At my first Trinidad Carnival 2k20 and the last of its kind before the pandemic.. this happened.
I honestly forgot what age I was, but it was around the time I started playing Kiddies Carnival in New York. I'll never forget the day I looked up and saw on the truck Mother Destra and Father Machelo perform their hit chune "Carnival"; a song that will be forever legend. I grew up listening to them both- The Queen of Bacchanal & MY queen of Soca and the King of Soca.. It's because of their music, that the culture of Trinidad, of all West Indians, and of all people in the Caribbean has been able to transcend borders.
I told myself one day I will meet them, I will meet her....
Growing up, I primarily listened to Destra, and her music helped me get through some difficult times. She was not only vocally gifted and had a beautiful voice, but she also had a big personality to match- bold, vibrant, unapologetic, fierce, passionate, beautiful, loving,etc. . Understanding her background as a woman of faith, who first sang gospel before becoming the Queen of Bacchanal, revealed to me the conflict I had carried inside my soul but how I had always wanted to express myself. Destra demonstrated that I can prioritize God while still getting on wassi on d road; carrying and loving my culture's traditions while keeping my faith at the forefront.This did not diminish who she was as a person, but rather shaped her. Not to mention, Destra is a Scorpio like myself, with our birthdays being 4 days apart in November, so it made sense how much of myself I resonated with her. Overall, Destra has shown and taught me that I don't have to choose; I can simply be true to myself and embrace all aspects that make me who I am. For this, Destra has been and will forever be my role model.
It was in this moment, at Mary's CIC grounds after stopping for lunch that my prayers were answered and wishes came true. I heard a voice from across the way, and I knew it had to be her. I waited and had a YUMA rep ask and confirm if I would be able to to meet her. It was in this moment I manifested all happiness that came to find me during my first Trinidad Carnival because I accomplished what I said what I'd do prior to arriving to Trinidad. Funny enough, a friend previously in the day actually told me it would be impossible to meet her. But in an instant, I was in front of Destra, masquerader to masquerader, Christian to Christian, Bacchanalist to Bacchanalist, Scorpio to Scorpio, and woman to woman of Trinidadian ancestry, telling her my story. With the help of my YUMA friends, I was determined to meet the woman whose music had saved my life and whose life helped me to accept who I am and to live it out boldy.
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