Parents Visit Trinidad & Tobago

I have been on assignment now for a little over 3 months here in Trinidad and enjoying every aspect of work and relaxation.  My mom has been itching to come down here since the Christmas plans fell through.  Finally my dad had a weekend off and they were on the next plane out.  Due to the short time period in which they would be staying I had to cram in a lot of action to ensure they received the full experience.

I first took them to Maracas Beach to enjoy some local Bake and Shark.  Luckily we went later in the afternoon so it was not too crowed.  My dad was attempting to try to get a picture of a wave curling over and one with a wave crashing into me.  He would tell me to get ready so I could brace myself; however one time our communication was not in sync and I was caught in the wave.  Needless to say I went tumbling over and over again towards the shore.  My bathing suit bottoms are a little big so it felt as though they were going to slip off.  A thought flashed through my mind like in a movie that I would pop up from the water and see my suit bottoms floating away.  Luckily it was only a thought and tradegy was avoided!

The iguana that I saw running across the road into the tree.  The local here decided to interrupt my picture taking and grab him and walk off stating he was going to eat him.  Then we wanted pictures (since I spotted him) and he wanted $5USD...kind of a jerk move!  He wouldn't have had this treat if it wasn't for me!

Majority of the weekend was spent over in Tobago, the island approximately 8 miles north of Trinidad.  The plane ride takes 20 minutes which helps to maximize on activities when you are in a time crunch.  I had not yet been to Tobago so it was a new experience for everyone.  When you think of Caribbean you think of sandy white beaches with clear warm water - exactly what you see in Tobago.  Not many tourists so the experience was that much more relaxing.  We took a glass bottom boat tour which allowed you to see the ocean floor as the boat traveled into Buccoo Reef where we went snorkeling.

The boat tour also took us to the Nylon pool which is a sandbar, only waist deep, out in the middle of the ocean.  It was formed by decomposed coral.  The guide, Ringo, told us to take a handfull and rub over your skin for exfoliation - apparently you will feel 10 years younger...I think that is supposed to hook the elder folks of the crowd.  My skin did feel nice for all of 5 minutes.  We attempted to take some underwater pictures but those are now being developed the old fashioned way....didn't have digital! I will post those at a later date if any turned out.

Afterwards we drove around and through the forest preserve on the island.  Initially we kept having trouble recognizing which direction we needed to go at each fork (there were a lot of them) to stay on the main road because most roads do not appear on the map and a "main" road does not appear like a main road as you may think.  My dad and I navigated and told my mom which direction to go...sometimes we would disagree but we always managed to get on the correct route. 

For breakfast we ate at the Original House of Pancakes; now I know what y'all are all thinking ... there is an ihop there...?!  Well that is the same initial thought that crossed my mind but it is just a small mom/pop restaurant with large portions at the right price.  I recommend this place to anyway who visits.  The owner's name is Cathy who is originally from California but always wanted to retire and live on an island.  Super sweet woman that makes a mean chocolate pancake - yummy!

It was a good getaway and fun to have my parents be able to visit me on assignment.  Even though I was 8 miles from Trinidad I felt as though it was a destination in the middle of nowhere.  Quite relaxing.  I am ready to return!

The Lights Went Out in Trinidad!

Tonight was just another ordinary evening.  I was eating dinner and relaxing when all of a sudden my room went dark.  Yes, the lights went out in Trinidad...well actually only a few surrounding cities located near the hotel.  My room is equipped with an emergency back up light which they tested and found to be not functioning 2 weeks ago...which they still haven't fixed! 

The internet in my room stopped working as well so I decided to go out to the lobby of the hotel since I assumed they would have light - and they did.  After 30 minutes of sitting doing nothing I got bored so I walked around and took in the moonlite landscape and bay area - quite relaxing.

By this time it had been over an hour and nearing 10pm.  I figured that I would go back to the room and go to bed early.  I tested the shower- success there was still water! My computer provided a shred of light and I showered in almost complete darkness but the computer backlight helped a little.  Now I was refreshed and clean and ready for bed.  Not 5 minutes after I got out of the shower did the power come back on...but it was still fun to shower with moodlighting :-)

Now let's see how long it takes the hotel to fix my emergency back up light....Goodnight :-)

It's Carnival No More....

The festivities of Carnival 2k10 here in Trinidad has come to a close.  The season of Fete's which lasted from the day after Christmas until Ash Wednesday is no more.  Unfortunately I still have Fete fever but no cure...what is a girl to do now?!?!  I end up listening to Soca music which is the type of music played at the fetes and Carnival. 

So as my previous post mentioned I was going to attend J'ouvert where you get covered with mud and paint while drinking and dancing....BUT.....I was told misleading information and ended up missing the whole event!!  So no pictures which means I need to come back next year for Carnival to participate and document!

After work on Monday the younger crowd of the work crew headed up north to Port of Spain to witness the first day of Carnival.  On Monday the people who will be marching on Tuesday in costume will march the same route that day but not in costume.  It is more relaxed and everyone having a great time. 

On Tuesday starting early at 6am the parade starts and everyone are in elaborate costumes.  There are large music trucks associated with each Band playing music so they can march to the Soca beat - I swear that the sound coming out of those speakers when they pass by you will knock you down.  Definitely recommend wearing ear plugs!  There is a song that wins Carnival march and this year the song was Palance by JW & Blaze.  The song the wins Carnival march is then played at each judging point (there are 4 I was told) along the parade route.  At the end of the night we ended up by one of the judging areas; needless to say I was quite sick of Palance at that point but loved dancing to it every time!!!

Next time I am in Trinidad for Carnival I am playing Mas and I strongly recommed that if you like dancing then you too should play mas if ever in Trinidad at Carnival time - although registration is in August of the previous year so plan in advance :-)

^ Fanon & I Monday night

^ Melissa (local), Matt, Jeremy and I watching the parade of people dancing to Soca music

^ Sea of people marching Carnival Monday without costumes

^ Same sea (well not exactly) of people on Carnival Tuesday in costume

^ Jason (fellow refinery coworker) who marched Carnival Tuesday and I.  The orange headband is from Fanon's costume and the green neckgear is from Jason's costume. 

It's Carnival!!!!

Starting at 9pm tomorrow night the Carnival festivities officially begin; although the day after Christmas was the start of fun leading up to Carnival Monday and Tuesday (Feb. 15 & 16).  Even though we will have to be working during the day these two days we are going to definitely still go up north to Port-of-Spain to see everyone celebrating Carnival. 

The main event that locals and tourists participate in is called playing mas, which is where you are in a tribe within a band and march down the street having fun.  This normally occurs during the day on Monday and Tuesday but as soon as the sun goes down another kind of party beings called J'ouvert.  This starts at 9pm on Sunday and continues unti Ash Wednesday morning.  During this event there is music playing and people throwing mud, oil, paint and I have heard even chocolate into the air therefore by the end of the night you are covered - so I am will not be wearing anything nice!  I look forward to posting pictures of everything I participate in and get to see these next few days! 

Stay tuned...

My explainations regarding Carnival are somewhat elementary so you can Google more.

Being a Girl on the Road

Engineering has always been a male dominated field but women are slowly making themselves more prominent.  Therefore I have always been told to be prepared that you will not be taken seriously and/or not respected as much since you are a woman.  I received the same speech from my superiors before heading out on the Road for work and in some cultures this way of life is absolutely true. 

Luckily my first training assignment it is absolutely the opposite.  Everyone working at the refinery from contract workers to fellow process engineers to management always wants to make sure that I am learning and enjoying myself; AND when I advise them of a method to complete an activity they take me serious and follow through with what I recommended. 

We were inspecting the reactors of the unit one afternoon which requires us to climb inside a confined space to look around as well as decend down a wire ladder to the bottom.  This is something I have never done before but super excited.  One of the contract engineers climbed out after fixing the ladder for us and advised that since this is my first time inside of this vessel not to go into the largest one.  At the moment I was not thinking and agreed since there were two more that looked exactly the same but smaller.  He was looking out for me I suppose....

After a few minutes I started thinking..."Wait a minute, eventually I will become Chief (head advisor for an assignment) and maybe I will be the only one on site OR I would be in an all female crew."  I need to be able to climb in and out of all sorts of vessels that vary in size.  I hooked the fall arrestor onto my harness and down I went.  It was a piece of cake!

Into the manway I go

Climbing on the ladder (bottom probably ~7-8 meters down) and the ladder is flat against the side which gives no space for your feet.  It's not your typical walk in the park - you do get exercise!

Out of the manway I come

Mission Complete!

As Promised...Fete Pictures!

As I explained a couple of weeks ago what a Fete was I now have pictures of the gang at a fete called "Soca on 'D' Avenue".  Now Soca refers to the type of music that is played there - don't ask me how to describe it; y'all will have to google it or come visit :)  A fun time was had by all and we shall be attending another one this weekend although I think it will be my last until Carinval because they wear you out and the cost does add up! 

Local band playing steel drums and musical instruments.

Idoko, Ricardo and I (before we starting sweating to the beat)

Idoko & I dancing (non-traditional Trinidad style...moreso mix of latin and ballroom)

Idoko, me and Ricardo gettin' low Trinidad style - although I wasn't wearing a belt so I didn't get too low because I did not want to end up with a plumbers crack (sorry if you are a plumber but it's so true!)

Eating what is called Doubles.  It's some yummy tortilla filled goodness.  Maybe Fanon could shed some light :-)

Soca performer Denise Belfon - showing ya a little Trinidad action.  Teaching the audience difference ways to Wine (aka dance Trini style)

The whole gang (Jeremy, Matt, Jason, Idoko, me)

I have Fete Fever :-)

Fete What,,?!?!

It's been a while since I have updated.  It has been busy at work therefore nothing has really happened all too exciting to share.  Although tonight....

Tonight I went to an all inclusive fete.  A fete is pretty much a concert with a variety of performers.  All Trinidad music sounds the same to me so it did not matter who was playing.  It lasted from 4pm to midnight.  All inclusive means that the drinks and food are included for the entire 8 hours.  Unfortunately my camera died, I forgot to charge it, and my friend forgot his...therefore no pictures.  I will attend another so stay tuned.  Thus, imagine an outdoor courtyard filled with tents and a stage.  Several tents have food and there is a bar on every corner as well as in the middle serving top shelf liqour.  Several other stands are on the perimeter with specialty drinks such as cocktails made with Absolute Vodka, Baileys, Jose Cuervo shots table, etc. 

The style of dancing that takes place in Trinidad is called Wineing (not sure if I spelled that correctly); it is similar to griniding in the US but classier!  There are no strings attached meaning it's just a dance and not to be offended if someone starts to dance with you - unlike the US where you know the guy up on you wants some!  I danced with the group I came with so it was nice to have familar faces to wine with :-)  Many commented that I am the first White girl that can dance Trinidad style.  I proved White girls can dance!!

On that note my ears are still ringing from the loud awesomeness and I am feeling the 8 hour dance party.  Worn out but totally worth it!  Can not wait until the next one and I promise pictures!!