First off, congratulations to Harts on turning 50!!!!

One of, if not THE, longest existing bands in T&T, Harts has spent half a century creating a consistently high-quality experience for its masqueraders.

That said, there's a REASON why a mas camp opening should not coincide with registration!!!

When I received notice late last week that registration for the band would begin at 12 noon on August 21st I sent an email to the band asking when the mas camp would open for costume viewing. A bit perturbed when informed that the two would begin at the same time, I nevertheless made my way across to the mas camp during my lunch hour today.

I have two words for you. MAD. NESS!!!

First off, finding a parking spot was pressha! Thank goodness I remembered that this was Trinidad where parking on the pavement doesn't cause the authorities to bat an eye (unless they haven't met their quota of parking tickets for the month!). Kudos to the lovely young man who went out of his way to direct traffic and ensure that it flowed despite the flagrant double parking that was taking place.

I walked into the driveway of the mas camp and was supplied with a complimentary copy of "Maco People" full of photos from Carnival 2009 ... and that was the end of my ability to move freely.

From the time I hit the bottom of the stairs (not even a full flight eh, maybe all of FIVE steps), I was enfolded in a passionate throng. Needless to say, when packed tighter than a group of fat men in metro jeans, the taking of pictures becomes a fond desire and an impossible task!

Thanks to the sardine tin experience, I could only glimpse most of the costumes, but the ones that I glimpsed I LIKED! Big up to the Mexico/Mayans section!

Know what I LOVED more than the costumes? The PRICES!!! Please note that most Harts sections are not all-inclusive but do offer the option of renting a drinks cart. Hopefully I'll be able to get more details on my next visit.

And can I just say that I was very please by the demographical blend that I saw registering? From the ubiquitous teens who've been Harts' lifeblood, to the 20- and 30-something year olds who were clearly on their lunch breaks, to the retirees coming out for one last whirl in the streets of POS! Apparently Harts is where every creed, race AND age will be finding and equal place for Carnival 2010!

The Price List: (hp=headpiece)

On Stage/ Tribute to Broadway   $2925 (all female section)

Brazilian Fiesta/ Latin Fire          $3690 (big hp)  $2485 (small hp)  (all female section)

Life in the Waters/Earth Crisis    $2180 (m)  $5543 (big hp)  $2970 (small hp)

Tribes/Wild Thing                      $2285 (m)  $2930 (small hp)

The Unknown/Superstitions       $2435 (m) $2605-$2800 (small hp) price change based on colour/design

A Medieval Dream/Flag Wavers of Sienna   $2290 (m) female prices TBD

Inferno/Witches Brew               $2220 (m)  female prices TBD

Lights Camera Action/Adventurers of the High Seas   $2285 (m)  female prices TBD

Total Recall/50                         $2130 (m)  $3420 (small hp)

Was this Greece/Before 2000    $2095/$2560 (m)   $2650-$2785 (small hp) based on colour/design

Persian Empire/Mesapotamia BC   $2326/$2410 (m)  $3360 (big hp)   $2960 (small hp)

Mas Sweet Mas/American Indian   TBD

Happy Hour/Life...A Helluva Time  $2230 (m)   female prices TBD

Polynesia/Faces of Places           $2445 (m)  $2620 (small hp)

Colorsion/Islands in the Sun      $2055 (m)  female prices TBD

Antony & Cleopatra/The Strip    $2395 (m) female prices TBD

Come Leh We Dance/Reflections of My Childhood   $1975 (m)  $2935 (small hp)

Mexico/The Mayans                  $2395 (m)  $3330 (big hp)  $2695 (small hp)

Oriental Fantasy/Utopia            $2270/$2665 (m)   female prices TBD

The Etruscans/Voyage BC         $2400 (m)   $2650 (small hp)

Out of this World/The Realm     $2400 (m)   $3299 (big hp)   $2663 (small hp)

Butterflies & Moths/Tiime for a Tale    $2175 (m)  female proces TBD

Let's Make Waves/Whe Whe      $ 1880-$1945 (m) $1925-$2085 (small hp)