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[Odler]

http://www.jeanlouie.com/

Feb 28, 2004

Carnival in Trinidad is a blast. It is both a show and a party. Barring

the show at the Sambadromo in Rio, this is the best show on Earth. Barring

the 7-day street party in Bahia, this is the greatest party on the planet.

The revelry is made of multiple concerts (tents) and parties (fetes)

featuring the stars of the time, in tight schedule, during the week

preceding Ash Wednesday. The parade itself is only a two-day affair.

Starting with Jouvert on Sunday night, the festivities officially end at

midnight, on Tuesday.

We did not see much of the older names, such as Mighty Sparrow and Byron

Lee. The faces of the novel generation were everywhere: Machel, Destra,

Shurwayne, Bunji, Denise, Roppy? Machel (29 year-old) is untouchable,

despite Bunji?s and Destra?s growing popularity.

Trinidad?s carnival is the place to be, for winter break, when you can no

longer take the fast pace and massive crowds of Bahia, or the 14-hour Rio

parade. Carnival in Trinidad, like the island itself, is quiet, sweet, and

restful. After Ash Wednesday, you will not suffer post-traumatic stress

disorder, as you will after your trip back from Brazil.

The music of Trinidad is three fold: calypso (with a political or social

theme), soca (with meaningless jump up lyrics), and steel band (offering

the most artistic instrumentation).

Sex is pervasive during carnival, but Trinidad, outside this period, is a

Christian country with a relatively conservative catholic majority.

The island is of breathtaking beauty, and the beaches (Maracas, Las

Cuervas) are worth the swin. (The best beaches are in Tobago, the 116-sq

mile sister island.)

(The Traveller, Saturday, February 28, 2004)