Though my mind and identity in general are still in Caribbean mode, I guess I should live up to the commitments the old me made. Namely, the travel series here on WIP. And more specifically, the foodie adventures of 2023.
The specific city I visited in the Caribbean was Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. I was quite skeptical about the food beforehand. I wanted to try the local cuisine, but everyone (read: random articles online) warned me about the food making you ill, especially washed vegetables and raw meat.
As an old carnivore, I can live without washed vegetables. Raw meat, however, is one of my favorite foods. Nevertheless, I was prepared to eat cooked meat alone. I also took probiotics for a week before the trip and during the trip.
I had plenty of well-cooked meat, scrambled eggs, bacon, a little fruit, and a ton of dairy-based dessert during the trip, and never got sick.
So that was good. But now to the adventures.
I had to try everything rum-based, since rum is some sort of national treasure in the Dominican Republic. I normally hate pina coladas, but the ones they made there were excellent - basically just rum and iced crushed pineapple slush. I had several.
Speaking of rum, I also tried their rum raisin ice cream. There was only one raisin in my portion, but the rum was dominant and wonderful.
When it comes to other cocktails, I tried one called sex on the beach for the first time in my life. It was surprisingly good. I loved the gradient color.
But above all I have to mention the chicken. The Dominicans know how to cook their chickens. It was wonderfully tasty, bones and all.
Once, when I was too hungry to wait for lunchtime, I had an overcooked burger as a snack. It filled me up, so I didn't mind the overcookedness. (A very long and interesting story, I admit.)
In the plane to and fro, I got some European food. But let's not talk about that.
RK
P.S. When I said "as an old carnivore", I meant that the new me has had lentils every day since getting back home. Something about a new diet enforcing a new identity, I guess.
