So my first Internationally Natural post focused on Trinidad. And my post yesterday also focused on Trinidad. Yesterday’s post was all about the best places to shop and best Trini beauty and hair products. And today we’ll take a closer look at one of my favorite Trinidadian natural hair brands that was mentioned in that… read all
I haven’t been home for it in an astonishing number of years, but there’s absolutely no doubt — this week right here is THE busiest week for tourism in my homeland of Trinidad. It’s (almost) Carnival and people from around the world are heading to sweet T&T for a dose of sun, mas, and steelpan…. read all
Many of you may know that I’m from Trinidad. And many of you may also know that I didn’t rock my natural hair until 2002, years after I migrated from my homeland. When I lived in Trinidad, I felt pressured to wear my hair relaxed. Even when I saw signs of damage, I kept on… read all
Trinidad is my land and of it I am proud and glad But I can’t understand why some people does talk it bad But I know all of dem who running dey mouth Don’t know what dey talkin ’bout They will paint here black every day And the right things they would never say — Portrait of Trinidad,… read all
One of sour, two of sweet; three of strong and four of weak. That’s the traditional guideline for making a classic Caribbean rum punch. I enjoy a classic Caribbean rum punch, I do. But sometimes I want something a little less sour and a little more sweet. I like the kind of rum punch that… read all
The world lost Geoffrey Holder at the beginning of this week. The great man was 84 years old. It’s been fascinating seeing the various ways that the media has covered his passing. CNN described him as “famed dancer, 7-Up pitchman.” Deadline said “RIP Un-Cola Man, Bountiful Artist.” The New York Times recognized him as a… read all
Unless you’ve been under a rock for the last few days, huge swaths of America have been affected by the Polar Vortex. It’s been miserably cold here in Chicago, and for a few days we were completely snowed in and hibernating while the wind chill dipped to minus 40 and below. Being hunkered down… read all
When I grew up in Trinidad, each member of my family had a role to play at Christmas. My mom was in charge of making the salt bread and the ginger beer. My dad was (and still is) the official ham supervisor. My brother would make pancakes for our breakfast. My brother Dominic would usually… read all
The Caribbean has a reputation for spicy food. Jerk, curry, pepper sauce – despite our already hot climate, we love our food hotter. But there’s one hot, extremely popular Trinidadian dish that left my American husband perplexed – corn soup. It is EVERYWHERE in my homeland. Sold on corners in high traffic nightlife districts,… read all
Towards the end of 2012, I was asked to come back home to Trinidad, to give a talk at TEDxPortOfSpain. I had to deliver a 15 to 18 minute speech on courage. And it was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done. It was one of the most liberating experiences I’ve ever had. This… read all
