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		Adventure

	Caribana
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After years of “planning” to attend the famous Caribana Parade of Bands, Rob and I finally blocked off this date and refuse all other offers of entertainment or work! Friends had told me various renditions of their personal experiences at the parade: the festive ambiance, the family bonding, the drunken afternoon out in public, the girl/costume watching. Not having had any personal experience with Caribana events, I was excited to see what all of the commotion was about!

Rob, two of his friends (Sean and Kyle), and I boarded the Toronto-bound GO Train with less than a minute to spare. We highly recommend saving yourself the headache of trying to find a parking spot within a 2-km proximity of the event,

not to mention the arduous drive into the city centre. Keep an eye on the schedule for the return trip so that you can maximize your time at the festival (i.e., you can show up ten minutes before the train and spend more time dancing rather than waiting). The eastbound GO train into the city was packed with sports fans (there was a Jays game on that afternoon) and Caribana-goers alike. En route to Exhibition, more partyers packed the train until it was brimming with people. Finally, there was a mass exodus at Exhibition place and we followed the crowds past food vendors and people wearing wild costumes. Even some of the parade watchers seemed to be dressed up for the occasion.

The parade is one of the longest that I have ever attended—a total of 8 hours to be precise. Set to start at 10 a.m. and finish up around 6 p.m. , we opted to show up just after 1 p.m. The parade was already in full swing and was spread out (though unevenly) along the entire parade route from Exhibition, along Lakeshore to just past the Boulevard Club (at the base of Roncesvalles Blvd ). Rather than a continuous flow of bands and dancers, the parade seemed to proceed along in bunches with large stretches in between. I am not sure whether this was due to a delay between bands because of the judging at the beginning of the parade route but I had never seen this happen to such an extent before. Though security seemed to travel with these “bunches," since there were several pedestrian crossings along the route, many spectators decided to take advantage of this parade access and stayed in the fenced-off parade area. Whether this is accepted by the bands and the dancers that accompany them or not, I had mixed feelings about it. One the one hand, what a party! On the other, what a security

nightmare! No matter what your opinion of the subject, it made for a very congested and slow parade route.

Spectators young and ol d l ined up along Lakeshore, much of the route three or four people deep. Advance tickets were sold for $25 to those who wanted a guaranteed spot on the bleachers that were set up at Exhibition Place. Many families opted for a more home-grown approach and set up kitchen tents on the edge of the parade route, complete with camp chairs, coolers an d l ots of food for the day. A good view of the parade is key to checking out the incredible costumes, some of which require wheels to push along, and others that stretch metres high into the sky! There is no shortage of colours, sequins, themes or styles—anything in the scope of your imagination was on display. The bands were easily heard from far away and were at concert-volume as they passed where we were seated. Soca rhythms and beats, layered with singers' voices and rhymes, made for incredible performances. As they were competing for the title of Calypso Monarch, each band truly gave it their all!

The parade spectators seemed to be there as much for the parade as for the parade-side party! Many of the young adult (and not- so-young adult) crowd members were partaking of cold “beverages” masquerading as a fruit juice or water bottles. The smell of marijuana wafted through the air as well, though we didn’t see anyone actually smoking it. The police were on-hand and quite visible, walking the parade route in small groups. Though I am sure

that they too had noticed the odd-coloured fruit juice and water, and had indeed smelled the “fresh air,” the police seemed to be on the lookout for more serious safety concerns or for people who were blatantly selling or distributing alcohol or drugs illegally.

The team in black had an S&M thing going on that I really liked!

Despite some bad press that the Caribana festival has received in previous years due to violent acts, that was certainly not my experience. My little group just loved the relaxed, festive atmosphere where people were singing, dancing, eating and drinking all around us. The food vendors offered up suitable fare for the occasion: curried goat and chicken roti, patties, jerk chicken, corn on the cob an d l ots of other tasty treats.

By the time we boarded our train home, it was close to 7 p.m. Though we were heading out of the city, plenty more people were just heading in to take part in the after parade festivities to be held at Lamport Stadium and also at Dundas Square . Other Caribana events were set to take place the next day as well, including a multi-talent concert featuring artists like Sean Paul and Ne-Yo. Throughout the two week festival, Caribana Village at Ontario Place offered music, song and dance in celebration of its 40^th birthday and to recognize the abolition of the slave trade.

The Caribana parade is held each year over the civic holiday weekend in Toronto .

For more information:

Caribana Official Website

http://www.caribanafestival.com/

Rob's shooting tips for Caribana

1) Get there nice and early! try to stake out a spot with a good view and take as many pictures as you can. (but see # 4 below)

2) As you might expect, bring the longest lense you have. It doens't need to be a fast lens, as there is usually more than enough sun at this time of year. (see #6)

3) Bring a wide angle lens. Some of the costumes are very large, and if you get the opportunity to shoot them close up, be prepared to take advantage of it!

4) Don't stay in one spot! The parade is 2 or 3 KM in length, and it's not all fenced the same. The farther down Lakeshore you get, the shorter the fences. (BUT people are usually pretty tired at this point...)

5) At the end of the Parade, they will usually have a spot where you can cross the parade (from the north side of Lakeshore to the South side). People will usually take advantage of this, and work their way up the parade route for some good pictures

6) BRING SUNSCREEN, WATER, AND A GOOD HAT!!! (not acutally a photo tip, but it could save your life)

Everyone looks like they are trying to out do everyone else.

“Hotel + Toronto ” is a search string that may not yield such pleasant results!

When in Toronto , why not stay at a hostel? Affordable, conveniently located

and a great opportunity to connect with people from all over the world!

Global Village Backpackers

www.globalbackpackers.com

460 King Street West

Toronto , ON

info@globalbackpackers.com

This hostel offers 24-hour reception , swipe-card entry and lots of free stuff like pancakes for breakfast and free wireless! They have an in-house pub and are a stumbling distance away from the Entertainment District and other major city attractions. Rates start at $25 for a dorm bed and increase up to $73 for a private room with a double bed. Weekly rates are even more affordable at $150 for a stay in the dorm. Global offers deals on rates if you book online.

College Hostel

www.collegehostel.com

280 Augusta

Toronto , ON

info@collegehostel.com

Located in Toronto ’s Kensington Market, you’re steps away from a true Canadian culture adventure. This market area is a must-see for any visitor! The hostel offers freebies like internet access, linen, parking (with reservation), in-room phones, and in-room cable TV. Rates start at $23 for a bed in a six-bed dorm and top out at $80 for 4 guests in a double room.

Canadiana Backpackers Inn

http://www.canadianalodging.com/

42 Widmer Street

Toronto , ON

info@canadianalodging.com

Only 3 blocks from the CN Tower and in the heart of the Entertainment District, this is the most centrally located hostel you’ll find! It’s a home-like place that offers free breakfast, hosts barbeques, has a movie theatre and huge wooden bunk beds. The ambiance is pretty cozy due to the Victoria townhouse location and décor. This hostel has received rave reviews from past guests and has really reasonable rates ranging from $25 for a dorm bed to $73 for two people in a private room.