A Christmas in Colombia

This was the first Christmas that I have ever spent away from my home and family. It was a year of trials and tribulations, and I was in serious need of sleep, sun, and a chance to recharge. So where did I go? Brushing off a flurry of well intended warnings, I flew to Colombia to spend the holidays. Despite being in a tropical climate and not seeing the white stuff, I was still in the holiday spirit as the streets, restaurants and public spaces are all ornately decorated and twinkling lights dance down the sides of walls, and hang from the trees. 

So the obvious question….what did I eat on Christmas? After a long night of dancing till sunrise, the logical decision for the day was to head to the beach for some seafood soup to recover, which is what we did. The restaurant I was taken to, is beautiful. Open air, thatched roof, and huge tables and chairs out of repurposed tree stumps. 

Since my Spanish is beyond elementary, I have been treated to a surprise at every mealtime as my food is ordered for me. This has worked out quite well as I have been exposed to items that I might have otherwise stayed away from. Such as the seafood soup that was placed in front of me with the head of a crustacean staring back at me. Just call me Anthony Bourdain (who also recently visited Colombian btw). 

Hot sauce was drizzled liberally, lime wheels squeezed, and with a plate of warm coconut rice handed to me, I grabbed a fried plantain and used it to scoop out a healthy first bite. While I call myself “a recovering vegetarian”, and still am getting used to funky textures and tastes that are new to my palate, I enjoyed the soup very much. The consistency was more of a stew, and reminded me of a super sized ceviche. I polished off 90% of the soup easily, but when faced with the task of consuming the little guy on top, I had to admit I wasn’t ready for the challenge and passed him on to my obliging dining companion. 

The remains….

During the course of the meal, a woman selling homemade candy passed through the restaurant. She carried them in a large and heavy bowl which she balanced skillfully atop her head. We got two different varieties. One was a sticky ball of molasses and a grain that I couldn’t identify, my best guess is amaranth or sorghum. The other was a slice of toasted coconut skin, filled with a sticky grated coconut mixture. 

All in all, my Christmas breakfast was all that this foodie could have asked for this year.