Port of Spain, Trinidad

I'm visiting Port of Spain, Trinidad for the second time in 2 months. I like it very much here. I was trying to figure out what it is about Port of Spain that I like so much. As I sit in my hotel room with the patio door open, there are a variety of sounds that make it into my room. Somewhere in the distance is some reggae music playing and I can hear it clearly. The sound of cars passing by on the road can be heard too. Every so often I can hear the sounds of people. Earlier in the evening there were kids playing cricket and soccer in the sport field next to the hotel and I could hear their sounds too. A while ago there was the call to namaz from a mosque somewhere in the distance. The temperature outside is 85 but I have the patio door open and the air conditioning turned off. Every so often a flying bug makes its way to my room but I have no problem with them as long as they keep to themselves. Yesterday a grasshopper flew in my room and rested on the blinds. I enjoyed his company while I browsed but shooed him away when it was time to sleep.

I realize now that I like the cacophony of sounds. These are the sounds of activity and life. I miss these sounds in Orlando. I live in a cocoon completely cut off from the energy of life. I breathe recirculated air and I hear no sounds from the outside world. I need to change that when I go back home to Orlando.

I also like the local eateries in

Port of Spain. I would not call them restaurants. Nobody goes there to rest. Everyone goes there to eat. They are spread around downtown where I work. They cook fresh food da

ily. It is such a hive of activity and the food is so tasty. I love the whole experience. Stand in the queue with every one else, visually sample the various items, choose the ones that look most appealing. Then talk to the server who asks if you want salad and spices. There is everyone else in th

e eatery enjoying their meal. I take my box of food and walk back to work with high expectations that are always met. There are so many such awesome mom and pop stores here

.

I walk on the streets and I see a lot of people walking around. There are street hawkers selling their wares. There are attractive women of all ages all around. Everyone looks real. I don't think I have seen a woman yet that has had any plastic surgery done on her in my stay here yet. I find that very refreshing.

I fit in very well with the people here. I don't stand out. I feel an innate sense of connection with the place, the food and the culture. I sense a vibrancy of life here that I miss in Orlando. Maybe that is why I like Port of Spain so much.