My First Trini Christmas

I had the great pleasure of celebrating Christmas in Trinidad! My family had planned this for about a year, so as we got closer to Christmas time, excitement rose. This would be my first time being in a warmer climate for Christmas as I am so used to celebrating in cold New Jersey. 

This trip was also a little more emotional for me than usual. A week before me and my siblings left for Trinidad, our grandmother(my dad’s mother) passed away. What made this sad is it was totally unexpected, but also, we would not get to celebrate with her. I remember tears started to roll down my face as soon as the plane landed in Trinidad, knowing that this trip would be a little different from what we have grown so used to. 

My grandma’s service was the same day as our flight, so as soon as we landed, my uncle picked us up and rushed us to her service. We made it right before the end, were able to say our goodbyes, and then went to the cemetery. I remember feeling mixed emotions as the men dug up dirt, placed her coffin in the hole, and started to fill it up. The sky was getting darker, people were singing hymns, and I couldn’t help but wish I could have a final conversation with her. In spite of that, I was so happy that my grandma lived a very long, fulfilling life (94 years), and while I wish she could be with us a little longer, I know she also was growing older, and with that comes the aging process. I had a peace that we got to spend so much of our lives with her. Not seeing her in her house will be weird, emotional, and an adjustment, but her legacy lives through all of us. 

Let’s talk about some of the highlights of this little trip.

On Christmas Eve, me, my dad, and brother went to Moruga Beach! I told my dad “This totally beats being in New Jersey.” He agreed. Moruga is not my favorite beach, but I still like it. We have been going there since childhood. The water is very warm, and the views are beautiful. On this same day, I consumed THREE doubles (don’t judge me) but I was living my best life (LOL).

On Christmas day, we had Christmas dinner at my grandma’s house. Then we went house hopping to two other relatives’ houses. In Trinidad, it is common for people to go from house to house, eat, bring gifts and sweets, chat for a little, and then move on to the next house. It is called paranging. We did the same on boxing day. When I tell you, I probably gained like 10 pounds from the delicious food I consumed. It was a time. Food from both days consists of fried rice, macaroni pie, duck, , lamb, gouti, bussup-shut roti, bbq chicken, ham, black cake, pone, sweet bread, poncho de crème(drink) and LOTS of my mama’s famous sponge cake (I TORE THAT UP😛)

Something cool that also happened on this day was that a loud truck was blasting Parang music, and stopped at different locations to hand out presents to children. At one point, it stopped in front of my grandma’s house. There were two men dressed up like the Grinch and other people dressed up in their holiday colors. It was beautiful seeing that. I went outside and started dancing to the parang and totally soaked in the moment.

We took a beach day to Macqueripe bay on the Wednesday after Christmas, and had lunch at U-Pick Farm, not too far from the beach. The food was great. I had a burger with fries and watermelon and mint juice.

The water at Macqueripe Bay was so refreshing and beautiful. I could totally get used to going to warmer countries for Christmas!

This wasn’t a long trip as my flight was on Friday, so for the remainder of the trip, I just hung out with family and took it easy. I enjoyed spending time with my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. It was nice seeing everyone and I could not help but reminisce of all the beautiful memories we share. I love how God knows how to bring us all together.

 Unfortunately, I got sick the day before I left. Not sure where it came from, but I had a migraine, stuffy nose, and a cough. 

It went away after about two days but boy did it take me down, HAHA. Anyways, this was my first Trini Christmas, but for sure not my last. I look forward to the many trips to come. Love you my sweet Trinidad. 

Thanks for reading!