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)
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.
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. 
