Trinidad Carnival is done.

Bacchanal Jamaica is done.

"The Double" as we call it, is over.

Now there are several carnivals, jouverts and fetes between now and next year.

But.......

If you are planning to do carnival in Trinidad in 2016 please take this tip.

Get Yourself Into A Good Position Now.

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A Friendly Piece
of Advice
============

Just like in a race, you will want to jockey for a good position before the race even starts. This will help you for sure.  Carnival veterans don't mind helping you but NOW is the time to start asking for help, not when they are trying to get in their last jump for the year in Miami or during Labor Day or when they are preparing for Cropover.

Now is the time to ask for advice and to let them know you are serious.

Case in point.

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The Vets Are Already
On The Move
================

The Carnival Doctor is in SEVERAL "private groups" as are many veterans and most of us have already done the following:

1. We already booked our flight to Trinidad for 2016 or have it on hold
2. Our housing is already booked or we have it on hold
3. Our fete list is already made per the communication that we had after carnival, the reviews from the fetes and our travel schedule.
4. We already know what band we are playing with and have our crew already together
5. We already know which Jouvert band we are playing with

Now you can call us crazy if you want to but......

THE ONLY FLICKIN' REASON THAT WE CAN HELP OUT VIRGINS AND NEWBIES IS BECAUSE WE DO PLAN THIS EARLY.

If we did not plan this early we would not be able to help you.

I cannot begin to tell you how difficult it is for some people to realize that planning for such a trip has to be done in stages and months in advance in order for it to be done right. 

Many may disagree but......

The person whose life I helped save on the road when they passed out twice because they forgot their inhaler for their asthma while having a FULL ON asthma attack will not disagree  (because if she planned early and read de book and de tips she would have known to get an extra inhaler or two to give to she friends!!)

Many may disagree but.......

The person who did not eat breakfast and was having a huge headache because she was carbohydrate depleted and I have to provide her with a carb rich protein bar which alleviated her headache in 12 minutes will not disagree (because if you are on the road at 9am the sun and the dancing will beat your ass into the ground. And you will have such a good time that you will forget to eat.  And you do not want to be one of those folks that pass out on the side of the road. It HAPPENS.... to the best of them.)

Many may disagree but.....

The person standing outside of the fete trying to get tickets to one of the hottest fetes in Trinidad because her friend told her, "Girl, somebody is always outside selling tickets" WHO NEVER MADE IT INTO THE FETE will not disagree (because she wasn't sure if she wanted to go to THAT fete or not and didn't know that the default is to buy the ticket and resell it NOT wait to buy it in TNT.  It's better to eat a $100 ticket than not have it.  Hell, the trip is $3,000 USD.  I had an extra Vale ticket that I ate, BUT everybody from my crew was in Vale. And that is what is important to our crew. That we all get in. And over the years, we've all ate a ticket or two.)

Many may disagree but.....

The person who could not secure housing because they didn't listen and ended up staying in the hotel by the airport or in a place in Chaugaramus and was vexed because they did not have a driver or a way to get to the fetes and spent so much in cab fare that they could have stayed and extra day will not disagree (because that person did not want to book the hotel early and then procrastinated and then said, "I can stay with my friend."  And did not know the friend's living situation was not conducive to her having a productive carnival.)

So you can disagree if you want, but if I were you and I am a carnival virgin or a newbie.

I would jockey myself into a good position early.

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A Hint To The Wise
Is Sufficient
===============

Here's what you should do sooner than later.....

1. Read the book - The Ultimate Road Ready Guide YESTERDAY.
2. Connect YOURSELF to every social media outlet site that deals with carnival
3. Find a friend or a friend of a friend that will be willing to take you under their wing and show you the ropes (but read the book first so that you will come to the table with some knowledge. Social media is great for this.)
4. You should read all of tips from The Carnival Doctor of TriniJungleJuice and heed the advice
5.  Set yourself up for success NOW and either get or HOLD your housing and airfare now

But.........

As my good friend and vet that took me under his wing, Winston Williams says, "Bredren. It's your carnival. Play it how yuh want!"

Here's what I want to tell you......PLEASE, PLEASE, please, take the extra step and put yourself in a good position for carnival for 2016. There are so many other carnivals and fetes to go to that waiting until the last minute just isn't worth it.

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