One Nation

I had the pleasure of attending the launch of the documentary ' Deep Sea Wonders of the Caribbean' at the IMAX Cinema this morning. I became involved in 2013 when the local Marine Scientist Dr. Judith Gobin approached me as the then Min of Transport for help in getting past the bureaucracy in having the exploration vessel EV Nautilus to operate in our waters to conduct exploration in the deep sea. The result of course was amazing with all kinds of new species and discoveries made. Dr Gobin was part of the research team which included another famous local scientist, Dr. Diva Amon. Imagine the talent we have on the Rock! If you do not know what a Methane Seep is then you need to immediately go to https://youtube.com/niherst and view the video. NIHERST played a major part in having the 5 part documentary series produced. Of course there were main sponsors who did their part. It gives one a real good feel to see what we can produce whether it is research or development in differ...

Today was no different. We had the whole gang here for lunch, as usual, we are extremely fortunate to have children and grandchildren nearly every Sunday. The kitchen goes crazy, the cousins flying low, ole talk and picong, probably about three minutes of serious conversation, the best! The entire meal was grown and produced right here on the Rock. OK, the vino was imported, can't get used to Pomerac wine as yet! The Rock continues to amaze! Spy versus Spy! Planes, ships, men in trench coats, ladies smoking cigarettes through a slender tube made of silver or jade, code names like 'Cuffie' being used. What the hell is going on? Reports of a terrorist plot, people detained, the wrong house being searched by the police, nothing, absolutely nothing found to suggest a terror plot, yet the Rock is under a terror watch.  Reports of a foreign spy plane flying around Chaguanas, probably searching for the best doubles man. A foreign spy ship docking at Port of Spain and restockin...

We ran away for a couple days to the Crescent City. It reminds me a lot of our own Port of Spain. A huge mix of culture, some parts a little grimy, homeless people, nice quiet streets, fabulous food, art, music, laid back. When I see what they have done to attract tourists which in turn creates an economy   employment and opportunities for young people, I realise Port of Spain has all the ingredients.  The Crescent City is at the edge of a huge wetland, suffered the worst hurricane in modern history and yet still what is shown to the public is something very different. Port of Spain could actually set out a plan to rebuild itself creating one of the best cities this side of New Orleans. I have already spoken about my 'City Project' which would actually be a rebuilding of not only Port of Spain but San Fernando and Arima. Our cities are dumps. We have allowed mediocrity and laziness to creep in to our psyche and the result is a broken city, badly maintained, zero finesse in...

We always hear the garbage truck before we actually see it. Brakes hissing, the compactor compacting, noisy engine. As I heard it I go outside to see if there are any bags to put out and approaching our gate the collection guy walks up saying " morning, nutten today, is alright we coming back Friday'. It is these simple daily exchanges that proves that all is not lost. It is the greeting by the lady in the pop up bar on the corner of Carlos St and the Avenue, 'aye is ah whole year ah eh see you, same ting'. And throughout the two day bacchanal one would experience kindness and Trini's being exactly that, Trini's. So why do we then have the ugly side? We enjoyed our Carnival days. We are in a routine that works well for us, nothing to drain us and cause us not to enjoy all of it. I play Jouvert with the same steelband every year seeing the same people, probably with the same old talk. We are all aging at the same time so it makes no difference. Then comes th...

Sitting here on Carnival Sunday writing this blog with heavy soca playing in the background. My Carnival weekend actually starts on the Saturday morning going to the Kiddies Carnival at the Savannah. Yesterday we had three of the four grans at the parade. It is a wonderful outing with thousands of kids, parents, visitors, some for the first time. Part of our Carnival is in good hands. I am still having issues with the depiction and history of the Canboulay. The Soca Monarch has headed in a direction of serious mediocrity. So I start with the Kiddies Carnival followed that evening by the Panorama Finals. I must admit that I do not go into the stands as a true spectator but opt for the much more interactive 'drag'. There must be another way where the only incentive is not the prize money. The Kiddies Carnival is not for the money, pan, not so much even though I think that a lot of the support is the sheer love of the instrument. Are young people supporting the Carnival? Wit...

This year we may very well have a repeat of Lord Kitchener's 'Rain-O-rama' for the road march. We are 7 days into February and it has not stopped raining. I know we have had so-called dry seasons with fair amounts of rain just like I remember a period where we did not have Petit Careme for a number of years straight. Then there was a Carnival when there were music trucks stuck in the mud in the Savannah and being on Independence Sq sheltering from a deluge. Many times we get a good sprinkle for Jouvert, seeing pan players draining tenor pans every now and again, so we shall see what happens. Somehow I don't think it will affect the Carnival children because rain does not stop play. I see a notice in today's media that between the TTPS and the CDA Police traffic is to be monitored along the Western Mn Rd into Chaguaramas from tomorrow, Thursday 6th. This is with a view to ease the gridlock experienced not only by the partygoers but more importantly the citizens w...

Well, mission accomplished! I am the proud recipient of an old persons driving permit. It was a seamless, effortless transaction. What is going on with our public service, it is working like a zwill. I was in and out in less than 30 minutes, the staff were the best. 'Dat is still your signature, well we have dat already so you good to go'. When I sat in front of the lady photographer she was carrying on a conversation with persons unseen  " .....he tink I could remember he, an wha he say he doh remember, only d one who looking pregnant.... I looking pregnant?" Love my Rock, political correctness has not yet arrived and I hope it never does. News coming out of Tobago today that a young boy was killed using a jet ski. We were in Tobago recently and I wrote on this blog about the situation we had experienced at Pigeon Pt with the use of multiple watercraft occupying the same space as bathers. Another fatality in Tobago, what exactly is the THA going to do? This probl...