Mud Mass

wow...jus realized this post was still in my drafts...posting a little late...like 8 months late..bwhahaha!

"February 2013 -  The only monday's that trinis love is Carnival monday and the revelry of Jouvert madness.
Jouvert madness is a ritual for many. The thought of wearing anything outrageous, things you know will never be worn again. Ole shoes, buss up pants, jersey that has seen better days...well today is the last day, the passage of rights for these things.

This year, i decided to venture into this Jouvert thing. Heading for the first time into the borough of chaguanas. Living 10 minutes away is always a good thing."

13th Oct, 2013 - Addendum: My little cuz was in Trinidad this year. She spent the Carnival with us, and was my main motivation to attend Jouvert. It was great! I'm glad you enjoyed Lou :)

Chris

The year is almost out...

786. It's already October 13th, 2013. A little over two months to end of year, Christmas Old/New years, dry season..

Where did the year go? To be honest, I really can't say. Recalling a little, for me, the year has had it's ups and downs. I surely enjoyed vacation this year, spent a week on a Carnival cruise ship, and another week driving around Florida. It was great seeing family, not seen in a long time. It was different, again experiencing some of the US culture and customs. It was the first time my entire family went on a vacation together. My mother experienced this for her 60th Birthday, a milestone in her life. Definitely a great family vacation.

Lot's of changes too. It was sad to see my boy "Big Red" go, however Tobago is a beautiful place and he would be happy there. Less traffic, slower pace...Tobago is definitely the opposite of Trinidad. The sun shines every day, cool breezes from the ocean not too far away and always a pool close by, if required..

Talking about Tobago, I had an interesting conversation with a lady about tourism in Tobago, and we related and compared to my experience at Key West. Tobago tours is something tourists can look forward to in the future. In Key west the Conch train tour was a refreshing way to bring people to natural scenery and importantly souvenir sales. Average items ranged from $10-$15 USD. It would be great if Tobago can do the same....package the thing as a product, and with all this money being given to Tobago Tourism, uplift down town Scarborough please...it looks like a ghetto.

Tobago can take an example from Curacao. The city is renovated, but still maintains it's colonial charm. It's a beautiful place as well!

Anyway, enough about that. I spent a short time at Robinson Crusoe Hotel (aka Blue Haven Hotel). I must say that the scenery and natural feel of this place is very peaceful. Great place to take a retreat...and get back to grounding..beautiful access to a private beach, large deck overlooking the ocean..great view from the room, and best of all...very little people...real nice escape anyone would enjoy.

I'm looking forward to the end of the year. Lot's of changes to come, and importantly lots of things to do. Hoping for the best in the name of god, who sees all and knows all. It is your constant guidance that keeps me sane.

Bissmillah Hir Rahman Nir Raheem.

Chris

Weekend Rave

At some point in our lives, it is expected that we would say 'Thank god, it's Friday!' The saying is now synonymous with fridays in general and while for some folks, there is a Friday 'routine', this friday is not like normal most.

Today is the 25th Jan, 2013..and yes for some folks its payday. Today is actually the 2nd weekend, before Carnival 2013, here in Trinidad and Tobago. It means the celebrations are in full swing, and nightly there are a multitude of events to go to.

For me, it's an opportunity to get some outstanding things done. First on the list is some much needed housework to get started..notice i did not say complete. We all know house work never ends so why doubt the obvious right.

Then there is the usual stuff, groceries, mall walking and sleeping. Apart from that, there is the remaining office works left over from Friday. Wow, you know what..by the time all of this is done, its monday again and that song comes to mind...'Manic monday's, wish it was Sunday...'

Enjoy the weekend folks!

Chris

The day my father died....

On the 22nd January 1991, at approximately 10:45am, my father Wajib Ahmad Sha passed away quietly in bed. My mother sat next to him as he took his last breath. So ended a two year struggle he had with Cancer. At the time of his death, his body had suffered long and hard. The Cancer had spread to his liver and kidneys.

In November 1988, he returned from a business trip to Guyana. That year was a good one for us. He had sold all of the stock exported to stores in Georgetown. I remember him coming home from the air port that night. He brought me a toy gun set and i can still smell the wonderful sents of pastry and desserts. That night the we played Christmas music and danced to 'senor santa'.

I remember Cindy was born on the 17th Oct 87 and i was 9 years old at the time, in Standard 4. I also remember two things from that night when he came home. I was thinking that the following week was my birthday and as we waited for him to get home i was scared of being home alone with carolin and cindy. I needed to watchman the house and thought 'so this is what it felt like if i had no father'. Little did i know that soon enough in my life that would really be the case.

In early December 1988, Dad was diagnosed with malignant cancer of the upper jaw. His birthday was the 7th December. When we cut his Birthday cake that year, the cake itself was moldy inside. I didn't understand the meaning then. Years later when i was older, my mother and I recounted the cake. Back then she knew it wasn't a good sign.

1990 was a hard year for my family. We lived off of whatever savings mom and dad had. My dad was struggling. The chemotherapy and radiation was taking its tole on him. In 1989, dad went for surgery in Caracas Venezuela. His hope was to defeat this Cancer and tried his very best. The months between 1989 and 1990 felt more like years. So many things happened, so many changes took place in my family's lives.

After dad died in 91, we picked up the pieces, stood up to the world and declared our strength as a family. United we stand.

It's been 22 years today. Dad, you would be proud of us!

Chris

Daily routines

High noon...best time of the day. That's right folks...it's lunch time. Some people have wierd routines, like a particular underwear or shirt to wear on a particular day. Others have that favorite show to watch at a particular time. Well for me, high noon is my time.

Today is tuesday and yep, you guessed it. Chicken noodles day. Happy lunch time all!

Chris

Trip to South America

Trip to South America: Introduction

In the summer of 2012, I visited the land of my birthparents, a lush and beautiful place tucked away close to the the deep forests of the Amazon and nestled between Venezuela and Surinam. The Country of Guyana, known to some as British Guiana, is a vast land, with many natural beauties. A population close to less that 200,000 persons is amazing, given that I come from Trinidad and Tobago, an island that can fit into Guyana, with a rising population of 1,200,000 people.

Now, if you love country side travel, the smell of fresh air, frendly people and all the sea food you can eat, well....Guyana is the place to be.

My extended family live on the coastline of Essequibo, so guess what - there is NO car that can take you from the airport to there, you have to jump on a speed boat to reach! Now, I can say this....taking the speedboat early in the morning is probably one of the top 10 things I will every do in my life! The cool air hitting your face, as you literally glide across the smooth waters of the Essequibo river; The smell of the air is almost intoxicating, as you feel an overwhelming peace with nature.

I've been to Guyana many times in my life, my Grandparents live there and I have many cousins who are also there. While the country over the last few decades have seen many economic and political challenges, life goes on for the people of this land.

The background picture of this blog was taken at the top of the Kaiteur waterfalls. Located in the middle of the country, it took about an hour and a half to reach via small plane. The best way to describe the falls is by comparison to another...the Niagra falls in Canada. Kaiteur is alot taller and I actually got a chance to walk in the waters of the falls. It's a majestic and beautiful thing and I feel fortunate to have been able to visit it. Now, if you're a botanist or wildlife lover, well...the flora and fauna is amazing. We were able to see the very poisonus "golden frog", such a tiny and rare creature found in only one place in the world...yep, Guyana - South America!

I can't wait for my next trip again!

Now, back to work doing what I must. Check out my web templates site as well as my barbecue grill review site.

Chris