Trinidad & Tobago - Hello to everyone in When Steel Talks,
So
I got in on the 12th of January, at
night time. I was very disoriented
during my car ride into town, but I also
was surprised at how close different
areas are to one another. I read about
different suburbs or cities and assumed
they would be more separated, and
further apart. I am blown away at the
plants and sounds of the area in which
I'm staying. Also, I am still very aware
of the fact that being a foreigner means
people assume you do not know much about
the island and pan. I can see this being
both a good thing in terms of getting
history explanations, but a bad thing in
most others. I also feel uncomfortable
anywhere while in town.
Food-wise, I'm in very
good hands in Trinidad! I was warned
that the pepper sauce should be avoided,
but as a spice fanatic I had some the
first night I arrived. WOW! It's very
good stuff. Thus far, I've had wonderful
home made Pelau, Pone, Macaroni Pie, and
amazing Callaloo, stewed chicken,
macaroni salad, and Sorrel. I've also
had doubles and a saltfish sandwich
from St. James. Wonderful stuff.
Starlift Steel Orchestra's Panyard
I am blown away at the
difference of playing in steelbands in
Trinidad and playing in bands in
Indiana! First of all, the stage side
players in Starlift are VERY good, and
very willing to help out. The players
who I think struggle with learning the
piece, at least they retain information
much more easily than panists I've
worked with and taught back home. Plus
even with the small number of panists
coming to rehearse right now, the
experience is so different. It may be
playing outside, it probably has
something to do with the ability of the
players, but I've never FELT pan like I
feel it when we rehearse! I have been
here a number of days now, and already I
have learned a lot in terms of my
technique. But I also notice pans are
not as protected as in the States.
Players mute notes (press the stick into
the surface) whenever they are teaching
parts to others, and they are not afraid
to bark notes at all! Also for you lead
players, be ready to play on a D lead,
because low C's are hard to come by...
I can say that the more
people know about my drive and passion
about pan, the more seriously they are
taking me, which I appreciate. I have a
lot of people who I will be talking to
about history, culture, and many
different things to improve my ability
to help back home. Very soon I will
begin my work in those areas. Until then
I am mainly focusing on getting the few
holes I have in the arrangement.
The last things I have
noticed: I am surprised at the amount of
Jamaican culture present in Trinidad.
For a land of Calypso, there is an awful
lot of reggae on the radio, murals of
Marley and Rasta images, etc. Also
driving is crazy in Trinidad! Other than
the driving on the other side of the
street, with right-side driving, the
roads are narrow, windy, often in
somewhat beat up condition, and people
do whatever they want basically... The
northern range, or what I've seen, is
very beautiful, and I can't wait to see
more of the natural beauty of this
island.
That's all I have really
for now, but I will continue to update
this discussion. Thanks all,