Photos: JERMAINE CRUICKSHANK , Curtis Chase, Robert Taylor, Dexter Phillip, Ishmael Salandy and Kerwin Pierre.
By: JERMAINE CRUICKSHANK
We at Xvibes do things a little different, as we prefer to comment on things we witness and experience ourselves rather than second hand. As the sun set on yet another Carnival, those who came have begun to return to their busy work schedules. For some, there is little or no rest as they begin their tours of duty in continuing to spread the word “Soca” to the world. While others were vainglorious achievers, successful with a Thanos-like obsession in collecting infinity stones to place in the gauntlet, the true victory was in the experience. Spirit Mas proved once again that they continue to set the pace by leaps and bounds not just with their attention to detail and hospitality to masqueraders and visitors, but also an after party to bring a climax to your Carnival experience. Be it a hot meal on arrival or non-stop spirits, they are poised to continue with success.
Taking nothing away from other bands that are also hospitable but hospitality with boundaries is something that must be addressed. A note to some of them: it’s either you are being hospitable or not. For example, if I wrote a photo caption and said, “This celebrity played mas in a popular band Trinidad for Carnival,” and I didn’t put the band’s name or section, how would you feel? That aside, it was a great Carnival. History was made. Bunji Garlin reminded us that with the power of the people, nothing is impossible, and Voice taught us that the simple things in life can make us happy for who we are we simply “Women and Rum,” we “Cyah Behave Weself.”
