We carried the steaming Deliciousness off to the empty building and took a seat at a long bench with the others, who had already moved on to resume drinking, screaming and play-fighting each other. A few Jamaicans had strolled in from the street, attracted by the commotion. Everyone was quick to make friends with the new arrivals and stood at a bar in jovial conversation in patois and 'regular' English.

The food was delicious, seasoned to absolute perfection. The festival was a buttery sensation. And the callaloo, ...I don't think you can get bad callaloo in Jamaica. I am still dreaming of that slight bitterness that rejuvenates the palette.



I must warn you though, that when you go to Jamaica and venture out of your all-inclusive, expect to eat every and any cut of meat an animal has to offer. The Jamaican butcher makes no distinctions when he cuts the animal into equal size portions. If you get lucky, you'll have the tenderloin on the plate, but every once in a while a meal might be more sinew then flesh. You must learn to chew real good or you might find yourself a vegetarian.

I for one, learned to eat whatever is put before me. Jerk chicken for example is usually processed IN the mouth, meaning, you will put the whole animal inside your eating cavity, perform some acrobatic teeth and tongue action before spitting out a clean skeleton. Don't bather with utensils. Be prepared and you won't mind a bit. The flavors are sensational and in no time you will be sucking the marrow out of poultry bones like a true Jamaican (Many of them are vegetarian though).