Holiday in Trinidad, River Lime

A holiday be it a day granted by the State in honor of an achievement, Tradition, Culture or Saturdays and Sundays when folks have no pressing commitments and the time to mingle. People choose different forms of entertainment including the river lime.

The lime starts with people getting together either private single families, families and close friends. They collect the “fire cracker” three stones, four pieces of iron and fire wood, based on their desire. They purchase and put together the things they would be cooking, water, rice, flour, provisions yam, Cassava. Meat, the type depends on the composition of the party. They also put drinks together which range from nonalcoholic to alcoholic. They then journey to the river.

These “river lime spaces” are located in clear spaces on the banks of river and tributaries. These spaces are situated on private lands, where there is an established “ pay per use”. Spaces on river banks which is owned by the State and maintained by the State and their agencies, the use of these places are at no cost. There are also spaces on river banks not maintained by the State but is maintained by the number of people who visit the area. Many of the river bank spaces have sheds in case of rain.   

On reaching the river the participants make arrangement for the cooking and the pots go on, some participants take part in bathing in the river or just liming and making jokes, having drinks, not necessary alcohol, listening to music.

There is always the internal competition of “who food tasting better”, there is however seldom agreement on the food taste, it always appears that the lime must be repeated in future times and the judging would continue.

This is an outdoor activity, the participants are very happy to experience these opportunities. An always they look forward for holidays to get more.