This is a continuation of my last blog. I have more tips and didn’t want to overwhelm you in one blog. If you didn’t read part one, go back and read it before starting this… I’ll wait 🙃
7. BE PREPARED: We hope our experience is smooth and what we asked for is what got, but that’s simply not always the case. Immediately after I purchase a costume, I look for a bathing suit or body suit similar to my costume. I take this, along with jewels and a glue gun just in case the person who made my costume thought my measurements were more of a suggestion than reality. I absolutely had a costume where my friend had to sew it (yes she had a whole entire sewing machine) to make it in resemble the monokini I ordered instead of the two piece I got. Take backup tights. Many mishaps happen with long nails and leg pieces. Have makeup and watch some YouTube videos on carnival looks. I have seen MUAs overbook or not be as skilled as their photos would have you believe. I once had a MUA who simply didn’t do makeup well on dark skin. He didn’t even have a foundation to match my skintone. In this age of Fenty with all 40 of its glorious shades, you’d think he could have found or mixed a color to match me. 🤷🏿♀️ Take something to wrap a sore ankle or knee especially if you’ve had pass issues. Bottom line is I have never ever NEVER regretted being over prepared, even if I didn’t use the items.
8. DO NOT PLAY JOUVER’T IF YOU DON’T LIKE GETTING DIRTY: “Cyah play mas if yuh fraid powder.” It’s not called dutty mas for nothing. You’ll be covered in paint, mud, powder, oil, water and possibly chocolate. If you are too clean, it’s not uncommon for someone to throw something at you or even hug you to get you dutty. Wear clothing and shoes that you’re ok with throwing away. Cover your hair with scarves, shower caps or a swim cap. I don’t care how dignified you are, you’re not leaving Jouver’t clean. Don’t even be a spectator if you want to stay clean.
9. DON’T EXPECT TO SLEEP: You’ll sleep well two times during carnival; the plane ride coming and the plane ride leaving. There are multiple fetes daily. Breakfast fetes, day fetes, night time fetes and fetes that literally go from night until the sun comes up. Take vitamins, B12 supplements and energy drinks or even pre workout. You absolutely don’t have to and can’t do every fete. However you’re probably going to try.🤪 My bonus tip here is to ask about the fetes and look at videos of them in the past. An all inclusive fete can run $150 and opulent fetes can be $350 (yes USD). So you don’t need to be in the corner nodding out or not have fun.
10. FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH SOCA: Don’t expect to hear much of anything else. As I mentioned previously, I knew no soca music before my first carnival. I didn’t dislike soca, I just didn’t know the genre. Also whatever the hot song is that year, know you’ll hear it in your sleep…literally… I stopped counting after Like Ah Boss played the 13th time at a fete. In 2015 I went to sleep with Like Ah Boss being the last thing I heard and woke up to it being the first thing I heard. This year it was Savannah Grass and many bands, including my own, crossed the stage to it. I saw someone say liking soca wasn’t mandatory, but I disagree. The chune sets the tone and vibes. I mean if you’d never heard Run Wid It, you’d think people were mad picking up anything (including other people) to run with.
11. 🗣 LADIES WATCH YOUR CALENDAR: Being on the road in an all white costume is NOT the time to realize Aunt Flo is visiting. I’ve witnessed this very scenario in real life. You need to plan accordingly with whatever you use. I use cups which allow more freedom. But plan accordingly. Bathrooms aren’t going to be plentiful.
12. SELECT A WINNING TEAM. Just like any other trip, the company you keep can play a huge role. I absolutely did not vibe with or care for the people I went with to my first carnival and it played a role in not being a good time for me. Make sure the persons you’re going with have a love for carnival and that you get along in general. You’re not going to spend every waking moment together, but enough time that bad energy can spread. Also know that mas virgins are a lot. LIKE A LOT. I know because I was one and I went to Caribana with four. Because my first experience wasn’t great and the Scorpio in me needs everything planned well, I became exhausted trying to be sure they had a good experience. I looked up the rooms, fetes, bands, contacted the section leaders on their behalf, set up payment arrangements, etc. That became taxing after a while. Find your core carnival crew and try to stick together. Also don’t be afraid to go alone. You’ll meet friends on the road.
14. LEAVE YOUR INHIBITIONS AT HOME: Seriously. Had I known this before my first carnival, I could have saved myself a lot of worrying. We just want good vibes, good music, good drinks and great waistlines. No one truly in the spirit of carnival cares about your color, size, background, socioeconomic status any of the other things that we use to judge people on a daily basis. Just let go and have a time!
BONUS: THINGS THAT BELONG IN YOUR FANNY PACK OR BACKPACK: Sunscreen (argue with yourself🤷🏿♀️), sunglasses (really belong on your face but I know some of you must show those lashes you had applied🙄), wetwipes, hand sanitizer, tissue, a cloth for sweat, your cup/water bottle, cash, pain relievers, identification, insurance card, make up for touch ups, portable chargers, and your friends numbers written down in case your battery dies.
I hope these tips help you as you prepare for your first mas. Feel free to comment and share.😂
Fluffy Carnival Gyal 