06 lime January - March 2009 athome

CALM… Trinidadians are serious partygoers and carnival is an extremely important business. Preparation starts months before the main event, with organisers planning the parades and themes, and tailors working their fingers to the bone to make the costumes. The moments before the streets spring into life are a period for quiet reflection, a chance for some last minute adjustments to a costume, for making sure that everything is just right. Mardi Gras, the final day of carnival, brings a nine- hour marathon of dancing through the streets where the bands – often a mile- long and 5,000 strong, with sections of several hundred all dressed to a theme – are judged. Planning everything down to the finest detail is paramount. Alex smailes January- March 2009 lime 07 ll