A Long Way From Home: Eat Fish Day

A couple of Sundays ago three other PCVs and myself participated in an island wide event, Eat Fish Day. This event was held in Colihaut, a village about 30 minutes south of me. The fisheries department organized the event in hopes of promoting the eating of local fish and showcasing different fish dishes from different cultures. Represented at Eat Fish Day was us, the PC (however we were labeled as the US Embassy), the Japanese (JICA Volunteers), Venezuelans, Cubans, French, Haitians, and then of course Dominicans.
We made dolphin tacos. They were delicious, if I do say so myself. Complete with grilled dolphin marinated in a lime chipotle sauce, handmade tortillas, pico de gallo, lime-cilantro cabbage salad, and guacamole.
On the Saturday before the event Maggie, Arianne, and I met in Salisbury at Erin's house for preparations. I don't think we new what we were in for! Soon after we had all arrived the fisheries department dropped off 40 lbs of frozen dolphin- heads, tails and caviar included. Luckily, seeing how we were just staring at the bag of frozen dolphin, Erin's neighbors offered to help us clean all the fish which ended up taking two hours. We explained over and over again that fish tacos didn't include the eyes, the bones, the heads, the tails or the fat of the fish. They didn't understand at all what a fish taco were and/or why we couldn't use every part of the fish. They took the extras graciously which either got soaked in rat poison to kill the rats in their garden or to make a fish broth. Then we chopped up fresh ingredients for the pico de gallo. After that we awarded ourselves a break to have dinner and some rum punch! When we got back to the house after dinner we started what turned out to be hours (5 to be exact) of making 200 tortillas. We were in bed by 2 am.

The delicious Dolphin Tacos

After a night of not so much sleep we got up to prepare the guacamole the cabbage salad, and the marinade. I am not sure how we did it but by noon we were on our way to Colihaut. Of course after we set up, along with the other booths, we waited and waited and waited for people to arrive. The event started at noon and maybe around 3:30 people started filling in! We sold about 120 tacos at $5 EC each and we maybe gave about 20 or so out for free. After reimbersing everyone back for their spendings the net profit was $4 EC.
Since none of us are certified here to serve food the fisheries appointed someone to sit with us at our booth, but only after Erin made a bunch of noise. You see in a meeting they told Erin we didn't need anyone but after she heard there was going to be a lady from the food and health ministry she thought it be wise we had someone. When the lady from the ministry approached us at our booth we let Ina (our appointed food certified lady) handle it all. The ministry lady was not very nice, although just doing her job, went around pointing a thermometer gun at all of our food and quizing Ina about everything. Ina was amazing! She now calls me once or twice every week to check in and see how I am doing.
Most of the Dominicans liked our fish tacos but we did get several comments asking where the fork was and puzzling looks when we told them to pick it up and eat it.
This was a great event and I am very glad we got a chance to participate. It also fulfilled goal number three of the PC, which is to share the American culture with our host country (even though tacos aren't really American).
This was a big hit and very successful. Can't wait to see what next year brings!