For fete lovers, pan enthusiasts, masqueraders or simply spectators, the Carnival season is always an exciting one. I remember my first real Carnival experience a couple years ago when I played "Jamette" in Tribe and had such a wonderful time with my girlfriends. Hunting for the perfect bejewelled tattoos, eyelashes, stockings and glitter was all part of the carnival buzz that made the experience special. At dusk on Carnival Tuesday, with sore feet, peeling skin and a hoarse voice, I remember thinking that it was all worth it. Everyone has a Carnival experience to share. Here are some unforgettable experiences that our readers shared with us.
 
Marla, 31
It was Carnival 2007, and my boyfriend and I were at Miami Carnival. We were having so much fun because it was our first time. After some time had passed, I literally had to hold Gary's hand so that he wouldn't bounce into people and buildings because he was intoxicated. At this point, I wasn't having such a good time because I was afraid that he was going to do something stupid. Later that day, while we were dancing he attempted to do a split and in his debauchery, twisted one ankle and sprained the other. Needless to say, that was the end of our Carnival because we had to go to the hospital to get it bandaged. I was so mad, I made him pay for my costume the following year!
 
Caitlyn, 25
Four years ago, my parents went away for Carnival and left my sister and me to take care of the household. My parents are conservative and religious people and raised us not to participate in any form of Carnival activities. I was more curious than my sister and I really wanted to play with my friends who had all planned to play mas. I decided to use all my allowance and with my friends pitching in I was finally able to purchase a costume. I literally 'break way' for the two days and had such a great time, plus I knew I pulled off the ultimate sham! When my parents returned to Trinidad however, they just handed me a page they had downloaded from the net with my picture on the front page of one of the dailies!
 
Crystal, 28
I always played J'ouvert and last year was no different. A couple of the girls from the office and I had decided to play with one of the more organised J'ouvert bands. We had such a good time and we normally take pictures to remember our experience. Some time after Carnival, my girlfriend sent me one particular picture of a guy I was 'wining' on that looked really familiar. As I looked closer, it was a picture of me wining (very scandalously) on my boss! I had no idea. To this day I can't look my boss in eye although he had no idea what had happened.
 
Samantha ,35
I played mas for the first time in 2005. It was really memorable for me because all my friends who had gone away to live came down for a girls’ reunion.' We went to all the fetes together and we were able to play mas in the same section. We had such a great time because we all have different responsibilities now, and it felt really liberating to just 'free up' for the Carnival season and have a great time on the road. We promised each other that we wouldn't wait so long again to reunite for Carnival!

Lima, 37
After playing mas for years in Port-of-Spain, two years ago I decided to go down to San Fernando to play with my cousins. But playing mas in South is different from playing mas in Port-of-Spain. I wish someone told me that. With all the hilly streets in San Fernando, when I was finished playing mas that Tuesday I had to call in sick for the rest of that week. The sun seemed to be hotter in South and I was burned all over and my calves were killing me.
I did it for my cousins but like I told them I would never play mas in San Fernando again.

By Tennille Alleyne