was not road march- you knew it and he knew it- and it was unfair that you subjected us to multiple repeats of that soca infestation.

Additionally, can you please tell your road management and your truck drivers that every section needs music? The trucks were labeled with where they should be positioned but obviously some level of illiteracy and/or ignorance pervaded the band, and deprived some masqueraders of their just share of sweet soca.

Every masquerader had a different experience but I believe these were the three main problems I had, and masqueraders in general. I will not go on to mention the empty goodie BMOBILE SPONSORED bag, the water and other drinks running out on Monday, and the food truck way in the back of the band; I am sure someone else will.

POSITIVES
1. Costumes – I had no problems at all with costume collection or the costume itself. The costume was exactly like the replica in the mas camp and was a bit overwhelmed at this fact. Pleased was an understatement to describe how I felt when I collected my costume.
2. Masqueraders- ISLAND PEOPLE MASQUERADERS ARE THE BEST MASQUERADERS EVER!!! The camaraderie and spirit and vibes in this band are really out of this world. Despite the mess IP management did, the masqueraders all came out to have a great time. Once you had a hand band you had license to dance with any masquerader. THIS IS THE ONLY REASON I WOULD CONSIDER PLAYING MAS WITH IP again.

So my dear sirs- it is incumbent of you to do a serious post mortem on your presentation. I am sure your must have heard the wide ranging complaints posted on many a website by both locals and foreigners. The negative PR is not doing your band any good. Once my crew agrees, and finances are there, and because of the quality of masquerader IP attracts, I am willing to give you just one more chance. There are many other options that treat their masqueraders like customers and not dirt.

Just remember, mighty conglomerates have fallen and therefore IP is not immune to collapse. Shape up or ship out!!!


Sincerely Yours

Jason Wickham
Slightly….just slightly disgruntled masquerader

Island People Reviews - 2

Dear Saucy

I know that already there exist a review of IP Mas but I want to share my experience with you.

COLLECTION
The collection was the worst that I have seen. Imagine IP put an Ad in the newspapers for collection of costume- My collection date was for Natural Mystic this was from Friday to Saturday.

I arrived at the stadium on Saturday at about 11.00 am only to witness a line snaking around the stadium (I was warned early by my sister who was trying to hold a space for me). I spent 45 minutes waiting to proceed to the cashier to complete transaction! I had to make noise and complain about the wait. One of the Lewis brothers approached me and I told him about my grievances. I told him that they should hand out water and make the wait a bit more comfortable.

The transaction to pay and to proceed to the collection area took another 20-30 mins. It was totally disgusting. I had another friend stand in line for me and I then proceeded to the front of the line to collect three costumes only to be told, that a bra was missing and that there were no head pieces and the attitude from the CSR was " WE DON'T KNOW WHEN WE GETTING THE MISSING PIECES".

By that time sauce I felt the hair on my head grow back because a rage took me! I got annoyed and started to make real noise! Picture this I on one end acting like real GHETTO and another masquerader making noise about her frontline costumes! ALL STOOD STILL! I was so angry that I started to pound on the counter demanding that I get all parts of my costume.

The security came to me and told me that I should stop pounding the counter! We got into a heated argument where I told her, "that if it was she, she would have behaved worst than I". My girls had to hold me back because we would have gotten into a real bad fight.

My friend was very upset because they were missing her bra and she had tears in her eyes! She demanded a refund and got it! On the other hand the refund was not an option because "I WANT TO PLAY AH MAS"! I was taken aside and told that they would deliver my costume!

I told the CSR that I aint sitting at home like no "A*S. Mine u! It had a whole set of people who were waiting around for pieces for that section and was just plain hoping! I was not settling for that! They took my number and by the time we had driven out of the stadium, I got two calls one to tell me that I was missing a security band and another to say to come quickly because they got a few headpieces and had kept two specially for me!. That was around 4.00 pm

The costume looked like the prototype Sauce! It was gorgeous! I ended up with two bands though and gave it to someone who was deserving!

I ended up there Sunday in the chaos again because my sister hated her Ray of Light costume. We got it exchanged after waiting for another three (3) hours.

It seems that u have to misbehave to get service.

CARNIVAL MONDAY
The food was nasty! The fish was cold and tasteless and the peas in the pelau tasted as though they did not cook it properly! I ended up with a mighty headache and bad sunburn. My girl friend had to climb to the top of the truck to get us food! (See attached pic). Imagine shelling out that type of money and having to run behind a truck for food.


CARNIVAL TUESDAY
The band left on time and we got wet by the time we reached Green Corner. The vibes was great though! I could not understand that for a band with 13 sections why the food truck was almost last! That ain't make no sense.

The vibes was good up until we reached by the Twin Towers and the heavens opened! I got shelter from a cute guy running a stall so that saved the headpiece. I ended up using my foot band as a headpiece! (see pic)

We ended up chipping across the downtown stage with no music because the trucks had driven off. WTF! It was utter madness and the nerve of the IP Manager trying to get people into sections! "You all did no have any order in the first place, so how all yuh expect to get order after the rain fall and it ain have no music"

FOOD
The food was worst on Tuesday! I had to stop the police and show him the rubbish that they gave me! I told the police "If I was to get on real bad, all yuh see why"! The food was cold, the fish looked rotten and unappetizing.


MUSIC
The DJ kept playing Island People like Antz and I am sure the other masqueraders wanted to hear other sounds!.

By the time the band reached the Savannah it was chaos! Utter Chaos!. People were storming left right and center! By that time I just wanted to use the bathroom and rest.

The rest of the afternoon the band ended up splitting and stormers galore was flocking left, right and center! I saw one girl in a thong costume being harassed and pulled at by a stormer! Lord have mercy IP you really disappoint.

POINTERS
I think that IP should introduce a system like Tribe to keep the numbers in check.

They need to readdress the catering and security features of the band

Get a proper rest area for lunch and relaxation on both days LIKE THE OTHER BANDS.

Play the Road March contenders and not one song over and over!

Get a bigger area and a more efficient system for payments and collection of costumes.

Start the collection process two weeks before Carnival so that what happened this year would never happen again.

Fire and Hire new production companies that did not produce costumes on time.

I am seriously thinking about switching to another band! They failed big time! The service was the best when they were Galvanize Entertainment in the band Poison.

Regards

trina

Hi Saucy,

I know you had a lot of reviews about IP for 2009, I just wanted to give
my 2 cents as well as offer some recommendations.

Dear Island People Mas,

After reading Saucy's review and others on Trinidad Carnival Diary I feel inclined to give you feedback on my 2009 Carnival experience with you. This was my first year playing with Island People and I was a bit apprehensive after reading all the negative comments and reviews that people made about your customer service of years gone by. I must say that they were correct. Being an overseas masquerader we don't have the luxury of walking into the mas camp and speaking to someone face to face or even viewing the costumes up close and personal. I purchased my costume from another masquerader.

I called IP to make the final payment on the costume and at the same time provided them with my email address so that they can email my receipt to me. It took about 5days before I got the confirmation email and that was only after calling IP numerous
times and explaining to them that my credit card info jumping up all over the place. However, I did encounter a pleasant lady who was kind enough to apologize and who sent me my confirmation email. IP needs to send their employees to some customer service school or they need to reinforce that the workers are dealing with customers, people who paying their salary. As much as I am living overseas and try to be diplomatic I would not hesitate to throw some expletives in the mix.

Collection and Costume
IP also needs to have designated days for overseas masqueraders. I decided to pick up my costume, Caramel, Carnival Friday as I only got into the country late Carnival Thursday. Jean Pierre Complex was a mad house. I couldn't understand if I paid for my costume before the fast track date why I had to stand in a line for over 2 hrs to collect my costume. I must say thank you for the water and the bmobile lollies which you passed out when we were waiting. It was a nice atmosphere as masqueraders decided to make a lime out of it and make new friends but it was still unacceptable.

The Chocolate costume was much closer to the prototype but that really didn't bother me. I loved my costume nonetheless. One thing though, I don't know how you people decide on how to measure the belt but my belt was way too big for me. Check yuh size chart again. Kudos to the accessories that you provided with the costumes, they were really nice and a nice touch at uniformity.

On the road
The band was big. A nice manageable big. Loved that. Security worked from the Stadium until we crossed the Savannah. After that was every man for themselves. I wasn't feeling this too much. Didn't have any guntas but anything could have happened. Although I did feel safe when they broke up a fight at Green Corner I didn't like the idea that they gave us the ghost after we crossed the stage. I paid my money for this service and I expect to get it for the whole day. The drinks flowed like water but the water didn't flow like water. Many times I went to the bar for water and had to come back 30 mins later because they didn't have any water. Fix that!!! Now onto the wee wee trucks.

Firstly, I cannot understand why that truck was so far in the back, truck number 17. If I wanted to use that truck I had to start walking to the back before I even felt to wee wee. IP yuh need to find some other place to put that truck or get two trucks, one in the middle and one in the back. Secondly, the truck itself has much left to be desired. I don't think that it is so hard to provide at least a mirror and get the sponsors to provide some smell sweet in the toilet. Also, please hire people to clean those things during the day. After awhile it was very nasty.

Oh when will I rest to eat!!! IP didn't take a lunch break. On Monday after crossing the Savannah after 4:30pm and missing out on lunch IP stood around St. Mary's grounds for over an hour. No announcement was made as to whether this was a lunch break or anything. Next yr IP please break for lunch. I didn't eat lunch on Monday because I had a late breakfast and only needed snacks to carry me through the day. But on Tuesday it wasn't nice to walk and eat. Finally, the after party, what is that? Maybe IP was trying something new this year and people correct me if I'm wrong but I'm sure IP use to have an after jump up to the jump up. Well this didn't happen this year and I know many people were looking forward to this. IP fix that.

Conclusion
To reiterate my earlier points:
* Improve customer service
* Have designated days for overseas masqueraders to collect
costume
* Better size chart
* Security works for the entire day
* More water
* Cleaner and better line up of the wee wee truck/trucks.
* Lunch Stop, get one!!!

All in all I thoroughly enjoyed my IP Carnival experience. My friends and I have agreed that we will be playing with them again next yr. Hopefully you get your act together and listen to your masqueraders.

Island People Reviews

Today I will be sharing with you the reviews sent in by readers of the blog of the various bands they played with for carnival, starting with Island People. On that note you should also visit Afro Chic for her review on playing with Island People as well;

I am an avid reader of your blog, and I admire your tireless efforts in blogging about our Carnival. It is indeed the ‘greatest show on earth’. However, as a masquerader who has played with bands such as Poison, Legacy, TRIBE and Island People, I feel it is imperative to write about my 2009 experience. Your blog represents the truth, and what I have to say is as such.

I will not go into detail about my horrid registration process with Island People. I think that topic has been rehashed by other bloggers. But this year was my third time playing mas with them; indeed registration was as chaotic as the costume payment and collection, and it mirrored what happened on the road.

I live abroad; therefore, Friday afternoon was the only time I had in order to pay my balance, and to collect the costume. Friends and I arrived at the stadium at approximately 2:30pm, and to our horror, the line had already made a bend around the gate. There were at least 150- 200 people in line ahead of us to pay, and the so-called line adjacent to ours to collect costumes was just as long; however, in that line, people were all crowded around the collection desk. It was a free for all – who get to the counter first was served. Pure madness.

We purposed to be patient, and tried to make a small lime out of it, being friendly and chatting with people in the line behind us. By about 4:00 pm, IP staffers were handing out bottles of water, which was much appreciated. There was free (hot) Stag available, as well as pineapple chow and juice on sale (why wasn’t it vice versa? hmmm…). My friends and I arrived to the payment counter eventually...(let's just say it was dark outside after payment was made), where there were only 6 flustered cashiers, and at that point the situation grew worse. There was a couple at the back of the line, an East Indian girl in the Natural Mystic section, and an Afro Trini young man. They somehow got the security guard to allow them to skip about 20 persons to get ahead, including 2 young ladies near me who were exhausted from holding their babies, so as they were resting on the table, the said couple bravely jumped in front of the young mothers, stating they were holding up the line. Mind you, these 2 mothers were from Barbados I think they said, so their welcome to Trinidad was definitely soured. There were many other foreigners who witnessed this event, much to my shame as a Trinidadian. These 2 skippers really let me down. Worse, the security guard then made his way to the front of the line in order to allow the ‘skipping couple’ to go ahead and pay; that is when the ruction start! There was a young lady who was quite upset at this move, a frequent IP masquerader I am told, and I’m uncertain what happened next but the security guard grabbed this lady by her wrist, yanked her out of the line in order for the skippers to pay, and threatened to have her arrested because she was the most vocal against the skippers. It was a shameful event as IP staffers could not control the fracas and began a shouting match with the lady who was vocal. Meanwhile, the skippers quietly paid their money and glided outside with grins on their faces and receipts in hand.

Needless to say, my friends and I still went ahead to pay off our balance and then collect our costumes. As I said earlier, there wasn’t really a line per se…we left the stadium at around 7:00 pm, exhausted from the bacchanal that just occurred. IP also gave me the incorrect size, and I was told by a staff member to return on Sunday for an exchange.

I arrived on Sunday at 10:30 am, (we were told to come at 11:00) and again there was a long line of about 100 people. IP had not opened the gate at this point, and when they finally did, they were only allowing about 10-15 people who could squeeze to the front inside. I’d had enough at this point and was ready to sell my costume right there! After paying $3295 hard earned dollars for the costume, not to mention my plane ticket and hotel, this was totally unacceptable. I decided to go home, rest, and in the end I altered my costume by hand.

To my dismay, on the road, there were stormers upon stormers, especially around the Queen’s Park Savannah. Security was non existent for much of the day. There was a group of girls who were no more than 12 years old who all trampled me in order to chip near truck #3. I am quite petite, and instead of putting up a fight, I just decided to go home. This was my absolute worst experience playing mass. The food (all the way at the back of the band) was horrible…dog rice and cold soya chunks…Lucozade was finished by 10:00 am. My day on Tuesday just kept getting worse and worse. People have had negative things to say about the demographics of Legacy and TRIBE, but my experience with them in the past was certainly much more enjoyable; that’s where there are people with CLASS!!!

On a positive note, I honestly loved the beadwork on my costume, despite the fact I had to alter it myself in the hotel after a mad dash to Samaroos. I will not play with Island People ever again, and for those who choose to, I respect that decision, but I think people should DEMAND that the organizers address certain issues to ensure masqueraders’ safety and comfort- within their control. There will always be hiccups on the road, but Saucy this was definitely not a representation of “island people”, nor the “greatest show on earth”. I am not thinking of getting a refund of any sort (PLEASE!! that ain’t happening). I’m just a very patriotic Trinidadian who lives abroad, and I am ashamed that anyone, especially a foreigner, could experience this in the future. I guess this is my caveat emptor.

I hope that IP can make a greater effort by taking steps such as having costume collection a week earlier, and a designated day for foreign masqueraders. Also, they could hire more persons/cashiers to assist with payment, rather than having so little to handle such a huge crowd, which would obviously stress their staff members out. Try a different security firm. This guard was totally out of line (no pun intended). Finally, I know stormers will storm every band, but this year was totally insane as many times I had to fight for a position to chip in my section against persons who clearly wanted to storm as they please. That is not fair to the person forking out $3295!!!! It’s just not right!!!

Ashamed at IP.

2k9 was the worst carnival for me. I have been a founding member of IP mas b4 it was even IP mas ( from Poison days).

After spending over 3hrs in line when I went to collect my fiance's costume, I was physically assaulted by a SWAT Security guard in the cashiers room in full view of everyone present. THIS IS NOW A POLICE MATTER!!

When you are in section 2 how the f**K they expect you to walk all the way to the back of the band to get food. I still have our food chits from both days.

I played with wings this yr and I had to fight for space on the road as there was many stormers.

When my fiance and I spend almost $8000.00 together on our costumes the least we expect is good f**king service from start to finish.

IP when you advertise something and people pay for that. It is your right to provide all that was advertised, once we pay you our money a Contact is formed!!

Hi Saucy,

I had my first experience with playing with IP. They did not make a very good impression on me, however I had a good time regardless. I played with the section Rays of Light, so I had drama getting my costume in the first place, but when I got it and tried it on, it was perfect in every way. I loved it. I was just a little scared of the experience on Monday and Tuesday because of the horror stories I've heard about them. My friends and I were a bit tardy regarding Mas registration so we didn't get into Tribe who we have played with since their inception, so we decided to give IP a chance.

They got off to an early start, left on time both days which I was happy for. Breakfast, drinks and lunch were delivered on time and as promised. I was satisfied with most of it however, trying to get food along with 100 other ppl from a moving truck is pressure, I hated that experience. I eventually gave up on Monday and went to the snack truck and took a plate (with pies, chicken legs, sandwiches etc.) instead of the food, good thing I had a heavy breakfast. Tuesday was much better even though the rain was a bit annoying, I had no other problems foodwise.

Everything seemed ok to me with the exception of the lack in security and the number of stormers. I also did not know when I crossed the stage as wierd as it may seem. Everyone was all over the place, there was no real sectioning at all. This annoyed me because that is what I really look forward to every year. Also, there was no distinction regarding front and backliners, everyone was together....all the time...even on stage. They prompted masqueraders one or two times but no one listened really. Also, there was no music truck with us on stage, so people practically walked across the stage, while the commentator begged for a music truck for us (sigh).

Overall, I had a good time due to my friends and family playing, however to me the band had no vibe. When I looked at the video done on Izatrini.com, it was clear that IP was just really quiet and docile compared to the other bands.

I can't say I will play with them next year, but we will see how that goes.

Oh, and I attached a picture of me in my costume :)

IP Masquerader.

ISLAND PEOPLE EXPERIENCE 2K9


Ok....So I had paid for my costume by the end of January so I actually got fast tracked but even that woudlnt have mattered on the day I collected my costume. I expected some form of a wait when I reached Monday morning at 4 but I was totally suprised when I reached and in less than 5 minutes I had my costume in hand and was walking out to my car.

I was too too happy!!!

HOWEVER, by Friday when I went with another friend to pick up her costume I was horrified to meet a SUPER long line snaking its way out of the cashier office in the freaking sun no less!!! I managed to walk past the line to try to get a sense of what the pick up counter was looking like and was just as appauled to see that the lines had brocken down and it seemed like a free for all!

I met another friend who had been there long before us and yet was still there and even when he got into the pick up line only got his costume about an hour later! Thankfully my friend who i came with got her costume much faster (because she is very forward and finds ways around things).

While there I did notice a trend of people not being totally happy about their costumes....they either found that the headpiece was smaller or had less feathers.....I was happy I had none of those problems as I had no feathers or head piece for my costume!

What I couldnt understand however was why people waited so long to collect their costumes? I heard that from Monday to Thursday there were very little people there but Friday was a complete mess.

However with our costumes we could then concentrate on the weekend’s parties and looking forward to mas on the road.

I didnt play jouvert so I got up somewhat early and headed out to meet the band....we just missed the opporunity to jump up at the first judging point on the avenue but it was all good. We grabbed drinks and joined right in. We enjoyed ourselves till we got to around globe cinema when we realised that alot of people who we dont think should have been in the band were right in the thick of things. It was the first of many signs that security was a little lax.

We enjoyed ourselves none the less as we chipped to downtown port of spain and it was then it became apparent to me who this band was loyal to me as ‘Wild Ants’ magically appeared on the sound system once we approached the stage even though people were clamouring for some ‘Bachannal’. One of my girlfriends did not care for the song at all and so she did the ‘bad man dance’ everytime it came on (re: standing up with arms folded).

We then quickly went up to charlotte street and we realised food was being served.....problem was that it was being served on the go.....and I mea really on the go. People literally were running after the food truck and we joked it had to have been ‘fast food’. I actually followed some people by standing on one of the rungs of the truck and holding on because it was getting tiring running after a truck just to get food.

We even had to walk and eat as we didnt want to get left behind.

Now, I am not much of a food person during carnival time....a few bites is all i need or care for as i hate to jump up and down with a super full stomach. However I would rather that what little I do consume be tasty and I could not really say that for the food....it was just.....’edible’!

So we then progressed to the ‘savannah stage’ very quickly and and the experience of ‘crossing’ was over all to quickly and before we knew it we were already approaching qrc....and then I realised that the trucks were moving a lil too fast for comfort. We came to a stop once we got to qrc though.....just long enough for us to catch our breath and lie down for about half an hour. We made the mistake to approach the bar which was being swamped with people and i think were being restocked as they had very little of what any of my friends wanted to drink. (No redbull????? What????)

We then made our way back to the stadium just after nightfall and stayed long enough for the trucks to park so that we would have clear path to leave and go home.

Tueday my friends and i woke up early for preparations and pictures but still managed to make it to the stadium later than we would have liked....which resulted in the band once again being gone. We didnt use the shuttle on the Monday but we felt it proudent to this time.....only problem was it was taking its cool time to get there. We walked a little distance and it finally came and we reached to the band just in time for the rain to start pouring on us. We hid for cover as none of us wanted to meet the band already drenched but were very surpised to see the band leaving us well behind not caring that people would have to be drenched to keep up that hour in the morning.

I realise they have a schedule to keep but DAAAYYYUMMM....slow your roll just a tad why dont you? We caught up to them jsut after the second judging point and oddly enough we had a long wait by blode for some unknown reason....and we slowed down again by the library when here was another small downpour.

The biggest blast of rain came however just before the downtown judging point which was a shame because by the time the sun came out and we were crossing people had either discarded there head pieces or they looked god awfull.....I immediately could tell who had either totally managed to hide from the rain or had used fletch powder on their feathers or something just as effective. We still enjoyed ourselves crossing the stage and this time i did see machel on the truck signaling them to run his track. My friends didnt care at this point and danced with ants in our pants all the same......the brainswashing was complete.

We then once again walked in the rain up fredrick street. Lost some friends who refused to walk in the rain but some others managed to get lunch from the lunch truck and some girlfriend of mine took pity on me as i clearly looked hungry and fed me some soggy food.

We were once again held up on park street and on charlotte street for some time. Whe we finally made it to the savannah I realised that the sections were not lined up properly so I took advantage to just run amock and have fun.

However once we passed the ‘savannah stage’ the real problems started....my friends couldnt get anything to eat...real stragglers enetered the band and the trucks in general started moving like if we were in a race for something. We deviated from the route i thought we would take and ended up going to the round about close to elerslie and turning down and then being stuck for sometime crossing by a park....

By that time my friends couldnt take it anymore and left the band to head down to roxy to secure some food of our own but not before we saw one of the band leader themselves trying to usher out stragglers out of the band to no avail. We got food from some venndors and while I wanted to once again rejoin the band my friends decided to wait for the trucks at the stadium to see if they would once again have ann after party. We soon realised this wasnt the case and so we tried to put our tired feet up for a little bit.

20 mins later we tried to leave the stadium only to find a horrible traffic jam and it took 45 mins to get to the highway. It was thoroughly frustrating but we were happy that we had a great time otherwise.

Our costumes didnt have feather and so they held up well even thorughout the rain (cant say the same about my face paint but i cant blame that on island people). The actually glossy material on the waist bands had some wear from all the bummbers that wined on me and my friends but nothing to make us look too shredded.


All in all our experience was a good one.....if our crew was more centered on food we would have been pissed as most of my crew couldnt find food...and there were no snacks seen being shared as it was last year! The liquor situation was good....although at one point i wondered if the bar people could be more accomodating. The security was good on both mornings but i think faltered on both days after the savannah stage but i am now wondering if this is because it is more than they could ever handle....


Island People should see me again next year god spare life!

Dear Island People,

I am writing to express disappointment in my Carnival 2009 experience with you. I will first list the few positive aspects:

1. The online registration process was easy, fast, and efficient.

2. I received professional customer service when I called to ask questions about my costume.

3. The cashier line moved steadily on Carnival Friday even though the line was long.

4. Paramount security was good at keeping masqueraders away from the wheels of the trucks on Monday and Tuesday.


Here are the negatives that put a damper on my Carnival experience:

1.Costume distribution was very disorganized on Carnival Friday. When my fiance and I stood in "line" for over 4 hours to recieve our costumes. I placed quotation marks around the word line because I am unsure if one existed.

2. My costume- Heavenly Sky- only had one feather on left side of the bra when it should have had feathers on both sides. The attendant at the counter insisted that the bra came with feathers on one side only. In other words, part of my costume was missing at collection.

3. My Heavenly Sky headpiece was poorly made. The beads were falling off at collection. A staff member fixed them at the Distribution Center but they fell right off as I was putting on the headpiece on Carnival Tuesday morning. I also attempted to use shoe laces to keep it on my head because the elastic just didnt cut it. The shoe laces were ineffective. I ended up holding the headpiece in my hand for most of the day.

4. When we arrived at the downtown judging point, while security held back my section (Heavenly Sky- Chapter 2) as Paradisus crossed the stage, Dream (Chapter 4 or 5) was allowed to cross ahead of us. When security realized what was happening, Heavenly Sky masqueraders were told to push through Dream to get to the judging area. Unacceptable.

5. The pelau on Monday was cold and tasteless.

6. The food on Tuesday was cold.

7. Non-masqueraders were allowed to order drinks from the bar.

8. Crossing the "stage" at the savannah was a disaster. Non-masqueraders were allowed to jump in the band. Security was no where to be found.

9. The band got separated after the savannah. Truck 1 and 2 continued on the parade route leaving the rest of the band behind. D Krewe passed through our band, confusing many masqueraders. When the remaining trucks finally started moving they sped off resulting in us running after them.

10. The music shut off suddenly and without explanation on the way to the stadium on Tuesday.

Overall, the service I recieved from Island People Mas was below the standards advertised. I will be playing mas with another band next year.

Island People Costume Collection take 2

So yesterday was collection for Island People sections Carnival, Rays of Light, Natural Mystic and Touch.

With no designated day for overseas masqueraders I was informed that not only did masqueraders who were supposed to collect for the aforementioned sections show up at the Stadium, but everyone else who didn't collect previous sections turned up as well, including overseas masqueraders.

This resulted in long lines for both "fast track" (pictured below) and those paying off the balance at the cashier.

Some disappointed masqueraders sent me emails to voice their frustrations at the process; the thing is however that Carnival Friday and Saturday are notoriously the WORST days ever to collect costumes ( I heard there were over 200 masqueraders collecting for TRIBE at Cascadia yesterday and traffic jam to the venue as well). For 2010 if you can please have someone collect your costume on the designated day and hopefully Island People will start distribution earlier leaving Friday and Saturday for overseas masqueraders.

Hi Saucy,

I am a regular visitor to your blog and I noticed and was happy regarding the comments about the costume collection process at Island People. Sigh. I am playing with Rays of Light and decided to collect my costume today instead of tomorrow because I wanted to prevent any last minute mishaps.

On arriving at Jean Pierre complex at approximately 5pm (after work), the first thing i saw while driving in was the long line of people waiting in the smoldering sun. I could not believe it. Going in, I saw one of my friends who went in hours earlier and was now leaving, without her headpiece. They were not ready. This is Carnival Friday, no headpiece?

I eventually left when I saw the mass of people looking at me. I have no choice but to go meet the same people tomorrow at the venue in hopes of getting my costume in an acceptable time.

I'm truly disappointed in Island People. They have not made a good first impression. Definitely going back to Tribe next year.

Goodnite Saucy,

I went to collect my Island People costume today, section of choice- Rays of Light. Thank goodness, i had paid off for my costume at the beginning of February. Anyway, I was allowed to proceed straight to the distribution counter. The place was in a total mess!! Even though, i was at the head of the counter, it took me an hour to collect my costume, only to be told that all the headpieces finish. They should be getting them tonight and to come back in the morning. How could you have 500 costumes to be distributed and have only 200 headpieces in stock (Im just ballparking figures) Bear in mind, the IP representative, did not give me my receipt or any form of identification stating that I am to collect my costume tomorrow. So, you know tomorrow will be total chaos. Every Tom, Dick, Harry, Jane and Mary, going to show up demanding a headpiece. The IP reps would not know who from who, because I'm sure they have no time to update the system tonight. Stupes, so I guess, tomorrow I will have to battle with the masses. Oh lawd, IP disappoints again in service. But!! one thing, I cannot complain about is my costume. It is absolutely gorgeous and identical to the prototype. Kudos to the designer and producer.

Regards,
IP follower lacking a headpiece :(

Hi

Just an update. After the smooth flow of IP collection all week basedon reports from friends. Today was a horror, apparently all the people who did not collect on their assigned days turned up today. For Rays of Light we did not get our head pieces which we would collect tomorrow. Hopefully that would not be too much headache.

Take care.

Island People Costume Distribution 2009

Distribution for Island People's Heaven on Earth began yesterday and two points to note :

1. Monday wear in the form of boy shorts for the ladies and T Shirts for the guys is included in the costume box

&

2. Masqueraders were told that the full complement of goodies for the Goody Bag had yet to arrive from Sponsors, so I guess those collecting later in the week will get more stuff....

Here are some photos of the Distribution yesterday:



To view the album click HERE.

Island People Line Up!!

Thank you to the masquerader who just sent me Island People's line up along with a brief review of collection and photos of the goody bag.. ..an exercise mat? WOW!:

I just came from Island People's collection and here is the official order of the band along with some pics of the goodie bag and its contents. The female goodie bag has an added exercise mat complete with IP logo :)

They really did a WONDERFUL job this year and my costume looks EXACTLY like the prototype. The entire process was also very smooth (made easy by the fact that there were only a handful of us there this morning). The staff was very courteous and professional and we were in and out in less than 15mins.

Kudos to the Island People team and I cannot wait for Monday & Tuesday (rain, rain go away...come again some other day lol)

Band Line-up:

MUSIC
Chapter 1- Paradisius
Chapter 2 - Heavenly Sky
BAR

MUSIC
Chapter 3 - Chocolate & Caramel
Chapter 4 - Dream
BAR

MUSIC
Chapter 5 - Ocean Whispers
Chapter 6 - Angel Falls
Chapter 7 - Afrodisiac...WOOT WOOOT
BAR

MUSIC
Chapter 8 - Rays of Light
Chapter 9 - Touch
BAR

MUSIC
Chapter 10 -Midnight Bloom
Chapter 11 - Natural Mystic
BAR

MUSIC
Chapter 12 - Carnival
Chapter 13 - Love
BAR

Island People Mas Distribution

Island People has extended Fast Track...

To be honest I didn't even know when was the deadline for fast track; this came via email from Island People Mas today:

Hey Masqueraders,

Excitement is building as we countdown to showing off our ‘Heaven on Earth’- it’s what’s you make it. Many of you, in light of the single pay day between now and Carnival Monday have asked us to extend the deadline for Fast Track payment system. We’re happy to let you know that Fast Track will now be available until February 04, 2009.

Fast Track allows for easy collection of your costume during distribution. Since your personal information has already been submitted and your payment approved, it makes the process simpler and more convenient for you.

The deadline for payment of costumes (other than Fast Track) is tied to the distribution schedule which will be communicated to you soon.

Remember, if you have questions please feel free to send for additional information at: info@islandpeoplemas.com


ISLANDpeople MAS

The fun has just begun!

Get Fit With Island People Mas

Island People Mas is back with their fitness sessions for Carnival 2009 and they have even thrown in some "incentives" as well, such as free fete tickets, which I think is a pretty cool idea!

Dear IP Masquerader,

It is finally here!!!!! Carnival 2009 AND 'Fit To Play'!!!!

For the next six weeks ISLANDpeople Mas will be doing its part in getting all masqueraders ready for the road. Beginning this Saturday and together with qualified professional trainers, we will be taking you through the paces so you look and feel ready for the road.

In the upcoming sessions, three of the Saturdays we will be enhancing the experience by adding Spin with Aerobics..... but our instructors have asked that you be kept in suspense as they could have this on any of the days we gather.

Along with our sponsors each we will reward participants for their efforts. Some of these benefits include: tickets to Girl Power, Insomnia, Dawn, Brian Lara, Soca Monarch and much more, where one of the Saturdays (not necessarily the last session) one lucky winner will have his or her balance of payment for their Heaven on Earth costume completely waived.

Remember the fun begins this Saturday 10th January at the bottom of Lady Chancellor Hill and the music truck leaves with all fitness enthusiasts at 4:00 p.m. sharp.

See you there and remember, make your .....Heaven on Earth


ISLANDpeople Mas

The fun has just begun!

Island People Mas.. the story unfolds

According to the IP Mas newsletter that I just received, the story unfolds on the website , confirmation from the mas camp is that this is NOT how the sections will be revealed on the road as was presumed before.. sorry!

The story begins with LOVE, followed by MIDNIGHT BLOOM, AFRODISIAC and OCEAN WHISPERS.

Hi IP Mas Community,

In our introduction to Heaven on Earth- Its what you make it we hinted that... as the chapters unfold the story will be told. So for those of you who have not had a chance to visit the website often enough, here is your personal glimpse. We begin with Love.

Love
Love….is the symbolic piece in ‘Heaven on Earth’.

Love gives us that feeling that words sometimes can’t describe
It’s a kiss of heaven
A special gift
It’s the only feeling expressed by every creature
It’s everything…
We all need it… and should express love
Our planet needs your love.

You can never say it enough…call, email, text someone the words…“I love you”

“We love you”……

Midnight Bloom

In the most miserable or dark moments of life there is always something
beautiful and enlightening to be captured...

In the same way the 'Midnight Bloom' flower blossoms in the still, mysterious,
unpredictable coldness of night. A rare and magnificent sight, when
witnessed many have said, "This is truly a creation of God"...it only blooms
once. You only live once...live to the fullest...live your life in full bloom no
matter what the circumstance and tell the story...for one day you will look
back and say "I did it! I am a Midnight Bloom".

Afrodisiac

Mmm..afrodisiac you know that strong gut feeling…
that when it hits you the only thing you can do is react.
It’s that strong sense of independence
that awakens within you the freedom - to do as you please….
toned down with just the right amount of caution
out of an acute sense of self-awareness
and all in the bliss of a spontaneous moment…
A feeling of ultimate joy and enlightenment to....
’play yourself’…’like yourself’, ‘be strong for yourself’…because
a commitment when executed.. brings about a feeling of complete satisfaction.

Ocean Whispers

I am walking along the shore…
the water making contact with my feet every time the wave breaks with its rhythmic back and forth dance…
the breathless horizon kisses the beautiful sky…the birds of the sea chirp their notes in nature’s symphony in a wonderful melody...
an essence of peace…as I lay my head and close my eyes it all comes rushing back to me…
the ocean whispering sweet ‘everythings’ as I drift off to a tranquil sleep
….to dream of…my heaven on earth

Notice

Seen at Island People's Mas Camp:

click for large view

Sonia Mack's Paradisus

The last remaining section in Island People is Sonia Mack's "Paradisus", I suspect that is only because r4egistration only started for that section over the last weekend. Nevertheless one option is already SOLD OUT and it is only a matter of time before the section, and band, is sold out as well. The website for Paradisus is now online and you can register for the last hope of getting into Island People.

I am particularly tickled by this write up on Paradisus as per the website:

This Sonia Mack creation, “Paradisus”, for the Island People Mas Band portrays that which floats free of time, carrying love, joy and celebration. The delicate grace of this costume reminds us that life is rich, beauty is everywhere, every personal connection has meaning and that laughter is life’s sweetest creation. All of this is truly symbolic of some of the important elements which equate with that which is paradise.

After much request and insistence by her masqueraders over the past years, Sonia has decided to have one of her timeless creations guest appear for Carnival 2009. According to Sonia, “Since having created this piece which won a prize in the Miss Universe Pageant 2004, there was never an opportunity to include it into any of my carnival themes. Additionally, the overwhelming request by my masqueraders to include it in Carnival has been on my mind. This year it just so happens to fit perfectly into our theme in terms of colour and symbolism”.

Ms Mack is defending her decision to reuse the old Ms Universe costume! Well it is her section afterall and she can do as she please ,though I am still laughing at the fact that she addressed it at all. I wonder if this will be a new trend where Ms Universe costumes reappear as an option for masqueraders insisting on being able to wear a prize wining costume?

Sold Out Section Update

The only two remaining sections in Island People are LOVE and Paradisus.

Registration for Paradisus will not begin today, when I called for more information I was told it will start "sometime later this week", and the website will also be up "sometime this week.

I was advised in the interim to email Sonia Mack with the following information.

1. Sizes (bra, waist, hips, bikini for females; chest and waist for males)

2.Option you are interested in, frontline or backline.

Preference will be given to past masqueraders to register first, after which those wishing to play in Paradisus will be accommodated where there are remaining sizes. If your size is not available you can request to be put on a waiting list in the event that you size is available up later on.

The new mascamp will be located on Kathleen Street St. James.

Check Sonia Mack's website for contact numbers and email address!

Sold Out Section Update

Carnival 2009 is shaping up to be a bumper year for some bands!!Island People is almost SOLD OUT in ONE week!

Sold out section update...

Touch female

Heavenly Sky option B


Carnival


Ocean Whispers


Also Individual costume prices are posted on Island People's website:

$12,540 TT / $2,090 US


$9,510 TT / $1,585 US


$8,520 TT / $1,420 US

If you are interested in playing an Individual costume please email your request to info@islandpeoplemas.com

Sold Out Section Update

Rays of Light is the first to go!! I am betting Dreams is next in line ..



Also, exciting news for Elements fans, ROULETTE is SOLD OUT!!!!!

Island People Registration Day 2

So, I went back to Island People's mas camp today to register a friend in her section of choice; being an overseas masquerader she did not want to wait for online registration as well as she wanted me to try her bra on for correct sizing as we wear the same size.

I must say when I arrived I was pleased to meet no crowd as yesterday, though there were lots of people waiting to pay as well as inside the mas camp looking at costumes and registering.

Island People uses the sizing of S,M,L,XL etc. however if you are lucky enough to be able to get to the mas camp they have a very nice area set up for bra fittings. The girls there also assit you in measuring for your correct belt size as well, and once correctly fitted they give you a slip of paper with all your measurements per the S,M,L sizing guide which you take with you to the next stage of registration.

After being fitted, you join a line to get your masquerader card:

There were several attendants entering your personal information as well as costume choice and sizes into a computerized system; I can understand now that with the loss of power yesterday how this would have halted the system. This part went very smoothly, once all the data was entered you are given a printed out copy which you must sign to ensure that all the information is correct.

Once that part was over payments were made to the front of the mas camp and this is where the wait was. There were two lines, one for cash and the other for cards, but since people were in most cases registering more than one person and they had to receive a receipt as well as sign for each one it held things up a bit. It was also hot as this portion of the camp is open air, but we were offered refreshments while waiting.

Overall the wait was not that bad, and I guess because it was the lunching hour many people were there due to the fact that they could get time off. I am sure during the non-peak hours things would move faster and I advise anyone thinking of going, to try registering at any time after 1PM and closer to when the mas camp closes.

I hope everyone was able to register with as much ease!

Registration has begun!

So, I went to check out what was happening over at stone street around 11:30 or so, fully expecting that registration, originally carded for 10:00AM, had begun. Well, by the time I left fifteen minutes later the mas camp was still closed with a good bit of people patiently waiting, some well equipped with umbrellas for the midday sun.

Popular choices among those waiting were Rays of Light and Dreams.

I am not too sure what time registration eventually started but by the time I got back to my office I got a call at 12:25 from someone that registration has started. From what I understand, second hand information from someone who was waiting to register, they were told that preference will be given for past masqueraders for their FIRST choice all of this week, though new masqueraders were also registering today as well.