...From a First Time Reveler
If you’ve seen my post on Instagram, you’ll know jumping carnival has been a lifelong dream, come true for me and my inner child. Check out the post and follow me while you're there !
The anticipation from the day costumes started to drop in late November till
the actual Carnival Sunday was like a kid waiting to see his report card… the anxiety was real!
Coming from a shy girlie, one that doesn’t party and very much rhythm less Gonzalez let me tell you two truths and lie I uncovered from my carnival experience.
Truth
You need to get there early. Yup sun a bun yuh, but especially as a first timer you may need that extra time to get past the overwhelming feeling of the heat, the crowd and bag packs (wings) slapping you in the face to really get over it all and enjoy yourself. Plus, as a female it’s crazy how time flies when you’re getting your hair and makeup done and getting ready in general. So best you get up from the crack a dawn to meet the truck Pon di road when they first hit the asphalt.
Lie
"Carnival is expensive." I know what you’re thinking. Vanessa, have you seen the cost of the costumes and everything else? YES! I have and as a girl that isn’t exactly where she’d like to be financially it’s a blessing to be able to even consider jumping much less actually doing it full-fledged. But hear me out.
All you need is to pick the costume that speaks best for your taste and your pocket. T-shirt packages ranged from $280USD- $425 across the various bands while costumes started from $525USD up to $800USD across the various bands. This prices generally include unlimited liquor and lunch on carnival day and a goodie bag. Others may give you breakfast and dinner and entry to free pre and after parties.
You're able to pay a deposit and make several payments between November and March. After that all you need to spend on is a GOOD pair of shoes and a GOOD makeup artist. Genuinely your hair doesn’t matter, it’s HOT out there you won’t want it doing too much on your skin or in your face.
I am all for people charging and spending what they want for their skills and their appearance, if you can spend 100usd on makeup or charge 100usd for makeup and get costumers DO IT. But there are several affordable and GREAT service providers out there. SherGlam Studio had my face literally perfect from 8:30am till I got home at 11pm for not even a fraction of the cost of most carnival makeup packages.
All in all, nobody knows your pocket like you do so don’t let a price that you didn’t set trick you into not gaining an experience for yourself.
Truth
Soca parties are more fun than Dancehall parties. There have been years of debate on Soca vs Dancehall and the rants of the hypocrisy of Jamaicans that support carnival and by extension Soca. While I do agree that Soca isn’t native to Jamaica, and it is hypocritical of people to say dancehall culture is raw and disgusting while Soca is just the same hence, we shouldn’t bash one and glorify the other.
The energy at a Soca event is unmatched. There is no profiling, worrying about what you’re wearing or complicated dance moves. Simply vibes! It’s for that reason a lot of Jamaicans gravitate to it, life is hard enough and the carefree environment it facilitates is the release a lot of people seek.
I had such a great time and I hope my POV gave you some perspective should you be interested to jump next year !
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below
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