Wedge Season

It is always good to get back to the boat because it is home.  But it is also exciting because it is the start of a new season – even if it is only the prep work before the new season.  Plus seeing old friends, meeting new ones, visiting old stomping grounds and going to new places. 

In Trinidad it also means it is wedge season, yes indeed – wedge season.  Café Feel Oh in Trinidad has outstanding potato wedges.  These are just what they sound like, potatoes cut into full length wedges and fried up.  Café Feel Oh doesn’t make these from scratch but rather buys them frozen and then fries them up.  Doesn’t matter.  Somehow, they cook them just right and they are GOOD. 

January 2016 – we returned to Trinidad for carnival, a boat part and as a side bonus, wedges.  We had been back a few days when we popped into Feel Oh.  “Two cold Stag and two orders of wedges.”  “No wedges.  Finished.”  Oh no, we were crushed.  Okay.  A few days later we were back in there.  “Two stag and wedges please.”  “No wedges today.”  Oh man.  About a week later we were back in, we still needed our wedge fix.  “Two Stag and do you have wedges?”  “No wedges. “  “OH, no.  When do you think you will have wedges?”  “Hum?  We don’t have none at all.  I don’t think it is wedge season yet.”  “Wait, what?”  “Yeah, we don’t have any wedges and we won’t for awhile.  I not sure when we will start wedges again.” 

O-Kay…..did she bascially say it’s not wedge season?  But they are in a frozen bag.  There is no season.  Hum? After a few more beers, the manager came out of the kitchen.  We know her.  “Hi.  How are you?  What is new?”  Good.  Yes, we came back for carnival.  BTW- we also came back for your wedges.  We love the wedges here.  But you have been out.”  “Yes.  No wedges.  Let’s see….it’s February.  We won’t have wedges until March.  After March we will have wedges again.  Now is not wedge time.” 

I know, I know, I know…..we are thinking the same thing as you….how can there be a wedge “time” when they are frozen in a bag!  We had so many questions because it just doesn’t make sense…..to us.  But she is a lovely woman with a shy, quiet smile so instead we just chatted a bit more about carnival and local people and happenings.  See, to us American’s this was a bizarre setup – frozen wedges having a season and many/most American’s would, in typical American fashion PUSH to find out more by questioning the hell out of the situation.  And then when it doesn’t make any logical sense, we would launch into a reasoning session on why it doesn’t make sense.   Some/many Americans would, you know they would. However, those that have traveled enough outside the USA understand that many cultural things don’t make complete logical sense.  This is one of a reasons we travel to see, do and learn.  Sometimes things are different and sometimes it doesn’t make sense to us.  And it’s ok.  In fact, most of the time, it makes for a really great story, which is what has happened in this case.  

We don’t know why but now there is (to us) an actual Wedge Season much like mango season, breadfruit season, breadnut season, sorrel season and such.  We have told this story several times to friends and family.  It is a full fledged tale now.  We have turned many cruising friends onto the yumminess of Café Feel Oh wedges and of course given the warning that there is a season for this delectable item.  Now they are all taking advantage of wedge season while it lasts.

When we returned to Trinidad this fall, it was only a few days and we were in Café Feel Oh.  We were anxious, would it be wedge season?  We know it doesn’t start until sometime in March, but when does it end.  Oh man, we wanted wedges.  We entered and there was a round of greetings to staff and locals we know.  “How are you?  We are good.  What is new?  Yes, yes, we are back on the boat.  Blah, blah, blah”  Then it was time…..”Two cold Stag please…….. And do you have wedges?”  We held our breathes.  “Yes, of course we have wedges.  You want one order or two of wedges?”  YES!