By Jean Paul

Recently overheard at a local rumshop:

SALTPRUNES: Boy yuh lookin’ tan. Yuh just come back from vacation?

BOYSIE: Nah, de tanning salon.

As I sit and write this RSC from Trinidad, under what is almost a full moon and barely 24 hours removed from the lime and bacchanal that was Pan Semis, I can hear a steel band practicing in the distance (or maybe it’s just the sweet tinnin’ still ringing in my ears).

My phone has been flooded with Twitter and Facebook updates since the year began – who coming, who not coming and who still planning to come for Trinidad Carnival. And to those people I say (having been on the island for the past week now), one thing is for sure - Machel was right…The Vibes Cyah Done.

Well, maybe I should qualify that by saying the vibes cyah done… once you reach Trinidad. I’ll spare you the gory details of my experience with a very cranky, highly vocal and extremely vibe-killing toddler on the plane ride down. All I can do is apologize for my daughter’s strong lungs and stamina… and buy some Gravol for the plane ride back. To the return passengers, you’re welcome in advance…Trust me.

But as soon we touched down on the tarmac I started feeling de vibes. My liming instincts returned like a semi-retired hunter back on the hunt. I’m not sure if it was the combination of the warm night mixed with the electricity in the air, but I felt anxious to get out and about.

After dropping off the suitcases and devouring the customary KFC snack box it was time to prowl. With no fete on the schedule for a few days, “the Avenue” seemed like the best bet. And it did not disappoint. From old friends in familiar places to novice drinkers getting in over their heads and experienced limers in the streets, the Avenue was where the bacchanal was at.

Now I’m not condoning or glorifying the bacchanalist type of behaviour (OK, who am I kidding? It’s Carnival. Of course I am), but it’s jus that at this time of year the entire country moves at such a wickedly and unapologetically fast pace, you can’t help but be in awe. Being on the Avenue is like watching liming ninjas in action. Nothing and I mean nothing will get in the way. Not even having your car wrecked (that’s towed for the lingo challenged).

And trust me when I say they wrecking cars in Port of Spain faster than you can say “Where meh car?” I learned that the hard way when my car got wrecked right in front of Patraj roti shop on Tragarete – a nice “Welcome To Trinidad” present in meh rookoonkahtoonks.

But like most Trinis, “wrecked limers” on The Avenue (yes, that’s to be used two ways) choose to see the lighter side of the situation. Here are a few comments I overheard:

• “Well at least ah know meh car eh go get tief in de police compound”
• “Is only a $500 ticket. That just means meh wife eh going with meh to dat fete next week”

and my favourite…

• “Yuh know what they say – If yuh get wrecked…get wrecked.”

Island people happy, yes.

At any rate, Carnival is in the air, fetes await and I am yuh man on the street. If you’re worried about me running out of Carnival updates to write about, don’t be. Like I said… Machel was right…The Vibes Cyah Done.

P.S.-If yuh looking for me tonight you can find me @ Kes Under the Trees inside Hotel Normandie and Saturday inside Fatima fete. Send your best snow shoveling tips to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it