For years I have loved the grand spectacle of the carnival stage, the constant stream of great new soca and the smiling friendly faces from all over the world.
The dizzying euphoria of carnival is still, after 20 years, unparalleled.

I sometimes wonder, if I could go back in time what would I do differently to make my “carnival career” better. Overall, I think I’ve come close to enjoying my carnival experiences as much as I possibly could.
Here is my advice for the newbie carnival chasers that could make your career even better than mine has been.

Buy earplugs.
This one may be a surprise to be my number one piece of advice, but I regret doing my first handful of carnivals without earplugs. By the time I started wearing them, almost a decade later, I had already developed a faint tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
Earplugs make even the loudest truck-back comfortably tolerated.
“Conversations” in the fete are actually someone screaming into your ear hole PLUS deafening music. Earplugs counterintuitively make it EASIER to hear people talking to you in super loud environments.
When the fete is done you take off the earplugs and everything is back to normal without the loud ringing you can get immediately after the fete/road. That loud ringing is the physical manifestation of loss of the microscopic sensors your inner ears use to detect sound! Once lost those sensors can’t be replaced.
I use these reusable types that have self retaining extensions.

On that same note, go all in on SPF 100 sunscreen for any daytime event or the road. Remember your head top, ears and neck back!

Don’t overdo the fetes.
This is another counterintuitive piece of advice that most will have to learn the hard way.
One fete in a day is FUN. Two fetes is twice as nice …but the fete to fun relationship is NOT linear.
Packing three, four or 5 fetes into a 24 hour period quickly gets you into a state of deminshing returns. Having time to recover, rehydrate and refuel between fetes is essential to actually enjoying the party.
I keep it to 2 events per 24 hour period. Eg breakfast fete and night fete. Or night fete followed by an afternoon fete.
Spend more time with friends.
Some of my most CHERISHED memories are of me and my team in the living room of the house we rented simply liming, eating and enjoying each other’s company.
When you are in the fete you can’t talk or interact, everyone has side quests going on and the rum is bussing in everyone’s head.
The secret to amazing carnival memories is the connection and time shared with friends doing mundane things like getting ready for fetes/road and grabbing food on the road will help to make your carnival memories more special. Make that time happen.
Use carnival as a source of focus.
I’ve mentioned this in blog posts before but I feel that life depends on balance. Carnival is a week of extreme catharsis, indulgence and self care. Its important to balance the experience by using the anticipation to strengthen your discipline when it comes to your family relationships, diet and fitness journey.
Put your best foot forward and take pics!
Carnival (for me at least) is a time to celebrate not only our shared culture, but also to celebrate ourselves. For ME this means getting in the BEST shape possible,
whitening my teeth, smelling good, dressing/looking good. Put your best foot forward!
Take the time to record those high points for posterity AND print your favourites. After 20 years of jumping on many a carnival road and shooting countless great shots of others I have too few photos of myself to remind myself of my experiences.