Leaving Trinidad for good...

[The Bamboo Online]

Was passing through “Little Guyana” in Schenectady NY So I stopped at a West Indian supermarket I happen to be driving past I just went in to get one thing but then I saw Malta Carib in the fridge so I grab one. Take it home stick it in the freezer. Later that day I say it must be beastly cold by now. I peel the cap off and not much fizz and it not tasting like I remember it should.

Didn’t think much about it until I was about to dump the bottle into the recycling trash can and saw it expired Feb 2023.

Guyanese trying to kill trini folks ?

[alfa]

Was passing through “Little Guyana” in Schenectady NY So I stopped at a West Indian supermarket I happen to be driving past I just went in to get one thing but then I saw Malta Carib in the fridge so I grab one. Take it home stick it in the freezer. Later that day I say it must be beastly cold by now. I peel the cap off and not much fizz and it not tasting like I remember it should.

Didn’t think much about it until I was about to dump the bottle into the recycling trash can and saw it expired Feb 2023.

Guyanese trying to kill trini folks ?

Can't stop in a West Indian supermarket and not get west Indian smartmanism

[maj. tom]

lol boy report that to the County health department. https://schenectadycountyny.gov/envi-health/food-services

It eh not joke thing up there in places with food regulation. Dem wanna keil peepul.

[The Bamboo Online]

lol boy report that to the County health department. https://schenectadycountyny.gov/envi-health/food-services

It eh not joke thing up there in places with food regulation. Dem wanna keil peepul.

Yes when I saw the date on it I didn’t dump the bottle into the bin because I going to report it..

I feel I must be drink the oldest Malta Carib in the world ….not the coldest.

[triniterribletim]

Not really leaving Trinidad for good, but I decided to spend a week in Brazil, Sau Paulo.

Seems fairly OK for me, very friendly people. Language a lil problem some understand Spanish so I am able to get by.

From a Tourist point of view looks good and great food. 5 -10us gets you good steaks with rice, fries & Salda. Fruits are super cheap.
Non afro Women a lil apprehensive to deal with ninjas like myself, guess I am in the wrong part of the country. Some parts look like laventille on the hills. Crime, there are some characters like the youths. Women dress fine and u can see the class of women in them. Brazil reminds of a water down version of Argentina.

Would I consider living here if I was younger, hell yeah, its a lil bit like trinidad but better manner people.

If you had sent me a message I could have organized a lime for you. Where did you stay in São Paulo, on Avenida Paulista? Did you get a chance to try the all you can eat steak?

I tried all the steaks i could get from various restaurants, top notch. I must say i was very impressed with Brazil. I sayed just out side of Sau Paulo, San Jose de campos . Very quiet city.

I will plan for next year

São José dos Campos is a nice city. Very chill, but still lively. Embraer is headquartered there, hopefully they'll ship out some planes to CAL soon. Glad you enjoyed your trip to Brazil, I wish more Trinis would give it a chance. I'm currently on vacation down in the South and you feel winter coming here already, 10 C outside.

[triniterribletim]

Anytime we in the zone we taking some drinks tim?

All you can drink beer and cachaça on me.

[triniterribletim]

Would you say Brazil grass fed steaks is better than American corn fed?

Depends on getting in contact with a good butcher, or sticking to Wagyu from Swift. Regular grocery meat is better than Trini though, and restaurants will serve you meat that is around choice grade.

[zoom rader]

Would you say Brazil grass fed steaks is better than American corn fed?

Depends on getting in contact with a good butcher, or sticking to Wagyu from Swift. Regular grocery meat is better than Trini though, and restaurants will serve you meat that is around choice grade.

I had the restaurant beef and was the bomb. I even tried those fast food mall type outlets. They serve the steaks with fries, egg, rice ,vegs.

Even the pizzas was good, cheese seemed local and thick.

Cant beat Argentinan & Brazilian beef.

From what i seen, Brazil is a place to migrate to. Relatively clean where i was staying, very friendly people. I kept an eye out for crime and misfits but nil. Maybe where i was staying was not a crime area. Saw no Alcoholics or rude boys.

I had one person walk up to me asking me for money cause he wanted something to eat. An unkept mid age man of mixed afro look. Ended up getting him something that look like a Jamaican patty. Saw these all over that looked like a breakfast meal of the sorts.

Other issue i saw was traffic to and from airport, was bumper to bumper. It took 2 hrs to get where i saw staying, driver told me on an easy day 1hr tops.

The malls are top notch, not the exclusive malls of Gucci, LV , rolex as in Europe. There are suited for the income of the population which i would say is mid level, like levi, Tommy and some brands i have never seen before but was looking good. Cars of all brands but mostly Volkswagen. Gas stations always seem packed. Public transport is bus and the bus stops alway have people waiting. Motorcycle galore but mostly 125cc.

Main issue is the language and i dont think its hard to learn, simular to Spanish. Some people in stores & restaurants do speak some English.

Farms are massive and miles & miles. Anyone in to cattle farming then this is the place. Loads of manufacturing industries. Did not get a chance to observe housing cost or cost of living.

I think trinis need to think outside of the box. A younger me was always told head to US & Canada, because thats all people at time knew and still do.

[Chimera]

Anytime we in the zone we taking some drinks tim?

All you can drink beer and cachaça on me.

i googled cachaca hoping it was slang for something else.

but okay we wud work with that

[MaxPower]

Zoom,

You only eating a set of red meat…look after your health my boy.

Remember to throw in a little exercise, drink water, eat clean.

[zoom rader]

Zoom,

You only eating a set of red meat…look after your health my boy.

Remember to throw in a little exercise, drink water, eat clean.

Grass fed only son.

Remember i have a cattle or two

[pugboy]

angostura used to make it, not sure if they still do it is just a simple white rum
used for caipirinha which is common like a rum and cokes

Anytime we in the zone we taking some drinks tim?

All you can drink beer and cachaça on me.

i googled cachaca hoping it was slang for something else.

but okay we wud work with that

[nick639v2]

angostura used to make it, not sure if they still do it is just a simple white rum
used for caipirinha which is common like a rum and cokes

Anytime we in the zone we taking some drinks tim?

All you can drink beer and cachaça on me.

i googled cachaca hoping it was slang for something else.

but okay we wud work with that

A good caipirana will have you fcuked up swiftly. That sugarcane rum and additional raw sugar does move like a ninja in your system

[triniterribletim]

angostura used to make it, not sure if they still do it is just a simple white rum
used for caipirinha which is common like a rum and cokes

Anytime we in the zone we taking some drinks tim?

All you can drink beer and cachaça on me.

i googled cachaca hoping it was slang for something else.

but okay we wud work with that

It's more like the French rums, because they make it from sugarcane juice itself, not just the molasses. Apparently they sell the cheap cachaça you can buy for 19 TTD a bottle in any grocery for 288 TTD a bottle in Solera.

[AlphaMan]

angostura used to make it, not sure if they still do it is just a simple white rum
used for caipirinha which is common like a rum and cokes

Anytime we in the zone we taking some drinks tim?

All you can drink beer and cachaça on me.

i googled cachaca hoping it was slang for something else.

but okay we wud work with that

It's more like the French rums, because they make it from sugarcane juice itself, not just the molasses. Apparently they sell the cheap cachaça you can buy for 19 TTD a bottle in any grocery for 288 TTD a bottle in Solera.

download.png

How is life treating you in Brazil?

[triniterribletim]

angostura used to make it, not sure if they still do it is just a simple white rum
used for caipirinha which is common like a rum and cokes

Anytime we in the zone we taking some drinks tim?

All you can drink beer and cachaça on me.

i googled cachaca hoping it was slang for something else.

but okay we wud work with that

It's more like the French rums, because they make it from sugarcane juice itself, not just the molasses. Apparently they sell the cheap cachaça you can buy for 19 TTD a bottle in any grocery for 288 TTD a bottle in Solera.

download.png

How is life treating you in Brazil?

Life is good. Easygoing and slow. No complaints except for the smoke whenever there is a wildfire. None particularly close to where I live though. Winter is over in a few days and spring is on the way.

[AlphaMan]

angostura used to make it, not sure if they still do it is just a simple white rum
used for caipirinha which is common like a rum and cokes

Anytime we in the zone we taking some drinks tim?

All you can drink beer and cachaça on me.

i googled cachaca hoping it was slang for something else.

but okay we wud work with that

It's more like the French rums, because they make it from sugarcane juice itself, not just the molasses. Apparently they sell the cheap cachaça you can buy for 19 TTD a bottle in any grocery for 288 TTD a bottle in Solera.

download.png

How is life treating you in Brazil?

Life is good. Easygoing and slow. No complaints except for the smoke whenever there is a wildfire. None particularly close to where I live though. Winter is over in a few days and spring is on the way.

How is the crime over there?
What about the language barrier?

[triniterribletim]

angostura used to make it, not sure if they still do it is just a simple white rum
used for caipirinha which is common like a rum and cokes

Anytime we in the zone we taking some drinks tim?

All you can drink beer and cachaça on me.

i googled cachaca hoping it was slang for something else.

but okay we wud work with that

It's more like the French rums, because they make it from sugarcane juice itself, not just the molasses. Apparently they sell the cheap cachaça you can buy for 19 TTD a bottle in any grocery for 288 TTD a bottle in Solera.

download.png

How is life treating you in Brazil?

Life is good. Easygoing and slow. No complaints except for the smoke whenever there is a wildfire. None particularly close to where I live though. Winter is over in a few days and spring is on the way.

How is the crime over there?
What about the language barrier?

Crime? The crime rate where I live is practically negligible. I passed my Portuguese proficiency examinations with scores in the 90s as well.

[ceja]

Leaving Trinidad can be tough, especially with limited job options. If you’ve lived abroad, you might face culture shock and loneliness, but there are also new opportunities.

[Dohplaydat]

Leaving Trinidad can be tough, especially with limited job options. If you’ve lived abroad, you might face culture shock and loneliness, but there are also new opportunities.

You got to be mentally ready to let go and appreciate new people and cultures, but once you do, you can't easily adjust back to Trini life, it's going to feel really limiting and small.

[widdyphuck]

angostura used to make it, not sure if they still do it is just a simple white rum
used for caipirinha which is common like a rum and cokes

Anytime we in the zone we taking some drinks tim?

All you can drink beer and cachaça on me.

i googled cachaca hoping it was slang for something else.

but okay we wud work with that

It's more like the French rums, because they make it from sugarcane juice itself, not just the molasses. Apparently they sell the cheap cachaça you can buy for 19 TTD a bottle in any grocery for 288 TTD a bottle in Solera.

download.png

How is life treating you in Brazil?

Life is good. Easygoing and slow. No complaints except for the smoke whenever there is a wildfire. None particularly close to where I live though. Winter is over in a few days and spring is on the way.

What about prostitution...heard it's out of control over there

[triniterribletim]

angostura used to make it, not sure if they still do it is just a simple white rum
used for caipirinha which is common like a rum and cokes

Anytime we in the zone we taking some drinks tim?

All you can drink beer and cachaça on me.

i googled cachaca hoping it was slang for something else.

but okay we wud work with that

It's more like the French rums, because they make it from sugarcane juice itself, not just the molasses. Apparently they sell the cheap cachaça you can buy for 19 TTD a bottle in any grocery for 288 TTD a bottle in Solera.

download.png

How is life treating you in Brazil?

Life is good. Easygoing and slow. No complaints except for the smoke whenever there is a wildfire. None particularly close to where I live though. Winter is over in a few days and spring is on the way.

What about prostitution...heard it's out of control over there

Not more than any major city worldwide, mostly confined to poverty stricken areas or red light districts, which aren't really places I would go to. I've honestly seen more ads for prostitutes while walking around London than I've seen while walking around São Paulo.

[triniterribletim]

Another plus about Brazil, private healthcare is extremely affordable. I've never gotten sick here, but my father in law needed a dermatologist because of a psoriasis flare up. I had signed him up for a health plan where he pays 29 BRL (36 TTD) a month for him and my mother in law. I had to schedule the appointment for him in the application, because he isn't the best with technology. The visit was 35 BRL (43 TTD). Same day appointment for 4:30 pm, we got to the private hospital at 4 pm, nice new building, fully air-conditioned with comfortable padded seating. Reception saw us at 4:07 pm and directed us to where the Dermatology department was. When we got in at 4:46 pm the Dr. said he needed some growths cauterized and a corticosteroid injection. It cost 180 BRL (223 TTD) and everything was resolved and got the prescription for what he needed. Just had to buy him a tub of Cetaphil for 95 BRL (118 TTD) that Superpharm has on their website for 221 TTD, and the rest of the medicine, he got at the neighborhood dispensary. Yes, they have public dispensaries for every part of the city where you get free generic medication. I remember that my grandfather used to have to go by Dr. Basanta in St. Augustine and every time was at least 1000 TTD had to shell out, and that was back in the day. You could never get that level of service for anywhere near that price in Trinidad and Tobago.

[AlphaMan]

Is there any benefit in remaining in Trinidad?

[nick639v2]

^^You get to be lazy, pee on the side of the road, real plenty public holidays and everything could work out for u once you run a lil racket.

[AlphaMan]

Another plus about Brazil, private healthcare is extremely affordable. I've never gotten sick here, but my father in law needed a dermatologist because of a psoriasis flare up. I had signed him up for a health plan where he pays 29 BRL (36 TTD) a month for him and my mother in law. I had to schedule the appointment for him in the application, because he isn't the best with technology. The visit was 35 BRL (43 TTD). Same day appointment for 4:30 pm, we got to the private hospital at 4 pm, nice new building, fully air-conditioned with comfortable padded seating. Reception saw us at 4:07 pm and directed us to where the Dermatology department was. When we got in at 4:46 pm the Dr. said he needed some growths cauterized and a corticosteroid injection. It cost 180 BRL (223 TTD) and everything was resolved and got the prescription for what he needed. Just had to buy him a tub of Cetaphil for 95 BRL (118 TTD) that Superpharm has on their website for 221 TTD, and the rest of the medicine, he got at the neighborhood dispensary. Yes, they have public dispensaries for every part of the city where you get free generic medication. I remember that my grandfather used to have to go by Dr. Basanta in St. Augustine and every time was at least 1000 TTD had to shell out, and that was back in the day. You could never get that level of service for anywhere near that price in Trinidad and Tobago.

Does your wife speak English?

[triniterribletim]

Another plus about Brazil, private healthcare is extremely affordable. I've never gotten sick here, but my father in law needed a dermatologist because of a psoriasis flare up. I had signed him up for a health plan where he pays 29 BRL (36 TTD) a month for him and my mother in law. I had to schedule the appointment for him in the application, because he isn't the best with technology. The visit was 35 BRL (43 TTD). Same day appointment for 4:30 pm, we got to the private hospital at 4 pm, nice new building, fully air-conditioned with comfortable padded seating. Reception saw us at 4:07 pm and directed us to where the Dermatology department was. When we got in at 4:46 pm the Dr. said he needed some growths cauterized and a corticosteroid injection. It cost 180 BRL (223 TTD) and everything was resolved and got the prescription for what he needed. Just had to buy him a tub of Cetaphil for 95 BRL (118 TTD) that Superpharm has on their website for 221 TTD, and the rest of the medicine, he got at the neighborhood dispensary. Yes, they have public dispensaries for every part of the city where you get free generic medication. I remember that my grandfather used to have to go by Dr. Basanta in St. Augustine and every time was at least 1000 TTD had to shell out, and that was back in the day. You could never get that level of service for anywhere near that price in Trinidad and Tobago.

Does your wife speak English?

Better than most girls with the Cornvent accent.

[AlphaMan]

Police kidnapping citizens now. Time to head out.

[leavingforgood]

I can't believe it's been almost a year since I last commented in this thread. I was talking with a friend earlier today about Carnival and came on Tuner looking for the old Carnival threads to show her pictures and videos. Imagine my happiness when I saw this thread on the first page of Ole Talk especially since I am rooting for everyone on their journies.


Winter is fast approaching as we've officially entered single digit temperatures (I still check my weather in celcius, that fahrenheit life is not for me) and I am pleasantly surprised at how my body has adapted to the lower temperatures. Last year around this time I was bundled up and refused to leave my house once sunset hit and that wind chill came out to play.


I visited T&T last month to tie up some more loose ends and to check on my mom. I made a trip to licensing office and of course the people were rude and I had to wait hours for something that could have been done in 60 minutes or less. One section went to lunch, then when they came back and sent us to another section, that section went on lunch SIGHHH sweet sweet T&T.


The roads in Maraval were still bad as usual but I never expected to see so many old businesses gone and so many new businesses in their place or their spots being empty. Maybe the naivety in me hoped that, with the pandemic being over for a couple of years now, things would've been a bit more stable.


I was also surprised to see less luxury vehicles driving around. I remember spending my rides to/from home mentally noting cars that would've been great additions to the 'Spotters' thread. I guess everybody has to "ban dey belly" these days. On my way from the airport, I stopped at Pennywise and Tru Valu in Trincity mall and ended up being shocked that Trincity mall actually had people and at just how expensive grocery items in T&T are once I converted the prices from TTD to USD. Grocery stores on the island really need to start adding better sales and coupons because there is no way normal people would be able to consistently eat well at those prices. The government loves to talk about adjusting sales taxes on breakfast foods yet the amount of cereal I could go down the road to CVS or Walgreens and buy for $30TTD would easily cost me $120+TTD at Hilo/Tru Valu. That is madness.


For the tuners worried about landing on your feet finance-wise I will say that I am making the same amount and sometimes more in USD than I was making in TTD without the TTD prices. I know I phrased that a bit weird so what I mean is e.g. if I was making $1000TTD a month I'm currently making $1000USD a month while paying half the price (or even less) for the same items so my money is going a very long way. I think I said this in my last post but just put your head down, work hard, be honest, and you'll be better than alright.


I was proud of myself for opening up a retirement account here and started contributing to it earlier this year. I guess nothing feels more like home than planning your retirement.


My mom is still in T&T because she wants to be around some of her older friends who don't have too many years left but once they kick the bucket she will be joining me. I'm hoping that by the time she comes up, I will have my citizenship so I would just sponsor her green card and call it a day.


For those of you abroad with family back home, sending money to them via Western Union and Moneygram is hassle-free and it has great deals. I've sent my mom money via Western Union and they gave me a great rate plus $0 transaction fees because they had a sale/promotion going on. If you're frugal like me, you should check their rates every few days, I've gotten up to $7.20TTD for $1USD so it was nice that my mom was able to get even more money than I initially planned on sending.


I can't think of much more to add to this post so I think I'll be heading out of tuner again until next year. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and drink lots of Shandy Carib for me. Too many please over here have expired food


OH! I saw Bourbon biscuits in the red pack at Duane Reade (Walgreens) the other day! I almost cleared off the shelf in excitement but they were all expired steupsssss best believe when next I find some local snacks out here I will be eating my belly full!


I'm also on the hunt for a good roti spot but I cannot bring myself to pay US roti prices and I am real funny when it comes to roti and Chinese food. I don't trust eating it from just any ole place (SHOUT OUT TO ROTI CAFE IN SANTA CRUZ! When next I visit best believe you will see my face!). Caribbean restaurants here are where I see the price differences in a bad way because roti here is double the price of roti in Trinidad STEUPSSSSSSS.


Anyway, ah gone lol

[abbow]

^^ time to skill up bro....learn to make that roti....