f Paria - Ins and Outs of Trinidad & Tobago 2013
f Paria - Ins and Outs of Trinidad & Tobago 2013
f Paria - Ins and Outs of Trinidad & Tobago 2013
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River Lime<br />
It’s a<br />
Trini Thing<br />
by Cherisse Moe<br />
Make your way to the twin-isl<strong>and</strong><br />
state <strong>of</strong> <strong>Trinidad</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tobago</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
you embark on an adventure <strong>of</strong> a<br />
lifetime. There you will encounter a<br />
smorgasbord <strong>of</strong> experiences that<br />
run the gamut from friendly natives,<br />
scenic flora <strong>and</strong> fauna, mouth watering<br />
cuisine <strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong> course, linguistics that<br />
are purely “Trini.” You will inevitably<br />
be invited enthusiastically to go for a<br />
“lime” but this is not to be confused<br />
with the tangy fruit you are acquainted<br />
with—what this means is that you are<br />
in for a real good time.<br />
Intrinsic in the Trini culture, liming<br />
is a <strong>Trinidad</strong>ian slang, which simply<br />
means to enjoy in the company <strong>of</strong><br />
good friends <strong>and</strong> family. According to<br />
aboutlanguageschools.com, (a Web<br />
site dedicated to indigenous slang)<br />
liming is, “A party or any get together,<br />
to hang-out, or (more recently) to date<br />
someone.” There are many facets<br />
to liming; one could spend the time<br />
discussing various topics <strong>of</strong> interest,<br />
dancing to calypso, soca, pop etc. For a<br />
Trini, anywhere a can become a liming spot—from clubs to beaches<br />
to bars to the backyard <strong>of</strong> a house, the venue is not as important as<br />
the company (<strong>and</strong> the food <strong>of</strong> course!).<br />
A Trini river lime ranks high among the most enjoyable kinds<br />
<strong>of</strong> entertainment on the isl<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> is sure to get your adrenaline<br />
pumping. What can be better than the feeling you get from kicking<br />
back <strong>and</strong> relaxing with family <strong>and</strong> friends, satisfying the palate<br />
with some good “Trini” food, while witnessing nature at its best A<br />
phenomenon, rooted deeply in the heart <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Trinidad</strong>ian culture<br />
<strong>and</strong> particularly common in the East Indian community, river limes<br />
are a popular family affair, an all day event that evokes much<br />
laughter, “ole” talk <strong>and</strong> togetherness.<br />
Cooking the meal on the banks <strong>of</strong> the river is an ongoing<br />
tradition. Some river limers make a fireside, which is akin to an<br />
outdoor stove. Using natural materials, such as wood or bamboo,<br />
a fire is lit <strong>and</strong> the food is sizzled until perfection. Curried duck,<br />
corn soup, oil down, barbequed meats, pelau, geera chicken <strong>and</strong><br />
pork are common local dishes for the occasion. A cooler filled with<br />
both alcoholic <strong>and</strong> non-alcoholic beverages, including ice-cold<br />
Carib <strong>and</strong> Stag Beers are essentials too. Fun leisure activities, like<br />
the popular card game, All Fours, are a favourite among river-lime<br />
enthusiasts. Throw some good music in the mix <strong>and</strong> a day by the<br />
river is the ultimate “Trini” lime.<br />
The highly anticipated lime usually begins in the early morning<br />
<strong>and</strong> goes until the late evening. The more adventurous river<br />
limer, however, can lime well into the night, savouring all the<br />
experiences a true “Trini” river lime has to <strong>of</strong>fer, until the very last<br />
drop. Deadlines <strong>and</strong> the growing stack <strong>of</strong> paper work at the <strong>of</strong>fice<br />
are placed on the back burner...at least until Monday morning<br />
rolls around again. Public holidays are popular days for river limes<br />
too, as scores <strong>of</strong> local river limers <strong>and</strong> tourists alike, flock to their<br />
favourite river for a day <strong>of</strong> fun in the sun.<br />
What makes this experience even more amazing is the fact<br />
that most rivers in <strong>Trinidad</strong> are fairly untouched by the h<strong>and</strong>s <strong>of</strong><br />
industrialisation, making them a sight to see indeed. Some <strong>of</strong> the<br />
more popular rivers include, Caura, Maracas, Lopinot, Valencia,<br />
Guanapo, Matura, Gr<strong>and</strong> Rivière, Matelot <strong>and</strong> Indian Bay in Mayaro.<br />
While proper facilities are sadly lacking at some <strong>of</strong> these locations,<br />
others are river-lime friendly <strong>and</strong> allow limers the opportunity to<br />
thoroughly enjoy the experience. One such river is the one located<br />
at Lopinot, which boasts a wide-open grassy area with st<strong>and</strong>s <strong>of</strong><br />
bamboo <strong>and</strong> metal huts, as well as bamboo stools. This spot is<br />
ideal for children, the elderly <strong>and</strong> those who cannot swim, as the<br />
river is not as deep. Meanwhile, at Caura, several ajoupas, (shelters<br />
with thatched ro<strong>of</strong>s) have been built on the riverbank.<br />
For those wanting to bond with nature, the serenity <strong>of</strong> the<br />
crystal-clear waters rolling gently along a canopy <strong>of</strong> bamboo can<br />
leave one in awe. The melodious sounds <strong>of</strong> a variety <strong>of</strong> birds<br />
chirping in a collective voice also set the tone for a day <strong>of</strong> pure<br />
enjoyment. Those desiring a more upbeat atmosphere can turn<br />
the tempo up a notch or two with some good Trini music, usually<br />
chutney or soca. One may witness limers moving their hips to the<br />
sounds <strong>of</strong> the music; this is called “wining” <strong>and</strong> is a signature Trini<br />
dance.<br />
Truly a national pastime, river limes are so popular, that even<br />
corporate events <strong>and</strong> parties are held at the river. Those who have<br />
had the opportunity to visit the many rivers that adorn the isl<strong>and</strong><br />
know that nothing quite hits the spot like a good “Trini” river lime.<br />
For those <strong>of</strong> who have not, be sure to put it on your to-do list. Oh!<br />
Depending on the time <strong>of</strong> day, sun block is required, for long after<br />
the lime is over you will still be sporting your sun-kissed Caribbean<br />
tan!<br />
Illustration by Keith Anderson<br />
The <strong>Ins</strong> & <strong>Outs</strong> o f <strong>Trinidad</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tobago</strong><br />
39