YUMA Mas "Press Play" Carnival 2012 Review

Nonetheless this year my crew decided that change was necessary and moved to YUMA based on reviews from last year, and a much hyped interactive website that gave you the feeling that there was tonnes more in store.

Costume collection . . . A breeze.  No lines, No fuss, No Stress.  In and out under 5 minutes.  Things would have been totally fabulous if beads and trim didn’t start falling off when I was trying on at home later that day.  Ah mean . . . what going an happen when it really get tested!

Pre Carnival Information . . .  Poor.  Yes, there were the facebook updates and sneak pics prior to collection, but to this day ah cyah get one single email from them.  Thankfully these things are minor to me, however, information on where to meet the band does not need to be the topic for a James Bond Movie.

Carnival Monday, I late  . . . NO PARKING, what’s up with that?  Arrangements however were made for masqueraders to get shuttles from Grey Street.  I however never made it to Grey Street either day, as such locating the band proved to be a challenge and if there was a number to call, I was never advised.

Drinks both days . . .  Full Points.  Lots of variety.  As a matter of fact maybe too much variety.  Some of the mixes I heard being called had me perplexed, for want of a better term?  There was an issue with the non serving of alcohol before reaching the food station, but I wouldn’t knock that too much.

FOOD!  WOW . . . food.  For the most part, if you were early, the food distribution – aside from the very long lines – went well.  Whoever thought 3 food stations would be enough for the number of persons in the band needs to think again.  If you were late though . . . bacchanal and chaos reigned supreme.  I don’t know the entire story . . . something about some service provider getting vex and leaving the station, but from that point the bacchanalist in everybody remaining in line came out.  For me the worst part of the Food stop though, was the entry to the food station.  One narrow gated entrance leading into CIC Grounds – at which cars were parked - seemed a recipe for disaster.  What was truly appreciated however, were the tents and mats provided for masqueraders.

On The Road!   I had a good time.  To be fair, is Carnival and I will ALWAYS have a good time. I also know how to do so, despite what’s going on.  But overall it was not mindblowing.  Let’s just say it did not WOW me. 

DJ’s seemed to play a fairly numbing rotation of the same tunes over and over.  There is sooooooo much music out there that it amazes me why this happens.  There was one truck in particular I just had to get away from!  Ah mean me . . . tired . . . . on Carnival Tuesday?  Yuh mad!!!!  Only to realise that the DJ thought it was ah back in times dance.  WHAT D HELL

Carnival is a time for letting go, freeing up and shaking it all off.  At no time during Carnival does that happen more so than those 2 days on the road and for me its almost sacrilegious to just say “I had a good time”.

What can I say for next year . . .  The hunt is on!

-Shy Juice 

>> View YUMA Mas "Press Play" Carnival Monday 2012 Gallery
>> View YUMA Mas "Press Play" Carnival Tuesday 2012 Gallery
>> View Trinidad & Tobago Carnival 2012 Coverage