Trinidad Carnival is truly a sight to behold. It resplendent with all the vibrancy of tnt's multicultural society. Carnival is full of excesses: colour, skimpy clothing, music, vulgarity, alcohol and the likes. For the 2 days prior to Ash Wednesday the streets and roads of all towns and villages are filled with revelers, music trucks, vendors, masqueraders in their costumes etc. It is truly a spectacle to behold. Schools are closed as are most government offices and banks. The fun and fetes for most start from Carnival Friday for most people. From Friday after work the 'liming'/socializing usually begins. It continues throughout the long weekend into Carnival Monday & Carnival Tuesday. Of course not all trinis partake of Carnival. There are many who choose an alternative route. They instead choose to spend their Carnival away from the bacchanal and revelry. These folks go to beaches and other isolated areas. There they 'camp out' and also enjoy themselves but without alcohol, drugs, immorality and the likes.
Carnival undoubtedly brings in much needed revenue to some sectors of society here in tnt. However with the upsurge of crime in tnt visitors and locals alike need to exercise caution while partying and feteing. There is also the problem of drinking and driving during the Carnival season, with its resulting accidents ,deaths and trauma. There is an even more sinister aspect to Carnival as in tnt most babies are born approximately 9 months after Carnival. Some women and girls end up with unwanted pregnancies...and then the prospect of AIDS and other STDs.
Love it or hate it Carnival is here to stay and so all of tnt must be able to tolerate each other whether we celebrate Carnival or not.
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