This weekend, I had the opportunity to attend " Taste of the Caribbean". A culinary competition held at the Hyatt Miami. The participants, were a few Islands of the Caribbean. It was my first time attending this event. I was honored to be among the guests from the St. Lucia Tourism and Hospitality Board. Some of the islands participating in this event were, St. Lucia, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Bahamas.

The food and the presentation, as you can imagine was delicious. We were not able to exchange plates among all the participants, therefore I couldn't try the food from the other countries participating. We had a 3 course meal. The cold plantain chicken salad as an appetizer was delicious. The entree was a pan fried Grouper with red pepper coulis, basil tarragon oil, smoked papaya chili Caviar, Peperoncino ground provision croquette and ginger infused pumpkin puree. The grouper was not all that. It was lacking taste. The dessert was a fantastic Crispy Coconut Biscuit with coconut Jelly. I'm not a fan of coconut but this was simply delicious. A pineapple Upside Down Cake with Honey roasted Pineapple and Vanilla Passion Fruit sauce.

By looking at the other tables, I was very impress with the presentation of the island of Puerto Rico. Rumor among the participants was that Haiti was the big surprise of the competition.

I'm looking forward to attend next year show and why not, be one of the judges.

Animal Abuse

My dear readers. Next week is Animal Abuse Awareness week. Not that many times, we hear about this in the news. The truth is that, on a daily basis thousands and thousands of animals get abuse by another animal, us the humans. This is sad but true.

Would you leave your child without food and water for days? Would you hit your child until he or she dies? Would you burn or hang a child? If the answer is not, why do we allow things like this to happen to our small, loving friends. Sounds horrible right? Why is it, that we look the other way and ignore the situation when it comes to animals? Lets take a stand. Lets be vigilant to signs of animal abuse. Lets report it to the authorities. Also, lets call our politicians so they can pass stronger laws against it. If you don't think you are suitable to care of an animal, don't get one. If you have one and can not take care of it, give it to some one that will. If you have one and your are abusing it, you should get the same treatment. Animals have feelings. They understand. Show a little love. 

Recently the members of Opec (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) put out a memorandum saying, they "believe the price of the oil barrel is too low". Also, they think that people can afford to pay more for gas. Really???? Where do these people live? In a cave? Don't they know the World economy is struggling?

So, which ones are these contries? Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Lybia, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Venezuela. These are the people that are controling the gas prices and are playing with our natural resources. Who are they to say, how much we should pay for it. How can it be that 12 countries have the entire World by the balls?

I guess some of these countries, haven't learn the most recent lesson of our current times. The leasson that Greed is a bad thing and at the end we all pay for it. What is funny, is that in these countries companies are using something that was given to us  by Mother Earth. Maybe, we should pay for the process but not for something it does not belong to a country, goverment or company. Earth owns these resources and us, as sons of Mother Earth, we own it too.

At some point someone realized, they can build a machine that would work by using gas. Did we run out of ideas? Why dont invent a machine that would work with something else. Well, Im sure if we invent something that will run with air, they will figure out a way to charge us for it.

We are in the middle of a political campaing here in the United States. Around the world, there are hundreds of political campaings. So, far I haven't heard a single candidate saying that they stand against these countries and company's bulling the entire World.

We all should put preasure on these countries and companies, so they can be a little more understanding. Let at least do our part, lets try to use less fuel.

Things to remember: 

1_ The oil belongs to all of us.
2_ Twelve countries are controling the oil prices
3_ Lets get creative, so we dont depend so much on petroleum.

Things to forget:

1.  Lets dont forget at election times. 

The Island of St. Lucia

Last week, I visited the Island of St. Lucia. This was not my first trip to this Island. St. Lucia is located in the eastern Caribbean.

The official language is English. They got their independence from the United Kingdom just in 1979. The currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar. They give you about $2.6 EC per $1.00 US dollars. It's a beautiful island. There is a lot of greenery everywhere you look.

There are mountains, amazing beaches, great weather (some times a little too hot for my taste), fantastic waterfalls, a dormant volcano, and the most amazing views you can imagine. Every year, they celebrate with a lot of  passion their carnival and become the center of the music world during the month of May with the already well known Jazz Festival.

I got to stay at the Bay Gardens Beach Resort. It's a comfortable hotel right next to the water. Its located at Romney Bay, just outside Castries, the capital city. This resort have a great pool and two restaurants. One is more of a casual dinning (food not that great) and the other one is a more elegant place with great service and a fantastic fusion of tastes on their menu. Hotels and food is on the expensive side. They have a lot of nice restaurants with great food. in this Island. The off season for the hotel industry is during the months of May thru September. During those months is when you can find some good deals. Even though people are friendly, they are not service oriented at all. Sometimes that, combine with a laid back attitude can become a little upsetting and frustrating.

Things to remember:
1_ Great weather.
2_ Amazing views and beaches.
3_ Nature at its best
4_ Save some money by going during the tourists off season

Things to Forget
1_ Its kind of expensive
2_ They are not very service oriented people.

I will give this hotel ****

My Spris Experience

Yesterday, I was down in Lincoln Road looking for a place to eat. After doing some walking and getting bombarded by a few restaurants hosts with menus and specials; we finally decided on Spris. An Italian restaurant, right in the middle of the action of Lincoln Road. Instead of going with a pizza, which seems to be what they are know for, I ordered kind of like a chicken panini. It was simply bad!!!!!. What happened to all delicious Italian spices? Service was good and fast. We were seating inside. They have an amazing wood oven. The only problem is that you seem to be inside the kitchen all the time. Would I go back? Maybe. But no more Panini for me. BTW, there is nothing romantic about this place. So, take your date somewhere else.

Things to remember:
1_ Fast  and friendly service.

Things to forget:
1_ The panini

Immigration policies changes

There are changes coming to the immigration laws. Its about time. I think four years ago, I hear a candidate for the presidency promising this. Its about time Mr. President. This new law will benefit almost 800,000 people. At least, we will have these new many tax payers. Now, I have question. Why this will only benefit people between the ages of 16 thru 30?. Is it because these are young voters that have a tendency to be liberals and democrats? What about if you came with your parents illegally 30 years ago when you were only 2 years old? Really Mr. President? Come on!!!!!! If you are going to make things right, extended it to everybody that came in as a child regardless of their age.. Also, if you are one of those lucky ones, what will happened to your illegal parents? Deported? This is a way of breaking apart families. I do admire you Mr. president for finally having some b...., but Why now? Do you have an ulterior motive?

Things to remember.
1_ Its a good idea. Not enough!
2_ 800,000 new tax payers

Things to forget
1_ Done on an election year.

MADAGASCAR 3

What a great and funny movie. I saw it 3D. I forgot about all my problems while watching this movie. I found myself laughing with the kids seating next to me. The colors were fantastic and the 3D effects were awesome. In a couple of occasions, I had to move my head because I saw stuff coming at me. LOL. The story is not all that, but catches your attention and keeps you entertain.

Things to remember:

1- The Russian Tiger saying Bolshevik instead of bullshit. All the adults were laughing. The kids were laughing to imitate us

2- When they talked about Cirque Du Soleil and the amount of shows they have in Vegas

3- The colors and the 3D effects towards the end of the movie when they are performing in New York.

4- The evil police officer. She was funny.

5- After trying so hard to go back to the New York Zoo, they realized things were different from the way they remember them. Does that sounds familiar? I'm sure that happened to all of us at some point in our lives.

Things to forget:

1-I forgot them already..... LOL

I'm giving this one. ****