'twas the best of times; welcome one and all to the land of fete. July 13 ah arrived under the blistering sun and the rush of a tropical breeze flew through me like knife cutting through paper. The onrush awaken my desire for the all refreshing taste of a Carib. The ritual upon arrival began.
Greeted by my cousin , we drove to the Plaza in Tunapuna (did not know at the time it was still owned by JW). anyhow it have a wicked Chinese restaurant dey and ah had the CARIB and the BEST chicken wings/legs ever.......!!!! the lime began when ah friend of the coz came over from work and I eh leave till after 7ish; onto the aunt's place( after all it was the very reason I came back for)...then on to the back country past Arima. Upon seeing meh grandmother of 94... and meh mother.. ah was out in ah pub this time for meh STAG and that was night one.
Well the plethora of socializing in week one included a river lime, a Maracas lime, football at Larry Gomes on the Saturday night. I swear that people live for the fetes. I eh complaining one bit ah like it so.
Well the next week was a whole lot of North South trips . More family. ah visit to Cross Crossing meh old village; check out friends and the old folks from meh past. Just to make sure they remembered me and I remembered them and I have meh ancestry back in tact. More football. Endless maxi taxies to Arima and POS. Yes ah boost the economy in those sectors. not to mention the occasional Black and White scotch purchases fuh friends who came over and more Carib.
Next some serious clubbing: The young coz take meh tuh Zen's lawd I eh think in what I saw in Europe or in North America could match with Zen. The place tantalizing, riverting and ummm.... the scenery great fuh the price. As the week progressed ah waiting anxiously to hook up with the Warrior Nation Posse!!! ah keep checking emails only to see plans changing. No big deal this in TNT.
Finally, we set up the lime fuh Shakers close to meh other aunt in Westmoorings. Pure class place. where we met under a moonlit night in a tropical setting I saw her sitting there.....KANDI..sparkling with radiance accompanied by Patriot. Meh coz Ricki and I encountered the pair later we were joined by Reaper. Man to know that complete strangers could hook up that easily and carry on ah talk like we know each other for a long time gives credence to the on line forum, because in reality , even though we had never met, is like old friends coming together. Talk ranged from football to more football. Lawd man Reaper and Patriot love they football. Very thoughtful conversations. I enjoyed every bit of the lime. Nobody eh want to lose control nah. man drinking coconut water, Kandi drinking straight coke and I knowing ah driving, drinking club soda; look nah ah begging for more lime at Zen's but certain people get tied up and cyar make. Patriot thanks for the SOCA Warriors sun blocker. It on meh CRV and ah proud to show it off. We took out pictures and lawd everything when down real cool. We eh play we have nice people on the home front nah!!! ah missing that.
Eheh ah gone home to go out that night and seeing as ah came up that day from a small river lime in deep south, I eh have no fancy clothes or shoes to make ah Zen. Ah try on meh uncle's but he foot too small. Kandi if yuh checking ah is ah Size 10 and half. Well ah end up at home ole talking with the aunt. Ah make up for it on Monday though ah make ah all inclusive in Chagaramus golf course!!!!!!! oh lawd talk about range ah people in that fete. This late night and early morning really shaking up meh body yes. but ah soaking and absorbing all the sweetness in TNT. The place like candy fust it sweet.
Next was on to a sports day ...helping out the mom with the church family day event; country folks know how to make yuh feel welcome ; Food drinks and a belly full ah ole talk have meh giddy. After that it was basically time tuh leave yes.
Onto Toronto and the sisters take over. Liming start as soon as ah reach. Pan finals in Lamprot stadium.... King and Queen....Caribana parade..... and the sweat lime in the park. Real nice bouncing up with forumities. Yuh know yuh ranking when everyone 's favourite question to strangers is " yuh on the forum?" what is yuh name? man eh calling yuh by yuh real name, leh meh tell yuh yuh Forum handle is you. It is what defines who you are yes. The sweat was looking good from the sidelines. Especially the Jamaican camera woman..... TI or Organic get the oman tuh sign up nah? meh far want tuh talk Jacan. Gwan nah sign she up nah. anyhow the sweat.... the youth dem dey make mas. Poison running down ball fuh so. Carlos look a like playing like the man yes. #8 BARKING orders to spur on the white team and I eyeing Jamaican camera owan. It was good kicks. Maxg take a quick run but feel ah twitch down dey and say nah he eh risking that!!! Pecan hang in they like ah trooper. Make he moves and let then yute men run by him.
The flipping police even grace we with ah presence. ah keep telling them that ah hear the English and dem playing on another Field and they drinking fuh so. but the man eh leaving; he must ah heard so much about the SOCAWARRIORS and we football that he eh go pass up we for England!!!! yuh eh see the popularity we have?
Real nice to meet all the TI , Organic, Grandeman, Pecan, Compre, Jumbie, Bacchanal woman (and she riding partner came by looking to make noise) and the rest ah the crew..... look nah who would have imagined that an Online forum could have so much of an impact on the way we meet , socialize and develop friendships?
I had a good time but ah realize that 'happiness' doh pay the bills so ah back in the daily grind. All yuh leh we eh lose sight ah the good thing we have in this forum. Our network of friends and the Trini family is forever expanding. This weekend is Cariwest in Edmonton... ah driving up north. more liming to put down. This party just cyar over'
Keep the positive vibes flowing. Much respect and kindness to all. Soon we go be saying we is all family. Which reminds me I eh get tuh meet up with TiniCana.... well ah have tuh save up something fuh next time.
