Largo

There is a substantially large time difference here in Trinidad - and I'm not talking time zones. Everything here takes twice as long and is done twice as slow (compared to what I'm used to that is). I actually read in the PRINTED paper today, "Trini time is anytime." wow.

If a cook says "That will be up in 5", you better take 10.

And when someone says, "I'll be there in 30 minutes." well I hope you brought a book. (I bring one everywhere.)

Take today's rehearsal for example. There was a big point made that rehearsal on Saturday (which is rare) will begin at 11:30 am. Well, I was picked up at 11:30. Then we went to the airport. Then we went to get lunch. Then we stopped for gas. Then we stopped to see an old friend. Did I mention we took every road but the highway? We arrived at 1. There was only a few people even there. I practiced. The drillmaster (the man who actually rehearses the band) showed up at 2. We stopped at 3. I got home at 5. Unreal.

I THINK THIS MAY BE THE DEFINING CONCEPT THAT SEPARATES OUR CULTURES.

I'm not sure why this is their reality - it is still a little difficult for me to comprehend how and why it is acceptable. I knew before I came down that things moved a lot slower and that I would have to "down shift my gears". But still, I don't know that I could ever fully adapt to this. It makes me feel very lazy and most times (in America) I actually become plagued with anxiety and a feeling of physical illness when I run behind schedule.

On the flip side of things, perhaps our GO -> GO -> GO -> society is in many ways what shortens our lifespan and creates several unhealthy habits. Fast food, quick fixes, and speeding to name a few. I will think on this some more...

To quote the late great Dr. Randy Pausch, "Time is all we have. And you may find one day, you have less than you think."

P.S. - Largo is an Italian term used in Music. It means as slow as possible.

P.P.S. - If for some ludicrous reason you don't know who Dr. Randy Pausch is, please go here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo