THANKSGIVING BLESSINGS

Over the past 2 years there has been a significant increase in the availability and selection of food to buy locally with the construction of a mega store called La Sirena in Puerto Plata (a North American style grocery/department store); competition for the one and only grocery store named Playero in Sosua. This summer a typical American dollar store opened also in Sosua with the usual imported cheap fare but it has a wide selection of “American” foods. Up until 5 or 6 years ago, it was virtually impossible to buy even the basic things such as light bulbs here without making a trip into Santiago, 50 kms away. However, we have found that many of the local merchants still have the best prices on their produce and meat. Through Claribelle, the Dominican cook for the lunch program in villa Ascension, we met and now shop regularly at these local merchants whenever possible. If you get to the butcher early enough in the morning you can get a slab of beef or pork cut directly from the carcass while you wait, before the flies start buzzing around and settling on the meat. I am a skeptic at best buying meat that is hanging unrefrigerated in a hot climate…but after tasting Claribelle’s cooking I was won over. The beef roast sitting 2nd from the left on the counter was our dinner that night. Mr. Mackley roasts up to 40 chickens at a time coated with his special seasoning over hot coals in two large barbeques, and they are the best I have ever tasted. I have also discovered that when buying a fresh chicken, that (eeeek), the feet are still attached to the bird. Deep fried chicken feet, better known as Pica Pollo, are a favorite amongst the local people.

Each day we drive down our street, Papo is selling seasonal fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, mangoes & avocados, and there are always some bananas hanging at his stall for your choice selection.

But today the kitchen is closed! We are invited to a Canadian Thanksgiving dinner at one of the local restaurants to be shared with a team from Spruceland Millworks that hail from Edmonton, Alberta. Even though the holiday is not celebrated in the Dominican Republic, it is becoming a tradition of sorts since this is the third year in a row that we are enjoying this festive meal together. Blessings to all our friends and family and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!