Spice 2010 Review (8)

SPICE Review

After hearing some good reviews about SPICE band 2009, twelve of my friends and I decided to give them a try for Carnival 2010. Now I know many others have already given their reviews of the road, I can’t give my road review because by 1:00 pm Carnival Tuesday, I was so fed up of SPICE’s BS I went home. I will however give a detailed account of the ugly, uglier and ugliest experience that I had with this band. Before I do that I would like to commend two Spice workers, and I know them by name because they genuinely cared about our happiness during this dreadful ordeal. So thanks to CJ and Rene (second stop in costume collection) the girl with the golden locks.

THE UGLY

So seven of us entered SPICE’s Mas camp in September to register for costumes, while walking through the Mas camp we were followed by a not so helpful worker Natalia, who continuously reminded us not to touch the costumes (even though we were not attempting to do this). The majority of us liked Thailand, however when Natalia heard this she quickly informed us that we would not be able to get all our sizes in this section. Of course this was before we advised her of how many costumes we required or what sizes we would like. Still, going on Natalia’s advice, we then inquired what sizes would be available in this section. She replied, “I can’t tell you what sizes are available in that section unless someone is actually registering today.”.... EXCUSE ME??!!! My cousin (who has very little patience for stupidity) asked Natalia if she was about to turn away thirteen potential masqueraders because the sizes available were a secret. No response. To make a long story short, we approached some persons with a little more power and sense than Natalia, found out sizes and eventually registered.

THE UGLIER

Three people from our crew were foreigners and one of them was actually coming to Trinidad for the first time for Carnival. Being one of the youngest, her mother was a bit worried about the crime problem in Trinidad and requested some private security for her. When we contacted SPICE on this matter we were informed that each officer used would cost $1000 TTD, we obliged. On the date that we were requested to pay for this security, we were told that the price had increased to $1100 TTD because we were required to buy a SPICE T-Shirt for $100. We inquired then, what the $1000 was for and we were told that it included a T-shirt, but those specific T-shirts were already printed, so we need to buy one at Hilton for $100..... WHAT??? So where did initial T-shirt funds go.... to charity? Still we obliged. Fifteen minutes later, a gentleman approached my friend and me at Hilton, to inform us that Spice’s security unit had reached its maximum (400 individuals) and our friend would not be able to have her PRIVATE guards. Now, I am unsure what PRIVATE means to the average person but usually it means that, I pay for them and they guard ME. What that have to do with Spice security? Needless to say, no money was paid to Spice and the personal security walked alongside the rope both days.

THE UGLIEST

On Carnival Monday we were at first irritated that there was only one small entrance available for the 2,500 masqueraders to enter QRC grouds. Furthermore that small entrance was made even smaller by two lines of SPICE security checking ID bands before entry. While we appreciated the security it was unclear why it was obvious to no one that over 2000 masqueraders entering through one tiny gate would be a bad idea.

I will refrain from commenting on the lines for food and the inadequate seating arrangements as this was already addressed in previous reviews. One issue however that I must comment on is the fact that there were drinks available in the food tents to Spice staff but masqueraders who PAID to play were told to go outside to the trucks if we wanted a drink. Yet there was no one who informed us of this practice as we roamed from tent to tent in search of a bar until one of my friends asked a gentleman in a Spice Tshirt where she could get some water and was told ‘it have a standpipe over dey.’ Spice officials, please keep your staff informed of basic information so that they can provide same to masqueraders. Not everybody knows who Anya and Rocky are if they need information.

Carnival Tuesday, after choosing not to run down the truck, and buying beers and water from a vendor around the savannah, we approached QRC grounds. Judging, from our experience the day before where there were NO drinks available in the rest spot, we went straight to the drinks trucks parked outside only to be informed by an attendant that the drink trucks were closed for lunch and restocking. Yet we noted that some of the bar attendants were giving bottled water to Spice staff members. Again, why is staff afforded better treatment than masqueraders who paid for advertised services? On the inside of the grounds there were two tubs with hot water, monster and red bull available for masqueraders to drink. As we sit to eat, one of my friends discovers that her macaroni pie is smelling foul (SPOILT), two seconds later my cousin discovers her Arabic rice is also SPOILT. We then overhear a group of other masqueraders complaining about their food as well. We decided, we will get something better to eat, all we need is some alcohol in our system and we will be alright. Head to the drink truck, ask for a Rum and Coke, to be informed by the same attendant, “All de Rum done.” But wait nah..... The trucks were closed for restocking ..... RESTOCKING!!! Where could the Rum have disappeared to??? How unfortunate we could not have gotten drunk like all the committee members did.... We’ll leave the matter there. Needless to say it was at this point that I decided that I had had enough and I went home.

All in all SPICE, according to a good friend of mine, we played with you three times: FIRST, LAST and NEVER AGAIN. Your missing ingredient proved to be Customer Service and though I am sure you will succeed in the future, these are thirteen masqueraders you can definitely kiss goodbye.

Spice 2010 Review (7)

My Spice Experience.

Well, well, this was my first time with Spice, and I must say it was not an entirely rewarding experience!!!

Costume Pick-Up --- Horrible! Why oh why, on Carnival Friday, when everybody trying to pick up their costumes with "d quickness" to get home to get ready to go and "party hard", you are instead spending hours waiting to pick your costume? You had three cashiers (if that is what you want to call them) and only two taking cash, the other one only taking links and MC (not sure why they weren't taking VISA). How many foreigners you know have links? So most people came with cash, so why not make all the terminal take both cash and credit cards? That way you can move thru the payment part of your transaction quickly and smoothly. Now, unto the actual collecting of the costume. There was enough room to have the costumes organized by section and in alphabetical order, with 2 or 3 customer reps for each section, with the understanding that they "pitch-in" if other sections are busy when they are slow!!

My next issue- with the average cost of a costume costing US$600, couldn't you invest in one or two designated "SNACK trucks", instead of having someone (I think it was Anya's mother ) walk thru the band with a box of aloe pies? This distribution (as far as I know, it happened only on Monday) began at the front of the band, so I am not sure if the people in the last section even knew there were snack sharing!

Next, Spice is not a huge band (which is why I played with you), so explain to me, when the last DJ truck, which was DJ Enforcers, was constantly playing "catch up" to the rest of the band, which then means the masqueraders were forever running down the truck. Trust me, that was not fun.

Finally - How in heaven's name, you could take me downtown on Carnival Tuesday, after 6:00 pm (outside start getting dark), watch as we "Palance" over the stage, rush up to Independence Square, make a right on Ambercromby Street, and right in front of the Red House, tell me "thanks for playing with Spice", cut the music and dismiss security. Are you crazy???! You know how many unaccompanied, scantily dressed women were in your band, and you choose the heart of town as the place to end you band??? Not smart. Next year, you need to have a designated "end point" , which should be posted in your little handbook you distributed with the costumes. And speaking of end point, we need a parking spot for Spice bandmembers.

Bear in mind, that we are going through a GLOBAL recession, which has forced all normal thinking person to use good judgment when spending their money. Which for me translates to --- value for my hard earned money.

Spice 2010 Review (6)

I'm sending you this email as I have finally decided to voice my opinions on SPICE.I am a diehard carnival person and I have played in every large band in Trinidad to date I started in HARTS, THEN TO POISON THEN TO TRIBE THEN TO IP....so believe me when I say I know what service is and what a packaged deal and costuming entails.

THE GOOD.

Beautiful costume designs...unique at that and the registration/signing up process was a breeze. Music was great, nice people and a fun time. Warm smiles, great service inviting you to play ensuring to you that you will not regret playing with the band and that they are indeed the missing ingredient.

THE BAD.

I went to collect my costume with my girlfriend and 2 of her friends the costume collection was pretty fast, we were then told to proceed to the table with a pretty girl with gold locks gave us information on where to proceed. We proceeded towards the collection table where a very pleasant young lady assisted. My girlfriends’ costume couldn’t be located and had to be made from scratch as there was no box with her name on it. We waited patiently as the young lady I believe her name was Whitney found sizes ensured everything was suitable for my girlfriend. My question to spice is why should your staff have to be looking for costume sizes when we registered with the band the first week when registration opened?? The second problem arises...my girlfriend ordered a 34A AND THE BRA GIVEN LOOKED LIKE A 34DD!!! This was rectified after waiting for your staff to do some serious hunting. Why were sizes so off? The same time we waited to collect another young lady was very upset to be told that the XS bikini bottom she ordered was not available and she would have to go with a MEDIUM and she would have to hang on to see if an XS became available!!! WHY SHOULD SOMEONE HAVE TO WAIT FOR SOMETHING WHEN THEY PAID FOR ONE PACKAGE IN THE FIRST INSTANCE? We proceeded to the alterations table where I witnessed the nasty Trini side of females.

I’m not sure how your staff are trained but they should be informed to KEEP PERSONAL MATTERS TO THEMSELVES. My girlfriend was having her belt altered by a young lady by the name of Rebecca who hastily tried to cut and glue costumes with the aid of a glue gun and I’m quiet sure she is not a trained costume maker. She hastily glued stones and velcro to belts while gossiping with another young lady from another station. This I realized as she wasn’t paying attention to what my girlfriend was saying to her regarding the belt but rather gossiping and whispering about another young lady behind us with the young lady at another station. My girlfriend became highly annoyed and had to ask her if she was listening which she didn't reply because she was too engrossed in conversation about the young lady standing behind us. I asked one of the girls behind the desk the names of the 2 young ladies and I was told REBECCA AND NIA.

Are these 2 young ladies owners of the band? Spice, do you to a customer service session with your staff? Are your staff allowed to blatantly ignore paying customers? Is this your level of professionalism at which your staff is hired? After waiting 45 minutes at the alterations my girlfriend got fed up and said she will get her stuff altered by someone else. Why was the advertised jewelry and accessories not available? This is what was promised and yet all your staff could say was sorry it didn't arrive and serve BS WITH A SMILE? No refund was awarded nor a better substitute given!

THE UGLY

The band was to meet at 9am on carnival Monday! That time is wayyyyyy tooo early to meet on Monday! My friends arrived at 930am to meet not a single note of music not security people at the meeting point. The band moved off the vibes was nice. Getting to the rest point at QRC was brutal. It felt as though the masqueraders were cattle being herded into a fence! WHY HAVE ONE SMALL BOTTLE NECK TO CHECK ID BANDS OF HUNDREDS OF PPL? Getting to the food tent to get a choice was another ordeal. 3 or 4 tents serving meals was not practical when you have 2500 plus hungry masqueraders! To my surprise there were no drinks available at the tents; I asked the band leader to be told the drinks are outside I told her the security told us we can’t go outside HER RESPONSE A SHRUG OF THE SHOULDERS SORRY!

In sweltering heat you have your PAYING MASQUERADERS SUFFERING AS THERE IS NOTHING TO WASH DOWN THE DRY TASTELESS FOOD??? Later I discovered a bin with water only to be told by others that the water is hot!! Now tell me SPICE WHY WASNT THIS THOUGHT ABOUT? Why not have several bins or BETTER YET 2 TENTS DESIGNATED FOR DRINKS? The band is not the size or magnitude as TRIBE OR IP that you couldn’t put personal touches for your masqueraders in mind! Maybe you should put that note in mind for next year!

Asking the bandleader's mom for assistance when forks ran out was a waste she looked at me as though I was asking for my $2800 plus my girl friend's $6000 refund a look of disgust her response...IT DOH HAVE ANY RIGHT NOW YOU HAVE TO WAIT AND STORMED OFF!

Tuesday the band looked beautiful, again some consideration should be made for frontline masqueraders imagine asking someone on the truck if they can hold my girlfriend’s headpiece to be told sorry sir we were informed that we cannot hold anything for anyone! In all the yrs playing mas I have never seen that done!! I asked and official who told me to go talk to the driver and he may be able to assist!

Spice, I think this year you bit off more than you can chew! Money was clearly on your mind and not the promised package to your loyal masqueraders!

SPICE Carnival Band... The Good. The Bad. The Ugly

I could write pages and pages on my experience with SPICE, but it would be infused with too many emotions. I will attempt to keep my emotions out of this and speak strictly on the facts.

The Good.

- Spice employees customer service. EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT. I am speaking of the workers, not the management of the band.

- I would like to give a special thanks to the following people. Their help, concern, and just over all customer service was outstanding. Some higher ups in the band should take a hint from their workers.

*Miss Goldie Locs who worked at the second stop of collection. She has a head full of blond locs which she wears tied back. Always smiling with a twinkle in her eye.

*Marina who just sat and listened to me gripe without interruption, and showed true concern in the middle of all of my woes. I did not complain to her initially. She saw me standing up looking like I had lost my best friend and came over to ask me what was wrong.

*Leah... a beautiful spirit hands down. Great, great, customer service, always with a smile and a kind word.

*TAMMY! A total inside joke with me and one the workers. Every time I heard someone call her name, and saw her reaction, it provided a round of giggles for me. A sweet young lady and much appreciated.

Beautiful costume designs, (if they would have carried through on some of the actual prototypes). But still no denying, the costumes were lovely, and looked absolutely fabulous on the road.

The Bad

- Costume collection could be a bit more organized especially for foreign masqueraders

- Foreign masqueraders need more time to collect. Not just one or two days before carnival, in case there are any kinks that need to be worked out.

- Delivering costumes true to the prototype on costume collection day.

- Truly listening to the customer and giving them a voice. Listening would help to resolve conflicts easier than blowing off a customer's concerns, and really ticking off the customer.

- Issues with my costume, which were eventually resolved to my satisfaction.

- Well constructed costumes. The same costume which was adjusted to my satisfaction and that I was totally in love with. completely fell apart by noon on Tuesday. (My head piece literally broke into 3 pieces). It killed my vibes and left me quite sour.

The Ugly.

Bringing a mas band is a HUGE undertaking, and I have a much respect for the time, dedication, and planning that must go into producing a carnival band. I can only imagine the stress and pressure that band leaders are under, come carnival time, to meet the many demands from all sides (customers, the band leaders association, etc) that is required of them. All of these factors could easily a frazzle a person's nerves and make them a little "short". But what I find MOST UNACCEPTABLE is just flat out disrespect to a customer whose hard earned money is driving your business.

The women at the last point of collection was assigned to check costumes against receipts, and hand out wrist bands, and back packs. I was told she was the Band leader's mother. She had to be the rudest nastiest person I have ever encountered.

There was an issue with my costume, so I was told by another member of the spice staff, who I will call GENTLE, to proceed to the last table and collect my things, then to come back to see her. When I proceeded to the last table and passed on the message from GENTLE, Band leader mom blew her top and said this was incorrect.

Now I can understand how these little mishaps in communication, can occur. But instead of telling me that what GENTLE had told me was incorrect and I would simply have to wait, she lambasted me! Trying to keep cool, I told her I was only going on the directions that GENTLE, her band worker, had given me. She then stormed away from the table, walked over and proceeded to give GENTLE a tongue lashing. GENTLE was sweet as sugar, because she quietly took the tongue lashing, and even came over and apologized to me for the misinformation and on behalf of Miss Nasty Band Leader Mom.

I know it takes all sort of people to make the world go around, and I understand that not everyone has a sweet personality, but my goodness. When you have a pit bull, you use it to guard the gate, not to mind the baby. Each person should have their place, and this woman should have been stuck in a back office counting the money, instead of dealing with the paying customer.

That was the single most unpleasant thing about my entire spice encounter.

Designers mess up, costumes fall apart, miscommunications happen. There may not be enough chairs at the rest stop, food may not be good, security may have glitches... but for my hard earned money, that I could be talked to like I was a beggar on the street asking for a free costume, and not a hard working, paying customer whose business should be appreciated is unforgivable. At the end of the day, if Spice would have handed me a brown paper bag with a smile, humility, and courtesy, and told they messed up... I probably would have paraded the streets of POS in full paper bagged glory with no gripes.

It is no fun to be handed the too too special of the day on a silver platter, and be expected to think that this behavior is ok. Well it is not okay, and I can take my money and my self respect elsewhere in the future.. because if I wanted someone to too too on me... I could have that done for FREE

Spice 2010 Review (3)

So for carnival 2010 it was decided that I go leave my Pulse8 carnival band and try something new. So after reading up my reviews on www.trinidadcarnivaldiary.com and hearing from people that played in diff bands in 2009 etc etc we decided to join SPICE. It is an all inclusive band that had a ok first year in 2009. bla bla bla etc etc etc here's the summary

Registration

So when we decided on the "ISIS" section I think it was only 4 fellas playing for sure. Then the day to register a couple girls decided to play also. Unfortunately the females were already advertised as sold out. Couple calls to spice PR oman (who we knew from before) and we eventually got through with the extra costumes required. In the mas camp itself it was smooth sailings. Couple complaints though - 1) no male prototypes in the mas camp (2)No visa in the mas camp steupssss (3) you couldn't touch female prototypes in mas camp . Nothing too serious and we were in and out in 30 mins (real thing to sign though and had to swipe link card separate for all the 7 people registering . And like they does pre order everything down to size cause when I was there there were only about 2 size 34 pants left and very few SPECIFIC sizes left .Same thing with the females - like they does order a specific number of SIZES in each size way before carnival. So instead of catering for say 100 men and 100 women the does cater for 30 A cup women , 30 B cup etc etc etc . Not sure if thats the best system but watever yes

Collection

Ah breeze Carnival Friday. We reach , we pay , we talk shit with all 4-5 people we had to deal with. All 4-5 people were polite and friendly and we were out in 30 mins. Some partners who when later had to wait lil longer but again , this part of review just focussing on my experiences . MY costume was pretty well made. The waterproof thing for pockets was nice but too much velco there cause them thing was hard to open so hardly anyone I knew used it (maybe woulda come in handy for car keys though).

D Road

Monday I meet the band 11:30 thanks to my jouvert experience and I met up with band couple hundred meter from where they started (supposedly at 9) . Now by this time those who reach at advertised time were not in best of moods cause they had a long wait without music or rum or security . Maybe 9 in kinda unrealistically early ...... ok I take that back . NINE in morning after jouvert IS TOO EARLY. FIX THAT SPICE !! Tuesday start time might also need to be revised .Oh yeah and where the azz  people was supposed to park to meet ah band Charlotte Street ??? Maybe ah lil clue in the package would help. And who knew about them shuttle from King George Park? If you shuttle to venue how you was supposed to reach back. maybe the car parks by Despers could be rented out .. maybe. Like Pulse8 spice doh give we no Monday wear so iz all kinda thing on the road Monday . The music trucks were generally good.MerryPerry was my fave except for when they try to play effing techno on the road for them 5 min interval every few hours. "I gotta feeling" is ah big song but I rather hear ah Nigel and Marvin, Iwer or Preacher before I hear TECHNO on the F***ING road carnival time . But guess machel, kes and sherwayne does do it in their sets so who iz me - I'd exercise the right to go to the "assassin truck" behind them .

Organization

The food organization was okish. I'm sure menus probably tasted better than others (I doh eat much on the road ). But probably  more tents, chairs and ENTRANCES could be provided . SO why the hell must standard bearers take ah rest so often on the road ? Like they can't just give the standard to someone else who not tired. And why is it that for long periods of time the standard bearer for sec 3 be 50ft behind the one for sec 4 .?Like nobody in the organization notice that. And why must the band get so spread out soo often. if ah truck in the back stop they cant stop the front truck from going up too fast to keep the band in ah order . Come on Spice its 2500 people not 800 . Why the rope people couldn't keep up with the first few sections soo much????? When all the "extraction Crew " operating as the "GATE" to cross a stage for section number ten the people in section #1 does be quarter mile down the road with not ROPE and NO REAL SECURITY . Arapita Avenue was the wuss wuss - not only Spice fault but the security there just has to be MUCH BETTER. Also when section #1 ready to cross ah stage maybe ALL the trucks could announce that the band gonna cross the stage cause sometimes people in the back out of section didn't realize that people in the front were crossing a stage .

With all that said SPICE was still ah good band -I get drinks right through, good dj, goood vibes for ME on the road. But now I would point out a major peeve that has to do with a friend of mine

COSTUMES

The FL in ISIS had some big plumes all over head piece. It's the ADVERTISED headpiece on the website and even on the front page on the official spice handbook. It was a HUGE headpiece. People pay real money to carry around this huge head piece - I think it was too big but say what if thats what people pay money for FINE. So sometime for whatever reason SPICE decided to make the headpiece "lighter" , "Smaller" or easier to carry . People who pay for the oversized head pieces were only told this when they went to collect. WTF !! Is only prob 10 FL people you had to contact to inform about CHANGES to ah costume they PAY for . Mrs SPICE PR WOMAN - least you coulda do was call, give part refund something. And then to go on the road and see ah bandleader with HUGE plumes modeling for all to see is like rubbing salt into the wounds . And y'all also made changes to Caspian Sea FL without telling people before hand what yall were doing BIG STEUPS . If I pay for ah 30ft long living room table whoever better bring me ah 30 ft living room table (doh tell me after, you cut it short cause it cant fit in my house ) . People pay money spice and I want to play with y'all again but I want the costume I register for and what I see in the mas camp and thats only FAIR .

Dats all for now!

Spice 2010 Review (2)

After playing mas with IP this year all of my friends decided they didn’t want to play with them again so I was like cool but once you all know we not getting into TRIBE so after realizing I was right we settled on Spice our section of choice was Moroccan Heat, firstly the halter mess as some ppl were calling it wasn’t bad at all it was HOTTT at least to me an I saw most ppl rocking it without any problems one or two made it into a regular bra seemed okay but I preferred the original design.

GOOD

From registration to collection was a breeze for me very good service always whenever I sent an email to make enquires it was answered within the hour maybe I was just lucky but again this is my experience, phone calls made were greeted with a pleasant and patient voice on the other end. Honestly I cannot say how long my collection took to me the collection is all a part of the fun in carnival I love the vibe u get when you go and u see people who you will see on the road. We were told to try on our bras as they had to adjust the straps for the neck piece because all were the same length and also my sisters belt was too large that did not take long to fix I would say the entire thing took roughly a half hour to forty-five minutes. I think the wait came in us having to wait for 4 persons to try on also to pay off our balances. Monday was great and Tuesday was even better the whole experience to me was one I would relive tomorrow with my sore muscles even. The WEE WEE truck was clean very clean seemed like they cleaned them very regularly and were stocked with the feminine necessities. The food wasn’t bad either there was a variety to choose from unlike another band where you have to eat what they give or nothing at all. The taste of it wasn’t bad either but I guess it’s according to the individual. All in all I do not have much complaints those I have were minor things. My sister is an extremely fussy person and she is giving Spice top marks and says she plans to play with them again

BAD

The meeting time was too early on Monday they told us to come out for 9:00am but we moved off somewhere around 11:00am they need to make the meeting time a little later because that’s what ended up happening anyway. They also need more food tents as someone mentioned some of the lines were really long not that I was in any of them but they were. A couple bartenders were apparently annoyed that they were in the bar and not on the road I know Spice can’t control that either but I’m just saying. A friend of mine almost got into an altercation and this chick came over and was like “Put him in his place you pay for that!!” I was cracking up on the side was very funny. Last but not least the sun was just too hot and I could not drink enough water but then again Spice doesn’t control the climate J Spice 2k11 here I come!!!!

Spice 2010 Review (1)

Here is my Spice review. Right off the bat I will give them a B

I have played with Poison, Legacy, Harts and Island People so I have a lot to compare Spice to.

First off the costume pickup payment for online masquraders was CRAZY. I had to resort to all types of trickery to get my costume on time.

They had a ballroom at the Hilton and our pickup was supposed to be at 12pm. Of course I got there late and my crew and I received number 70 something.

They were calling number 6. We got out of there 3 hours later but passed a chick 20 CND to piggy back on her low number. The actual costume pickup was a breeze. My waist band was to small so instead of making me wait to get it fixed, the girl just gave me a new 36 waist band. I like to wear mine low like a skirt.

When we left there must have been 300 people in the ballroom. I see they meant well but didn't plan properly for online or overseas masquraders next year I know they will learn their lesson. Now my husband isn't Trini and he said if we would have arrived EARLY and got one of the first numbers we would have had no problem. He is all about being efficient good thing he plays mas with me becasue on Tuesday his bright ideas help us all out.

Once getting home my costume was FAB. Everything looked identical to the prototype, including the headpiece. No skimping anywhere. Now of course some rows of beads were becoming unstuck. I always walk with my glue gun so that was no prob. My husbands costume was beautiful as well and looked very manly. He especially loved the head piece no sun burn for his head this year!

Monday mas was great. NO MONDAY WEAR though. You had to pay for a Spice T-Shirt and boy shorts if you wanted them. That was a bummer since I"m used to getting a little something extra from playing with IP.

The only bump I encountered was the security really doing their job and looking at EVERY SINGLE wrist band when we got to the QRC grounds. This caused a crazy bottle neck at the entrance AND when trying to leave. Food lines were long as hell but there was a great choices for meals: Italian (Lasanga, Spagetti and Meatballs), Arabic (rice, lamb and potatoes), and Creole (mac pie, lentils, rice and stew chicken). And they ran out of some food options but that was fine I went to the Italian line and got the food right away. Couldn't get alcoholic drinks until we were rolling on the road though but that was fine plenty of water and Red Bull in coolers around the grounds.

Tuesday we were a little late to catch the band but I knew they would be stuck on Charolette street and we wouldn't miss breakfast. Breakfast was doubles (yum) and bake with ham along with fruit salad. Drinks were being served at this time as well. I took this time to walk thru the band taking photos of everyone looking fresh. Frontline Wings of Isis HOT HOT HOT. Individual Greece (Rinell) beautiful. Frontline Rubies were also beautiful. My band looked HOT. Crossing the stage was nice. Lots of room to Palance and Palance I did. I loved the fact my section wasn't so crunched up and packed.

After crossing the stage my husband and I collected our friend meal chits and headed to QRC to secure some nice seating. This was his idea of course early bird get the worms before they run out of worms. Once we got there no lines, only the few smart folks who left the band early to get food. We also got a nice table and bench setup under some shade. After being done eating I had time to touch up my makeup and my crew's makeup. I walked around some more taking pictures. We left after the DJ announced it was time to leave for more fun on the road.

I left the band at this point to go watch IP and Tribe. I caught up with them later and crossed the stage at Aripitia. Not before walking thru Harts where people were LITERALLY hanging off of street signs (that band is really a good time band). I first took full advantage of the cool down bus first to fix myself again. All in all good vibes with Spice, great music (mix of oldies new stuff and other). I talked to some of the designers and let them know I will be back next year either frontline or individual. Everyone was nice no girls giving me the stink eye as they do in other bands. No one bothering my husband because the THINK he's white (not he is Puerto Rican).

Oh one more thing. Lots of augmented girls in Carnival this year. My husband said this year was the year of the silicon. Mas boots aren't the best accessories anymore it's silicon boobs and silicon booties!

Im out till 2k11 (Trini Princessa aka TriniBaby)

First Look At Thailand

Prototype

Finished Product

Corset Option

One Of These Things Is Not Exactly Like The Other

You may have noticed that up until now I have refrained from commenting on any of the costume photos sent in by blog readers, however in this instance I cannot NOT comment as they affect my friends  who have some obvious costume complaints and are not satisfied with the final product. As these are my friends I am compelled to say something especially given that they are also not happy with the bullshit served to them with a smile!

First up, Wings of Isis frontline:

Prototype

Finished Product

While I cannot argue that the finished headpiece does not look nicely decorated it is glaringly obvious that the 25 or so  18 inch  Ostrich plumes from the prototype are missing on the headpiece my friend collected. 

The reason my friend was given for the stripped down headpiece was that the plumes were removed after the headpiece was tested for "weight".This change in design was done without informing the masqueraders in the section and adding insult to injury the masquerader was NOT given a cape (which comes with costume) because they had to do "extra" work on her special corset (which she had made on her own and delivered to be decorated).

Prototype

Corset with the "extra" work that 

eliminated the need for a cape

Are you kidding me Spice? So, removing the plumes was not enough to JUSTIFY giving this woman a cape? For the life of me I cannot see what was done "extra" on the corset seeing that the monokini is FULLY decorated and the corset is not. That bullshit excuse would be akin to TRIBE telling me no leg pieces because I have a bigger bra than an A cup and it took more gems to decorate! 

My other friend is extremely unhappy with her Caspian Sea backpack :

Prototype

Finished Product

click for large view of closeup

As you can see the feathers on the backpack my friend was given are NOT the colour on the prototype; the periwinkle blue feathers have been replaced and not only that, the feathers they have been replaced with are DIRTY (see closeup image)! And while Spice's excuse to her was that the feathers represent the colour of the sea and the prototype on the website has been "touched up" I have photos taken at Spice's Media Launch with the said same prototype and the colours do NOT look touched up to me:

So this leaves my friend in Wings of Isis looking for a cape to PURCHASE or MAKE two days before Carnival Tuesday after spending close to $1000.00US on a costume that is missing feathers! And, my friend in Caspian Sea left with the choice of either spending MORE money in addition to the $933.00US she has spent on the costume, to fix it to her liking OR not playing mas at all! 

Now tell me, do you think, in any realm of the imagination that this is fair to the masqueraders? Bandleaders, first rule of business the customer is ALWAYS right and instead of the excuses these two ladies could have been given some sort of recompense and alternatives to leaving costume collection unhappy, after all they PAY FOR DAT!

First Look At Wings of Isis

Prototype

Finished Product

First Look At Caspian Sea

Prototype

Finished Product

First Look At Caspian Sea Frontline

Prototype

Finished Product

First Look at Adulis

Prototype

Finished Product

First Look At Rubies of Mumbai

Prototype

Finished Product

 *please note photos taken without flash hence orange tone

Spice Costume Collection

Hi Saucy,

Well I just came back from the Hilton....After a first express trial of my bra and belt and I am finally taking the time to send you some of the pictures....

Collection was smooth and easy...they had signs all along indicating where exactly the collection was taking place. I was in the Express Line so I did not even have to collect a number or have to sit in the waiting area.

They took me inside the room, I collected my box and my headpiece...In the interim while the lady was looking for my box, four persons asked me "if I was getting through".

Anyway, then you go to another table to collect the booklet and the arm wrist.

In the goodies bag: (by the way I like the bag...not too big and cute,...I am even thinking about taking it with me on the Road)

- Spice / Axe cup

- Potato Chips

-Cereal

-Salted peanuts

-Crackers

-Advil

-Panty Shields

-Dove Moisturizer

-Monster rag

-Monster arm band

Then the Lady said:' please be on time ...cause we wanna cross the stage early'....'let the others be late...we gonna have fun from early.'

The band line up is as follow: (not too familiar with those Dj's)

Ambulance

DJ Lennox

Snacks Truck

Main Bar

DJ Merry Perry

Express bar

Utility Truck

Wee-Wee Truck

DJ Assassin & Jerome

Express Bar

Main Bar

DJ Rapid Response & D'enforcas

Cool zone

Shuttle/ Rest Bus

The rest stop is QRC Grounds.....

So that's it Saucy...'Ah cya wait' for Monday and Tuesday ...will send you my review....

So now I am going to fletch dry my feathers...Thank you for the tip .....

Flo

Spice Teaser ...

As I patiently await photos from those Spicers (and Island People folks) who have already collected their costume, here is a Spice teaser from the workshop. Sorry for the quality of the photos, they were taken by phone:

Remember you can email your costume photos to trinidadcarnivaldiary@gmail.com