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One night last week I heard the "Minister of Health" say there was no dengue outbreak. I have gotten dengue twice. I have not gone to a hospital, so how could his Ministry know if there is an outbreak or not. Twelve people have gotten dengue, yet this "Minister" proclaims his Ministry has everything under control. There was a time you could see the Ministry spraying around neighbourhoods, but now they are too busy feteing to do their job. |
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I had to stop to let them out because they were blocking my entrance into Rookery Nook. I shouted out of my car window to them, "You know what you are doing is illegal," to which one replied, "Well everyone is doing it..." |
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You would expect senior citizens to be more law-abiding, as they would have experienced Trinidad when it was blessed with communal life, when a village raised a child and we were one. I realise that this is not so anymore; it is every man for himself. I am going to get mine and to hell with whomever gets in my way. |
The politicians are not unique, they come from the same system that put them there: mediocrity. If accountability for actions is EVER instituted in T&T then and only then will this place be a nice place to live. Given the mentality from high to low, it is not going to happen anytime soon.
I wanted to read this thread, as there is a possibility that I may be moving to Trinidad for about a year. Having just returned myself from a 16 day holiday I am aware of the dangers.
I get alot of mixed messages from different people. For instance, If I went solely on information in this thread I doubt I would even consider going on holiday in Trinidad let alone living there.
While I was in Trinidad I kept my mouth shut in alot of situations which at home in England I would of had a confrontation, I did this knowing that I was a foreigner and bringing even more unwanted attention to myself would be unwise.
I think that as a white guy in a country like this people do see me and assume I am rich, even when dressed in short and tshirts, which is a problem.
Another bad thing about living there, besides the crime is that people cant seem to keep their mouths shut, which is annoying. The difference in England is that everyone keeps themselves to themselves most of the time but in Trinidad it seems most people have a big mouth. Ok so call me a unsociable *****.
So I'm thinking at the moment a year out to live there would be a nice experience but I am doubting after that I would be staying any longer. I am unsure If I do go weather or not to work. I did think of doing a driving job, but this is most likely very unsafe.
English, one thing I will give you - you are observant. A lot of people come here and are taken up with the vice, food and drink, but I see that you have caught on to what is the root of the culture.
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Another bad thing about living there, besides the crime is that people cant seem to keep their mouths shut, which is annoying. |
On CNC 3 news tonight, the Police Commissioner released a statement, reassuring the public that there was no need to be worry about crime while playing mas. He emphasized that people should be able to enjoy Carnival because the police would be patrolling heavily during those two days. Uhh... What about the rest of the citizens in this country who are not participating in mas? Don't we deserve protection too? After hearing this statement, I am wondering why isn't there a heavy police presence in this country throughout the year? What is so special about Carnival that brings the police out in large numbers and they seem to disappear for the rest of the year?
I thought you would have known the answer to that Geenie - the answer is money. If Carnival is to continue to be a viable economic presence then they have to assure that tourists return to their homes with 'good news' and 'good experiences' about Trinidad. As for the rest of us, we have to rot here everyday so we are not important. Funny enough I was watching that same announcement and got sick of it and turned it off.
I shook my head very sadly after reading your post JB. You are absolutely right! I was very upset after hearing the report that I did not even think about the money aspect and looking after the tourists' needs by ensuring that they are safe, in this country. Whatever happened to looking after your own people first? It is almost as if the locals are all invisible to the government! Edited: Geenie on 3rd Feb, 2008 - 2:36am
On CNC3 news last night, I was listening to a disgruntled man by the name of Anthony Guerra, who complained bitterly to the media, about the poor service he received from the mas camp. He was instructed to come for his costume at about 2 pm and it was not finished. When he had the opportunity to see the costume, he noticed it was different from the one he requested. He angrily asked the people at the mas camp if his costume was similar to what was in the picture. One person grudgingly admitted that it was not. He went on to explain to the disgruntled masquerader that the costume that he had ordered was all sold out; so they decided to make another costume for him from a different section. WOW! One lady described the situation as inevitable since with Carnival, there is always a lot of bacchanal.
Here is some food for thought:
1) I will never understand why people insist on spending thousands of dollars, to use a costume for two days and then discard it.
2) If you ordered a particular costume and it is no longer available, then the onus is on the mas camp, to inform the customer and offer him another costume for the same price. I think it is rather bold and unscrupulous to keep the customer's money and place him in another section, without notifying him.
3) If you are the customer and you have realised that the costume that you ordered and paid for is not the same, then demand to know what happened. If the costume designers admit that all the costumes were sold out and they decided to make another costume for you, from another section of the band, then you should demand for a full refund! Don't just accept it because you desperately want to play mas the following day.
4) And finally, take a mental note of the band that unscrupulously kept your money and remember not to play with that band, the following year. It would be prudent to go with a more reputable band! Or you can spend your money on something more worthwhile, like a trip to Tobago!