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This is
the 30th week in my Travel the World personal challenge. Each week I am
randomly choosing one country (there are 195 countries in the world) and doing
a little research on that country. I then select one tidbit of information
about the country as inspiration for the card I make.
This week's country is...
Trinidad and Tobago
While many people talk about Trinidad and Tobago as if they
are the same island, they are actually the same country (The Republic of
Trinidad and Tobago) but two separate islands with distinct differences.
Tobago is more of the resort destination, with white sand beaches, water
sports, expansive golf courses and a general old world Caribbean
feel. Additionally, the culture and demographic is rooted in African
traditions, especially in terms of cuisine and festivals. On the other hand,
Trinidad is a huge business travel destination, especially as it is home a
booming oil and natural gas industry. It has more of a city feel, with more
outdoor offerings available as you get out of Port of Spain. In terms of
demographics, about 43% of the population is of East Indian decent, with
European, Asian, African making up the other influences.
Tobago has a Swimming Pool in the Middle of the
Ocean – The Nylon Pool is a natural crystal clear swimming pool with
a sandy bottom in the middle of the sea created by an offshore sandbar and
a still lagoon.
During the Carnival season (January to early March), there are over
100 Carnival Fetes (parties) which take place from early night into the wee
hours of the morning.
The Scarlet Ibis is the national bird of Trinidad, and the island is
the easiest place in the world to see them.
The Main Ridge Forest Reserve, found in Tobago, is the oldest
protected rainforest in the Western Hemisphere.
Goat racing is one of the Tobago's most popular but unusual sports
where jockeys run alongside goats, guiding them with a nine-foot leash and
whip.
Trinidad is home to the world's largest natural deposit of asphalt
in an astonishing 99 acres known as The Pitch Lake.
Trinidadians permit themselves to be late for just about
anything. But here is the funny part: you must never to be late for an
appointment. Otherwise, you would be confronted by an irritated
Trinbagonian business man who has tried his best to keep up with foreign
punctuality.
The Limbo Dance Contest originated in Trinidad and
Tobago. The contest involves a horizontal bar, called the limbo, placed
atop two vertical bars, and the dancer must face the bar and go under it
without touching the bar or knocking it over. Each time someone is eliminated,
the bar is set to a lower position, making the task even more challenging. In
this way, the bar is lowered each time a contestant gets eliminated until only
the winner is left.
Janelle Penny Commissiong won the Miss Universe title in 1977,
becoming the first black woman to do so. She was born in Trinidad and Tobago in
1953 and migrated to the US when she was 13. A decade later she returned to her
homeland where she later won the Miss Trinidad and Tobago title and then
represented her country in the Miss Universe contest.
Trinidad is the birthplace of the steel pan. Steel Pan, the national
instrument of Trinidad and Tobago is the only acoustic musical instrument to be
invented in the 20th Century.
Trinidad is home to the world’s largest
Hanuman Murti statue outside of India, standing at 85 feet tall located in the
village of Carapichaima.
Meal times in Trinidad and Tobago has a primary purpose of
socialization and not eating. Yes, you will be fed well. But meals
can go on for hours and you are expected to join and be part of each and every
conversation.
When you finish eating, place your fork and knife together on the
plate whether at a restaurant or at a private home. And if in a
restaurant, do not call a waiter/waitress by name. If you need the server, just
make eye contact and they will come.
It is against the law to use foul language (cursing) in Trinidad
and Tobago.
I decided to let this Trinidad and Tobago fact be the inspiration
for this week's card... The Trinidad Moruga “Scorpion” Pepper has
officially been ranked as the world’s hottest pepper by the Guinness Book of
Records.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
Stamp Set: Hero Arts It's Fiesta Time stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers
Papers: Recollections Black and 110# White and SU Tempting Turquoise CS and AMuse Studio Polka Dot DP
Embellishments: Michael's Enamel Dots