A dude looking homeless pushing a cart filled with luggage.
Another afternoon in sunny, wintery, 82 degree Key West.
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Saturday, February 25, 2012
Street Art
Two women standing on the sidewalk hula hooping. I photographed one of them in passing.
A dude looking homeless pushing a cart filled with luggage.
Another afternoon in sunny, wintery, 82 degree Key West.
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A dude looking homeless pushing a cart filled with luggage.
Another afternoon in sunny, wintery, 82 degree Key West.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Ackee And Salt Fish
You just never know what you will find when you wander the strip malls of South Miami. We parked in the shade on the coat tails of a cold front that left Cheyenne comfortably refreshed in the car and went looking for lunch.
This formidable woman, Veronica, presides over the cash register at Jamaica Kitchen ( the website) though the restaurant is actually owned by a Chinese-Jamaican couple hence the listings for Chinese foods among the Caribbean staples.
I have long wanted to try the national dish of Jamaica which I have read about and never tasted. Veronica was quite surprised to see a white man (her words) order the ackee and salt fish. How bad could it be? Can twelve million Jamaicans have crap taste buds?
We ordered lunch portions which was plenty of food though I suppose the slightly more expensive, huge, dinner size would feed two if you can find two white people who want to eat ackee and salt fish for instance.
Ackee is fairly bland and starchy, cooked to the consistency of a firm pudding the fruit resembles, vaguely, a flavor-free banana. The pieces of salted cod have a medium strength fish flavor and might be too much for bland taste buds that only ever see mild fish like halibut and snapper. I thought the whole twelve dollar dish was excellent. If ackee seeds are included by accident they will poison you and kill you so you need to trust the chef.
My wife also an adventurous eater paused momentarily when I mentioned the fate of ackee seed eaters, but she voted my dish "Okay" while her own curried goat got big thumbs up
We've had curried goat before in the former British West Indies in wraps called roti so her's wasn't the weird dish this time around. British Caribbean food is an acquired taste for a lot of people but I have enjoyed it always on trips to the Caribbean.
There's nothing subtle about it so as daily cooking it might be a bit robust but every once in a while it makes for a pleasant change. In Jamaica ackee and salt fish with pancakes ("Johnny cakes" in the local lingo) is eaten at breakfast which boggles the mind slightly but they are a tough resilient people with a penchant for rib sticking foods.
Jamaica Kitchen sells packaged food stuffs sold in Jamaica and also sometimes made in Jamaica. Who could resist cock flavored soup mix? Curried cock anyone? And with my taste buds permanently ruined by a childhood in English public schools a fruit bun loaf, a heavy fruit cake contraption, looks irresistible. My wife allowed me to bring home a packet of Jamaican corn meal porridge instead.
My wife was drawn more to the ghastly sour Chinese plums preserved and sold in small packages to people with asbestos palates. The fierce lady at the counter mellowed out a bit with the white ackee eater and finally agreed to let me take her picture.
Cheyenne loved her goat bones and rice and peas
Jamaica Kitchen is near my wife's arthritis specialist so we will be back. I think I will order another plate of ackee and salt fish next time. Call me weird but I liked it.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
This formidable woman, Veronica, presides over the cash register at Jamaica Kitchen ( the website) though the restaurant is actually owned by a Chinese-Jamaican couple hence the listings for Chinese foods among the Caribbean staples.
I have long wanted to try the national dish of Jamaica which I have read about and never tasted. Veronica was quite surprised to see a white man (her words) order the ackee and salt fish. How bad could it be? Can twelve million Jamaicans have crap taste buds?
We ordered lunch portions which was plenty of food though I suppose the slightly more expensive, huge, dinner size would feed two if you can find two white people who want to eat ackee and salt fish for instance.
Ackee is fairly bland and starchy, cooked to the consistency of a firm pudding the fruit resembles, vaguely, a flavor-free banana. The pieces of salted cod have a medium strength fish flavor and might be too much for bland taste buds that only ever see mild fish like halibut and snapper. I thought the whole twelve dollar dish was excellent. If ackee seeds are included by accident they will poison you and kill you so you need to trust the chef.
My wife also an adventurous eater paused momentarily when I mentioned the fate of ackee seed eaters, but she voted my dish "Okay" while her own curried goat got big thumbs up
We've had curried goat before in the former British West Indies in wraps called roti so her's wasn't the weird dish this time around. British Caribbean food is an acquired taste for a lot of people but I have enjoyed it always on trips to the Caribbean.
There's nothing subtle about it so as daily cooking it might be a bit robust but every once in a while it makes for a pleasant change. In Jamaica ackee and salt fish with pancakes ("Johnny cakes" in the local lingo) is eaten at breakfast which boggles the mind slightly but they are a tough resilient people with a penchant for rib sticking foods.
Jamaica Kitchen sells packaged food stuffs sold in Jamaica and also sometimes made in Jamaica. Who could resist cock flavored soup mix? Curried cock anyone? And with my taste buds permanently ruined by a childhood in English public schools a fruit bun loaf, a heavy fruit cake contraption, looks irresistible. My wife allowed me to bring home a packet of Jamaican corn meal porridge instead.
My wife was drawn more to the ghastly sour Chinese plums preserved and sold in small packages to people with asbestos palates. The fierce lady at the counter mellowed out a bit with the white ackee eater and finally agreed to let me take her picture.
Cheyenne loved her goat bones and rice and peas
Jamaica Kitchen is near my wife's arthritis specialist so we will be back. I think I will order another plate of ackee and salt fish next time. Call me weird but I liked it.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Friday, February 24, 2012
Pineapple Fencing
Seen in Bahama Village, these symbols of hospitality and welcome in Key West, pineapples...
The fence was decorated with insect cut outs, it was all quite charming.
And a fine porch to rock the sunset away.
Key West living.
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The fence was decorated with insect cut outs, it was all quite charming.
And a fine porch to rock the sunset away.
Key West living.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Neon And Darkness
I made a goof and got into town early for my overtime shift. 27 miles from home, what to do? Pull out the camera of course. I thought about having coffee at the Waffle House at the Days Inn, a place never previously visited by me. I thought better of it and decided to keep moving after I took this picture:
I am finally getting used to the Blue Lagoon Motel's replacement. The place seems to be a much nicer than the dive it replaced and the restaurant seems to have found a measure of stability. The sign on North Roosevelt looks okay when you can't see the stupid TV Screen.
In Key West 'The Boulevard' is the abbreviation given to North Roosevelt Boulevard, the four lane street that lines the north shore of New Town.
It is not particularly appealing as it is home to the chain stores and conveniences of modern North America, though restricted in number and choices. This is where locals can shop in box stores, Home Depot, Champs, Dollar Tree, K Mart and Pier One among others. Next April the state starts a much needed two year restoration of the boulevard with proper storm drains and paving and sidewalks.
It will be a chaotic two years while they reduce traffic flow and force everyone to squeeze onto Flagler Avenue.
I expect we will get used to it even as we curse the traffic jams and delays. These days North Roosevelt floods at the slightest provocation from the rain gods and proper drainage would be great.
I wonder how businesses will survive the down time of nearly 900 days starting this April.
I'd like to see proper sidewalks and landscaping and a general sense that this main artery should look moderately attractive even if not beautiful.
Currently it's a mess and the lack of sidewalks on the south side puts cyclists and pedestrians in the way of cars buzzing by well above the posted 35 mph speed omit.
At night the Boulevard loses some of it's ugliness which isn't quite so visible.
And at the end of the roadway just before it becomes Truman Avenue is my place of work
Some days I can hardly believe the trust me enough to give me a Key to the police station so I can come and go as I please. Then I remember I am closing in on eight years working here and they have been the best working years of my life. Even if the ride down the boulevard is horrid.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
I am finally getting used to the Blue Lagoon Motel's replacement. The place seems to be a much nicer than the dive it replaced and the restaurant seems to have found a measure of stability. The sign on North Roosevelt looks okay when you can't see the stupid TV Screen.
In Key West 'The Boulevard' is the abbreviation given to North Roosevelt Boulevard, the four lane street that lines the north shore of New Town.
It is not particularly appealing as it is home to the chain stores and conveniences of modern North America, though restricted in number and choices. This is where locals can shop in box stores, Home Depot, Champs, Dollar Tree, K Mart and Pier One among others. Next April the state starts a much needed two year restoration of the boulevard with proper storm drains and paving and sidewalks.
It will be a chaotic two years while they reduce traffic flow and force everyone to squeeze onto Flagler Avenue.
I expect we will get used to it even as we curse the traffic jams and delays. These days North Roosevelt floods at the slightest provocation from the rain gods and proper drainage would be great.
I wonder how businesses will survive the down time of nearly 900 days starting this April.
I'd like to see proper sidewalks and landscaping and a general sense that this main artery should look moderately attractive even if not beautiful.
Currently it's a mess and the lack of sidewalks on the south side puts cyclists and pedestrians in the way of cars buzzing by well above the posted 35 mph speed omit.
At night the Boulevard loses some of it's ugliness which isn't quite so visible.
And at the end of the roadway just before it becomes Truman Avenue is my place of work
Some days I can hardly believe the trust me enough to give me a Key to the police station so I can come and go as I please. Then I remember I am closing in on eight years working here and they have been the best working years of my life. Even if the ride down the boulevard is horrid.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Motorcycle Backpacks
In Miami recently we were driving SW 40th Street in the three lines of traffic trying not to get impatient. A motorcycle! Lucky bastard. Then I saw they were two up and saddlebag-free. Bummer.
Nice backpack dude! What the hell is that thing? A star wars trooper? With legs and a gun? Weird.
Now we are on Stock Island, I was still in the car, and still lasses by a motorcycle, dammit!
Also with a backpack. I hate riding with a backpack and try never to have to do it.
These youngsters are nothing if not adaptable. Good lads. For me, luggage attached to the bike is indispensable for a daily rider. It may make my Bonneville look dowdy But it makes commuting and touring a lot easier.
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Nice backpack dude! What the hell is that thing? A star wars trooper? With legs and a gun? Weird.
Now we are on Stock Island, I was still in the car, and still lasses by a motorcycle, dammit!
Also with a backpack. I hate riding with a backpack and try never to have to do it.
These youngsters are nothing if not adaptable. Good lads. For me, luggage attached to the bike is indispensable for a daily rider. It may make my Bonneville look dowdy But it makes commuting and touring a lot easier.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Bahama Village Amble
There is a certain pleasure in randomness around Key West, taking a walk, an activity I enjoy a great deal, and taking pictures of anything and everything that appeals to the eye.
I see a lot of pretty homes which are also pretty typical for the older area of my home town.
Fences and pointy roofs all over the place.
Old Conch cottages sit side by side with...
...other old homes fitted with those magnificent old tin shutters that I love so much.
There are magnificently refurbished homes...
...and other sturdy houses that are doing fine without the bourgeois touch.
And in their midst this bizarre restaurant, Better Than Sex which is heavy on the teenage innuendo if you go online and look at their menu. ”You'll be sure to get some nookie when you scoop up this sweetie," ugh, or "smooth slippery love custard joins in a poke party with sugar pieces and dribbles of warm soft caramel." That sort of soft porn stuff makes me want to go sit on a broomstick to harden the fuck up.
And you can get a Money Shot, not described on the menu, which I am told is the porn industry's description of a man having an orgasm on film. Just what I want in a glass for the low low price of five dollars, US.
Or you can walk half a bloc and get your shoe repaired by the last living cobbler in Key West
The paper did an article on him a while back.
This would be the sensible end of this block of Petronia. Money shot indeed!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
I see a lot of pretty homes which are also pretty typical for the older area of my home town.
Fences and pointy roofs all over the place.
Old Conch cottages sit side by side with...
...other old homes fitted with those magnificent old tin shutters that I love so much.
There are magnificently refurbished homes...
...and other sturdy houses that are doing fine without the bourgeois touch.
And in their midst this bizarre restaurant, Better Than Sex which is heavy on the teenage innuendo if you go online and look at their menu. ”You'll be sure to get some nookie when you scoop up this sweetie," ugh, or "smooth slippery love custard joins in a poke party with sugar pieces and dribbles of warm soft caramel." That sort of soft porn stuff makes me want to go sit on a broomstick to harden the fuck up.
And you can get a Money Shot, not described on the menu, which I am told is the porn industry's description of a man having an orgasm on film. Just what I want in a glass for the low low price of five dollars, US.
Or you can walk half a bloc and get your shoe repaired by the last living cobbler in Key West
The paper did an article on him a while back.
This would be the sensible end of this block of Petronia. Money shot indeed!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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