Where Ingrained-Caymanian Culture is Kept...
Island Scents Collection
Driftwood along North Side
Living in North Side was a humbling experience as a young child. There were not many other children to play with so we (my siblings and I) would go into the caves and walk along the beach. While walking along the beach, we came across pieces of driftwood which were always so sculptured and eye-catching. Afterwards, we’d headed to windward to Chisholm Supermart for a cold beverage and candy.
Botanical Hibiscus
Hibiscus trees were everywhere! I loved picking the flowers and placing them behind my ears and posing in the mirror for hours. The bright colours were so bright and playful with a hint floral smell but there are only a few trees left thanks to the pink mealybug. I miss seeing them all over the place and most definitely miss the fashion statement.
Huskin' Coconut (for Rice & Beans, Cassava Cake & Salt Beef Rundown)
I remember collecting dozens of coconuts for my grandmother to husk for Agriculture Show and Pirates Week Festival. However, the generation gap causes me to open a can of coconut milk and pour away to make popular Caymanian delights such as rice and beans, stew conch andsalt beef run down – I refuse to learn how to make cassava cake for the sake of my health. However, I admire the women of past generations, seeing my grandmother and aunts out in the yard huskin’ coconuts like a machine. I would watch in amazement because it takes strength and skill, neither of which I had. Eating and sleeping as a child were my best friends. I tried learning to husk but being left-handed like everything else, I was always doing it backwards and never mastered the skill. Nonetheless, I would watch them for hours huskin’ away and eat for days the food of their labour – out of respect of course.
NEWS: We are so proud of our photo "Huskin' Coconut" to grace the cover of Yello 2017 Phonebook!
Capture The Cover Competition Winners!
We are now proudly a member of the American Craft Council as we look to expand our reach.
Blow Holes Mist
Driving out to East End was a sensational Sunday tradition, something I still do whenever I can. I would drive out with my granduncle and family. The Blow Holes were a treat to see but not from your car. We would stop along the way and stand on the ironshore and let the mist splash us and then lick the salt from our skin. Gone are those day as the holes do not blow like they use to because of debris blockage from Hurricane Ivan in 2004.
Gun Bay Ocean Breeze
After stopping at the Blow Holes, eating some good Caymanian food was a must. Growing up I knew East Enders to be the best cooks after my grandmother (of course). After eating a feast fit for a king, we would sit under the coconut trees on the bay or swing in the hammock and with the breeze climbing the hill, it was a recipe for a blissful midday nap. Today, I head out to my in-laws in Gun Bay and not much has changed. The ocean breeze and a belly full puts me to sleep every time.
Las Tortugas Tropical Blend
The Primary school story was “Christopher Columbus discovered the Cayman Islands on May 10th, 1503 when his ships were blown off course by strong winds. He saw three small islands so full of turtles that he named them Las Tortugas”. Many say he was inebriated because he had too many tropical blends before setting sail back to Hispaniola on his 4th voyage which brought him to Cayman. Dubbed Turtle Island, I still enjoy eating a good plate of turtle stew every now and again.
