Although my journey to reconnecting with my Trinidadian roots began almost seven months earlier, it did not take hold until I stepped onto the golden sands of Maracas Bay on my 30th birthday. Born and raised in Trinidad, Maracas Bay is more than just a scenic spot—it is woven into the fabric of my identity and is a sanctuary that holds memories of childhood laughter and boundless joy.
However, over the years, life had pulled me away from my homeland. At 17, fresh out of secondary school, I made the leap across the ocean to the United States, joining the U.S. Air Force. My time in the military afforded me incredible opportunities to travel across Europe and the United States, but with each new adventure, I felt a subtle disconnect creeping in—a gradual drifting away from the sights, sounds, and smells of home.
It wasn’t until my friend’s invitation to return home for Carnival 2024 that I realized how far I had strayed from my roots. The realization hit me like a cork ball to the chest—I had lost touch with the essence of who I was. The last time I had set foot on Trinidadian soil was in 2015, and in the intervening years, the world and I had changed in ways I could never have imagined. The isolation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbated the sense of loss and disconnection, leaving me adrift in a sea of uncertainty.
As I stood on the shores of Maracas Bay, the waves lapping gently at my feet, I couldn’t help but feel a flood of emotions wash over me. Here, amidst the tranquil beauty of nature, I was confronted with the stark reality of my own detachment from my cultural heritage. But with that realization came a newfound determination to reclaim what had been lost—to rediscover the sights, sounds, and flavors of Trinidad that had once been so integral to my sense of self.
And so, as I waded into the waters, the sun warming my skin and the salt tang of the sea filling my nostrils, I silently vowed to honor the past while embracing the future. At that moment, amidst the timeless beauty of my homeland, I knew that the journey of rediscovery had only just begun.
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