A Blending of Cultures

Posted by admin on March 26, 2010

What was it Ben said this morning…. “we’re eating Israeli breakfast, made by a guy from West Virginia, listening to Balkan music, in Uruguay”.  If that doesn’t sum up the extent of cultural fusion  at a hostel, I don’t know what will.

Shakshuka is an Israeli breakfast that is basically a tomato sauce with onions, peppers, garlic, and several eggs boiled directly into the sauce. As we sat eating our Shakshuka this morning with artisan Uruguayan bread, we listened to Balkan Beat Box, a group who, based on their webpage, is from Brooklyn, Tel Aviv, and the EU. All this before I headed down to reception at El Diablo Tranquilo Playa Suites at two pm.

When I got to the “new hostel”, there was yet another blend of cultures: a large group of guests, mainly American, Australian, and English, that had lit up our large Uruguayan grill on the roof.  This ended up being an excellent and delicious fusion of Uruaustrameriglish culture. The group had pooled money and bought chicken, asado, chorizo, peppers, onions, garlic, fish, and much more, along with several Uruguayan salsas. Instead of just putting on salt and adobo in the typical Uruguayan fashion, the steak, chicken, and fish were all marinated in a flavorful mix that included salsas, beer, garlic, salt, and other spices. I think everyone was very satisfied with the results of today’s gastronomic fusion.

As I sit here listening to 90’s alternative music and drinking my mate, it is very clear how numerous and distinct different cultures are, and how endless the combination of these can be.

Hasta la proxima,

Jarri

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