Carnival Tabanca – 7 Things We Miss The Most About Carnival

There are always those defining moments, the most vivid and colorful of carnival memories that everyone has; the ones friends debate about like what was the best fete, which was the best band, the highs and the lows while nursing the carnival tabanca aka sadness and withdrawals post carnival. It’s LITERALLY the FOMO that fuels the carnival addiction and rightfully so. Now with “the Rona” taking over what used to be normalcy – there’s so MUCH to miss about carnival. And while most of us cannot physically participate in carnival; here are 7 trigger-worthy moments that bring back that carnival tabanca. Let’s go in chronological order shall we? 🙂

Touch Down

The moment carnival goers countdown to tirelessly from band launch season done, fete tickets acquired, hotel, flight, taxi paid for. It is undeniably the BEST feeling to touch down in the airport and feel the energy of carnival all around you with no cares in the world – rearing and ready to fete!

Limin’ and Reuniting with Friends

Everybody knows it’s a reunion when it comes to carnival time. All the friends made from past carnivals are like family and if this is your first time – get ready for all the new friendly people and faces you will meet as well as all the wines you will encounter :). 

Hearing Your Song In A Fete and Most Importantly On the Road

Soca music is in FULL swing for carnival season and by the time you reach a fete or on the road – you WILL KNOW a song that stops you dead in your tracks. Hips swinging, feet chippin, hands raising anytime and anywhere this tune is played. But the thing most carnival newbies don’t understand is that a song (whether you heard it on a mix or on the radio) will sound EVEN BETTER in a carnival fete or on the road. Sometimes, you even fall in love with more songs because you HEAR them differently in a TRUE carnival environment.  Our advice: just get ready to wine. 

Putting Your Costume On

Moment of truth…costume time! One of the best moments of the carnival trip is always opening the box, taking out the goodies, inspecting and adoring the beautiful costume you purchased months ago and then FINALLY putting it on. It’s a lengthy process depending on how many pieces but once it’s all put together, you literally transform. Whether you’re sleep deprived, drunk as a skunk or experiencing PCA (pre-carnival anxiety) -putting on a carnival costume can literally lift anyone’s spirits. 

Crossing The Stage

Crossing the stage is the peak of carnival day for many and it is the time for your WORST BEHAVIOR. It is so much more than just a chip, a wine and a jump – it is purely euphoric and a release for many and trust me by the end of it you will want to go back for more and when it’s done – all we have left are sad smiles and teary eyes because of a beautiful and unforgettable carnival experience. Here’s where the carnival tabanca starts creeping in. 

The Best Sleep Of Your Life

Honestly better than melatonin. The body knows when carnival is done because the adrenaline wears off and the nights of sleep deprivation between fetes and the road catches up to you with zero remorse. The sleep is so divine after carnival that we cannot think of a better sleeping experience, even after being locked down for several months due to the pandemic. For those of us that always seem to have a little extra energy, we will surely miss putting on our Chéri House Swimwear for a post- carnival beach or pool day.

 

With that said, what do you miss about carnival the most?