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Greetings:

I hope you all had a fantastic weekend.

As always The Carnival Doctor is here for you to provide you with the best in class in terms of advice and help so that your carnival can run as smooth as possible with as few hiccups as possible.

There will always be some things that you don't expect but the more prepared you are, the better you can handle them. That is why we, the staff and family of TriniJungleJuice, are working feverishly to provide you with the info that you need so that your carnival experience will not only be memorable but enjoyable. 

If you haven't taken the time to get the "Ultimate Road Ready Guide," by Dr. Ferguson, please do so today, as it will be a great addition to the tips and strategies also provided here on TJJ.

Without any further adieu, let's jump right in.

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Carnival Tip #12 - Beware Of The Fete
List Monkey Wrench (Costume Pickup)
The 7 Things You Need To Know About
Costume Pickup
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A few days ago The Carnival Doctor provided Carnival Tip #10 "Make Your Fete List Now."

I am aware that many of you headed that advice and most definitely started to make your list. I had the Carnival Virgins that I coach, make their lists and start hunting down their fete tickets or at least make some strong concerted efforts to get tickets. 

Why?

Because they need to learn how to do this for themselves.  

Side Note: If you are a veteran and you are doing everything for your Carnival Virgins, PLEASE STOP.  Guide them and help them.  Coach them. But do not do it all for them because if and when the time comes that they need to do it for themselves, they will not be able to do it. And you must teach them so that they can teach someone else. Also, you actually want to create such good veterans that they become an addition to the circle and can actually help you in the future. This is the goal.

Well, after providing you with the advice about the fete list, let me tell you the one thing that can actually cause you to miss a fete and throw a complete monkey wrench in your fete plans -- COSTUME PICKUP.

Now, here's the deal. 

If you are a virgin, let me explain this to you.  You will be informed when and where you can pick up your costume in Trinidad. At that time, you will have to get transportation and retrieve your costume, put it in your room and then continue on with your plans. 

This can take as little as 30 minutes or as much as a few hours. 

There are all types of problems that occur at costume pickup but for the most part, things run smoothly.

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KEY INFORMATION
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Here's my advice to you:

1. If you are a carnival virgin, let me explain this to you -- I DON'T GIVE A SH*T if you are missing a wing on your costume. Or if you misplace your drinking cup. Or if you can't find your leg shield or the damn thing that goes around your neck or waist.  Whatever you do.  AND I MEAN, WHATEVER YOU DO -- DO NOT LOSE THAT F******* ARM BAND!!!!

That armband is your lifeline.  If you lose that, you might as well, light up a cigarette and sit in the middle of the road.  Guard that armband with your life.  What I usually do is put it in the safe in the hotel room (along with my fete tickets). 

2. Do NOT get frustrated if you are "missing" something or a fete to go to costume pickup.  You are at Carnival for carnival. You are there for the fetes too, but you are really there for Monday and Tuesday.  Everything else is part of the crescendo, the build up. Just look at the costume pickup process as part of that crescendo.

3. Find out when costume pickup is as soon as possible and then get with your crew and adjust your fete schedule per the costume pickup time which you all agree to. 

4. If you are with a crew of people, go pick up your costumes together! Trust me. It helps with the process and makes it fun.

5. As SOON as you get your costume and you get back to your room, put on your FULL costume and check everything from head to toe. Make sure things fit and that there's nothing extraneous rubbing you or bothering your or that's too tight or does not fit.  NOW is the time to fix this! Not on Tuesday morning. 

6. Make sure you PRINT out a picture of what your costume looks like BEFORE you leave AND save a picture of it on your phone. You will be surprised how confusing everything is if you don't have a picture to reference.

and number seven...

7. If your flight schedule is tight and you are getting in on Sunday or on late Saturday, please make sure you email the band through their contact information on their website and check to see their policy on allowing someone in your crew to pick up your costume for you.  This is IMPORTANT. 

For all of my wily carnival veterans reading this, I know that some of this information is not new to you, but you already know that some of the things that you just know and take for granted, are actually really earth-shattering for a carnival first-timer.

So, please make sure that you make your fete list and then make sure that you understand where the holes are in your schedule that you can pick up your costume.

Look, there's a lot more to do than many are even aware of and although, The Carnival Doctor is a carnival veteran and NOT a carnival expert --  THE CARNIVAL DOCTOR is a 2004 Olympian who has traveled the world.

I said it before and I will say it again..... "Just Because You Are A Carnival Veteran, That Does Not Make You A Carnival Expert!  We All Have Things We Can Learn!"

Thank you for your compliance.

(If you've enjoyed this, you will most certainly enjoy The Ultimate Road Ready Guide)

Blessings From Here To There,

Rhadi Ferguson, PhD
"The Carnival Doctor"

P.S. For the best information in the world concerning carnivals please visit www.TriniJungleJuice.com  For the most comprehensive site available for fete tickets and masquerader costumes, please visit www.MyCarnivalBands.com

P.P.S. For more information on how to properly prepare for carnival like a true veteran, please visit www.CarnivalPrep.com