Wednesday, February 7, 2007

Trinidad Carnival - the greatest show on earth


Parade of costumes at the streets of Port of Spain in 2008
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - It was around this time of the year when most of the people in Trinidad are busy preparing for carnival.

According to wikipedia.org, the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is an annual event held on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, and is well known for participant's colorful costumes and exuberant celebrations.

This year 2013, the carnival will be held on February 11 and 12 at the streets of Trinidad. Thousands of visitors from North and Latin America as well as nearby islands in the Caribbean come to the twin islands to experience the festivities considered by locals as the "greatest show on earth". 

Photo was taken in February 2008

I am happy that I was able to experience 2 carnival events in 2007 and 2008 and I can truly say that this event is really one, if not the greatest, show on earth.  Trinidad carnival has thousands of energetic, vibrant and colorful players dancing to the tune of soca or calypso music. 

When I first experience the carnival, it was like a never-ending parade of costumes. I enjoyed watching people in different sizes, colors, shapes and costumes dancing, wining, and enjoying every moment of the parade. I miss listening to the carnival music from Destra and Machel Montano.



Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago is the most significant event on the islands' cultural and tourism calendar, with numerous cultural events running in the lead up to the street parade on Carnival Monday and Tuesday. 

Most people who participate in this annual event prepare months in advance and  spend considerable amount of money to become members of a renowned group and be able to wear those skimpy and sexy outfits. Based on what I know, there is a membership fee to become a member of a band and the fee covers costume, food and drinks.

Carnival as it is celebrated in  Trinidad and Tobago is also celebrated in cities worldwide. These including Toronto's Caribana, Miami's Miami Carnival, Houston Carifest, London's Notting Hill as well as New York City's Labor Day Carnival to name a few.

Carnival Players
Photo was taken in 2008
Carnival was created when West African slaves mimicked their French owners who where known for their lavish costumes balls. Forbidden to partake in these festivities and confined to their quarters, slaves combined elements from their own cultures to their master's fete.

To all my former colleagues and friends in Trinidad and Tobago, and those visitors playing the carnival, happy carnival to you all!!! Enjoy the greatest show on earth.

Keep on following my travel blogs. Also, for all your travel needs (airfare, hotel, cruise package, holiday packages, car rental and more), please visit wow amazing holiday website.

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