#galleryyuhself/Trinidad Remains

[galleryyuhself]

Galleryyuhself - Best Short Narrative at the TTFF 2023.

[galleryyuhself]

Galleryyuhself - TTFF - Trinidad Remains - Check it out.

[galleryyuhself]

Galleryyuhself - A look at the unique, special life of a Calypso Icon who has now left us. The Great Denyse Plummer.

Galleryyuhself is pleased to share images over the years of her many calypso albums. It is a study in times passing fashions, fads and fun.

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Galleryyuhself - from one the many fans...

Waking up to the sad news of the death of one of my calypso heroes and former calypso monach Denyse Plummer

She was a true patriot, sister of the soil, kaisonian legend and raw talent who changed the course of the artform, making it something that belonged to all of us, regardless of class, creed or skin colour!

She remained loyal to her country and the artform, despite facing discrimination and hostility as some viewed the colour of her skin as having no place in the calypso arena. She was greeted with a toilet paper waving audience who threw corn husk at her in Skinner Park, yet she persisted and sailed towards stardom, to become one of most successful and well known calypsonians worldwide, taking the crown with her rendition of my favourite love song to Trinidad and Tobago - Nah Leaving.

Listen to it here and see her perform in all her Trinbagonian glory!

As a young calypsonion, I myself faced hostility from some of my fellow junior artistes, who did not shy away from telling me that kaiso isn't for "white people", referring to the fact I was a few shades lighter than what they deemed to be accepted into the prestigious circle of who can represent OUR culture on the big stage. Denyse was a huge inspiration to me then and will remain so forever.

Thank you, My Queen. Thank you for everything you have done for women in calypso. Thank you for loving our culture and our country so fiercely and unapologetically. Thank you for showing us what true patriortism looks like. Thank you for your beautiful voice. Thank you for the music.

Go fly high now...

Woman is Boss!!!

[galleryyuhself]

Galleryyuhself - Let's talk about the large zit in the middle of the Coat of Arms.

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From Facebook

Oh I can't wait for the part where they change the name of the Capital too. . . hypocrites ALL!

In 2026, Trinidad will be unrecognizable.

As an artist, who did this?

This is off center.

It looks like it was done on Canva.

The tone and colour is not the same as the rest of the original design, therefore it looks cropped/ imposed and disconnected.

Where are the other options and other artists?

What vetting process was used?

Or is this being installed the same way Rowley wants to shoehorn Stuart little?

BESIDES

WE do not deserve the PAN on the coat of arms!

WE have not done enough for this reverence!

A beautiful dream yes, but premature, OR TOO LATE!

Only the PEOPLE have made PAN this great in our country, and most of them BY THEMSELVES.

Thank God for people like Joshua Regrello who help us feel proud in this dark time of our country's history TODAY!

And our solution is to blame the PAST?

THE PAN CANNOT be used as a vain & shallow band-aid to obscure the self-inflicted wounds of failure our country suffers under 2 terms of crime and corruption since 2015!

WE ARE NOT BLIND, OR DEAF (though we have not yet rioted).

WE ARE HURT, And the PAST does NOT hurt us more than this PRESENT!

HOW can we as a people find time to CELEBRATE our treasure while BLEEDING OUT during an SOE in 2025?!?!?!

This... unfortunately is very much in the spirit of Anansi... the same spirit that drives our Leadership, Culture and Carnival today; Vacuous, Vai-ki-vai, Wotless, Lazy, Corrupt, Sadist and Self-deprecating.

On the surface, It's the sign of our tolerance, but deeper still, its the root of ALL of our problems.

What gives a symbol it's meaning, is the battle waged for its perpetuity. WE HAVE WON NO SUCH BATTLE!

Crime is our enemy and we WOEFULLY FAIL.

Trinidad and Tobago is so silver spoon fed by such a blessed history (The one we chose to curse) that our entitlement spoils, blinds and betrays our senses to the true bitter taste that this change gives.

Cooked by Conceited hands will always churn wrong the stomach.

As empty as the buildings they erect, and as meaningless as their promises, this change will mare the name of La Trinite.

God's chosen people.

And for that name, they will come after too.

It's only a matter of time.

Yet still, I remain, A Trinbagonian.

To bone and blood,

Pitch and Oil.

CRISTO REY.

[galleryyuhself]

~Galleryyuhself~ Recently the popular food chain El Pecos came under fire for the way it used its pivot away from selling only fast food. The grill set up a market environment  as an approach to meet the covid-19 restrictions. 

Galleryyuhself looked into what El Pecos has said and is doing to be able to keep their customers happy and to comply with the law. As businesses in Trinidad and Tobago innovate to stay afloat and thrive in an environment where rules are changing all the time, Galleryyuhself shall bring them to your attention.

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From the Facebook page of El Pecos (July 10th 2021)

El Pecos on the Grill Limited and El Pecos on the Go Market Limited, fully supports all efforts to flatten the COVID 19 curve and keep the people of Trinidad and Tobago safe. 

We have complied fully with all regulations in place from the onset of the COVID 19 pandemic. There has been a lot of social media attention on the opening of our El Pecos on the Go Market. 

We have consulted with and had the benefit of legal advice and based on that advice we noted that:

1. The law clearly permits the operation of supermarkets, groceries, markets, green grocers, bakeries provided that not more than 50% of the establishments ordinary retail capacity is surpassed at any time during operation hours;

2. We opened our doors as a market place in full compliance with the law, all the COVID 19 regulations and observing all protocols to keep our staff and customers safe;

3. The fact that several other institutions such as gas stations, pharmacies, supermarkets, well known food retailers and market places have been allowed to continue selling pre-packaged to go meals;

4. We incorporated a separate company for El Pecos on the Go Market Limited for the market place business to be in compliance with the COVID 19 Legal Notice regulations; 

5. We have reconfigured to establish a market place in compliance with sanitation protocols that are in use in other institutions that have been permitted to remain open and sell pre-packaged food; and

6. El Pecos on the Grill was one of the earliest companies that gave customers the convenience of selecting their food and paying by the pound. The company recognizes that customer demands have evolved and changed, and El Pecos on the Go Market Limited has created a new model to respond to these customer expectations in a safe and secure environment.

We have fully co-operated with the authorities who have now twice visited our premises. The authorities have not closed us down. The Health Authority, has requested that we obtain further requirements from them within 14 days. 

To demonstrate our commitment to continue working with the authorities toward a COVID free Trinidad and Tobago, we have chosen to close our market place operations until we understand what further requirements are now needed by the Health Authority. 

We are confident that all the relevant authorities will act in a manner that is fair and does not discriminate against El Pecos.

We want to thank our loyal customers for their continued support and we look forward to serving you shortly.

[galleryyuhself]

~Galleryyuhself~ Seen on Facebook today...from a friend from Barbados.

Though our islands’ borders remain closed, this is not a time for insularity. Moments like these require from us an extraordinary expression of Caribbean unity. Dear Jamaicans, as of tomorrow KFC in Trinidad will be closed. It won’t be easy for some. Reach out. Ask a Trini how they doing.

[galleryyuhself]

GALLERYYUHSELF - from The National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago.

As we celebrate Carnival’s return the history of the streets in Downtown Port of Spain that we parade through? Some of their names changed two-three times over the centuries as our governance passed from Spanish to British, while others remained unchanged till today!

Duncan Street was originally “Calle del Infante” by the Spanish, then “Rue des Trois Chandelles” by French residents after 3 candles that were lit on meeting nights of the Masonic Lodge.

Under British rule, this street was renamed after British Admiral Adam Duncan. Nelson Street was first called “Calle Principe” by the Spanish, then “La Rue d’Eglise” by the French because it was near The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The British renamed it after British Admiral Lord Nelson.

George Street was originally called “Calle de San Jose” by the Spanish, then “Rue de la Place” by the French because of the market that existed there. The British renamed it after King George III.

Charlotte Street was originally “Calle de Santa Ana” by the Spanish, and “Rue de Sainte Anne” by the French, because it led to St. Ann’s River. The British decided to rename it after Queen Charlotte. Henry Street was originally “Calle Herrera” by the Spanish after their Chief of Police who lived there. The French called it “Rue Neuve”, and the British renamed it after Prince Henry of England.

Frederick Street was originally “Calle de San Carlos” after King Charles II of Spain. The French called it “Rue des Anglais”, and the British renamed it after Frederick Prince of Wales.

Chacon Street, named after Governor Don José María Chacón, is the only street whose name has never been changed. Independence Square was originally “Plaza del Marina” by the Spanish because it bordered the sea. Afterwards, it was renamed “King Street”, then “Marine Square”, and finally, Independence Square.

Finally, Queen Street was originally “Calle de San Luis”, Prince Street was originally, “Calle de Santa Rosa”, and Duke Street was originally, “Calle del Asturias”.

This 1845 map of Port of Spain is part of the National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago Map Collection.

References: Mavrogordato, Olga J. Voices in the Street. Inprint Caribbean, 1977.