While other Caribbean islands have adopted their own versions of J'ouvert, people from all over the Caribbean flock to Port of Spain, Trinidad, for the unparalleled kickoff to Carnival Monday, when revelers drink, dance and smear each other with colorful clay and paint.
J'ouvert awesome again! —
While other Caribbean islands have adopted their own versions of J'ouvert, people from all over the Caribbean flock to Port of Spain, Trinidad, for the unparalleled kickoff to Carnival Monday, when revelers drink, dance and smear each other with colorful clay and paint.
Mara Sofferin
"I've wanted to come to Trinidad Carnival for years and I finally made it," says cocoa-covered Jenna, a graduate student from Berlin. "I've traveled around the world and it's unlike anything I've ever experienced. Carnival isn't even over and I'm already planning next year's trip!"
Dream trip —
"I've wanted to come to Trinidad Carnival for years and I finally made it," says cocoa-covered Jenna, a graduate student from Berlin. "I've traveled around the world and it's unlike anything I've ever experienced. Carnival isn't even over and I'm already planning next year's trip!"
Mara Sofferin
Carnival week and Valentine's Day coincided this year. Many cupids made an appearance.
What's trending? —
Carnival week and Valentine's Day coincided this year. Many cupids made an appearance.
Mara Sofferin
Dancers follow awe-inspiring percussion groups that roam the streets on trucks.
We got the blues —
Dancers follow awe-inspiring percussion groups that roam the streets on trucks.
Mara Sofferin
"David and I met on Semester at Sea when we were in university," says Melanie, a mortician from Philadelphia, of her husband. "We've traveled the world together since we met as teenagers, but nothing compares to this trip."
Nothing compares —
"David and I met on Semester at Sea when we were in university," says Melanie, a mortician from Philadelphia, of her husband. "We've traveled the world together since we met as teenagers, but nothing compares to this trip."
Mara Sofferin
On Dimanche Gras, the Sunday before Carnival Tuesday, Kiddie Carnival features children in a costumed cavalcade through Port of Spain. Carnival is a family friendly festival as illustrated by these happy twins attending their first J'ouvert.
Rookie moves —
On Dimanche Gras, the Sunday before Carnival Tuesday, Kiddie Carnival features children in a costumed cavalcade through Port of Spain. Carnival is a family friendly festival as illustrated by these happy twins attending their first J'ouvert.
Mara Sofferin
Why stop at paint? From crazy to creepy, costumes and accessories are a spectacle in and of themselves.
As always, J'ouvert is an eyeful —
Why stop at paint? From crazy to creepy, costumes and accessories are a spectacle in and of themselves.
Mara Sofferin
Thousands don neon wigs and make their ways through the streets in Port of Spain. On J'ouvert, all streets in the capital city are closed to make way for throngs of "fetters."
Local color —
Thousands don neon wigs and make their ways through the streets in Port of Spain. On J'ouvert, all streets in the capital city are closed to make way for throngs of "fetters."
Mara Sofferin
Bride-to-be Jaclyn Sopik (right), a lawyer from Toronto, is celebrating her bachelorette party at this year's Trinidad Carnival. "It's my seventh Carnival, I came once and I've been hooked since," she says. "There's a term 'Carnival tabanca,' which refers to the overwhelming sense of emptiness one feels at the end of Carnival ... beware!"
The Bachelorette —
Bride-to-be Jaclyn Sopik (right), a lawyer from Toronto, is celebrating her bachelorette party at this year's Trinidad Carnival. "It's my seventh Carnival, I came once and I've been hooked since," she says. "There's a term 'Carnival tabanca,' which refers to the overwhelming sense of emptiness one feels at the end of Carnival ... beware!"
Mara Sofferin
The Cocoa Devils J'ouvert band is known for it's liquid chocolate "paint." Even after the sun rises and revelers have become visible to one another, most remain unrecognizable, sometimes even to friends.
50 shades of cocoa —
The Cocoa Devils J'ouvert band is known for it's liquid chocolate "paint." Even after the sun rises and revelers have become visible to one another, most remain unrecognizable, sometimes even to friends.
Mara Sofferin
Many J'ouvert parties are all-inclusive, providing food and drinks to participants all night long.
Going strong —
Many J'ouvert parties are all-inclusive, providing food and drinks to participants all night long.
Mara Sofferin
"We have our own J'ouvert in St. Lucia, but nothing compares to J'ouvert in Trinidad," say Trischa and Beth.
Visitor appeal —
"We have our own J'ouvert in St. Lucia, but nothing compares to J'ouvert in Trinidad," say Trischa and Beth.
Mara Soff