Sweet lime in Belle Garden, Tobago
An early morning trip up to Belle Garden in the eastern side of Tobago, called engine town, began just at 6 am on December 28, 2018. But the preparation for the traditional annual all-day gathering at Randy Davis’s 'wooden' getaway spot, which stands singularly atop a hill of the family estate, and overlooking a scenery of lush green, began since Boxing Day. Fish in all its glory was going to be the day’s menu.
Approaching the house, the smell of fried fish and hot cocoa invaded my nostrils, sending me back to my childhood days living in St Barbs, Laventille, at my grandmother’s home, where hot cocoa was a staple at the breakfast table. To my left stood a modern-styled outhouse, even equipped with modern plumbing fittings, again, sending me on a trip down memory lane.
Already I can see uncle Willy (William Davis), as he is affectionately called, an astute serviceman, seated at a makeshift table adorned with the finest array of spirits. He is the "connoisseur" of “fire water” beverages, and also quite the comedian, possessing a wry but yet infectious humour.
He is chatting with one of Tobago’s real estate "godfathers", Calvin Dick, who happens to be his cousin and brother in glass knocking. It’s at least three generations huddled at the house where these two patriarchs are enjoying the fruits of their labour. The jokes are non-stop, some clean while others should be censored, but all the same, they bring showers of laughter over the morning menu of coconut and fried bake accompanied with battered fried fish.
Sada roti and baigan choka are still to come. But in the meantime, everyone is trying to ease their panting from the pepper hot murtani, made and served by a friend of the family, only identified as uncle Chatoo—a Fyzabad native living in Tobago.
Approaching the house, the smell of fried fish and hot cocoa invaded my nostrils, sending me back to my childhood days living in St Barbs, Laventille, at my grandmother’s home, where hot cocoa was a staple at the breakfast table. To my left stood a modern-styled outhouse, even equipped with modern plumbing fittings, again, sending me on a trip down memory lane.
Already I can see uncle Willy (William Davis), as he is affectionately called, an astute serviceman, seated at a makeshift table adorned with the finest array of spirits. He is the "connoisseur" of “fire water” beverages, and also quite the comedian, possessing a wry but yet infectious humour.
He is chatting with one of Tobago’s real estate "godfathers", Calvin Dick, who happens to be his cousin and brother in glass knocking. It’s at least three generations huddled at the house where these two patriarchs are enjoying the fruits of their labour. The jokes are non-stop, some clean while others should be censored, but all the same, they bring showers of laughter over the morning menu of coconut and fried bake accompanied with battered fried fish.
Sada roti and baigan choka are still to come. But in the meantime, everyone is trying to ease their panting from the pepper hot murtani, made and served by a friend of the family, only identified as uncle Chatoo—a Fyzabad native living in Tobago.
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