So… this is a tough one.
When doing my research I’d kinda gotten the impression this WAS a slightly off-the-beaten path destination. That was part of the attraction, and it was the off season at that. Rough Guide had it covered so I felt good. I knew it was a good choice.
The cool thing about it is, it IS the REAL caribbean. Not an island that’s been converted to a European playground.
But I guess it wasn’t quite the adventure I expected. Asia or India excitement it’s not. Tourist friendly it’s not. That’s ok if you’re ready for that, but I don’t think it’s for everyone. It might be a good Caribbean stop for a round the world traveler because it’s not too expensive, but it’s as expensive as the US. It would be a good destination for a couple looking for the kinds of nature excursions and non-crowded areas Tobago offers. But by myself, it was a little too quiet. And that’s saying a lot coming from me.
Trinidad is pretty darn developed. Unfortunately I did not go too far from Port of Spain so I can’t give big insights other than what I read in Rough Guide. That was if you go further out, you’ll get more Indo-Caribbean focused cities, lots of great hiking and waterfalls.
Tobago is really beautiful, and small. The diving was excellent. It would be easy to rent a car to get around here, but you can also do what i did and take buses, and in one case, hitchhike like many of the locals. It’s a trip but very normal.
The people, while friendly, are a little guarded and… i don’t know, jaded towards tourists, like other westernized countries. They are proud and protected of their home I guess. Apparently there are some problems with violence still, but it’s getting better, and it’s generally not targetting tourists (like it was in Guatemala.)
Sorry this is kind of a lame wrap up. In short, it was totally cool, I wish I had gone with one or more other persons. I decided next trip can’t be alone… I got too comfortable with that. I probably won’t go back as there are so many other dive spots to check out in the world.
You know, I have not made it a habit of posting my innermost “whatever” feelings… personal life and thoughts since I’ve launched this blog. I mean, they clearly are scattered all over what i’ve written here. you know, it’s just not what it was about. Call it inspiration, lack of someone to talk to, or cleaning house but I think that may be about to change.
Lately, things have been, well… I don’t know what’s going on with me. It’s like there’s an incredible knot in my brain that’s unraveling little by little.
There *WAS* a recent event that triggered all this, but I’m not going to talk about it… yet.
I’ve had a lot of time to reflect lately. Lots, at times you don’t even expect. Just last night, after playing my first improv set of music in years with old friends, while watching Carla play with Fred Frith, (a member of one of my all time favorite bands) their amazing musical noises wafting over my ears sent me on a yet another mind trip.
I also find myself amazed when i run into people i haven’t seen in years and you have to summarize “what you’ve been up to.” It’s funny because, often times I feel like shit and want to say “nothing much,” and “no i’m not in any bands” but then I’m like, “oh yeah, in the last 5 years i’ve done…”
Sometimes I can’t believe the last 4 years of my life. Seriously. The last 4 years have been the most tumultuous, amazing, dark, exciting, lonely, eye-opening, confusing, lucky, deceptively stable, years of my life. It’s contained the highest highs and the lowest lows – making great music, touring with one of my musical idols playing for tens of thousands of people, sadly ending the longest relationship of my life, happily ending the longest job of my life, watching all the hard work I’ve put into my music career slowly fade away, confusion over my ‘other’ career, starting therapy, putting myself in impossible situations, and visiting 17 countries.
I *should* be happy. right?
And then you think – these aren’t REAL problems… poverty, disease… Why am I whining when other people aren’t nearly as fortunate? ugh.
I AM learning a lot about myself. that’s for damn sure. i just can’t make any sense out of what i find.
Sometimes I think about a change of scenery. But what does that accomplish? a self made kick in the ass?
where am i again anyway?