This is a picture off the Portsmouth Beach Hotel docks. Nice to swim in the sunset. Behind this is a restaurant/bar where students go to relax. There is even some coral reef toward the end of the dock, but watch out for sea urchins- ouch.

I went whale watching this past weekend. Though I didn’t get to see any whales (Dominica has sperm whales), I did see some pretty dolphins. Overall, it was just great to be out on a boat and relaxing a bit on the weekend.

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If you know me, then you know I love food. Ever since I was a little kid, I loved food. Whether it was my mother’s kick ass zucchini bread or my brother’s fantastic seafood soup (by the way, I am putting a request in for some yummy soup this Christmas, pleeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaase), I have always loved food. Just one more example, cause I think its so appropriate here. I would talk about the tasty dinners I ate with one of my classmates in my advanced literature class in 7th and 8th grade.

So when I discovered that I was gluten intolerant (gluten intolerance is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks itself when gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley, is ingested), I was totally bummed out. But over the past 8 mos, I have been trying to eat well and take care of myself. When I encountered a food I could not eat, I found ways to get around my digestion issues and continue to eat well. I still have a long way to go, but I hope to be baking and eating pasta for a long time to come.

Now I find myself in another interesting situation. I am attending medical school in the Caribbean. Its been crazy since arriving. I arrived late Thurs night and I was hungry. I was happy that I packed some gluten free sandwiches to get me through the plane ride, but I was rationing my granola bars and I had to get some grub. I went to a local Chinese food restaurant (for people with gluten intolerance, Chinese food can be a loaded gun since the food is dripping in yummy wheat-full sauces). I explained to the gentleman, that I couldn’t have any sauce (which totally confused him) and if he could just steam the ingredients. When it arrived, it was so bland. All I could do, was cover it in Sarachi sauce.

The next day, I ate the remaining granola bars and I can’t even remember what I had for dinner, but I was starving. Sat morning came as a great relief and I went to the Portsmouth Market at 6 am! I arrived and I immediately started oggling all the different ingredients, many that I had never seen before). I bought so many things, my new Ross bag ripped. I know that as long as I eat local food, I will be fine. Lots of medical students say I won’t have time to cook, but for me, I have no choice. Personally, I see it as an opportunity to experiment and learn about the incredible Caribbean cuisine. Enjoy my pictures below.

(right to left) basil, papaya, celeriac, parsley, Irish potato, dasheen (like a potato)

Also have some garlic, onions, and star fruit

Calabaza (pumpkin), onions, peppers, limes, ginger

Plantains and avocado

Peppers, ginger, string beans, citronella, star apple, basil, cucumbers

Spinach, eggs

Spinach, Caribbean papaya

Star fruit

Ackee (releases a poisonous gas if pried open)

Star Apple

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