Life on my Island
Life is a Beach
Views of Trinidad
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Thoughts of an Island Girl
I live on an island called Trinidad which is in the Caribbean. It is the larger island of our twin island republic - Trinidad and Tobago. I case you still have no clue where we are, get a world map, look just off the tip of Venezuela..and bingo..you have found us. We are actually only about 7 nautical miles from Venezuela. On a clear day I could see the mountains of Venezuela from the porch of the house I grew up in.
I was born in Trinidad and feel very blessed to be a Trinidadian. My mum is a second generation Trinidadian, my father was from Guyana. My mum's mother was born in Barbados and my mother's Grandfather was an Anglican Reverend who came to Trinidad from England to run the Anglican church in Toco. My Dad's father was born in Guyana and his mother was born in Suriname and grew up speaking dutch. As you can see, I come from a real melting pot of cultures! And that is what Trinidad is like - it is a place of great diversity. A little island populated by people who came from all over the world and found a home here. We have many races and creeds all living together in harmony. We celebrate each others' festivals, respect each others' religions and take pride in the fact that this land has birthed many creative and talented people. Where else in the world can you find Africans lighting deyas for Divali, or Hindus putting up Christmas trees and celebrating Christmas, or Syrians out in the streets to see the wonderful Hosay processions the Muslims have,or Chinese people enjoying a good curry with their Indian friends?
We have carnival, calypso, steel band, the most amazing and delicious array of food you will probably ever find, lovely beaches, bustling cities, quiet country areas and music that moves your feet and stirs the soul. We have warmth - and not just from the sun. Visit our country and you are sure to make a friend within moments of landing who is only too eager to introduce you to "Richard's shark and bake" at Maracas or a good old fashioned Trini Lime at their home. "Liming" is Trini slang for hanging out with your friends and having a good time. Something we do well! A Trini can make any event an occasion to remember.
Trini's love to laugh. And we love to poke fun at each other. From very young you learn how to be on the giving and receiving end of a joke and take it all in stride. A walk down a street on any given day (as long as you can catch our sing song accent and learn a couple local words) can literally have you doubled over in stitches laughing at the 'ole talk'.
Trinidad is a land of beaches, mountains, forests, temples, mosques and churches, rivers and birds, culture and art and rhythm and song. The photos I have posted are only a fragment of the many wonderful experiences you can have here. We are truly blessed as a people to have such a treasure trove of culture and beauty.
But every paradise must have its snake. In recent times I have shed tears for my beautiful country. For the few people who are growing up without morals or care. For the rise in crime and for a Government that seems to be turning a blind eye on its people. No longer is our paradise as safe as it was..but this seems to be the trend world wide. People are forgetting what it is like to be a good neighbour, to be a friend, to treasure what we have as a people. But still, I would tell you to come see for yourself that there are still many wonderful people left here who are willing to share this beautiful place with you. Our magic island.
Comments
Oh man; sounds gorgeous, gorgeous. You really bring the island to life, here -- all the different cultures and colors -- I live on an island, too, but it is one of the coastal islands off South Carolina, and is mostly surrounded by marshlands -- the whole country is flat, flat, flat, -- so I'm jealous of the Venezuelan mountains you can see in the distance! Great hub: more?
I'm with Teresa here. Until your last paragraph, this sounded like Heaven on Earth! Still sounds absolutely beautiful. The mixture of cultures and people seamlessly living together and celebrating each other's holidays..........wish that the larger community on our planet earth would be able to do the same! We could take lessons from your island.
More please!
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Yep, we are getting a lot of negative press about the upsurge in crime..but we are not alone in this phenomenon unfortunately. Trinidad still is one of the most unique places in terms of how people intermingle and share their cultures. The politicians try to divide the country on race lines to win votes, but for the most part Trinis are good, tolerant, fun loving, warm people. In fact sometimes we are too tolerant and laid back..the Government gets away with murder because most Trinis just prefer to complain or make jokes among themselves rather than stand up and fight for something. If Bush were our Prime Minister and told us we had to go off an fight a war for him somewhere we'd be like please..today is a public holiday...kick back, relax..take your shoes off. Chill out man...we 'limin'.
It sounds like a dream life on a beautiful island. Sorry about the idividuals who don't respect other people. What about the weather? Do you get hurricanes very often?
Your paintings of the island are cool. Many HUGS!!!!!
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That is yet another blessing of the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Being the most southerly of the caribbean chain and the one closest to the Equator we are a natural shelter for hurricanes as they usually track up and away from us. There is a saying on the island that "God is a Trini", and seeing that several generations of Trinis have never suffered living through a hurricane or major earthquake we believe it. God likes to lime. :-)
I'm so nvious of you living in paradise. Lovely and your painting of the boat captures it so well too. Nicely done, it's my favorite picture you have here. I must go now, but I will return to reread this and enjoy the picture again. I saved you other hub for the link on fcbk, I will have to hook up with you there later too. Have a nice holiday now, Easter. god bles again and again, charlie
Great writing...I want to go...
especially the part about laughing as you walk down the street, if you can understand people. I wanna live on an island.
Well written. I am happy for you to have lived there. It sounds so wonderful. And I agree, the pictures are beautiful, but your painting is my favorite.
You convinced me it's beautiful....good writing! Thanks! :)
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Thanks guys...any questions please feel free to ask away!
You certainly have sparked my imagination for your island and living there. My trips to the Virgin Islands and Barbados have been some of the best of my life, and I have often fantasized about pulling up my roots and just going. So...when are you expecting me?
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Swabbing the deck and rolling out the rum barrels as we speak Captain!
Beautiful Island you live in Sharrie, and this is an equally beautiful hub. Super paintings. Some of them appeared to be perfectly shot photographs!
You are right, God must be a Trini. And all of you who are lucky to be living there must have some great karma with you. Wish I can visit sometime from faraway India. I must read your history too sometime. It was amazing to see the Hindu temple and Hanuman murti in a land so far away from here.
Politicians all over the world are bad! You are lucky not to have suffered ours - they are the worst!
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Nice to meet you Jaspal and thank you for your comments. I will try to get more of the history of the Hanuman temple for you soon..it is an amazingly beautiful and moving place, even for someone like me who is not of the Hindu faith. We have many people of Indian decent on our island who came here as indentured labourers to work on the sugar cane plantations many, many years ago. When their indentureship was up most chose to remain here and build their lives. Their decision to stay has vastly enriched our culture. Goes to show you can often find a little bit of home anywhere you go. Please stop by often to learn more about our land!
Don't worry about the history Sharrie ... you've explained how the Indian culture and religon got there! I am not a Hindu either. And I really appreciate how you respect, celebrate and live with all faiths. In that respect at least, we are much the same in India.
Thank you, I will be here often to read more. Let me check out your other hubs too. :)
sharrie - thank you for this lovely little visit to your Trinidad...your painting is really good, it has style, skill and talent...i am a beach person at heart and sigh over your beautiful beach photos
You are an artist with words as well as paints. I shall go to bed early tonight just to dream of your serene island.
I'm very envious! I was raised in the coastal communities of Southern California: Long Beach, Redondo Beach, Venice, etc. I've always dreamed about relocating to someplace island-ish. I know I would love it. When I retire - that's where I'll be.
Sounds and looks beautiful. i am glad you appreciate it! Welcome to hubpages. I will read some more.
Great writing, wonderful photos - I loved it!
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Thank you! Glad you stopped by London Girl
Thanks for such wonderful description Sherrie. I live in New Delhi and proposed a job in Trinidad. Its lucrative offer. However, I am searching more n more information about trinidad and its culture before accepting the offer. Thanks. What do you say ?
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