Trinidad, the place of my birth

For Cakes and Crunchy, and everyone else curious about growing up in Trinidad… and Tobago.

First let me say that Tobago is a small island of the coast of Trinidad (and Chowder… I don’t think there is too much animosity, although politics is clearly not my area of expertise), and it is the most beautiful place that I have ever been, not that I am so well-traveled or anything, but there is something very special about Tobago and as I covered before, I am a tad bit obsessed with water
The best thing about Tobago is called the Nylon Pool, and it’s a shallow bit of water that’s way out in the ocean! It’s totally amazing to me!

The Trinidad that I know and love only exists in my mind, the Trinidad of today is a much different place than when I grew up there, and it’s sad to say that I really don’t feel like it’s my home anymore.

My grandparents lived with us until I was about 11 years old, they had dogs, which were kept outside in ‘kennels’ and let out at night to serve and protect. While they were outside in the garden everyday taking care of the plants and fruit trees, my sister and I would play ‘tea party’ and other such girly games using coconut shells as pots, and flower petals as food!

We didn’t go to the beach every week because the beach was actually quite far from us and my mom really hated the beach! My uncle had a beach house on a tiny, tiny island off the coast of Trinidad and we did go there a couple times for the year, it was my most favorite place EVER! If I could choose to live anywhere, I would choose that tiny island, I loved it that much! There was a little boat that took us to the island, and once there we had to walk because cars weren’t allowed, but it was a beautiful, wonderful walk, up to the very top of a hill to get to the house. (Before you go planning any vacations… things are sadly not that lovely anymore)

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I went to a Hindu primary school, I believe because it was the school that the Indian kids went to! Oh, how I wish I was kidding about that! But sadly, 99% of the students were Indian, and 1% ‘other’, at least that’s how it was back in the ’80s when I was there. I was quite a dork in school, and had 1 friend for most of the years I spent there, although later in life some of those childhood classmates became my closest friends.

I went to an all girls Christian high school, because it was one of the best high schools at the time. The school was much like a prison… we had uniforms, a guard posted at the gate, a big fence around the whole property, and pretty strict policies and teachers! But it was still lots of fun! I was not popular at all in school, but my friends were great, in many ways I am the person I am because of these people. And although it’s a struggle to stay in touch, I still treasure the memories we shared.

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My family in Trinidad is huge! So huge that my grandma (mother’s mother) has about 35+ great grand children! It was wonderful having so many relatives, family gatherings were tons of fun. My sister and I were very close to our cousins, and since our parents were very protective of us, we were only allowed to lime (hang out) with our cousins! But, it was actually fine because it was a blast! I had the most “funnest” times of my life with them, and even now that most of us are married, and some of us have kids, if you get us all together, there is no stopping the laughter!

Disclaimer: none of this photos are mine, sorry I didn’t have time to look through all my photos… I will at some point though.

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Thoughts from Suroor

WOW! I loved your story and have fallen in love with your birth place. Your childhood seems fun-filled! Are your parents still in Trinadad?

Thoughts from Yemi

Wow.  Thanks for the insight!  do you still keep in touch with your huge family back there?  they sound fun:)

Thoughts from shaz

thanks Suroor I moved here with my mom and stepdad when I was 18. My mom is my babysitter! And of course my sisters… I don’t think I could handle living away from my mom. My dad actually just moved back to trinidad with his family.

Yemi, we do still keep in touch, we are a close knit family! I’ve only been back to trinidad twice in the past 10 years, but a lot of our family come here to visit, and a few moved up here so it’s kinda nice!

Thoughts from Tasmiya

Thank you for sharing! It’s so interesting to read about other places and Suroor is right, your childhood sounds idyllic.

Thoughts from Parenting

Hello Shaz,

Your story refreshed my childhood…what a feeling… well I am not from Trinidad but memories are the same…thank you for sharing your story…

Thoughts from Maliha

Salamaat Shaz,

You are freaking me out. Maybe its island life too…i went to a hindu primary school and a catholic high school too! and hung out with tonnes of cousins/uncles/aunties etc… are you sure we are not some long lost twins or something?

Thoughts from ummy

sounds beautiful. my parents have been to Trinidad, & i have a friend there,who ive never met,email each other. hope to visit one day

Thoughts from shaz

Tasmiya, I don’t know about idyllic, but it was nice!

Welcome Parenting! Maybe it’s just because it was a simpler time back then.

omg Maliha! so funny! maybe it is island life!!

Hi ummy! It is very beautiful, but there are so many things troubling the country right now, it’s very sad.

Thoughts from Cakes

oh Shaz!

It sounds so lovely.  Thank you for such a personal post. How strange it must be to live somewhere so different from where you grew up.  Was it hard adjusting? Have you adjusted?

Did you meet Mousehunter in Canada? Is he an islander, too? Am I asking too many questions?

Well, one thing we for sure have in common. I was raised among lots of family, as well. Big Irish Catholic family. I can’t wait to see them all again this summer. at a beach, no less.

must go catch up with you and all your boys…

Thoughts from shaz

Cakes, welcome back!

well, in a lot of ways Trinidad is just like anywhere in North America, and we had traveled quite a bit before actually moving here, so it was not a big change in terms of lifestyle, but it was hard to not have family and friends close by! It was very lonely and somewhat depressing, but now that I have my own family here, it’s feels like home!

Mousehunter’s parents are from India. He was born here in Canada though, although sometimes he behaves more Trini than me!!

Ask any questions you like!!

Thoughts from Cakes

funny. I’m totally fixated on the weather and how different that must be! probably not alot of hockey in Trinidad?

It’s amazing how our sense of home shifts once we have our own children…

Thoughts from shaz

>It’s amazing how our sense of home shifts once we have our own children…

YES!!!! And that’s true even for the weather! I used to <span class="caps">HATE</span> the cold, and yes, I was really depressed every winter for the first few years. Now, I look forward to it somewhat because of the kids and how much they love it!

I did not grow up with hockey, it was all cricket! And I find it so interesting that altho we aren’t really hockey fans, if asked, my kids always say they want to play hockey!!