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!!

New Year's On The Road!

Who says that while traveling for work "On the Road" you can not enjoy traditional Holidays?!  Christmas in Trinidad was a success so I would not expect New Years to be any different.  All crew members met in the lobby for some much needed R&R involoving a little ethanol - very appropriate don't you think!? 

The crew:  Afshin (chief), Matt, Me, Idoko and Ken

The beer was enjoyed by all in the hotel lobby which overlooked the night skyline of the Gulf of Paria.  The ships lights made it appear like Christmas was occuring in the ocean - very pretty.  The beverage of choice was the local Caribbean brew - Carib.  Not too bad - although to me every beer (cheap or expense) tastes the same.

                                       

The shot to the lef to the left of the beer is a Margarita shot provided by the bartender at no charge.  Very delicious - couldn't taste the alcohol at all which can be dangerous.  Luckily I only partook in one :-)  After relaxing at the hotel bar for a couple hours, we lite off a fountain firecracker in the parking lot.  It lasted all of about 30 seconds - if that - but still a nice way to say Happy New Year in Trinidad. 

I miss everyone back home and wish you a WONDERFUL new year!!!!!