I tried to pay attention to the conversation at the picnic table - little girls bragging about their grades, their parents swapping stories from the glam resorts in which they work, cats darting back and forth underfoot, and Doreen was telling Mr. TBF something about the technique for pulling in a giant marlin. On the other side of the tent, two men played guitar and sang. I couldn't understand the creole lyrics, but the music was simple, poetic and unmistakably happy. A cool breeze blew off the ocean, giving a brief respite from the heat, and floating the charcoal-ed, fatty smell of grilled fish across the lawn. All around me, neighbors were talking, eating, laughing. I piled the salty, flaky fish (marlin? or barracuda?) on to my fork, and tuned everything out as I raised it to my mouth - it was truly the best fish I had ever eaten.
It was our second night in St. Lucia through one of JetBlue's amazing St Lucia vacation packages, through JetBlue Getaways. After a day at the beach at The Landings St. Lucia (swimming, sailing, drinking tart rum punch) we had decided to head away from the resort for dinner. We asked around at the hotel for restaurant recommendations, and Doreen, a breathtakingly beautiful and all around bad-ass security guard, delivered. She was off duty that night, and was planning to go to the "best fish grill in town". She asked if we would like to meet her there? We really, really did.
We met her at Castro's, a local watering hole. Castro himself sat inside, absently thumbing the newspaper while a soccer match blared on the television. Old women lounged on the porch to catch the cool breeze people watch, drinking a mysterious dark liquid from small glasses. Doreen arrived, looking flat-out gorgeous in a sleek, long dress (she was going dancing at the country and western club after dinner) and led us through the neighborhood. We heard and smelled the grill before we saw it, and once we turned the corner, we encountered a line that snaked down the block from the tent. The grill was open air, had no name, and only opened Friday nights. There was no menu (we ate what was offered) and no one seemed to mind the hour plus wait in the slightest.
I only have one or two photos from the night (it was dark, and, frankly, I was talking/dancing/laughing/eating too much to take photos). I share the story because it represents the overall feeling I had upon leaving St. Lucia - the feeling that, around every corner, something surprising, beautiful, and unexpected awaits. We came for the mountain views, and yet the sunsets captivated us. We planned on lounging on the sand, but the crystal water, laden with fish, kept pulling us in. An afternoon walk on the beach revealed gentle waves, sure, as well as a man on a pony, riding as fast as they could go, simply for the fun of it. And simple settings and food on a neighborhood street became a vibrant celebration - intoxicating, delicious and filled with music.
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| Our chef at the fish grill |
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| A surprise along the beach - how much fun are they having? |
See more of St. Lucia with JetBlue here. Interested in heading to St. Lucia? Check out JetBlue's amazing St Lucia vacation packages, through JetBlue Getaways.
Take me with you next time plz?
ReplyDeleteYou got it!!!
DeleteLove this post! The photos are gorgeous. This trip sounds so incredible. Thank goodness for Doreen, who lead you to such an authentic experience. Love that the Zappos hat made the packing list!
ReplyDeleteWhen you are near to the ocean,it will change your mood within a second and you start to heard the skund of the wave and the surrounding. You may feel that nothing will irritate you rather you start to love them. That is the nature of ocean which let things in you. I love these pictures specially the cat,the bags with bottles and gorgeously looking with black dress.
ReplyDelete