De Fete Chronicles

For All Things Fete And Carnival Related!

[defeteshop]

It’s Carnival!!

2/7/18

Well I'm back! It is now 2/7/18 and believe me I do not have an ounce of writer's block going on, considering it is carnival week in Trinidad and Tobago! This is the week when, as the Trinis living in Trinidad like to say, all the "foreigners" start gracing the shores of the island. The airlines are typically at capacity every day this week on any flight headed to POS (Trinidad’s airport code). There are several parties happening from morning to night this entire week and those headed to Trinidad (yes De Fete Shop will be there!) are ecstatic while those who couldn't go to Trinidad Carnival this year, start feeling a serious case of Carnival Tabanca (the carnival blues in other words).

If you didn’t already know, this is a cycle that happens every year but for the unfortunate lads, there is always next year right? All Inclusive parties, Cooler Parties, Drinks Inclusive Parties, House Parties, Carnival Shows, Boatrides, any possible type of party that can be thrown, will be held this week. Promoters, DJs, Taxi Drivers, Carnival Feters/Partygoers, Masqueraders, Spectators, Airport Staff, Rental Car Staff, everyone in Trinidad is busy and will continue to be this week into early next week. The country is thrown into a trance of pure excitement and constant glee (maybe you can hear it in the tone of this blog).

I sure do hope you met your exercise goal for Trinidad Carnival 2018 but if not, depending on your level of activity this week, the amount of jumping, wining, waving and walking to and from fetes you do, you are guaranteed to send your body into a state of shock for the next week. If you still monitor what you eat in Trinidad (impossible with all that good food!) you should be able to maintain or even shed some pounds. Note that this will probably only happen when Carnival is over.....but minor details. For now, I'm signing off. De Fete Shop has some orders to fulfill in Trinidad and will be back next week to get some more inventory in for Jamaica Carnival 2018!  

[defeteshop]

De Carnival Cycle Begins

Welcome to De Fete Chronicles!

It’s that time of year again. That annoying cold weather (my opinion of course) is here to stay for a while if you live in the U.S. or Canada.

 It’s also the time when feters start to think about what’s just around the corner;

THE mecca of all Carnivals (some would say….. I would say)

THE reason to kick-start or intensify exercise and diet regimes

THE time to tune in to local Caribbean radio stations as they play more of the new soca being released daily

THE time to do a daily check of flight prices from your city to POS, if you haven’t already purchased your ticket

THE time to start a discussion about the fete schedule, as early bird tickets to some of the annually sold out events are released

THE time to think about…TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO CARNIVAL 2018!

Okay you get the gist of THE dramatics above. Now that most of the popular worldwide Caribbean Carnivals are done for 2017, it’s time for what I call “The Carnival Cycle” to commence once again.

 It begins right about now as the temperature drops and the mood changes. Personally, I tend to hibernate more at this time of year and I am picky about the events I choose to attend since I can no longer throw on some shorts and sandals and head out the door. The problem is of course, I also get less active as a consequence.

Then there’s Thanksgiving….sigh.

Generally not a holiday celebrated if you grew up in the Caribbean of course, but if you now live in the U.S. like I do…..well why not? It’s an excuse to eat copious amounts of food because everyone else is.

Well people let’s remind ourselves that the season (the time period between December 26th when soca starts blazing, to the actual Carnival) is short. Trinidad and Tobago Carnival 2018 is on February 12th and 13th 2018, which gives us approximately 2.5 months to get it together. So let’s get it together!!

Thanksgiving Goals: Let’s limit ourselves to one plate (no seconds) and a small piece of dessert - limit the carbs as much as possible. Alcohol? Yes please! I suppose we can limit that consumption as well. 

Oh and don’t forget to check out De Fete Shop for all those outfits you’ll have to eventually fit into!