* What many visitors to Trinidad don't expect to find is a thriving urban culture, complete with the poverty, crime, drugs and attitudes common in any urban setting. The atmosphere is more like New York with palm trees than the resort atmosphere of the Bahamas commercials. Poverty is widespread, with people earning far less per year than people on welfare or social security in the U.S. While cities in Trinbago are a fraction of the size of major U.S. cities, the atmosphere is Caribbean Urban nonetheless.
* It is at least as dangerous to walk through some parts of Port
of Spain as it is to walk through parts of southeast Washington,
Crenshaw, Detroit or the south Bronx. Crime is often drug related
and takes the form of muggings, break-ins and robberies. It makes
sense to not get caught up in the romance of the Caribbean so
much that you fail to secure your cash and valuables at all times.
Even in this fantastic setting, be aware of the people around
you and what they are up to. Be very careful about traveling alone,
especially at night, in areas that you are unfamiliar with.
* There has been a big upswing in kidnapping in Trinidad in recent years, largely aimed at East Indian businessmen and their families. Although some have proved to be scams run by family members, others are very real, and some deaths have resulted. To date no tourists or foreigners have been kidnapped, although some have been robbed or pick pocketed. Like any other urban setting, visitors to Trinidad should be alert to the people around them, refrain from wearing expensive watches and jewelry and be careful walking around with expensive cameras and cell phones.
* There are many beautiful homes surrounding Port of Spain, look
for Goodwood Park, Federation Park, Glencoe, Westmoorings, Maraval,
Chancellor Hill, St. Claire, St. Ann's, Diego Martin and the "Magnificent
Seven" mansions circling the Queen's Park Savannah. In southern
Trinidad there are beautiful homes and sugar cane estates near
Chaguanas, San Fernando and Princess Town.
* You may activate your US cell phone while you're in Trinidad. TSTT (the Trini
phone company) or cell phone provider Digicell will rent cell phones to visitors. There are few
pay phones in Trinidad, even in the major cities, so contacting
police or emergency medical personnel is more difficult, Plan
on being more self-sufficient while on the island and avoid traveling
alone. Inside Trinidad dial 999 for police and 990 for ambulance
and fire.
© 2004 Afrique Publications
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