Popular Street Food and Beach Food

One of the ways travellers discover a new culture is to get on the ground, walk the streets and talk to the people. One very good way of mingling is through street food. See it, smell it, touch it and taste it.

On the islands, our lifestyle is very conducive to outdoor mixing, cooking and sidewalk shopping. We spend a lot of time just hanging out on the street. In the smaller communities we might spend the evening keeping cool by sitting on a wall or bench, catching up and sharing news with our friends (otherwise known as gossip or ‘suss’). Along the sea wall in Havana (along the Malecón), Cuban people hang out until the wee hours every night. We often stop at the gate as we walk past and chat to our neighbours. The dogs bob and weave amongst the children who will claim a quiet street for their ball games. A boy on a bicycle articulates his skill, for all the girls to admire.