UBER Gone From Trinidad and Tobago

UBER Holds The International Record for Shutting Down In Trinidad and Tobago

Quick update.  

In a recent post, we focused on UBER as the big secret in T&T; now a major development you must know about.

On Wednesday 30^th May 2018, UBER executives announced to the media that T&T UBER service was “paused” effective immediately.  Now, did you ever hear about a company “pausing” service?  A business is not like a TV pausing is not an option.

UBER is gone from T&T.

Did they have good reason?  Maybe.  Was the high crime rate the reason?  Nope. Business is business and crime is crime, you don’t pause business because of crime, you implement solutions. 

Unfortunately, the only national exposure Uber was able to generate in T&T was the worst any company could hope to get.  

It could have been the crime but when you look at the UBER prices online, a lack of business could have been another reason they left T&T.  

The reality is when you compared the prices to a regular “PH”; UBER would attract only a very small proportion of the population.  But you know what is sad…

We do need something.

If not UBER, Trinidad and Tobago needs an innovative or even traditional public transportation solution in T&T.  

Today my pet peeve is that the government has contracted $221 million in one highway interchange. Building the Curepe Interchange does not address the larger more serious priority of an efficient public transportation. 

It begs the question; why build an interchange to satisfy a few drivers that has nothing to do with the vast majority of the population?  This particular interchange project is the brainchild of the previous UNC administration.  Members in the UNC as corrupt allegedly condemned it.

There is not enough information to cast aspersions however even the blind in T&T will ask that question.  Why, why there and not somewhere else?  

What happened to the promise of a lightening rail service from Port of Spain to Sangre Grande?   

Yes, it will cost much more, but that is what got the votes, now it is all about priorities.  We don’t have the money for that.

The answers are blowing in the wind.

Good-bye UBER, you should not have tried in the first place.  You ware not welcomed and even though you persisted like a used car salesperson, at some point ROI rules.  It’s not about crime in T&T, crime in Chicago is a lot higher and you are still there.

You left a number of people in debt because according to the article, they purchased vehicles so that they could work with you.  They are independent thinking entrepreneurs who will work it out. Worst case they can pull bull in any route they want in T&T that is what we have known for almost 40 years.

In the meanwhile, T&T drivers are being hit right, left and center with huge fines.  However, that is a story for another post.  This one is really to say goodbye to UBER.

We need a service, anything that can safely transport the public in Trinidad and Tobago but it is not something that can be fixed by an international organization. 

One of the priorities for most governments globally is to provide safe reliable and inexpensive transportation to the masses, especially with urban centers. 

Countries are judged by the reliability of their transportation system, please do not judge us, we are a developing country, we need to build interchanges before we consider a reliable transportation system for the rest of the country.

That is how it is in Trinidad & Tobago in 2018.

We still developing. 

Nude White Shoes Marks The Spots Where Slaves Were Sold

New York Artist Unique Self Portraits

“Anybody can go to these places fully clothed. But to risk

 something for your beliefs, your art, to strip yourself of any 

clothing or protection, it’s a state of vulnerability.”

Remembering Slavery:  Source Caribbean Fever 

"There is often a collective amnesia in the North that suggests slavery was strictly a Southern evil, that the buying and selling of human bodies took place solely in states located on the wrong side of the Mason-Dixon. New York City, beacon of liberalism and diversity that it is today, could not have been home to such cruel and brutal injustices. But the ugly, hard-to-swallow truth is that New York..."  Read more 

3 Top Caribbean News Related Websites

Stay on Top All The News in The Caribbean
From Politics to Turtles. 

These are my favorite Caribbean Magazine blogs.  If you want to keep abreast of issues in the Caribbean, subscribe to these blogs. 

These are high quality Caribbean blogs that offers indept articles and Caribbean perspectives.  The Caribbean Journal allows you to submit your opinions on any article published. And the Caribbean Fever blog offers you the opportunity to get into the action by creating your own page or publishing your own blog. Check them out below.

The Caribbean Journal:  encourages opinion pieces (Op-Eds), commentary, letters to the editor and all other feedback. We want to hear the voices of the Caribbean on the issues that matter most to you. To contribute your voice to the Caribbean Journal, keep your piece to under 700 words, and send it to us at oped@caribjournal.com. We ask that all submissions be sent exclusively to us. We will not consider articles that have already been published in print or online  Subscribe Here

 Caribbean 360:   For news from right around the Caribbean Stay tuned with free updates on politics, trends, entertainment, lifestyle and business. Free newsletter rdelivered Mon-Fri, Sun - Easy to read format keeps you up to date - Update your subscription profile at any time to receive additional publications.  Read more here    http://www.caribbean360.com

The Caribbean Online:  For all your Caribbean news in One Place. Not even the sun covers the Caribbean better.  For complete coverage check out Here  

Caribbean Fever:  Despite the name this blog is not all about the Caribbean.  The carry stories from all over the world, some related to Caribbean mostly about outlandish celebrities and unusual crimes of any kind anywhere.  Here you can create your own page and publish a blog within this blog. Be prepared to be surprised. Check it our here  

TnT Tweeted News:  This is one of my creations where you are able to get all the news tweeted about Trinidad and Tobago.  Create a publication yourself or subscribe to the TnT Tweeted News Here 

Enjoy

Underground Sex In Trinidad and Tobago Continued

Searching for An Exotic Massage Parlor

I dug deep in Google, finding one or two places and a number of individual listings.  There was one listing by a girl in Arouca named, “Chyna Tong” with a massage parlor and adult sex toy store a link to a directory but no web site.  There was also a place called “Total Image” in St Augustine.   The only listing for this place too was a listing directory.   

According to the friend, Total Image was a well established business offering all types of exotic massages along with sex related ointments, potions, and massages for lovers.  The place run by a guy who bills himself as the “SexDoctor of The Caribbean” has radio shows and a TV show.  It is amazing that he did not have a web site.  My friend said that you only go there if you were having a sexual dysfunction.

My search did reveal an interesting surprise though.  I found a link to a site that in my opinion was an excellent idea for locals or even foreigners looking to find an exotic massage parlor in Trinidad.   

The site is titled “Exotic Escorts and Massage Parlor Advertising Agency.  

It’s a portal where Exotic Massage Parlors can discreetly advertise. Prospective clients can view the masseuses before visiting the place.  If they become members they will be able to post their experiences for others to read.   Only site members can post and read reviews but anyone can visit the various massage parlors advertising on the site.  What I liked about that site is that everything would be under one roof so to speak.  Massage parlors and prospective clients could share and exchange information.    

In fact, I wanted to include it in this post so I contacted the owner and got his permission. 

This new site is:  Exotic Escorts Advertising  Agency 

Getting back to the story of my friend, I know he trust that I will not reveal any of the details other than to say we had a really good time.  The night in question we stare out by going to St. James.  You know what?  We ended up at the Honey Comb in Marabella.  I was the designated driver,so no drinks for me, a long drive but we passed the time recollecting about people we knew in common.  That first night we went to 4 Massage Parlors, three of them in South Trinidad.  

During his short stay we visited no less than 10 different Massage Parlors in different parts of Trinidad. 

I can now be a Massage Parlor guide.  It was not an easy task finding these hidden places with vague directions.  During his stay we also looked at the ads in the newspapers and got some places there.  We would get directions and the hunt will begin.  We always met someone who knew where it was especially when we stopped at a bar to ask. 

When I dropped him off at the airport, he grabbed my hands, looked at me straight in the eye with his steely blue eyes and said;  “Thanks Puck, this vacation was the best I ever had.  I feel so much better now than when I came here, I’m coming back next year”.  

I smiled and said, “We will see”.

He had been saying that all during his time with me but I did not really pay attention until that last moment.  We had giggled, laughed till our bellies hurt and played jokes on each other like kids.  He was not the only one who had a great time.  I remember the first couple of nights, he had talked long about his wife and the accident.  He went over the entire day with emotions like if reliving it.  

It seemed to me, and I did not say anything but it was as if he had such a weight on his shoulder.  After the first night when we began having fun his demeanor changed, he was his old self again.  While he was here, I got his permission to mention him in one of my post (first name only).  Now my promise is fulfilled.  

Chris my friend when you read this, know you are still the best in my books.  Life must go on, we grow as we go and sooner or later each of us has to face it.  Thanks for a great time.

Here is a link to a free Ebook from that site that you can get

"How To Minimize The Risk Of STD or HIV AIDs Infections In Trinidad & Tobago"

Trinidad & Tobago Youth Voices Making A Difference

How A Few Youths Is Impacting The Nations Elderly and Themselves

A society that ignores its elderly citizens is doomed to a life of regret and pain. It’s easy for youths pumped up with energy to discount the years of real life and living strategies they have acquired over their evidently long years.

Granted some sometimes age does not bring wisdom but that is only in a marginal few cases.

For most of old people carry a wealth of knowledge in personal and professional life experience. That is a fact of life in our society, Trinidad and Tobago it is not appreciated. Here is what one author had to say about it.  Click Here

Who among us do not have an elderly, mother, father, uncle aunt or grand mother or father? Yet we read in the paper of an 81 year old woman raped, robbed doused with kerosene and life threatened.

Recently, we had a case of a son chopping up his father, a teenager cussing out his elderly grand mother. We have become immune to such occurrences.

Of course, it is mentioned in many conversations in person, on blogs and comments on the local paper. Other than that; nothing is ever done. Where will it end?
The answer to that question we hope we never know. The real questions, seeing that we are already here is how do we change this?

Here’s the deal. Every one of us will age; like we say here “no ifs and or buts about it” it’s guaranteed. Not tomorrow or next week, yes that’s aging too, but we are talking about 10 or 20 years from now, if you are lucky, you will be there.

Youths will one day be saying the same thing or maybe by then the elderly in Trinidad and Tobago will have grown used to being disrespected and abused. Think future, short future if there is any.

What; as a society, can we do about it? Nothing?

One local youth organization “Youth Voices” is doing something. They have rallied teams of youths to visit the elderly and share some life with them. To give back, transfer some of that youthful energy to a complete stranger. By sharing quality time with the elderly two things happen.

The elderly is totally overjoyed to interact with youths who are respectful, inquisitive and caring. Sadly it’s an oasis in a dry parched desert. They also get an opportunity to get some chores done around the house that would most likely not be left for years in it’s present state.

The second thing that happens and it is merely as a result of the experience, the youth is touched in a human sort of way. It emboldens the teaching they had about respecting the elderly.

They now know the reason why, for some it ‘s a eureka moment; “gosh I will be there some day”. None will leave untouched by the experience,

These youths are depositing good Karma into their life’s bank accounts. They are making a difference where others talk and write and postulate about how bad things getting in the country. It reminds me of a perfect example of this.

Everyday, the Trinidad Express finds some infrastructural problems, a pot hole that is not being fixed, a street sign misspelled or a barrel in a barrel being used as a man hole cover.

These pictures are posted with captions about the potential of someone getting hurt. The result, well it’s the same as what happens when we talk. Rarely is anything fix because it is published.

That’s just how it is in T&T.

Youths associated with the Youth Voices Elderly programme is making a real life difference on elderly at a time.

In the larger scheme of things, it is a token effort but the joy that Mrs. Eutrice, the last recipient of this venture, had nothing to do with a big scheme. It was just a helping hand and she was extremely happy and delighted make these few idealistic youths feel welcomed. When the group was preparing to leave she asked;

"Thank you, when all yuh coming back?"

It is sad to know that as a society we either ignore or warehouse our elderly, the ones who are independent we disrespect. The obvious disrespect we are dealing with, those can be addressed directly. But it’s the disrespect that is not so obvious that will eventually hurt the society more.

What is not obvious it that there are literally thousands of elderly being warehoused in geriatrics homes, Many are getting bad treatment in groups not individually.

There is a lack of legislation to protect or ensure that the level of abuse in these homes are monitored and regulated. It’s like a society open secret, we all wish that we don’t end up in “one a them places”.

The answer to the old lady’s question is still up in the air. A couple of the Youth Voice’s team members because they quickly developed a bond with Mrs. Eutrice promised to pay regular visits.

But that was not good enough. As a society we need to do more. We need to start inculcating in our youth the importance of respecting our elderly. Youth Voices and the teams that volunteered has begun to make a small difference.

Compared to the needs in this small country, there actions made little or no impact on the problem. But they are not just talking about it. They are doing it.
Fact is; What have you done for the elderly lately?

Article submitted to Youth Voices Magazine to assist in their Elderly Care Programme. Please kiss an elderly person today.

Trinidad & Tobago Youth Voices Making A Difference

One Youth Organization Touching The Hearts Of The Elderly In Trinidad and Tobago.

A society that ignores its elderly citizens is doomed to a life of regret and pain. It’s easy for youths pumped up with energy to discount the years of real life and living strategies they have acquired over their evidently long years.

Granted some sometimes age does not bring wisdom but that is only in a marginal few cases.

For most of old people carry a wealth of knowledge in personal and professional life experience. That is a fact of life in our society, Trinidad and Tobago it is not appreciated.

Who among us do not have an elderly, mother, father, uncle aunt or grand mother or father? Yet we read in the paper of an 81 year old woman raped, robbed doused with kerosene and life threatened.

Recently, we had a case of a son chopping up his father, a teenager cussing out his elderly grand mother. We have become immune to such occurrences.

Of course, it is mentioned in many conversations in person, on blogs and comments on the local paper. Other than that; nothing is ever done. Where will it end?
The answer to that question we hope we never know. The real questions, seeing that we are already here is how do we change this?

Here’s the deal. Every one of us will age; like we say here “no ifs and or buts about it” it’s guaranteed. Not tomorrow or next week, yes that’s aging too, but we are talking about 10 or 20 years from now, if you are lucky, you will be there.

Youths will one day be saying the same thing or maybe by then the elderly in Trinidad and Tobago will have grown used to being disrespected and abused. Think future, short future if there is any.

What; as a society, can we do about it? Nothing?

One local youth organization “Youth Voices” is doing something. They have rallied teams of youths to visit the elderly and share some life with them. To give back, transfer some of that youthful energy to a complete stranger. By sharing quality time with the elderly two things happen.

The elderly is totally overjoyed to interact with youths who are respectful, inquisitive and caring. Sadly it’s an oasis in a dry parched desert. They also get an opportunity to get some chores done around the house that would most likely not be left for years in it’s present state.

The second thing that happens and it is merely as a result of the experience, the youth is touched in a human sort of way. It emboldens the teaching they had about respecting the elderly.

They now know the reason why, for some it ‘s a eureka moment; “gosh I will be there some day”. None will leave untouched by the experience,

These youths are depositing good Karma into their life’s bank accounts. They are making a difference where others talk and write and postulate about how bad things getting in the country. It reminds me of a perfect example of this.

Everyday, the Trinidad Express finds some infrastructural problems, a pot hole that is not being fixed, a street sign misspelled or a barrel in a barrel being used as a man hole cover.

These pictures are posted with captions about the potential of someone getting hurt. The result, well it’s the same as what happens when we talk. Rarely is anything fix because it is published.

That’s just how it is in T&T.

Youths associated with the Youth Voices Elderly programme is making a real life difference on elderly at a time.

In the larger scheme of things, it is a token effort but the joy that Mrs. Eutrice, the last recipient of this venture, had nothing to do with a big scheme. It was just a helping hand and she was extremely happy and delighted make these few idealistic youths feel welcomed. When the group was preparing to leave she asked;

"Thank you, when all yuh coming back?"

It is sad to know that as a society we either ignore or warehouse our elderly, the ones who are independent we disrespect. The obvious disrespect we are dealing with, those can be addressed directly. But it’s the disrespect that is not so obvious that will eventually hurt the society more.

What is not obvious it that there are literally thousands of elderly being warehoused in geriatrics homes, Many are getting bad treatment in groups not individually.

There is a lack of legislation to protect or ensure that the level of abuse in these homes are monitored and regulated. It’s like a society open secret, we all wish that we don’t end up in “one a them places”.

The answer to the old lady’s question is still up in the air. A couple of the Youth Voice’s team members because they quickly developed a bond with Mrs. Eutrice promised to pay regular visits.

But that was not good enough. As a society we need to do more. We need to start inculcating in our youth the importance of respecting our elderly. Youth Voices and the teams that volunteered has begun to make a small difference.

Compared to the needs in this small country, there actions made little or no impact on the problem. But they are not just talking about it. They are doing it.
Fact is; What have you done for the elderly lately?

Article submitted to Youth Voices Magazine to assist in their Elderly Care Programme.

Please kiss an 80 year young elderly person today.

3 MYTHS THAT KEEP MILLIONS OF BUSINESSES OFF LINE

Well, duh, it’s expensive. It’s generally accepted in the business world that developing a website requires a significant investment. Add that to the fact that most traditional business people cannot see how a web presence could improve their business profits or operations and you will understand why millions of business people around the world think websites are useless.

This is not phenomenon that occurs solely with developing countries. Even in more developed countries like the United States. Canada and Europe there are still literally thousands, if not millions, of business people who resist taking their businesses online. As internet users grow in numbers these businesses are surely being left behind. For example, take a look at population trends for internet usage of the top 20 countries in the world.


The differences in countries vary and can be accounted for primarily by population and the ease of access to the internet. Online, people are experiencing the evolution and development of social media Web 2.0 and now Web 3.0, while millions of offline businesses in every country operate exclusively offline.

The emergence of social media websites like Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and YouTube have made it possible for some offline businesses to access prospects globally and locally. In most cases, the encounters are accidental because for the most part the meeting was not as a result of a coordinated strategy.

Most are not aware of the possibility of formulating a social media strategy. Thus, the reason for the emergence of sites and individuals who provide instructions on how to capitalize on the various social media platforms. One such site that is about to be launched is Social Traffic where you can learn how to use social media to build businesses both off line and online. See Social Traffic.

Consider, Trinidad and Tobago, a country with an estimated population of 1,262,000 and reasonably inexpensive access to the internet. It is estimated that approximately 17.3% of the population use the internet regularly.

According to the table below in 2008 there were approximately 212,800 regular users online in Trinidad and Tobago. These numbers also show a growth rate of about 50 – 60,000 per year. For the local market here and possibly in your own local market the numbers do justify having an internet presence.

YEAR Users Population% Pen. GDP p.c.* Usage Source

2000 100,000 1,262,366 7.9 % US$ 8,960 ITU

2006 160,000 1,320,383 12.1 % US$ 12,900 ITU

2008 212,800 1,231,323 17.3 % US$ 18,600 ITU

Per Capita GDP in US dollars, source: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Source Internet World Stats

Believe it or not, the most compelling reason most businesses are not online is, in one word, “ignorance”. In this case, ignorance simply means not knowing anything about the benefits of an online presence.

Many traditional business people are totally unaware of the phenomenal growth of internet users. It’s even worse when these business owners are not internet users. Very few will never get an appreciation of the benefits to be derived from the internet. But here is the clincher, many of these businesses people are online or can easily get there, they are usually part of an internet community.
Here are the 3 myths that keep them off line:

 Myth #1. Establishing a web presence is expensive.
• Truth: The business needs and the purpose for building a site dictates the actual investment in the site. Almost all businesses are seeking more customers. Establishing a web presence is not expensive in fact there are sites free sites that will allow visitors to build and host their own site; free. A site can be built within an hour with very little programming knowledge. Ironically, that’s exactly where most small business people should start. Before a business owner contracts with a designer to build a web site, like with anything else, they must have a pretty good idea of what they are buying. There is a learning curve but if time is essential the answer is not to outsource this function to a web designer, unless they have an overall appreciation of internet marketing. As is usually the case web designers are not internet marketers, intersection of those two skills is a rare occurrence.

 Myth #2. Once a site is built and accessible people will visit.
• Truth: A web presence is the first step in beginning to develop business from the internet but its useless without the next major milestone; traffic generation. Search engine optimization, data based development and now social traffic are essential to making a web presence effective. All are essential, even if the purpose of a site is to provide information on the business, in other words an online brochure.

 Myth #3. The internet is global and my business is local, makes no sense:
• Truth: On face value that belief seems to make sense but there is another aspect that most noobs are unaware of ; major search engine provide searches by country and even zip codes. More importantly, a business web site should be considered a supplemental information medium, unless it is exclusively a internet based business. It is not a stand alone medium and must become an integral part of all other business advertising. It is the only medium that allows a business to provide every conceivable detail about their products or services and right now the only one that allow a free medium for follow up and additional sales.

As the world ages these diehards will eventually pass on to a place where the internet does not matter, their businesses will either be inherited, sold or die naturally. The internet will outlive them all. A point in time will come when every business in the world will have a web site like a phone. When that happens not having a web site would be something people laugh at.