Taking sunshine to Canada

At the airport were former Arima Mayor Elvin Edwards, now an Information Attache at the High Commission and my old pal, Larry Gomes, former West Indies batsman. The BWIA pilot had indicated during the 608 flight that rain was expected in Canada.

As I left the airport, I noticed that the ground was dry. It rained the day before. Edwards and Gomes took me to the hotel and left.

I was up bright and early and Edwards was there to meet me. “Forget the hotel breakfast. My wife and Larry’s wife are making salt fish and sada roti. Let’s go.” That certainly added to the already bright day.

I felt at home at the Edwards’ residence, meeting his wife Erline, along with Ann Marie Gomes and former promising youth batsman Blaine Edwards. Another Trinidadian, Harold Noreiga, drove up from Toronto with the Gomes’ to attend the function.

After breakfast, I went to the High Commission’s offices to interview Piggott. There, I saw for the first time the spacious building, bought during the UNC’s term in office. There was some controversy over its acquisition, but according to Piggott, he transformed the building so it could be the pride of Trinidad and Tobago.

I was quite impressed, particularly with the exhibition room highlighting Trinidad and Tobago. I could not help but notice pictures of Brian Lara, Dwight Yorke, and the Soca Warriors. Inside the exhibition room, Trinidad and Tobago’s energy sector was on display. There were local products on display and any foreigner visiting that room will get a strong sense of what TT is all about.

The reception was held later that day in the same building and what a turn out it was. About 200 Trinis living in Canada travelled to Ottawa to attend the reception.

Alana Scott got the reception going with two songs following by a dance sequence from Indira Maharaj. Piggott addressed the guests before it was down to what we Trinis call ‘liming.’

There was a lone pan man, Tommy Crichlow, whom I had meet in 2005 when he played at the funeral service for former fireman and boxing referee Hollis Wilson. Crichlow blended old and new calypsos as he performed in the exhibition room. Everybody was mingling and having a few drinks.

I took up the jaal, Selwyn Joseph grabbed the sticks for the tassa drums, two others went to spare pans, and another Trini landed in the engine room.

After that it was sheer bacchanal! High Commissioner Piggott just could not believe what was happening. People got off their feet and joined the fete. What was supposed to be a two-hour reception went on for five hours. I was the last to leave before Edwards locked the building. Before leaving, Piggott told me he had arranged a brunch at his home and Gomes said he was playing a cricket match the next day. I just could not leave Ottawa as planned. I extended my trip by one day to take in both.

Larry promised me cricket clothes, but I was more interested in the brunch and meeting people. I went to the High Commissioner’s residence and tasted his exclusive South African wine. I met a lot of Trinis who live in Canada, some of whom would be important in the field that I cover for Newsday. Only time will tell.

I managed to reach the Governor General’s ground where Larry was playing. He has not lost his touch, scoring an important 33 not out, then returning to take 3 for 26 as Cathedral Cricket Club won an A class match.

Instead of flying back to Toronto, I accompanied the Gomes’ on a four-hour drive. In Toronto, I spent the final day with my aunt, uncle and cousin. Larry invited me to return in August to play on his team in a festival match - Over 40 v Under 40 to mark this country’s 46th Independence anniversary.

I made a commitment to be back, especially as I would be on vacation.

“Walk with your gears,” Larry advised me just before I left Canada.