India Comes a calling

Maybe the fact that Brian Mc Farlane's 2007 portrayal was entitled India might be the reason that he reports to the Newsday that costume manufacturers from that country have contacted him to have his costumes made in India:

As the Carnival season this year is a very short one some “mas men” have found a quick fix by having costumes imported from companies in India, China and other countries.

This was first revealed by bandleader Brian Mac Farlane. He said he received e-mails and calls from representatives from a company in India asking him whether he was interested in importing his Carnival costumes from them.

“The gentleman that spoke to me insisted that I should be interested in his offers of bras and bikini bottoms because other bands locally imported from them and I told him that I do not subscribe to that kind of Mas and I make my costumes from scratch,” he said

I find it bemusing that the Newsday would assume that the reason for costumes made in India and China has to do with a short Carnival season when this has been the norm with many bands for YEARS. Island People representative Wyatt Gallery openly admitted that they have their costumes made in China as well as Curtis Eustace of Evolution who told me the costumes were designed in Trinidad and sent to India for production. Even TRIBE has gotten in on the act as I was told the beading on Black Magic was done in India as no one could do the job locally.

It was also quite hilarious that every band contacted by Newsday admitted to knowing of this practice but not doing it themselves:

When Sunday Newsday contacted other bandleaders their overall comments were they were aware of it but they are not the ones that do it.

When co-producer of Trini Revellers, Jeff Gillette, was contacted he said he has heard of bandleaders doing that but not his band.

Nina Mc Kenzie of Genesis took the cake when she said “This is the first time I have ever heard of something like that,” once again Nina needs to stay away from the toxic fumes of the Evo Stick Glue. For the full article, check out today's SundayNewsday edition or get it online here.

HEAT at Fire Fete!!

Ok, allyuh know I did not go to Fire Fete last night (I have never been in all my life either) but I hear REAL piccong was throwing left right at center at the OTHER event raising temperatures last night. Seems like every soca artiste that performed at Fire threw some heat at King George the V Park !

Added to that, the Fire man himself Mr Bunji Garlin was spitting flames to express how he really feels about the rumours that he had gone sorf since getting married saying he has no HIV, no AIDS and he have ONE woman who vex at that lorse! He went on to imply that certain soca stars have been indulging in obeah (voodoo to the foreigners) and that the soca mafia has been telling the radio stations not to play other soca artistes tunes!

The bacchanal continues as Bunji allegedly said he will get vex and call names just now!! Call names I say, that will make the next fete he performs at even more interesting!!

Are you feeling the feeling ?

With such a short Carnival season those of you not living in Trinidad, just coming out of Christmas celebrations, bundled up for winter and are not in tune with the music you are probably missing the Carnival vibes. For those of us here in Trinidad with the start of the feteing season things are quickly heating up, well at least for me as I am only just getting the Carnival excitement with my first fete coming up on Sunday.

If you have got zero zeal for Carnival 2008 at this point in time here are a few tips to start feeling the feeling:

• Tune in to a local radio station with an online feed, I recommend RED 96.7 for the latest Soca and a whole lot of Carnival comes talk! Bookmark this link.

• Start packing for Carnival.

• Go shopping for fete gear; though it might be too cold to lure you out your house in search of sandals and hot shorts in winter, browse online at the many websites that are wrapping up Christmas sales.

• Start working out; find yourself in a gym with your I Pod blasting soca music and bust down some wining moves to get the waist ready for action.

• Look at last year’s Carnival photos and reminiscence on the fabulous time you had. If you are on facebook or myspace change your profile picture to one of you in a Carnival costume.

• Put a carnival countdown clock on your PC at home and at work.

• Make a photo of your costume your screensaver.

• Break out the gems and begin decorating your BLING cup!!!

• Wear your carnival shoes around the house to break them in, don’t forget to jump up, wine down low and lift your leg up to make sure they are truly ready for the road.

• Host a “Carnival We Coming” lime with your friends; do each other’s makeup, decorate boots or simply get together to plan your feteing schedule. Make sure you have some rum cocktails on hand with soca music pumping and this might be another time to break out the old carnival photos on a slideshow!

• Get some “Pick Up Cards” made. Have you ever met a guy or girl at a fete or on the road, connected, sparks were ignited but lost their number because you were too drunk to remember it? With the “Pick Up Cards” you simply slip them the card with your name, phone number and or email address (or as much personal information you wish to reveal) which is much easier than writing the number on your palm or trusting a friend to store it on their cell phone. If you already have business cards this will work as well. (Thanks TP for this fabulous tip!).

• For those playing in bands that are not providing Monday wear, this is a good time to start planning your ensemble. Whether you plan on wearing a simple T Shirt or are more creatively inclined to put together an outfit, envisioning yourself in your creation on the road for Carnival Monday will surely get you feeling the feeling

• This might be a good time to work on decorating those boots or sneakers. Just because you are wearing sneakers does not mean you cannot add some rhinestones or sequins to jazz them up as well! There are many craft stores that sell all the materials needed, so find yourself to the nearest one and stock up on gems, spray paint and glitter! Go wild!

• And finally, read this blog and ALL the Carnival blogs daily! Join in the chat, leave comments ask questions. Sometimes it is hard to get excited about something when you have no one else around you that shares in or understand s your interest. Hopefully connecting with other people with the same plans as you should get you in the mood!

We getting ready for mas again!!!!!!

January 23rd is fast approaching, for those playing in TRIBE that is when costume distribution begins and the workers at the mas camp have been HARD at work getting things organised I was told! I heard that they were counting costume pieces last weekend, which isn't as easy a job as it sounds:

I happened to be at the mas camp yesterday to pay for fete tickets and got a sneak peek of some costumes all packaged out in plastic bins and even met one of the men responsible for making the certain costumes locally.

From the little I saw of the costume pieces that were housed at the mas camp, the work is very detailed and looks just as pretty as all the protoypes! I even saw a tiny peek of MY section so I am VERY excited now! I guess this is the type of work a band that has sold out quite early can produce and I am hoping this is an omen that 2008 will be the BEST YEAR EVER with TRIBE!

2008 Sold Out Sections Update

Here is where we stand.. 4 weeks until Carnival:

ISLAND PEOPLE
Female:
Lioness
Kingfisher Bird
Silver Fox
Dragon Lizard (Frontline)
Great Egret
Cheetah
Polar Bear
Brown Bear
Black Widow Spider

ALL MALE SOLD OUT

TRIBE
All sections sold out

HARTS
All sections sold out

BRIAN MC FARLANE
Winds of Horror
Demise of Oceans
Fires of Rage – Female
Pestilence – Female

EVOLUTION
African Gold (frontline)

DREAM TEAM
Emperor Butterfly
Wild Orchid
Earth Rhythms

IMAGE NATION
Entourage

RONNIE AND CARO
Wildfish

Pulse 8
Gypsy Caravan

The Trini Carnival ULTIMATE Packing List

You should already have an idea of how to dress to fete and the type of clothing to shop for when it comes to parties from my previous posts and also the kind of footwear that will be needed for comfortable feteing.

So, we shall leave out clothing from this ULTIMATE packing list which comes as a compilation from the contribution of all the overseas bloggers who so graciously shared with me all that is going into their suitcases to Trinidad. If anything is left out please let me know by leaving a comment!

Good luck in meeting the weight limit!

DOCUMENTATION
Airline Tickets
Passport
Copies of passport and Identification cards
Drivers Permit
Copies of Hotel Confirmation/Bookings
Copies of Emails pertaining to accommodation/car reservations
Copies of all receipts for fete tickets purchased online
Costume Receipt
Letter of costume transfer (if buying a resold costume) as well as copies of seller's ID card
A list of all items packed
Photo evidence of your luggage and contents in case it is lost by the airline

ON THE PLANE
Travel pillow
Flip flops (practical, fancy)
I Pod
Duct tape (for when they buss yuh overstuffed suitcase)
Ziploc Bags
Ear Plugs


SUN PROTECTION
Sun block with high SPF
Aloe Vera Gel (cools sunburns)
SPF Chap Stick/ lip-gloss
Sun glasses
At least 1 hat
Foot cream (something that tingles)

GROOMING
Shaving Cream
Razors
Hair Remover/Depilatory
Deodorant
Eye drops
Contact lenses
Contact lens solution
Contact lens case
Re- wetting Drops
Lotion
Toothbrush/paste
Mouthwash
Dental Floss
Feminine wipes
Wet Wipes
Breath mints!
Chewing Gum
Double Sided Tape
Bra Inserts
Stick on Bra
Nipple Covers
Tide to Go Stain Remover Pen

MEDICATION
Pepto bismol
Tums
Imodium AD
Prescription Medication
Birth Control
Condoms
Elastoplast
Mini First Aid Kit
Blister Lotion
Chafing Powder
Gel Insoles
Insect repellent
Milk of Magnesia
Hand Sanitizer

FOR DE COSTUME
Glue Gun
Glue Sticks
Spray Paint
Bling Cup
Waterproof Powder for Feathers
Travel sized sewing kit
Extra pins and Velcro tape for outfit and costume adjustment.
Comfortable Shoes, Sneakers or Boots for the playing mas
Gel Insoles
Mas Tights
Glitter

MAKEUP NEEDS
Spirit Gum
Face Jewels
False Eyelashes
Makeup
Concealer
Moisturizer
Bronzer
Glitter Lotion
Makeup Remover
Blotting Sheets
Q tips
Vaseline

BODY/HAIR CARE
Pumice stone
Exfoliating body gloves
Nail polish /remover
Curling iron
Blow dryer
Flat iron
Comb
Brush
Hair clips/bows
Hair Pieces/Extensions
Braid and Weave Spray
Hair Scarf
Shower cap
Anti Frizz Hair Serum
Shampoo and Conditioner
Inflatable Foot Spa (the Epsom salts you can get in Trinidad!)

GADGETS AND COMMUNICATION
Camera/camera bag
Waterproof Camera
Disposable Camera
USB cables
USB Drives
Video Camera
Portable DVD Player
Laptop
Cell phone for conversion if applicable
Chargers and/or batteries for all your electronics
Voltage Converter
Power Cords for all electrical implements
List of all friends’ contact info
A small telephone book with a copy of all the numbers from your cell phone.

DOH FORGET
J’ouvert shoes and outfit
Monday Wear
Bandanna
Whistle
Handbags
Money Pouch
Watch (waterproof)
Costume Jewelry
Extra backs for earrings
Water shoes, if you plan to be walking/swimming where there is coral or sharp rocks.
Bathing suits
Towels for the beach
Socks
LOTS of Underwear
A Bottle of Johnnie Walker - black, blue, red, green doh matter, come one come all
Rum Flask
Key Chain Bottle Opener
Goodies for friends and family

Island People Open Sections

Contrary to the email sent out on Facebook there are still open sections in Island People, albeit only in limited sizes and only at the mas camp; online registration is sold out. The following are sections which are open for those females still looking for costumes :

Crocodile
Dragon Lizard
Man O War
Red Tiger
Zebra

Bishops Fete is still on ....

But the venue has moved:

Hi everyone
Rumours have been flying fast and furious.

Here's the real info.

No - we are not cancelling, we have not cancelled, tickets are selling well as usual, and we have a really great fete planned for you.

The fete has been moved to QRC grounds. The National Stadium had booked multiple events on the same night, one was us and the other was Gyal Farm. The two large events cannot co-exist in the same venue at the same time.
So we decided to move the fete.

This venue is larger and easier to layout, and we will be making provision to mitigate any mud on the field.

Parking - we are finalising parking areas, and will let you know as soon as we have that info.

Looking forward to seeing you on Jan 12th at QRC grounds!

Are you ready for a laugh?

The most honest advertisement on Carnival Junction to date; so honest it is pretty damn hilarious:

Tribe: Mystique (Male, 30 waist, Non-Veg meal)


Don't want to waste anybody's time, so:

* Selling for a profit...non-negotiable
Original Price: TT$ 2,400
Selling Price : TT$ 3,000

*I've only paid the downpayment of TT$900 which means you'll pay me TT$1,500 (Orig downpayment + Profit) and then the balance (TT$ 1,500) will be paid by you on collection day at Tribe

* Will write up a letter to present to Tribe so you can collect the costume, but will not be transferring costume to your name (I'm keeping the TLC)
Price: $ 3,000

Want to bet he gets it sold AND keeps his TLC too? P

Pan Posse!

Panorama Semi Finals is on January 20th and the Pan Limes have already begun advertising. Now I am one who normally shows up at Panorama with my own little lime, food and drinks but in 2006 while looking for an extra ticket to enter Panorama one young lady sold us her ticket and threw in her "Pan Lime" with Insomniacs for free.

Included was a T Shirt , bag, cup, whistle and all-inclusive hand band which got you drinks all day. The great thing was that where we had set up our own lime Insomniacs were right above us on the stands so my friend who was lucky enough to get the Insomniacs drinks band didn't need to go far to partake in the spirits. I like the idea of the all-inclusive lime since it eliminates the need for you to walk with anything but yourself to Panorama, and it might be an option for me and my friends this year since the number of limers will be considerably smaller as the overseas people will not be in Trinidad at that time.

So, these are the two limes that I have gotten information on so far, if you know of others that are "advertising" drop me an email at trinicarnivaldiary@yahoo.com:

Insomniacs Pan Lime
Sunday, January 20, 2008
11:00am - 10:00pm
Northern Greens - Queen's Park Savannah

*T-shirt
*Drinks [Scotch, Vodka, Rum, Beer, Chasers]
*Corn Soup
*Doubles
*Insomniacs Power Punch
*Pan Supplies
*Rhythm Section [a TRUE Panorama Staple!]
*other Insomniacs items

Package Cost: $220 [does not include Ticket]
insomniacs.crew@gmail.com

Red Ants Pan Posse
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Northern Greens - Queen's Park Savannah

*Top ( Regular Tees and strappy tops)
*Souvenir Mug
*Lunch (Pelau (chicken and Vegetarian)
*Drinks - Vodka, Rum, Heineken, chasers
*Riddim section
Price - $150.
Deadline is Wednesday 9th January
arief@arcevents.com

Mas Jumbies La Reine de Démon Rouge

J'ouvert Band Mas Jumbies has unveiled the first of 6 section leaders/characters from their j'ouvert band "Jab"; she is called La Reine de Démon Rouge:

That is one sexy j'ouvert costume! I have also been informed that Angostura is now an exclusive sponsor of Mas Jumbies, so congrats to them as a relatively new band with lots of talent! Check out the Mas Jumbies website for photos of the costumes as well as to get some more information on Jab 2008!

Happy New Year!

Absolutely my most favourite photo of 2007, the view from my hotel window on South Beach Miami!

One month and two days to Carnival 2008!

First fete of the season, Soka in Moka takes place tonight.

The madness has started !

Fast Track or Not?

To fast track or not to fast track, once again I am asking myself this question on the very last day to make the choice. After the experience I had collecting my costume this year I swore I was doing fast track for 2008, however I did not expect the fast track deadline to be so early and I am thinking the longer I hold on to my money the better it might be. Call me paranoid but I keep thinking “what if”, what if I get in accident before Carnival and I can’t play mas, how am I going to sell my costume at the last minute and recoup allll my money? When you have to fork over $2,500.00 and not get the product in hand until the next month that’s when the questions arise; is fast track really worth it, how much faster do you really collect your costume, with TRIBE being VERY organized there really isn’t that much of a wait unless you happen to be collecting on Carnival Saturday!

This year it was so easy to collect hubby’s costume, which we did during the week, however collecting my costume on Carnival Saturday was another story. I am hoping the fact that costume collection is slated to end on Carnival Friday , February 1st as per the emails from TRIBE that Carnival Saturday might be reserved for persons who could not collect on the days set aside for each section and that frontline masqueraders will be able to collect on a day during the week as well. Of course I am hoping this so that it will save me a trip to the mas camp today! The other thing is that I can stay at home and pay the balance via credit card BUT then there is that SENVIA credit card fee!

The incentive to pay off early, apart from the speedy collection, is the added prize of wining your costume free, however I highly doubt that I would win, I mean would it not look very suspect if I win a free costume? When I sold my costume this year and got into Sailor the Anti-Saucy Crew took the position that TRIBE did me a favor to shut me up (still laughing at this one) so you could imagine the uproar if Saucy wins her costume free!

Anyway I still have a few more hours to decide whether or not I am going to pay off my costume today, but how many of you have decided on the fast track route for 2008.. .or not to fast track?

EDITED TO ADD:
After all this contemplation I bit the bullet and paid off for my costume!! Thanks for all the comments, you guys made me realise that it is easier to just have this over and done with. Now it's MY costume paid in full! lol

2007 Year End Review

As we come to the close of 2007 it is time to reflect on all the happenings in what as been an exciting Carnival year!

Masqueraders no longer had the Savannah Stage for 2007 and mas on the streets, though hailed as successful, still encountered the same problems of long waits for some bands. Work on the much anticipated Carnival Centre has yet to commence.

A number of new bands have entered the mas landscape giving masqueraders more choices among them Wee International, Ronnie and Caro, D Krewe and Evolution. Though quite exciting with their concept and costumes, Oracle bowed out of the race and Taboo never launched.

Even with these new bands TRIBE still accomplished a SOLD OUT band in one month, followed by Harts who was also completely sold out in December. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that these two bands held a historically early band launch in July!

The early Carnival Season spawned a new word for Christmas; “Chrisnival” bridged the gap between Christmas and Carnival to the vexation of Christmas loyalists.

Once again the Savannah issue has been the site of much controversy. The Culture Minister revealed plans to host pre carnival activities in the Savannah with a temporary stage and stands proposed to be built. Subsequent to this all plans were halted and construction taken down. The new site moved to the Western end of the Savannah with plans for both Panorama and the King and Queen Competitions to be held at Skinner’s Park in San Fernando. While Pan Trinbago is mum on the subject bandleaders are upset at the latest development. Coming together to protest the fact that only Brian Mc Farlane received an increase in prize money the newly formed Association of Band Leaders plan to protest the Ministry of Culture today.

Normally I would give the best/worst costumes of the year but will deviate to highlight the two most sought after costumes for both TRIBE and Island People as advertised on Carnivaljunction.com:

Black Magic


Silver Mist


Silver Fox


Kingfisher


Sold to the highest bidder!

Bandleaders to protest tomorrow

Wed The Trinidad Guardian has this report on the brewing controversy over prize monies awarded to Brian Mc Farlane; the following band leaders have now come together to fight the seeming injustice of awarding only Mc Farlane an increase in prize money:

Mike “Big Mike” Antoine of Legacy; Dean Akin of TRIBE; Earl Patterson of Masquerade; Ian McKenzie of Genesis; Paul Sing of DreamTeam; Roland St George of D Krewe; Stephen Derek of D’ Midas; NCBA secretary Renwrick Brown of Stampede; and Trevor Wallace of Trevor Wallace and Associate

The bandleaders have dubbed their united front "The Association of Bandleaders" and if this matter is not resolved have threatened to boycott all "NCC competition venues, especially Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain and ultimately embarrass the State." So that means the possibility exists that Island People Mas, Harts, Pulse 8, Ronnie and Caro,Evolution and Mc Farlane could parade at these NCC venues regardless; guaranteed wins for the large bands Harts, Island People and Mc Farlane with medium bands Evolution, Pulse 8 and Legacy also having the 1st, 2nd and 3rd spots!

While I think it is awesome that the bandleaders have come together against the NCBA and NCC, it would be more effective if ALL bands gave their support to this Association but I guess the tribal wars would never lead to unity for some bandleaders, which is really a pity.

Adventures in Detox-ing

It is not with fondness that I remember when my grandmother would administer to me as a young child a wicked cocktail called "carrot water" as a "cooling" to "clean out" the body. This potent liquid was consumed daily for as long as a week, and was subsequently followed by the most dreadful thing ever; a purge!! That senna tea would be so lethal it cramped the stomach and meant you spent a lot of time in the toilet!! Oh and the joys of a spoonful of castor oil and epsom salts! This was all usually done during the August vacation before going back out to school.

Today the purge has been sophisticated and hailed as a not only a weight loss method by celebrities but also a way to help the body rid itself of accumulated waste. Of course no one calls it a purge in Hollywood, it is all about colon cleansers and colonics! My friend swears by the colonics she takes routinely as a tool aiding in weight loss; alas I have yet to brave that tube inserted in the rectum! And that "cooling" granny used to make is now labeled a "detox" as in using fresh fruits and vegetables to get rid of toxins in the body. Which leads me to the fact that I am now in my third day of "detoxing" and between me and you, my grandmother's carrot water was much easier!

I had taken the vow to "cleanse" my body of all the bad things consumed over the two days of Christmas celebrations and went shopping for all the ingredients for the detox while I was shopping for turkey and cookies! As soon as Boxing Day was over day 1 of the detox began with a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in water as soon as I woke up the next day. What a way to wake up! When the vinegar hits your throat you feel like gagging and then the aftertaste lingers until you move on to having fruit for breakfast. Lunch that day was steamed broccoli and cauliflower served up with 1/2 cup of brown rice:

In between I had snacks of more fruit and sipped echinacea tea. For dinner I made a nice big pot of cabbage soup, in it went mushrooms, cabbage (of course), tomatoes, onions and the secret ingredient of vegetable juice. Everything was going well that day, down to the rice cakes which tasted like styrofoam that I munched on while looking at a movie. It all went downhill when I was possessed to take a drink of vodka and cranberry juice! No explanation as to why I did it, but the effects were brutal as I was a lush in no time.The hubby said after I passed out on the couch he tried to get me to bed and I woke up screaming,chasing him around the house fighting; I have no recollection of that event. Lessened learned, alcohol and detoxing DO NOT mix!

Yesterday I woke up feeling terrible, this was not your usual hangover as I felt sick all day, sick and tired. That is another side effect of the detoxing, you have no energy. Now I am napping during the day, something I never do. Day 2 was pretty hard simply because of the lingering effects of the alcohol and the fact that the hubby drank ALL my cabbage soup!!! That pissed me off to no end as another side effect of the detox is irritability.

This morning I woke up with a headache, but I am still plodding along with my glass of water flavored with apple cider vinegar, it was not so bad as instead of sipping it I chugged it back like shots of tequila! Breakfast is the best part of the day as I just had a nice big bunch of grapes, yummy!! And I get to have bananas in a couple hours as well. My goal is to do this detox for two weeks (if I can last that long!) and then switch back to my low carb regimen. As you can see from the meal plan it is basically eating a combination of fruits and vegetables with NO MEAT, and I am not advocating or recommending this for any one to try as it is not for everyone.

As I continue my detox program I will let you know the pros and cons as well as the side effects, but I can say from now it is not easy at all! I figure that in the end it will all be worth it as I hope to emerge feeling more energized, ridding myself of the nagging headaches and sluggish feeling that has been dogging me these past months and with the added bonus of possibly loosing a few pounds as well. Stay tuned for more adventures in detoxing!

You know Carnival is coming ...

When you see these booths around the Queen's Park Savannah:

The strange thing is that the booths line the outer perimeter of the Savannah, then navigate INSIDE as in the photograph and where the bands usually exit they return to outside the Savannah. This strange placement leads me to believe that MAYBE they expect the bands to pass THROUGH the Savannah (no stage) since there is construction across by the Princess Building grounds.

I cannot wait to see the plans for the actual parade route as the placement of the booths indicate that there is some expectation for persons to be trafficking inside the Savannah!

Amnesia 2008 Canceled!!

Well I really heard this rumour today from macco#2 who is just as good as me in getting the inside scoop, and it has been confirmed:

Dear Ipeeps,

Due to developments that will compromise our ability to provide you with the high level of service, it is with the deepest regret that we will for this year not be producing Amnesia 2008. We apologize for any inconvenience.

We look forward to serving you with excellence for the rest of the carnival season.
For our many loyal ipeeps who have already secured tickets please call 628-WISH

My source said that the all inclusive fete was canceled because of the Temperature concert featuring Sean Paul and Machel which takes place the SAME night at MOBS2. That concert is priced cheaper than Amnesia and many Amnesia faithfuls I know were complaining that the fete was just too expensive compared to the other options out there. So that makes it two big all-inclusive fetes that are no more for 2008; TRIBE's Bliss and Island People's Amnesia.

On the Hunt for Vale Tickets!

Yesterday the hubby and I had to make an obligatory visit to his family in the West, remembering that Boxing Day was the day that the much sought after Diamond Vale Breakfast Party tickets quietly began selling I decided to track them down. Now, I must say I have NEVER been to the Vale fete, though I have heard much about it. Everyone swears it is supposed to be THE best Breakfast party on Carnival Saturday/wee hours of Carnival Sunday yet I have chosen in the past to go to Insomnia and recently Dawn.

For 2008 I had decided to give this Breakfast Party a try and upon questioning friends who have been before to find out why tickets were SO hard to come by, what made this fete so special I was told it was all about the vibe and the people since there were no live bands. To tell you the truth, any fete where I have to track down tickets like a hunting dog on the trail of a rabid hare, leaves me with a somewhat acrid taste in my mouth. So it was more curiosity that led me to "the house" last evening.

With several calls to the person who knew a person to get directions we eventually found "the house", rang the bell.. waited and waited and waited some more before I got a bit tired of standing in the streets hoping for someone to come down and bestow tickets on me and left!! Another call from my friend as we made our way home and I was told that HER friend just left "the house" and was able to score tickets at $400.00!! Dammit!! Once again my lack of patience did me in. I should add that the friend also waited at the gate and was only attended to when OTHER people showed up, possibly persons who were expected, so she was lucky!

So, news reaching me today is that it was probably a good thing that I did not wait for those precious tickets since another "newbie" also made their way to "the house" yesterday for tickets and was given the "Spanish Inquisition!". The persons with the golden ticket wanted to know who newbie was, how did newbie hear about the party AND wrote her name with contact information down in a book! At that time tickets were reportedly close to sold out as well, so you would think that all the interrogation was not necessary. Listen, between you and me I am NOT jumping through hoops for any party, I am sorry. And, I have been told that every year that with this particular fete it is the same drama to get tickets.

I for one would not have succumbed to the interrogation especially since no one is doing me a favour by selling me tickets! Seriously, isn't the fact that I am willing to get out of my house on BOXING DAY no less and pay the ridiculous price of $400.00 enough, now you want to know who I am and how I heard about the party before you decide to sell me tickets? Sorry to say the Vale fete will not be seeing me next year and I already have an alternative fete in mind. That fete at least has live bands and is all-inclusive for roughly $50.00 more than the price of the Vale tickets and I do not have to buy a ticket more than a month in advance either!

Hopefully those of you who must go to this fete have gotten your tickets already as I am sure by now they are sold out! As for me, the little adventure was an experience and though I do not have tickets in hand, I learned a little bit more about the dynamics of this whole Carnival hype, what draws people to some fetes more than others and even discovered something about myself; I realised that I was and never will be a Carnival masochist!

Wild on BodyArt !!

Bodyart Caribbean is offering body painting services for Carnival to all masqueraders and those in Island People's Animal Instincts will be especially interested in these "wild" airbrushed designs:

The costing in TT dollars is broken down as follows for body painting:
Face/Arm/Leg/Chest/Back - $200 each
Full Body - $1000
Temporary tattoos average $35 to $100 depending on size.

Bodyart is currently taking bookings and can be contacted at:
Email: airtoocaribbean@gmail.com
Body Art Studio: 1.868.799.9032, 1.868.637.8287

In addition to "animal" body painting Bodyart also offers temporary tattoos and airbrushing services; for more photos visit the album on Facebook.