West Chester Dish

Wow. So about last night… How’d we go from Pina Coladas to chicken necks and lions!?

 We started at a waterfront tikki type of bar complete with thatched roof and island music riding the breeze.  The sun was setting so I ordered a pina colada because it seemed so appropriate. P.P. got what is now his drink of choice everywhere we go; the Belizian brew Belkin beer. After our drinks and many deep breaths (My body is still accepting the fact that, yes, I am on vacation.) we headed out into the streets of San Padro.Â

A black and white Spanish film played in the town center by the local churches and playground park.  Locals gathered to watch and dine from the multitude of street vendors barbequeing and selling fry jacks with cheese and beans.  Smoke sweetened with accents of meat and spices filled the air in harmony with the church bells and somewhat eerie feature film. P.P. leaned over at one point and whispered “One minute I feel like we are fine and no one is going to mess with us and the next minute I wonder why we haven’t been robbed yet.” I laughed because I struggled with the same thing the entire evening.Â

After making a few purchases from local jewelery makers we heard some latino music that overpowered the variety of bar and street music competing for the attention of tourists and visitors. I peered around the chipped white wall to discover a full band in an empty community hall and two people dancing like wild to the beat. The woman who was dancing saw me looking and ran out to get me. I resisted… there was NO ONE else participating and there had to be a reason for this so I was wary. She invited us for beers at the bar and dancing. P.P. was sold so I went in.

Turned out it was the local Lions Club and we had discovered their first attempt at recruiting new members. The point was to have music and beverages to get more folks to come be part of the club.  We instantly met the president of the club, the secretary, the treasurer and other members who all shook our hands and welcomed us with open arms.  It seemed a bit awkward at first. Then it got crazy.

First they brought us a plate of barbeque chicken.  We liked it so much they brought out ceviche. Now, the ceviche I know and love is usually a raw fish with lime and seasonings that is marinated and refreshing.  So imagine my shock when I learned that this was a cooked concoction of chicken parts including chicken feet, chicken necks and normally discarded pieces of a chicken.  It was all all coated in a dressing like mixture of spices that was quite tasty.

I was hesitant to taste the chicken neck but the meat was tender and delicious. Before I knew it I was salsaing on the dance floor with my new friends and we caught the attention of some locals. A crowd soon gathered around the bar. I had a beer of my own and then did a shot. Of what you ask? Not alcohol… no no no… I threw back another rare treat. It was salty and tasted of the ocean.  As the eye of a conch should.Â

The Final Dish: A little international media coverage? Apparently we are going to be in the local paper this coming Thursday. Local eats and local beats- check.