Bellas, fellas — consider this your virtual away message. Right now as you read this, this is where I am.

Photo via Wikipedia.

I’m in Trinidad — the most southerly island of the Caribbean, land of steelpan, calypso, limbo (and Carnival)! I’m not here for the two-day festival of debauchery, alas — I’ll be back in Chicago by then. I’m here to relax, unwind, get some time away from a computer screen for a change, and most importantly, spend time with my family. My two little nieces here are now ages 3 and 6 and we’ve got many games to play, coloring books to color in, and puzzles to put together! They drew me ADORABLE welcome home signs that I got when I came home to my old teenage bedroom. 🙂

Of course Mama and Papa Bella have a full schedule of plans for my husband and I. I haven’t been back home to visit my family since 2009, and my husband hasn’t been with me in like 5 years. We’re even going back to Coco Reef, where we had our honeymoon a decade ago. This is SO long overdue!

Throughout the week I plan to post photos of my visit so you too can see Trinidad through my eyes and bask in the beauty of my homeland. Posts will probably be a bit slow this week, but I hope you enjoy my photos!

And if you’re an old friend or blogging buddy who lives in Trinidad, if you see a person with humongous hair who looks like me out and about say HELLO! It’s probably me! I may not be able to meet up in person just because of the hectic timing, but on the next visit I want to attend a tweet up and get to know you all better!

Talk soon!!!

COMMENTS

Leah says:

January 16, 2012, 9:25 am

Enjoy, Patrice! I will be in Trinidad next month for Carnival so can't wait. Don't forget to get all the Trini cooking & treats you can, because you know it rough getting it in Chicago. Enjoy!!

onikapascal says:

January 16, 2012, 9:34 am

HAVE FUN!!!! Eat some doubles for me. Oh oh and go to Carenage and say hi to my grandparents for me, and oh oh go to El Picos and eat some food for me, and oh oh... LOL I can go on and on and on, but I know just how much fun it is to go back and how full your schedule can be with loved ones. Can't wait to see the pics!!!! ENJOY

Joanna says:

January 16, 2012, 11:27 am

Enjoy the sunshine!

MsXpat says:

January 16, 2012, 2:07 pm

I'm so jealous! Last time I was home I was 5 mths pregnant, lol. Enjoy and I look forward to pics of home. Have a happy safe stay.

Another Xpat says:

January 17, 2012, 4:53 am

Will be missing Trinidad this year....enjoy it all!

Anis says:

January 17, 2012, 7:17 am

Just one thing HAVE FUN ! Funny Review of the 1st day of Fashion Week in Milan The Hurting Fashion

Jean says:

January 17, 2012, 8:28 am

Land of sea & fun!! Take a wine to some good soca and Carenage for shark & bake. Enjoy the bacchanal!

Nineteen69 says:

January 17, 2012, 2:36 pm

Jealous that you are home. Eat a bake and shark at Maracas for me.

F. Alexis says:

January 17, 2012, 9:36 pm

I'll palance for you my dear!! Missin' carnival, oh gosh!

winnie says:

January 19, 2012, 12:11 am

I'm going to Trinidad for the first time in a few weeks. I'm so excited! Any suggestions ladies for things to do and eat(I'm a huge foodie)?

Naomi says:

January 19, 2012, 8:44 am

Hope you enjoy your stay! Maybe I will happen to bounce into you while you are here!

Naomi says:

January 19, 2012, 8:45 am

Try Maracas Beach for a bake and shark!

winnie says:

January 19, 2012, 11:21 am

Thanks! Will definitely put it on my list.

Trianna says:

January 22, 2012, 1:30 pm

I'm beyond jealous, right now. Just pass by Arima for me and lime with my cousins. LOL Enjoy and eat as many doubles (slight pepper of course!) and bake and sharks as you can!

pets says:

January 24, 2012, 3:26 pm

Try our roti (Trinidad), curry crab and dumplings (Tobago), drink our fresh coconut water straight from the coconut, try our calaloo or our corn soup. You can many such things to eat in St. James and around the Savannah.