Such a way with words

I was over in Tobago for a meeting and we were walking back to the airport (yes, the island of Tobago is that small) and came across this sign. I think it means it's really good.

B.

Optimism

Its not so bad here........I think that is a TGI Fridays at the end of that rainbow.

B.

Water water everywhere...

I do find it strange that an island in the middle of the Caribbean has a dry season (January to June). The dry season has just started and they are very concerned about a drought already..... So we have begun rationing water....no car washing, no watering the lawn and of course who's neighborhood makes it into the news? Ours. The WASA water cops were indeed giving out tickets today.

Remember I said WASA wasnt very popular, well they don't even like themselves! Nope, none of those folks are our next door neighbor.

B.

Limin' can be hazardous to your health...

I was on the way to work this week when I was held up for an hour on the highway. When I got the area near the Petrotrin Refinery, this is what I came across.... When I read the paper the next morning, this is what I came across..... Conclusion: You gotta keep your seatbelt on when you are limin'.

B.

Mas camp and pan band tour

The entire country is preparing for Carnival.

To get a better understanding of what goes on before Carnival, I went on a tour of several mas camps and pan bands.

Mas camps are the places they make (and sell) costumes. Mas is short for masquerade (I think). There are mas camps everywhere and each camp has a different theme for their costumes. This camp (MacFarland) worked with traditional themes from the original mas - muted tones telling stories from the past. Each costume would start with an artist design... and then they would make the costumes by hand using bits of fabric, paper mache, wire. They pick 12-14 costume designs and then make a large number of them to sell and then during Carnival, they will wear them together as a group. I couldnt imagine anyone wearing this costume for 8 hours in the parade. There is a big competition for the best groups who 'play mas'. The camps proudly display all the trophies they have won. MacFarland had 4 cabinets like these full of trophies.

The next camp had a different theme - it was called 'skimpy'. At the camps, they encouraged you to try the headpieces on... Carnival is for people of all ages. This lady is a retired Professor of Nursing from McMaster. She picked out her costume. It rained most of the night which resulted many of the pan bands to suspend practice but we did find a small band out practicing. It was a mix of young... and old players. They quite enjoyed practicing with 25 of us watching them. We stopped in at the Woodbrook Playboyz spot... and while they werent practicing, the boys were playing cards and watching old movies. It has been a long time since I've seen a black and white movie on a black and white TV.
We also stopped in at the Brooklyn Bar. Apparently, it is on some list of the 1000 places you should go to before you die. Make it the near the end of the list, the bartenders are protected by screens and pass your drink to you through the bars. It was a bit sketchy....but still fun.

B.

Little studio on a little island

I have heard of small wedding chapels...you know, the Vegas thing. But I cant say that I have seen a photo studio for weddings that is this small. B.

Highway to Heaven

This would be a crummy way to go to your own funeral or perhaps the hearse is on its way to its own funeral...

B.