A New Year, No New Hope

January 1, 2010 by admin

As Trinidad and Tobago rang in 2010, things spoken of most were the ongoing issues that the UNC-A has and the passing of the property tax despite what appears to be the majority of the population against it. Many who I spoke with in South Trinidad were more concerned about how they would survive 2010 than what they would accomplish.

Maybe I only talk to worried people. Even as I sat in a rumshop after work, talking with a few friends, two uniformed police hopped out of their vehicle and quietly sat in the back - nursing two beers. I had to wonder if they were going to be operating breathalyzers in the near future, but I kept that to myself. It's not a good idea to antagonize the police when you have a beer in hand.

Farmers I spoke with were considering their crops, what damages they may have when Petrotrin does the 3D Seismic Survey in South Oropouche this month, and how the property tax would affect them.

And in all the conversations I had, there was one thing missing: hope.

But then, maybe I only talk to worried people.

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