WHO IS TTT?
Me+Sushi = Happy
The old saying goes that “Trinis are like salt — they in everything”. So it should not come as a surprise that the more you travel, the more you find that there are Trinis in the most far-flung, least-expected places, doing all kinds of different things during their journeys abroad.
As for me, I’m a Trini girl from Maraval who one day gave up trying to fight the nagging feeling of wanderlust, and decided to leave home and fly far far away to see what life was like ‘out there’.
Armed with a degree in English and a Canadian passport (lucky me), I went overseas to teach English anywhere I could get a job, and had no clue where I would end up, or how long I would be gone.
I first landed up in a tiny mountain town in Turkey where I worked under the table for six months and had a great time. But after myself and the other two girls I lived with got kicked out of town for our wild and wicked western ways, I found a much more respectable (and legal) job in Japan.
While teaching in Tokyo I met a guy who convinced me to move with him to Hong Kong, where I worked as an editor for three years at a huge financial firm. After enduring the financially rewarding but soul crushing drudgery of corporate slavery, I decided to quit and become a beach bum for a while and figure out our next move. So in September 2010 I sold most of my belongings, burnt my suits and heels, and headed to Koh Samui, a beautiful little island off the eastern coast of Thailand, for a few months. After a short stint in Dubai, we are on the move again.
Contact email: thetravellingtrini@yahoo.com
Eva
February 23, 2008
Hey there,
your site came up when I googled for some info on Bintan. It’s not in many travel guides and we were told about it in the travel’s agent’s in NZ. We’ll be heading there in early march and like you will be staying at the yasin bungalow. Just wondered if you have any tips for me. Also a bit worried about safety and vaccinations. We’ll be flying into singapore and are planning to get the ferry accross. I can’t work out the set-up of the island – all the travel info is on the resort part of the island so I’m wondering if I’ll be able to get a visa on arrival from singapore?
As already mentioned my other ‘issue’ is general safety. What’s Bintan like, did you feel safe there?
Would be awesome if you could get back to me – I’ve enjoyed reading your stuff. I know what you mean about moving around – I don’t like staying in one place for too long either. Too many things to see!
Hope this message finds you safe and happy and greetings from NZ,
Eva
the_travelling_trini
February 24, 2008
Hey Eva! Just sent you an email about Bintan. Have a nice holiday — it is so lovely there!
aisforandy
July 21, 2009
Hi there! Same story as above: looking to travel to Bintan, stumbled upon your blog. Would it be possible for you to forward that email to me as well? Great blog, very helpful! Thanks, Andy
the_travelling_trini
July 21, 2009
Hi Andy, you didn’t give any contact info — what do you need to know specifically?
aisforandy
July 23, 2009
Oh! Sorry…I guess I thought my wordpress username would link to my email. I’m mostly wondering if you think it would be possible to squeeze Bintan into a one night stay (departing sat. morning from SG, and returning home on Monday AM). If you think it would be too much for an overnight trip, do you have any other suggestions?
Http://Aisforandy.wordpress.com
ascot83@gmail.com
Thanks!
Dana
October 2, 2009
Hi,
I’m also a Trini living and working in HK.
Got your contact from your geoXpat comment. Like you, I’m still looking for some Caribbean-ness in HK. Still looking…………
Drop me a line.
Danna
Jing
March 21, 2010
Hello Emily,
I’ve just chanced across your site. I’m fluent in English and am bored with corporate life so would love to travel like you did. Was wondering if you could kindly advice me on how I could secure a job in Tokyo or maybe even teach english there. I volunteer as a tutor for underpriviledged kids too (wonder if that helps)
the_travelling_trini
March 24, 2010
Hey Jing,
Hope you will check this back to see the response!
There are so many opportunities out there to teach overseas and travel. To go to Japan, you will definitely need a Bachelors degree in pretty much anything. Or, you need to falsify one (and it happens all the time! lots of people out there with fake degrees). Teaching is a very easy way to get out there and get your foot in the door. A lot of people teach English for a year or so and then transition into something else. Volunteering with kids sure is a good thing and should be included on your resume.
You could also check out Korea, which pays for your flight over there and your accommodation, but you get very few holidays. I would also recommend Taiwan, which is a really lovely place, and there are lots of teaching jobs.
Check out these websites:
http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/
http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/intl/index.pl
http://www.gaijinpot.com (that one is specifically for Japan)
Good luck with your quest for an overseas adventure!!!
TTT
Ahmed Edoo
May 5, 2010
Cool Blog….
I’m also a Trini…studying in Shanghai for just under 2 years now.
Gimme a shout if you passing through.
-Ahmed.
Kim
August 12, 2010
Emily. I’m Katie’s uncle (Lee’s brother). We’ve met on several occasions, mostly when you were a kid. I’m just writing to say that Tina pointed me to your blog and glancing through it I find it wonderful. You’ve become quite an accomplished writer, and so young too (compared to me, who couldn’t have done at your age what you’re now doing). Congrats. When I see people clinging to your words I feel proud to think “I knew her when she was a kid.” Keep it up.
the_travelling_trini
September 1, 2010
Hi Kim, yes of course I remember you, and thank you for the kind words of support. Not sure if I could say I am an ‘accomplished’ writer, since this is just a little blog with a few followers. If I could I would love to write a Travelling Trini column for one of the newspapers but so far have not received any responses from the Big 3 back at home. If you know anyone at the papers you could direct me to I would really appreciate it! Thanks again and hope you will keep reading….
Johann
November 3, 2010
Yo Em! So this is your site eh … awesome! Haven’t spoken to ya on Fb in a while so i thought i’d check out your blog and write a lil sumpin’ sumpin’. Maybe i have should have my own site and call it ahtrinilivinginsandiego.com … nah, doesn’t have much of a ring. Keep writing, and i’ll talk to ya soon on Fb.
Johann.
vicki
December 3, 2010
So where and when are you selling all these trinkets that you came home with?
Sheldon
February 4, 2011
Hey, just came across your blog while doing some research on Singapore. This is amazing, u should run a weekly article in the Sunday Express.
the_travelling_trini
February 4, 2011
Sheldon, I have sent proposals to the big 3 papers back home…. not a single of them responded to me about running a regular feature! Lame!!! So you heading to Singapore or what?
Sheldon
February 5, 2011
What a coincidence!! I opened the Northerly this morning and saw an article on you…CONGRATS!!
Sheldon
February 5, 2011
Ohh there’s also outlish.com which is gaining in popularity as an online mag
the_travelling_trini
February 5, 2011
Thanks for the tip Sheldon
And yeah it was great to be interviewed in the Northerly too!
Hope this will help me get in with one of the papers back home….
So about Singapore — are you moving there?
Sheldon
February 6, 2011
Yeah, i’m hoping to move to SG this year. Will see how things go jobwise etc
the_travelling_trini
February 6, 2011
Nice — hope it works out. Singapore is a lovely place, and very green and pretty too. Very easy to live there I think. Everyone speaks English. Excellent public transport. Interesting towns. And of course great location to travel to other countries in Asia!!
Sheldon
February 7, 2011
Look me up on facebook nah, wud be good to stay in touch
Sheldon
February 7, 2011
Ohh yeah…Sheldon Gerard Pierre
Marina
July 14, 2011
Does’nt anybody realise that T’dadians don’t support their own, especially if they are successful at something!! if you were European living there you’d get all the support you need, good luck in your endeavors.
Rishi
August 6, 2011
Hi Emily
Well I stumbled on your blog, while doing an inverse search for other trini travel bloggers. We’re not a big bunch are we?
I’ve been trying to find more of us over the years, but it’s difficult.
Same thing on my end – I had everything set up for a column in the TnT Mirror, but project work took over and I couldn’t commit.
My blog got a mention on Outlish
http://www.outlish.com/10-totally-awesome-trini-bloggers/
As well I’m a Lonely Planet blogger …but it would be great to swap links at least.
Anyway, great to stumble on your blog … you can drop me a line …
rishi@rishiray.com or naparima@hotmail.com
the_travelling_trini
August 10, 2011
Hi Rishi, impressive website you have! And so funny to find another Trini who knows what both ‘ping pong show’ and ‘nasi goreng’ are. Surprisingly through my blog I’ve connected with a number of other Travelling Trinis out there, from China to Singapore to India and everywhere in between. Keep up the good work and happy travels. Will be following your blog for sure.
Anonymous
September 14, 2011
hi emily,i’m ‘trini to d bone’ living in malaysia.i came accross your blog and was glad to know i’m not the only one here.