Traveling in Trinidad

Lower class families in Trinidad don't own cars. They mostly travel around in taxis which are cars of all shapes and sizes that are designated as taxis by the "H" (for "hire") in their license plates or in small to medium size vans or buses or large to double-sized buses. There used to be a train that ran through the major cities in Trinidad years ago and there's talk that may be resurrected again as well. In general, public transportation is readily available and not very expensive ($1US for a 15 minute drive). Maxi taxis can be rented for 10-20 person groups for reasonable prices for day trips.

Middle class families generally own one car per family which the father drives. Upper class families generally own two or more vehicles. Cars are designated as "passenger" vehicles by a "P" at the beginning of their license plate number. Trucks and anything used to "transport" materials are designated with a "T" at the beginning of their license plate number. The license plate number issued with the car stays with the car for life unless the driver changes the vehicle from a "P" to an "H" or vice versa. So in general, you can tell the age of the car by looking at the license plate number! They started the system sometime in the '70's or so with PA 1, PA 2, and so on. Now they're up to PCX 9999 or so. Many vehicles have vinyl lettering on the windshields with (sometimes cryptic) sayings such as "Blessed", "Wicked", or one of my favorites - "Papa Smurf".

Used vehicles and used parts are big business in Trinidad; big enough business that the government actually banned the purchase of foreign used vehicles last week to try to boost the national used vehicle industry and to slow the number of vehicles being brought onto the island. Volume of traffic and number of accidents is a frequent topic of conversation.

Police cars drive with their lights flashing all the time. You only need to pull over if their sirens are going. People pass police cars all the time here; speed limits are somewhat relative. However, police do at times set speed traps and nice motorists will warn on-coming cars of a trap by flashing their lights. Police also occassionally randomly block off streets or highways to check vehicles for proper tinting (not too dark), broken lights, insurance info, etc.

Roads are windy, narrow, and full of potholes and live or dead dogs; video-game drivers would love it!

More Trini Talk

dhall= split peas
bonnet= hood of car
windscreen = windshield of car
"A pleasant good morning/evening" = hello
Solo/AppleJ/Peardrax/Peppy/Malta= soft drinks
sweet drink = soft drink
maubi = a drink that's like a cross between tea and licorice
sorrel = a drink that's like rose hip tea with cinnamon and cloves
spice = cinnamon sticks
American rice = rice with peas and corn in it (who would have guessed?)
injections = shots
plaster = bandaids
tablets = pills
"How you going?" = How are you doing? or How are you?
half eight = eight thirty
half seven = seven thirty (you get the idea...)
fig = banana
"skews" = excuse me
pssst = hey you
creamed potatos = mashed potatos
mash the breaks = hit/slam the breaks
mash the X = hit the gas (accelerator)
indicator = turn signal
mash up/bonx = hit/accident
kill it = finish (eating or drinking) the last of it
oats = oatmeal
van = pick-up truck
truck = any other large vehicle
naked lights = broken head or tail lights
maxi (taxi) = small bus
kit = tupperware
"laters" = see you later
"we're making a move" = we're leaving now
channa = garbanzo beans
geera = caraway seeds
mathe (pronounced "may-ti") = foengreek
PriceSmart = Sam's Club (to a T)
truly? = really?
sweet bread = biscuit type bread with candied fruits and raisins in it
dark/rum cake = fruit cake
paste = any spread (like cheese or egg)
thiefing = stealing
wares = dishes
pack up/away = put away (dishes or clothes)
cooken = crisco
slippers = flip flops
we = us
washroom = bathroom
mangrove = cyprus
black/blood pudding = sausage
biscuit = cookie
junction = intersection
heater = iron
got onto = was able to get ahold of

Clothing in Trinidad

Here's a few tips for the travelers:

As in most countries, you'll find everything in Trinidad from Shouter Baptist robes to string bikinis. For the modest and sun-conscious traveler, here's some general guidelines:

Men
1) In public, long pants and short or long sleeve shirts are acceptable. T-shirts and slippers (flip flops) are fine unless it's a dressier occassion (church or a nice restaurant). Shorts are fine on the beach.
2) In your home, shorts and t-shirts and slippers are fine. Still might want to avoid tank tops or going shirtless if visitors are around.

Women
1) In public, below the knee skirts or 3/4 pants or long pants and short or long sleeve shirts are acceptable. T-shirts and slippers (flip flops) are fine unless it's a dressier occassion (church or a nice restaurant). Shorts are acceptable on the beach (shorts and T-shirt should be worn over swim suit at all times - even when bathing/swimming).
2) In your home, t-shirts and slippers are fine. Still might want to avoid shorts and tank tops and sleeveless shirts/dresses if visitors are around.

Church Wear
In our church (Pentecostal Holiness), here's the general guidelines:
1) Men - long pants and long sleeve shirts and dress shoes for Sunday (err on the dressier side). Long pants (jeans OK), short (T-shirts OK) or long sleeve shirts and any shoes are acceptable for Wednesday night Bible study. No shorts or tank tops.
2) Women - long skirts or dresses and dress shoes for Sunday (err on the dressier side); nothing sleeveless or clingy. Long skirts or pants (jeans sort of OK) or dresses, short (T-shirts OK) or long sleeve shirts and any shoes are acceptable for Wednesday night Bible study. No shorts or tank tops or sleeveless dresses.

Oops!

On December 12, I (alone) was reversing (backing) out of our driveway onto the busy main road when the car was hit by a large panel truck. The car spun 180 degrees and ended up with the back bumper in the drain. By the incredible grace and protection of God, I walked out of the accident without a scratch. Our car was not so lucky...

Fortunately, Andrew's cousin Neal does car body work. He worked day and night to get the car back to a driveable state in time for Christmas. When you fix a car in Trinidad, you are responsible for locating and delivering all the parts (and the vehicle) to the mechanic - which is often a bit of a feat as most families only own one car AND most mechanics specialize in one or two elements (air conditioning, body work, alignment, tires, carborators, etc). Andrew's brother Clint was a big help to us in driving Andrew around to find parts. We're still fixing this and that, but it's getting us around, for which we're incredibly grateful!

Needless to say, I haven't done much driving since the accident. If I want to get a Trinidad license before my US license expires, however, I'll need to pass their driver's test by March 7. Please pray I'll be able to take it and pass!

Legal in Trinidad

1. Driving with an open bottle of alcohol in your vehicle; drunk-driving. If you drive badly, however, you'll be charged with reckless driving.
2. Burning trash in your yard.

more to come...

Illegal in Trinidad

1. Wearing anything in camaflouge print (or any clothing that resembles official police or national security force duds).
2. Making a right on red (which you really wouldn't want to do when driving on the left). ALSO, making a left on red (wait for that green arrow!).
3. Changing lanes inside a round-about. Plan ahead: if you want to go more than a quarter turn around, enter the round-about from the right-hand lane.

more to come...