Description

Lets visit the beautiful Caribbean island of T&T (Trinidad & Tobago). We will focus on the diverse ethnic mix of people on the island, the beautiful food with its indian, african and hispanic influences, and the Music! And how can we not mention Carnival.
My guest today, Sancy Francis will give us a guided tour.

Episode highlights:

• [01:19] - Sancy gives us an intro, lives in Maraval, suburb of Port of Spain
• [01:55] - Financial hub of Caribbean, focussed less on tourism. Not as well known for its beaches unlike rest of Caribbean, Jamaica, St Kitts, St Vincent, Barbados etc.
• [03:01] - Economy based on Industrial : Fossil fuel, oil, natural gas, fertiliser.
• [03:26] - She works in Insurance industry, claims.
• [04:04] - Recent volcanic eruption in St Vincent, involved in claims.
• [04:39] - Education system in Trinidad similar to the British. Population of Trinidad 1.4 million
• [06:13] - Capital is Port of Spain, 40% of population, 550k.
• [07:10] - Port of Spain compared to other cities in T&T. All the high rise buildings here. Job opportunities.
• [09:10] - 'Get more yard' in country places, like south of the island for example.
• [10:32] - Political situation, Venezuelans coming to live in T&T, gives un update to the social implications, health and social care issues, how the government are treating them
• [11:10] - Trinidad closer to Venezuela (7 miles) than to its sister island of Tobago!
• [14:20] - Trini accent, which languages spoken there? Patois, Chinese, Spanish
• [15:10] - Hits us with some Patois!
• [15:38] - Birds in the background, beautiful!
• [17:11] - Population of Maraval just 5,000. 
• [18:08] - Staple foods of Trinidad. Doubles, Roti, etc. Great street food! At any Trini Party, Doubles stand always!
• [22:00] - Pilau, mix up / mash up of rice n pea n ting
• [23:02] - Roti best in Trini! Indigenous to Trinidad.
• [24:50] - 3 most famous dishes that people MUST try when visiting
• [26:25] - Main genres of music in trinidad: soca, chutney, calypso
• [28:20] - Everything turns into a party, carnival time, soca most popular
• [29:15] - Comparison of music between the islands
• [30:27] - sipping on Caroni Rum
• [31:21] - National music instrument: Steel Pan. Speaks us thru' history of its invention
• [34:58] - National instrument is a success story. Poor disadvantaged people succeeded over time to make instrument part of national culture. Legacy in T&T
• [35:44] - Ethic mixes of Trinidad: Afro, Indo, more Indo Trinidadian, half african half indian population also large (Dougla people), chinese, syrian-lebanese, Spanish 
• [38:40] - friendships / marriage / job opportunities, people of different groups get on? Yes! Amicable.
• [40:03] - Safety for men and women, developing country, does have its problems. Crime levels rising a little, usually related to gang violence.
• [42:19] - Touristic industry in Trinidad. Biggest at carnival time. Book hotel august previous year!
• [43:36] - Many visit for bird watching, hummingbird, pelican, etc.
• [44:41] - Teaches us some trini slangs
• [46:14] - Fam-a-lay! slang description of 'family'

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