Carnival with Pastor Prosecco

In 2015 House of Ease’s own Darren Mallett aka Pastor Prosecco went to his ancestral home of Trinidad for a life-changing Carnival experience.

These are his reflections on things to know: 

Be prepared to hear the same 5 Soca songs on the heaviest rotation. Learn to love those 5 songs. 

Sustainability, carnival is a marathon. The party won’t stop. There’s actually breakfast parties. 

Please take the time to learn how to wine. 

Street food is salvation. 

Black Label Rum = No Hangover. 

You can drink on the road. God is good.

Jumping and waving is mandatory. Yes, mandatory. 

Be prepared for strange smells in Port of Spain, accept it. 

There are no streets, only de road. 

 Know  your TT to USD conversion.

Carnival is not for tourists. Locals will carry on baaaaaaad without you. 

Fete= party, please please know that. 

There will be food at every fete. Don’t come to Trinidad for a sit-down restaurant experience. Learn how to dance and eat at the same time.

There are no strangers in this experience if someone comes up to you to wine? Wine. 

A little fog and lights go a LONG way. 

Trinidadians are champions at shit-talking. For real it’s the national past time. 

If you’re not in tip-top shape parts of your body will hurt. 

It’s easier to find liquor at carnival than water. For real. Water is hard to find. 

Coconut water as a mixer= hydration solutions.

People aren’t on their phones during a fete. Leave it at home.

This is not NYC. No barricades, no cops. Like none, they leave you alone. 

You will beg for water.

The bar is on a truck, be prepared to order and travel at the same time. 

NO one is in a bad mood. Like not a single person. 

Mas is one big photoshoot. People pay big money for their costumes. Celebrate the craftsmanship. 

These ladies wear stockings with their leotards and shorts like Beyonce. 

When you can’t wine anymore because your knees hurt… chip down de road. But stopping isn’t an option.

Taking a turn on de road is serious business.

Pepper Sauce. That is all. 

Learn the art of people watching. It’ll enhance your experience. 

Secure your headpiece. 

Trinidad carnival is serious, serious business. Be Mindful.