Post-Carnival Quiet, Japan Trembles

It's strange how, after all the Carnival hype and revelry, things are so much quieter. Last Thursday and Friday the traffic seemed lighter, and the same for the weekend. I guess people are still snoozing and resting up. But in truth, from August the mas bands start launching their new costumes and the cycle repeats. Craziness.

Poor Japan - It's not surprising, as a whole, if you understand tectonic plate theory, which I teach. Still and all, it's puzzling why so many large earthquakes are happening, Hmmm....a nefarious plot of underground testing gone awry? Or just more immediate and thorough medi coverage?

I have always respected the Japanese people. Thank goodness the few people I know from there are OK. The culture is so organized and efficient, at least they have many systems in place  that will help with their recovery. Still, in another way it can be even more devastating to a culture which sets high standards and expectations. Facing such a situation means a huge upheaval, socially and psychologically.

I bet we'll see no looting or storming of relief trucks, however. The Japanese people are so polite, patient, and follow procedures. It should, at least, help to speed up efforts to alleviate their suffering. God bless them all.

Carnival is Coming

It's that time again, when all craziness breaks loose. Scary driving on the roads here have been amplified by a police "sickout" as well as increased drinking and driving. A new law against using phones while driving may have some impact, we can hope. If it's actually enforced, which is questionable.

Here's some more information on it all and where it came from:

Carnival and History

At schools, the Education Ministry sponsors Soca Tours in conjunction with local radio stations. I'm not sure how this is greatly beneficial to the students, but it IS part of the culture.  Here's a glimpse of what it's like (please forgive the audio, the bass messed with my camera):

Another aspect of the Carnival season is the Panorama competition among steelbands. This is truly like the Olympics of steelpan, with bands from all over competing; some with 120 pannists performing. There have already been preliminaries and now we will have an all-day competition to determine who makes it to the Finals. Here's an example:

Desperadoes at Preliminaries 2011

Carnival is full of music (calypso, soca, pan), costumes, parties (fetes), laughter, dancing,...and much more. So much so that many Trinis even leave to go on vacations, in order to escape it all. (All schools and businesses are closed on Carnival Monday and Tuesday. Ash Wednesday varies, depending on individual establishments.) Here's more info on what's up during the weeks prior and then the actual Carnival (two days before Ash Wednesday.)

Trinidad Carnival Info

Others are fortunate to live away from most of it all, except for some noisy parties by neighbors. It's good to be where you aren't forced to be in it....take a walk and enjoy the peace...

So whether we are jumping and dancing or escaping, Carnival is an annual celebration that many, if not most Trinis look forward to.