I ran my first series of picture about Goombay two days ago on Saturday morning. Friday evening I walked the few blocks from Duval to Emma Streets on Petronia and with no effort at all I snagged more than three dozen pictures I wanted to put upon my blog. My colleague Paula despises Goombay saying it isn't Caribbean at all, and indeed there is a whole bunch of food from a whole bunch of ethnicities. Like that's a bad thing?
The choices are dazzling:
Paula's other complaint is that the arts and crafts on sale are the same as every other street fair. Which, for all I know, may well be true but this is my favorite event downtown and I am here for the food and to meet friends who also show up at this very easy going, fully clothed gathering.
Buffalo Bill was visiting from the Canadian border and enjoying the summer, the music, the beer and just being in Key West. 
It was hot work churning out food for the masses:
And drink was taken, copiously:
These are some of the objects for sale, and surprisingly enough my wife didn't dive for an earring or two, her favorite adornments. This young woman seemed to be thinking hard about it:
This must be the right time and place to let one's hair down. I'll bet she is rarely seen in public with a balloon around her neck:
I know it sounds odd but this looks more like a garden chore to me, cleaning up my coconuts rather than preparing a delicious tropical drink based on coconut milk:
Next week it's the adults' turn and it's probably just as well the little dears won't know the half of it:
The seductive power of something or other:
Faced with a choice between alligator and crayfish at the Louisiana food stand the wife and I selected crayfish puffs which look like Conch (pronounced"konk") fritters and had a nice touch of heat as one would expect from this regional cuisine:
Bill and Diana wanted to try the alligator so my wife and I were forced to agree to taste dinosaur for the first time.
It wasn't at all bad actually and the meat did have the same texture as chicken, even though it is actually dinosaur you are eating. 
I have no idea who the singer was on the grandstand at Emma Street but it was a great sound, and even sounded vaguely in tune with the supposed Goombay theme, which is to hang out on Petronia Street and have a good time. I'm all for it.
The choices are dazzling:Paula's other complaint is that the arts and crafts on sale are the same as every other street fair. Which, for all I know, may well be true but this is my favorite event downtown and I am here for the food and to meet friends who also show up at this very easy going, fully clothed gathering.Buffalo Bill was visiting from the Canadian border and enjoying the summer, the music, the beer and just being in Key West. It was hot work churning out food for the masses: 
And drink was taken, copiously:These are some of the objects for sale, and surprisingly enough my wife didn't dive for an earring or two, her favorite adornments. This young woman seemed to be thinking hard about it:
This must be the right time and place to let one's hair down. I'll bet she is rarely seen in public with a balloon around her neck:
I know it sounds odd but this looks more like a garden chore to me, cleaning up my coconuts rather than preparing a delicious tropical drink based on coconut milk:
Next week it's the adults' turn and it's probably just as well the little dears won't know the half of it:The seductive power of something or other:
Faced with a choice between alligator and crayfish at the Louisiana food stand the wife and I selected crayfish puffs which look like Conch (pronounced"konk") fritters and had a nice touch of heat as one would expect from this regional cuisine:Bill and Diana wanted to try the alligator so my wife and I were forced to agree to taste dinosaur for the first time.It wasn't at all bad actually and the meat did have the same texture as chicken, even though it is actually dinosaur you are eating. 
I have no idea who the singer was on the grandstand at Emma Street but it was a great sound, and even sounded vaguely in tune with the supposed Goombay theme, which is to hang out on Petronia Street and have a good time. I'm all for it. 
9 comments:
Dear Sir:
This episode is sending me out for Cajun food at lunch today. I will alligator with a rum and Coke, or several, at Crawdaddy's today.
I will think of you... And order another drink.
Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads
Conch,
I am wondering if you asked that guy with the dredlocks and the colorful hat, where did he get that hat?
I like that hat a lot. I think it would go very well in accenting pink crocs.
If I ever find that hat I will send it instantly to Kansas and you can wear it as you ride around the fruited plain.
This week is riepe week in Key West and I am stressing already about finding the nerve to ask strange women if I can photograph their painted breasts. I know I am going to fail.
The only thing that Paula might be right about is the woman in the last picture playing the banjo!! Banjo music at a carribean festival? I liked the picture sans Diana's purse so thanks for that!! Did i forget to get that rasta tam for my mom?
Buffalo Bill
Dear Conch:
Hear are the rules for this week.
1) Don't fail.
2) No fatties. (If you have to step back more than 10 feet to get them into the picture, than give it the pass.)
3) You might start off by saying, "You have the best body paint I've ever seen. They should give you a prize and just close the contest. Could I take your picture?"
This should be easy.
Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads
Dear Conch:
Putting myself in Jack's shoes for a moment:
Here are further rules:
1) don't fail
3) is that body paint edible ? if so, can I lick it off 'cause my friend Jack wants a picture sans paint
bob
bobskoot: wet coast scootin
ps to cpa3485, did you buy your pink crocs yet? or do you need the hat first ?
Thank you for posting a photo of Bill without my purse. He told me you would use the one of him with my purse over his shoulder. I insisted you wouldn't do such a thing. I am rarely wrong. And,it's even rarer that I admit I'm wrong. Bill will attest to that. I've apologized for having him hold my purse and admitted I was wrong about you! Cheers.
Bill's Bride
Bill's Bride via Mr Conch:
I think Bill put you up to this, making apologies for his "man" purse which he constantly carries with him. Face it, he was "caught" in action
luv
bob
bobskoot: wet coast scootin
ps: Mr Conch, is that your green shirt, and are you feeding Layne ? was just curious, cause Mr "purse" Bill has on a white T-shirt with some writing on it
Mrs Bill was in the porta pottie at the tiem. It has to be said, and yes that is layne getting her fiorst taste of dinaosaur( my picture appeared Saturday).
Louve you too.
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