Friday Night Fish Fry in Oistins

After nearly two years of Governmentsweat for the true believers. Not to worry as the
sponsored renovations, the "new" Oistins Fridayubiquitous vendors with their marine coolers filled
Night Fish Fry has returned to its original seasidewith ice cold beer and island concoctions are
location. Situated directly beside the open airalways at your beckon.
Oistins Fish Market, the colorful new buildingsThe atmosphere is straight out of a Graham
which house numerous food and drink vendors,Greene novel: sunburned, bead wearing,
craftsmen and artists are a perfect setting forflip-flopped tourists mix effortlessly with the
the lively and high energy crowd who casuallyever-smiling local crowd, all in search of a good
stroll the grounds in search of the best rumnight on the town. The family friendly, clean and
punch, fish cakes, and grilled fish. Loudspeakersmodern facilities are a welcome transformation
are blaring Calypso tunes and before you know itfrom the Oistins of old. While some may favor
happy feet take over as conga lines are formednostalgia over change, Oistins was in danger of
with young and old alike swaying to the rhythmlosing the plot several years ago when a less than
on the brightly lit center stage.attractive young local crowd fostered a menacing
Wood fueled grills---"coal pots" in Bajanvibe with their foul language, ear drum splitting
vernacular--- fill the air with incredible aromas ofcacophony of incompatible music and, at times,
Bajan seasoned red snapper, flying fish, dolphin,lewd behavior. But those days are now fading
swordfish, and barracuda. Or try bill fish or steakunpleasant memories as a sea of laughter and
fish, tuna or marlin. The fish seemingly so fresh aswholesome food and drink now greets the
to be proverbially still swimming. Marinated andnever-ending stream of tourists arriving by H car
slow cooked barbequed chicken lazily falls of theand taxis. A brigade of uniformed Barbados
bone. Sides of breadfruit, peas and rice, macaronipoliceman stand crisp and regally nearby should
pie, and salads compliment the fare in a casual,trouble even think of rearing its head. Young
find a picnic table style dining where communalchildren dance with proud mums and dads,
tables are the norm. Bottles of the mustardeveryone fitting into place at the Oistins Fish Fry
yellow Bajan pepper sauce dot each tablewhere the only rules are the ones Golden and to
innocently waiting to sting the tongues of thehave a good time.
unknowing or to provoke an upper lip bead of