UnPlanned Trip to Trinidad

I have been enjoying my summer off (perks of being a teacher). After the school year, I recall feeling mentally exhausted and ready for a reset. It has been a relief to relax, rest and focus on me. I feel like I’ve barely been home as so much has been happening. In the beginning of July, my family and I spent about 2 weeks in Italy, which I will make a separate post about.  

Two days before our trip was about to end, we received the news of my grandfather’s passing. My grandfather was 93 years old, and was said to not be eating, and sleeping excessively. Those are usually signs that death is near. As much as we did not want to believe that his time was coming, the inevitable cycle of life took its course. What did that mean? 

We would have to book our flights to Trinidad to lay our dear grandfather to rest. There is so much to say about my grandfather, which is why I will dedicate a post to him. To keep it short and sweet, my grandfather was fiercely loved by his children and grandchildren. He was so unique and full of life. He was always who I looked forward to seeing when visiting Trinidad for vacation, so this trip was extremely emotional for me. 

I had about three days at home after returning from Italy, and then we were off to Trinidad. Even though the occasion was sad, I was still happy to be going to Trinidad. Most of my cousins, aunts, and uncles would be flying into Trinidad as well, so it was such a delight to have us all together. 

I remember my first day upon entering my grandmother’s house, I tried to hold it together, but eventually broke down. It was my first time coming to Trinidad WITHOUT my grandfather. I looked into his room and could not help but cry. The house just had an emptiness/ missing element, and it was not the same. 

I felt better as more of my family members arrived. We would recall memories of our grandfather with laughter and joy. 

In Trinidad, families hold wakes for their dead. A wake is a little gathering with family and friends to honor the deceased and provide support for the family of the deceased. A huge amount of people sent us food and goodies such as sweet bread, cheese paste sandwiches, cheese puffs, cakes, pholourie and so much more. We had 2 wakes for my grandfather. 

The wakes were located in the backyard. We had a tent and chairs for people to sit. The service started with praise and worship, preaching, and then fellowship and food. While the service was going on, my mom, aunts and cousins were in the kitchen preparing the food. We eventually served food and fellowshipped with others. A nice treat on night #1 was my cousin brought her parang band, so sweet parang was playing in the backyard. It was such a beautiful touch. 

On the day of the funeral, I was a wreck. I cried a great deal as did my family. My mother did the heart-warming eulogy in which she practiced 1 million times because she wanted it to be perfect, as a beautiful slide-show of pictures of my grandfather was displayed on the over-head screen. I have to say the service was perfect down to the preaching, singing, eulogy, and care that was taken over my grandfather: he looked so good and at peace, which gave us peace. Also, knowing that he is with God and we will reunite brought peace too. 

Once the funeral activities were over, my family members all left at different times to head back home, but my parents and I stayed for a little while longer. I still enjoyed my time in Trinidad, which my grandfather would have encouraged and wanted us to! He was always ready to go on an adventure, and could not stay still for the life of him. Here is some of what I did.

Doubles as soon as we arrived in Trinidad, right outside Piarco airport. It was so YUMMY.

My cousins and I went to a place called Offside in San Fernando, Trinidad. Great music and the food was not bad. I had a rum punch with some wings. I had a great time dancing to Soca and other types of music with my cousins: it was such a VIBE.

Pool lime with my family. BBQ chicken, potato salad, and fried rice with a mimosa by the pool. I swam with my cousins, then we danced to music. It was such a beautiful night. 

I took a beach trip to Clifton Hill Beach. If I am being honest, it is not my favorite beach, but it was still nice. I was with my dad and uncles. While in the water, it was raining, and what was so cool is when we were in the water, we saw it raining on other parts of the beach, but it did not reach us yet, so it was cool to see when the rain eventually made its way to us. There is a restaurant near this beach called D Neighborhood Grill and Bar, and the food is no lie, AMAZING. I had a burger with fries, while the men ordered Chinese food. It was nice and breezy, and calypso music was playing.

We took a hike on Lady Chancellor hills, where there are views of Port-of-Spain, the capital of Trinidad. The hike was not too bad. It lasted about an hour. The views made it very worth it. After hiking, we went by the Savannah, where vendors sell different types of food such as doubles, gyros, jerk and bbq chicken, corn soup, fruit juices, sweets, and so much more. I got BBQ chicken, macaroni salad, and salad.

I took a beach trip to Las Cuevas beach: my FAVE beach. On the drive to Las Cuevas, you will pass the Maracas Bay lookout. There is a beautiful view of the ocean and goodies for you to buy!

I have to say, this was the perfect beach day. The views are magnificent and one thing about trini’s: rain does not stop us from bathing in the ocean. While bathing in the ocean, it was raining on and off, and I watched people playing soccer and cricket on the sand. The water was so cool and clear. Probably my favorite day. Then we got some bake and shark by Maracas Bay. I have to be honest. I was a little disappointed as it was not as good as I anticipated or how I knew it to be in the past. Usually this is a must try when in Trinidad, but you just have to find the right spot. 😦

The rest of this trip was spent relaxing and spending time with family, in which I enjoyed. 

Trinidad without my grandfather will never be the same but I still feel him very strongly, and have peace that he is in a much better place, and will not have to suffer anymore. I honor his legacy by LIVING and ENJOYING life, just the way he did. Though this trip has a sad purpose and it was intensely emotional, it also ended up being a refreshing, loving, and enjoyable time, which is what my grandfather always lived for and represented.

Stay tuned for my tribute post to my late grandfather. ❤