From what my eyes have seen in this Caribbean World Series so far as talent goes, I believe the exclusion of Cuba from the tournament was a grave mistake. Subpar Venezuelan, Colombian, and Panamanian squads have made some games unbearable to watch.

Would Cuba have fared well in this edition of the Serie del Caribe? Plenty of factors have led me to assume they would. In my opinion, only the Dominicans (guilas Cibaeas) on paper would have a better squad.

My first reason would be the offensive firepower Cuba would bring into the tournament. A lineup with Nippon Leaguers Alfredo Despaigne, Ariel Martnez, and Yurisbel Gracial to start would be problematic for plenty of these pitching staffs in the tournament. Now we also need to factor in Erisbel Arruebarruena who hit .333 with 10 dingers and 23 runs batted in with Guasave in Mxico this winter. Roel Santos and Yoelkis Guibert would bring dynamic speed and occasional power to this lineup, while Lisban Correa and his 30 dingers in Cuba this season would add more thunder to an already loaded batting order.

Cesar Prieto, who is Cubas most sought after prospect would also add a versatile and clutch hitter to a lineup of mashers. In my opinion, Cans presence in this tournament would keep Prieto from being the best second baseman in the series.

A pitching rotation headed by Yariel Rodrguez of the Chunichi Dragons and Saltillos Lzaro Blanco who is 4-1 with 1.22 earned run average in the CWS would rival even the DRs staff. Lefty Yoennis Yera who was 3-0 with a 3.58 ERA in Mxico this winter would also give Cuba a quality lefty in the rotation. A bullpen that would include flamethrowers Livn Moinelo (NPBs Pacific Division Pitcher of the Year), Raidel Martnez (21 saves in NPB), Andy Rodrguez (SoftBank Hawks), and Yunior Tur would be very formidable.

Cubas bench would be staffed by Rafael Viales who hit 19 long balls this season in Cuba and can play everything on the field, except pitch. Yordan Manduleys inclusion would also add versatility to the bench and a timely bat, while Guillermo Avils and Yordanis Samn would add thunder and options in late inning situations. Santiago Torres at second and Geisel Cepeda ( the legendary Frederich Cepedas cousin) would round out the bench with another two of Cubas top prospects at their positions.

Leaving Cuba out only takes away from the tournaments attractiveness, appeal, and lore. A solution must be found to include the largest of the Antilles in the Caribbean Series.

Cubas record in the last three Caribbean Series it participated in (not counting the Semifinal and Final):

2017:3-1 (Semifinalist)2018:3-1 ( Semifinalist)2019:2-2 ( Runner-up)

Between 2017-2019 Cuba went 8-4, this Cuban team man for man can only be matched by a Dominican Republic squad this is chock full of major leaguers on paper.

What a Cuban team could have possibly looked for the Serie del Caribe and what team each player plays with outside of Cuba:

Lineup:

Roel Santos CF (Tabasco/Hermosillo)Csar Prieto 2B (Tabasco)Yurisbel Gracial 3B (SoftBank)Alfredo Despaigne DH (SoftBank)Lisban Correa 1BErisbel Arruebarrena SS (Guasave)Ariel Martnez C (Chunichi)Dennys Laza RFYoelkis Guibert LF (Culiacn)

Rotation:

Yariel Rodrguez RHP (Chunichi)Lzaro Blanco RHP (Saltillo)Carlos Juan Viera RHP (Los Mochis/Saltillo)Yoennis Yera LHP (Guasave/Saltillo)Vladimir Baos RHP

Bench:

Yordan Manduley SS (Magallanes)Guillermo Avils 1B (Los Mochis)Yordanis Samn DHRafael Viales tilSantiago Torres INFGeisel Cepeda OF

Bullpen:

Pablo Guillen RHP (Aragua)Yoen Socarras RHPFrank Madan RHPFrank Medina RHPYunior Tur RHPAndy Rodrguez RHP (SoftBank)Livan Moinelo LHP (SoftBank)Raidel Martnez RHP (Chunichi)

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Caribbean World Series: Would Cuba have done well if invited to this years tournament? - Call to the Pen

Pirates of the Caribbean may have been inconsistent with its mythos, but the series revealed Blackbeard three movies earlier than viewers thought.

Pirates of the Caribbean may have been inconsistent with its mythos, but the franchise revealed the major villain Blackbeard three movies earlier than most viewers thought. Released in 2003, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl was a huge success for Disney and massively outperformed expectations at the box office. The swashbuckling adventure movie was a hit with critics too, with Johnny Depps iconic performance as Jack Sparrow earning particular praise.

The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise soon spawned two sequels from director Gore Verbinski, both of which disappointed critics but performed well at the box office. The series pivoted its focus to Jack alone by the fourth film, 2011s critically maligned Pirates of the Caribbean:On Stranger Tides. But few viewers realized that On Stranger Tides formidable villain Blackbeard actually made an early, uncredited appearance way back in the first Pirates of the Caribbean film.

Related:Pirates of the Caribbean: All 5 Ships Captained By Jack Sparrow

Played with memorably nasty zeal by Deadwood star Ian McShane, On Stranger Tides Blackbeard was a more bloodthirsty brand of baddie than the earlier villain Captain Barbossa. But The Curse of the Black Pearls creepy crew member Jacoby (the skinny skeletal pirate who was best-known for having a grenade shoved in his ribcage) was originally given a larger role in the first film, and details of his character were later transferred to McShanes On Stranger Tides villain. Jacobys role in the finished edit of The Curse of the Black Pearl may be smaller, but the minor villain nonetheless provided many elements of Blackbeard later in the series.

The characters oversized beard, as well as his gimmick of lighting fuses in it, went on to be used by Blackbeard (having been inspired by actual nautical legends surrounding the legendary pirate in the first place). Not only that but in the commentary of the first movie, Kiera Knightley refers to Jacoby as Blackbeard years before the character appeared in the series, meaning that its possible the characters original name in the movie's script may have been the same as McShanes later villain.

McShanes character has a larger role in the fourth Pirates of the Caribbean installmentthan Jacoby does in the first film, but his eventual (spoilers) demise in the movie is nowhere near as memorable as the Black Pearl crew members unfortunate exit. Not only that, but On Stranger Tides received worse critical write-ups than the first film of the series broadly speaking (although some reviewers did single out McShanes performance as a high point). The fourth film in the franchise marked the moment that thePirates of the Caribbeanmovie seriesbegan focusing its action entirely around Jack Sparrow, a decision that may have given fans more of Depps superb surreal turn in the role, but cost the series dearly in the long term and resulted in even worse reviews for the fifth film in the franchise, Dead Men Tell No Tales.

More:Every Pirates of the Caribbean Movie Ranked Worst To Best

Why The Batman's Secret Villains Are Perfect For Pattinson's Trilogy

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Pirates of the Caribbean's Blackbeard Secretly Debuted In The First Movie - Screen Rant

[MIAMI] Despite having one of the worlds lowest rates of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections, hospitalizations and deaths, the Caribbeans economic survival is in serious jeopardy as tourism-dependent economies struggle with the consequences of the pandemic and travel restrictions being imposed and considered by its most popular countries of origin for travel.

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) welcomed the new United States administrations balanced international travel measures. All returning travelers and those entering the United States must show proof of receiving a negative antigen or PCR test. While not mandating quarantines but recommending self-isolation upon returning.

The organization, whose membership includes 33 of the regions national hotel and tourism associations, expressed its appreciation and concerns. These concerns were addressed in a letter to President Joseph Biden and U.S. government officials. Input was given on international travel protocols as part of an Executive Order .

In throwing its support behind requiring travelers entering the U.S. to show proof of a negative antigen test within 72 hours of travel, CHTA cautioned against the imposition of mandatory PCR tests for travelers returning to or entering the U.S. from the Caribbean highlighting the stringent virus containment measures already in place within the region and the regions challenges in administering a much larger number of PCR tests.The organization stated that should this become a new requirement, it would severely strain the current testing capacity of many Caribbean jurisdictions citing the availability, costs, and processing time as essentially rendering much of the region unable to meet local and U.S. traveler testing demand.

In recent weeks, the region has moved aggressively to increase its capacity to administer PCR and antigen tests. It aims to meet local demand and adhere to new testing requirements for travelers and returning residents to its key source markets. This stepped-up effort followed earlier announcements last month by Canada, the United Kingdom and the European Union. These imposed worldwide measures essentially stopped all international travel to and from those areas.

The U.S. testing requirement does not apply to the United States Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. These areas are within the U.S. containment area.

In its communication to the United States, CHTA added its concerns to those of the World Travel and Tourism Council, the U.S. Travel Association, and the International Air Transport Association, about the possible imposition of a mandatory quarantine period for travelers to the United States. A mandatory quarantine would be devastating to the regions economic health. It will also have further ramifications on the U.S. economy.

The organization cited the inextricable link between the economies of the Caribbean and the United States. Florida in particular provides many of the goods and services supportive of travel to the Caribbean. The imposition of a mandatory quarantine period would bring business and leisure travel to a near standstill. This would be devastating, ensuing results to the regions already vulnerable economies. This will further erode tax revenue, employment levels and forcing additional business closures.

CHTA urged Caribbean residents and businesses to bolster their already strong health safety protocols. This is no time to let our guard down. Echoing calls for all residents to wear face coverings, practice physical distancing, wash their hands frequently. And to adhere to sound hygienic practices advanced by the Caribbean Public Health Agency and local health authorities.

The tourism industry has incorporated major changes in its operational practices. Theyve improved training, and monitoring and reporting procedures to help ensure the health safety of its guests and employees. These efforts need to continue and stepped up. By doing so, we can ensure the necessary balance between health safety and slowly reopening tourism.

The Caribbean Public Health Agency, the Caribbean Tourism Organization, and other stakeholders at the regional and local levels have been collaborating since February 2020. They put in place protocols, training and operational changes necessary to protect the health of our visitors and the more than two million citizens and residents who are employed in the region through tourism.

The coming months will be critical. It will determine our ability to manage our economies out of the pandemic and mitigating its impact. Strong health safety protocols and the restoration of travel and tourism, the regions bread and butter sector, can and must coexist, CHTA stated.

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Caribbean Economic Survival Tied To Balancing Health Safety and Responsible Tourism - South Florida Caribbean News

Remarks by ICC Secretary General John W. H. Denton AO

Latin America and the Caribbean is a very important part of the ICC network. We have a very powerful network of national committees, chambers and businesses in the region, as well as a Regional Action Group focused on Latin American and Caribbean affairs. And the number one issue for the hundreds of businesses involved in this grouping is combatting COVID-19 and access to vaccines.

ICC is very glad for this joint meeting of health, foreign affairs and finance ministers of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). This is precisely what is needed because a siloed approach to combatting the pandemic is a recipe for disaster.

We have already heard extremely compelling public health reasons for why the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A) is so important. Let me not repeat those and instead put three additional points out there.

First, the economic case for funding ACT-A is unequivocal. Ministers, you might have seen a study ICC commissioned and released last week that showed precisely how much is at stake. There were three key takeaways.

A major takeaway was that no economy will fully recover until every economy recovers. The reality is that even if advanced economies vaccinate their entire populations, if developing economies cannot do the same, the cost to the world could be up to 9.2 TR.

To put that in context: Thats greater than the economies of Japan and Germany combined. That is an extraordinary hit to the global economy. Strikingly, the study showed that almost half of that economic hit will actually be borne by advanced economies Up to $4.5 Trillion. That is because advanced economies are so intertwined with the global economy. And so it will actually be major trading powers the US, China, the EU who would be the ones to pay the most economically if the disease does not get under control in developing countries.

I made that point last week to finance ministers and it might bear repeating through your channels as well: capitalising ACT-A is an economic issue.

Another core finding was that making sure the world defeats Covid would be the best domestic economic stimulus of all time. The costs of funding a truly global and equitable distribution of Covid vaccines, treatments and tests sometimes seem high.

The global financing gap for the ACT Accelerator currently stands at around $26 billion. But this is a pittance compared to the potential $4.5 trillion cost they would occur a mere rounding error.

When you do the math, that means that fully funding global efforts would give an extraordinary return on investment up to 166X.

So purchasing vaccines for the developing world is not an act of generosity its an essential investment for governments if they want to revive their domestic economies.

While this economic logic might apply most to wealthy countries, it applies to every single country in the world. We are presently facing a classic collective action problem. It clearly makes sense for all countries to fund ACTA, but each individual country has reservations because others are not opening their check books. Thats why groupings like this are so important.

We really need collectives of governments like this one today to see the truth that we will not control the pandemic, restore confidence and reboot the economy until we all chip in.

If this group could collectively stand up, commit to finance a reasonable share and convince others to do the same, we would move a lot more quickly towards ending the pandemic.

That is partly why ICC is leading a campaign seeking greater contributions from the corporate world to help create momentum for this important initiative.

Second, after last weeks brush with vaccine nationalism, we need a great rethink of how governments approach vaccine distribution.

While we understand some of the temptations to impose restrictions on vaccine supply chains, this is the worst policy response possible.

Such moves are wrongheaded on multiple fronts. They send dangerous signals to trading partners and run the risk of retaliatory measures. They risk wreaking havoc on already precarious supply chains just as the pandemic rages across the globe. And they risk creating artificial bottlenecks, spoiling vaccines and undermining production plans.

But instead of falling into the trap of vengeance or retaliation, we should view last weeks row as a wake-up call. We cannot just wring our hands about vaccine nationalism. We now need to make vaccine multilateralism a reality.

Practically, that means:

Latin American and Caribbean states would be major beneficiaries of such an approach and ICC would be happy to work with you to make this a reality.

Third, we can and must scale-up public/private sector cooperation.

Earlier this week, Dr Tedros and I convened over 100 senior business leaders to educate them about the importance of ACTA, which really is in many ways the most remarkable instance of public-private cooperation the world has seen.

During that meeting it became clear that there are so many ways the private sector can contribute more to the pandemic response.

Not just in terms of financing, where the private sector has already contributed around $800 million of the $1.5 billion it might be reasonably expected to contribute.

But perhaps more importantly through partnership, especially on the complex logistical challenges of vaccine delivery, data collection, building effective surveillance systems and creating the innovative tools we need to fight Covid.

Crucially unleashing that innovation requires a willingness on the part of governments to engage the private sector.

So I would implore you to think about how you can better use the private sector to combat Covid, including through business associations like ICC national committees.

To conclude: For ICC, fully funding ACTA is the best investment governments could possibly make right now to ensure the world can return to normal as quickly as possible. But we need even more than that. We also need governments to stand up against vaccine nationalism and to fully engage the private sector in their domestic responses. ICC stands ready, willing and able to help you do that in whatever way we can. Fighting COVID-19 is the number one issue for business in Latin America and the Caribbean and they want to work with you.

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Remarks to the Ministerial Meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States - ICC - International Chamber of Commerce

Scientists are keeping a close watch on two volcanoes in the eastern Caribbean that have been quiet for decades.

Lava began oozing out of La Soufrire volcano in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Dec. 29.

Scientists with the Seismic Research Center at the University of the West Indies said there was no explosive eruption. Instead, the magma reaching the surface is forming a growing dome in La Soufrire's crater. The volcano is also releasing gas and steam.

The alert level on the northern end of the island of St. Vincent, where La Soufrire sits, has been raised to orange, which means an eruption could occur with less than 24 hours' notice.

However, no evacuations have been ordered, according to the country's National Emergency Management Organization.

The eruption of the La Soufrire volcano in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is causing a lava dome to form in the crater at the top of the mountain. This aerial view was taken on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2020.

People living near the volcano could experience strong sulfur smells for several days or weeks, the Seismic Research Center said.

The last time La Soufrire erupted in 1979, more than 20,000 people were evacuated. An eruption in 1902 killed 1,565 people. Before that, the last major eruption was in 1812.

About 100 miles to the north, Mt. Pele on the French island of Martinique also is rumbling.

On Dec. 3, officials with the Martinique volcanological and seismological observatory advised raising the alert level to yellow after detecting seismic activity under the mountain, according to a news release from the observatory.

An increase in seismic activity since April 2019 and the detection of two tremors on Nov. 8 and 9 led the observatory to recommend raising the alert level, which the government did.

Mt. Pelee is seen from the port city of Saint-Pierre on the French Caribbean territory of Martinique in 2012.

It was the first alert of its kind issued since the volcano last erupted in 1932. An eruption in 1902 killed nearly 30,000 people and destroyed the port of Saint-Pierre, according to Encyclopaedia Britannica.

Volcanologist Erik Klemetti, at Denison University in Ohio, told the Associated Press the activity at Mt. Pele and La Soufrire is not related.

"Its not like one volcano starts erupting that others will," he said. "It falls into the category of coincidence."

The Weather Companys primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.

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Alerts Raised for Two Eastern Caribbean Volcanoes Showing Signs of Life | The Weather Channel - Articles from The Weather Channel | weather.com - The...

Residents of St. Vincent and the Grenadines have been told to remain alert after a Caribbean volcano came back to life.

La Soufrire is the highest point in St. Vincent and is located near the northern tip of the country but remained dormant for decades before beginning to spew ash on Tuesday this week,APreported.

Steam, gas, and a volcanic dome formed by lava that reached the earth's surface could also be seen above the volcano, according to theCaribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA).

The country's government, which consists of a chain of islands home to more than 100,000, raised the alert level to orange, meaning that eruptions could occur with less than 24 hours' notice.

La Soufrire, St. Vincent is in the Windward Islands, close to Barbados and St Lucia. (Business Insider)

La Soufrire last erupted in 1979 but did not cause any harm due to warning, while a 1902 eruption led to 1,600 deaths.

In an unrelated incident early last month, authorities from the nearby Caribbean island of Martinique issued a yellow alert due to seismic activity under Mount Pele, theIndependentreported.

Fabrice Fontaine from the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Martinique toldAPthat it is the first time an alert of its kind has been issued since the volcano last erupted in 1932.

Mount Pele also erupted in 1902 and killed almost 30,000 people, making it the deadliest eruption in the whole of the 20th century.

In December, Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupted for the first time since2018and created a 600ft deep lava lake, according toNPR.

However, the most active volcanoes in the Americas have been the Soufrire Hills in Montserrat, which have erupted continuously since 1995 and killed at least 19 people in 1997, Erik Klemetti, a volcanologist from Denison University, Ohio, toldAP.

This article was originally published by Business Insider.

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Dormant Volcano in The Caribbean Just Came Back to Life, Causing Evacuation Warnings - ScienceAlert

Lifes a beach at Sandal resorts unless theres a COVID-19 breach. Then, the fun stops.

The all-inclusive vacation getaway chain is in hot water at properties on the tiny Caribbean islands of Barbados, Grenada and Saint Lucia.

In Barbados, the resort on Dover Beach is in a faceoff with the government over verified breaches of COVID protocol, Barbados Today reported. On Tuesday, the countrys Ministry of Health and Wellnesswill delist the Sandals Barbados Resort and Spa as a designated quarantine hotel.

The hullabaloo is about three tourists who broke quarantine two removed their quarantine wristbands and another falsified documents. Theyre being held by authorities.

The chain came out swinging, denying the breaches and accusing health officials of heavy-handed action in the middle of talks with the ministry, the outlet reported.

And the resort insists the tourists two are from the UK arent in any way associated with its guests.

Sandals officials, in a statement, maintain theyre stringent compliance of any and all new protocols and use one of the two hotels on the property exclusively for quarantining guests. The other one is for post-quarantine vacationers only.

In Grenada and Saint Lucia, health officials have tied COVID-19 outbreaks to Sandals properties.

The Sandals Grenada is closed until Feb. 3 after several cases traced back to the resort played a role in triggering a partial lockdown of the island in mid-December. The government put restrictions in place after 26 cases nationwide popped up in one day.

Adam Stewart, the chains deputy chairman, told Travel Pulse, a tourism website, that the resort is putting up the guests who had been booked for the Grenada property at other Sandals in the Caribbean that they choose.

In October, Sandals Saint Lucia dismissed allegations of a coronavirus outbreak just days after reopening.

Nothing could be further from the truth, and we effusively deny these baseless rumors, the resort in a statement at the time.

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Sandals Caribbean resorts in hot water over COVID-19 'breach' - New York Post

Even amid the challenges of the travel industry, one sector continues to lead demand: all-inclusive resorts. Its why more major big brands are entering the increasingly competitive sector all-inclusive resorts are what lots of people are looking for when they plan their vacations.

Because theres just something about that combination of convenience and comfort that make this segment of resorts increasingly appealing. And thats nowhere more true than in the Caribbean, an area that continues to redefine what all-inclusive means and take a word that used to be a mere technical term and turn it into something of a badge of honor.

The 2021 edition of the best all-inclusive resorts brings you our editorial staffs favorite all-inclusive options in the region, with examining criteria including design, rooms, food, service, ambience, amenities and location.

It should also be noted that all of these resorts are what we like to call exclusively all-inclusive. That means theyre not EP hotels with all-inclusive options available; theyre full-fledged all-inclusives, meaning you get food and beverages included in any room you choose. From gourmet-focused large resorts to tiny, hidden-away boutique hotels, here are the best all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean right now.

Hammock Cove, Antigua Elite Island Resorts is constantly innovating, and what the company and Chairman Rob Barrett have created here is the ultimate resort for the new realities of travel, with 42 standalone villas in a dramatic cliffside setting near Antiguas Devils Bridge National Park. All of the villas have their own infinity pools and a breezy indoor-outdoor aesthetic; stocked bars, Bluetooth sound systems and, well, theyre the kind of rooms youll never want to leave. And thats precisely the point.

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The 25 Best All-Inclusive Resorts to Visit in 2021 Caribbean Journal - Caribbean Journal

Room inventory in the Caribbean is growing as more resorts reopen with enhanced health and safety protocols in place, renovations and updates completed and enhancements added. Here's the latest:

The Turks & Caicos Collection, comprised of four all-inclusive resorts, has reopened the Alexandra Resort on Grace Bay Beach. The resort, with 90 studios and suites, welcomes couples and families. Kids 12 and under stay for free. Rates this month start at $620 per couple, per night, all-inclusive. Travel specials are bookable through March 21 and represent a savings of up to 60%.

The Collection's Blue Haven Resort and the adults-only Beach House will reopen Feb. 1. The private island Ambergris Cay resort, a 20-minute flight from Providenciales, reopened earlier.

Diamond Resorts has welcomed back Royal Palm Beach Resort and Flamingo Beach Resort on St. Maarten following multimillion-dollar renovations, the addition of many amenities and in accordance with the Diamond Standard of Clean protocols. The resorts expanded their staffs by 75 team members.

Accommodations at both properties feature condo-style units with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, fully equipped kitchens, dining and living areas, home offices and in-suite laundry facilities.

Flamingo's 240 suites are newly renovated, and the resort added a reconstructed pool, two hot tubs, a beachfront lounge area, fitness center, additional barbecue grills and a Grab 'n Go shop. The Royal Palm Beach added a pool, upgraded gym and flooring, appliances, bedding and furnishings in its 141 units.

The 223-suite Comfort Suites Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas, resumed operations in December with family-friendly amenities that include daily a la carte breakfast and use of all facilities at neighboring Atlantis Paradise Island Resort.

A reopening sale with fourth night free when three are booked features a $100 credit per room that can be used at Crusoe's restaurant, the Bamboo lobby bar or Splash Pool bar. A stay of four or five nights entitles guests to a $200 credit; for a stay of six nights, the credit increases to $250. Seven or more nights earns a credit of $300. The promotion is valid for travel through Feb. 10.

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Hotel reopenings in the Caribbean, week of Jan. 4 - Travel Weekly

Restaurants are about more than just food.

When we go out to eat, we arent doing so because we have to we do it because we want to.

Because restaurants make our lives more interesting. They break up the monotony, they teach us, they bring us together and they make us happy.

And for those who didnt realize it before, this past year has reminded us of just how integral a role the restaurant and hospitality industry plays for us, how much we need it.

Thats particularly true when traveling.

Visiting a place and eating in its restaurants teaches us so much about its culture, its people and the things people care about.

The massive disruption to the global travel industry did not spare the Caribbean, and it forced the regions restaurants to immediately adapt to new realities.

Happily, theyve done that and, all across the Caribbean, travelers can dine safely, securely and comfortably.

This is the eighth annual edition of what began in 2013 as a landmark list of the 50 best restaurants in the Caribbean and remains the leading annual celebration of restaurants region-wide.

While weve focused this year on destinations that are open to visitors (and with restaurant sectors that are open), our evaluating criteria remain the same: we focus on the three pillars that define the restaurant experience: food, service and ambience.

And this year weve added a fourth every restaurant on the list must at least give diners the option of eating outdoors or in an open-air space.

Lets not forget that this industry only exists because of the risk-takers, entrepreneurs and adventurers who choose to open restaurants and serve the food, drink and hospitality that helps enrich our daily lives.

So lets celebrate them and our favorite places to eat. And when you next come back to the Caribbean, make sure you pay them a visit.

Here are the best restaurants in the Caribbean for 2021.

Brass Boer, Bonaire The husband-and-wife team of Jonnie and Therese Boer have been behind the three-Michelin-star De Librije restaurant in Holland for nearly three decades, and Brass Boer, their first Caribbean endeavor, is a masterwork, with inspired, out-of-this-world gastronomic creations both continental and Caribbean and everywhere in between. Its yet another sign of Bonaires growing stature as a regional culinary powerhouse.

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The 50 Best Restaurants in the Caribbean - 2021 - Caribbean Journal

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) Rescue workers in Colombia were searching for five migrants missing after their boat carrying 16 people sank as it tried to reach Panama. Two bodies have been found.

The sinking was reported on Monday by officials in Acandi, a municipality along the Gulf of Uraba, an inlet of the Caribbean sea that is lined with dense jungle. Thousands of undocumented migrants cross the gulf each year on small boats.

Colombias navy confirmed the shipwreck off the coast of Acandi. It said nine of the migrants were rescued and the bodies of two migrants were recovered from the wreck, while five were still unaccounted for.

Migrants traveling through the Uraba region are mostly trying to make it to the United States. Many come from Cuba and Haiti. But it is also common to see migrants from Africa and Asia along this route.

Earlier municipal government officials in Acandi had said 28 migrants were on the sunken boat.

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Boat with more than a dozen migrants sinks off Colombia - The Associated Press

Peter Pans Captain Hook has a hidden role within the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Heres his secret cameo (and its implications), explained.

Peter Pans Captain Hook has a hidden cameo role within the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Originally appearing in J. M. Barries 1904 play (which later became a novel) Peter Pan; or, the Boy Who Wouldnt Grow Up, Captain James Hook has menaced the titular Pan across a boatload of adaptations and reimaginings - becoming one of the most iconic villains of all time in the process. Out of said adaptations, Disneys Peter Pan (1953) is the most widely remembered, with Hans Conrieds Hook often cited as the definitive version of the pirate captain on-screen.

Peter Panisn't Disneys only successful pirate property, however, with Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (based on a Disneyland water ride) proving a surprise hit in 2003 and launching a now-long-running franchise. The original Disneyland attraction, which opened in 1967, featured Hook and his assistant Smee in a promotional video, embarking on the new ride - a connection which would come full-circle with the release of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Price of Freedom in 2011, detailing Jack Sparrows early brushes with the East India Trading Company.

Related:Pirates Of The Caribbean Needs An Original Villain More Than Jack Sparrow

Written by sci-fi author A. C. Crispin, The Price of Freedom was billed as the first adult novel in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and contained in-universe references to Peter Pans Captain Hook. While Hooks surname isnt revealed in the book, pirates Don Rafael and Edward Teague (Jack Sparrows father) discuss an old acquaintance named James who matches Hooks description: namely, that hed disappeared for a while, lost a hand, been fitted with a hook, didnt appear to age between meetings, and had developed a fear of children.

Hooks disappearance can be chalked up to his time spent in Neverland (the magical island/alternative dimension featured in Peter Pan) - which also accounts for his apparent non-aging, since Neverland seems to exist on a plane in which time stands still. The hook is, obviously, Hooks most identifiable attribute, and his fear of children is the result of his many conflicts with the Lost Boys (Peters tribe of child-warriors).

Curiously, Peter Pan features in-universe references to other pirates, both real and fictional, including Blackbeard (who also exists in the Pirates of the Caribbean universe, as played by Ian McShane) and Long John Silver from Robert Louis Stevensons Treasure Island, suggesting an informal shared universe. Now that Disney owns Lucasfilm, they could even incorporate the Monkey Island video games into such a world - though shared universes are quickly becoming overwhelming, with every franchise eager to stretch the boundaries of epic, long-form storytelling (for better and for worse).

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Pirates Of The Caribbean: Captain Hook's Hidden Role Explained - Screen Rant

Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean welcomed the new year on the beach, meeting up in the Dominican Republic to celebrate New Year's Eve with their families last week. Aldean shared a sun-filled snap from the trip with fans on Instagram, posting a photo of himself and wife Brittany with Bryan and his wife Caroline, Bryan's mom, LeClaire, on her phone in the background.

"Happy New Year from the island Everybody!!" Aldean wrote. Brittany posted a video of her husband and LeClaire dancing to Bryan's 2014 hit "Play It Again," Bryan briefly entering the frame to show off his own moves and declare that his mom was "getting all hot and bothered." "Mr. steal your girl," he joked. "Or Mrs. steal your man!"

Jan. 31 also marked Caroline's 41st birthday, which her husband and sons Bo and Tate kicked off with a family tradition. "Happy Birthday my love," Bryan captioned a video of himself, his sons and LeClaire entering Caroline's room while she slept, waking her up by playing an energetic birthday song, jumping on her bed and flashing the lights. "41 years looking so fine in the mornin. I love you to the moon and back. She gets the birthday song."

Meanwhile, the Aldeans have been enjoying their time on the beach, with both Jason and Brittany sharing several posts showing off their resort's stunning scenery. "Spending New Years on the beach this year with my boo thang. #paradise," Aldean captioned a video of himself and his wife sitting on the beach, panning the camera to include footage of the ocean and the empty lounge chairs on either side of the couple. "Happy new year everybody," he said

Though he was on the beach on New Year's Eve, Bryan also made an appearance on ABCs Dick Clarks New Years Rockin Eve with Ryan Seacrest in a pre-recorded clip with his fellow American Idol judge Katy Perry in which the two performed a song titled "2020 Sucks" as Lionel Richie looked on.

"Is this six feet on your TV channel? / Will we ever see a brighter day? / 2020, you have sucked / 2021 will you kiss 2020 in the butt," Perry sang while lying on top of a piano that Bryan was playing. "We are hoping for a brighter day / 2020, can you just go the hell away."

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Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean Ring in 2021 in the Caribbean - PopCulture.com

04 Jan 2021 --- Unilevers plant-based brand The Vegetarian Butcher is expanding its partnership with fast food giant Burger King to launch the Plant-Based Whopper in Latin America, the Caribbean and China.

The rollout closely follows launches across the Middle East and North Africa, including entry into UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Morocco.

The brands expansion into additional continents follows a successful year in Europe, where The Vegetarian Butcher experienced strong growth across foodservice and retail, driven by its entry into 16 new European markets in 2020.

[Entry into these new markets] marks an important milestone in our ambition to reach annual global sales of 1 billion (US$1.2 billion) from plant-based meat and dairy alternatives within the next five to seven years, says Hanneke Faber, president of Unilevers foods and refreshment division.

The expansion is further confirmation of the huge global demand for high-quality plant-based foods, she adds.

Plant-based meat alternatives are growing at 15.8 percent annually as more people shift to a flexitarian diet worldwide.

Click to EnlargeThe Plant-Based Whopper, powered by The Vegetarian Butcher, has launched in over 35 countries.Fast food plant-basedThe Plant-Based Whopper taps into the growing flexitarian demographic of meat eaters who want to reduce their consumption of meat, without having to sacrifice on taste and texture.

The Plant-Based Whopper, launched in over 35 countries, has been a real game-changer and become one of the biggest launches in the brands history, adds Matt Banton, global head of innovation and sustainability at Burger King.

The growth has helped the brand further tap into the ongoing global surge in demand for plant-based foods as people around the world become more conscious of the impact of animal products on their health and the planet.

Expanding global reachThe Plant-Based Whopper has now been launched in 325 Burger King outlets across Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hangzhou, China, with nationwide rollout plans from Q2 of 2021.

Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Suriname, Saint Martin and Saint Kitts are the first Latin American and Caribbean countries to add the Plant-Based Whopper to the Burger King menu, with more markets to follow throughout 2021.

In EMEA, Burger King expanded its menus last year with Plant-Based Nuggets, also supplied by The Vegetarian Butcher.

In parallel, The Vegetarian Butcher recently launched via foodservice channels in Brazil, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore.

Driving sustainability through plant-based salesThe latest move into new territory marks significant global expansion of the partnership between Burger King and The Vegetarian Butcher, whichkicked offin 2019 with the introduction of the plant-based Rebel Whopper across 25 European countries.

UnileveracquiredNetherlands-based The Vegetarian Butcher in 2018 for an undisclosed amount.

Unilever has been expanding its plant-based meat and dairy alternativesbusiness for several years by developing vegan versions of well-known classics, such as Hellmanns mayonnaise and Magnum ice creams.

The company recently launched its Future Foods commitments, which aim to help people transition towards healthier diets and to help reduce the environmental impact of the global food chain.

As part of its goals, Unilever set a global sales target to net 1 billion (US$1.2 billion) from plant-based meat and dairy alternatives within the next five to seven years.

The multinational also aims to roll out The Vegetarian Butcher brand and ramp up vegan alternatives from brands including Hellmanns, Magnum and Walls.

Last month, Unilever also presented its shareholders with a non-binding advisory vote on the companys climate transition action plan to reduce emissions.

Edited by Missy Green

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Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America by Ijeoma Oluo

c.2020, Seal Press $28.00 / $35.00 Canada 336 pages

This year, you are going to roar.

Youre going to seize every opportunity, wrestle every bad habit to the ground, and do better than your best. Youre gonna kick the universe in the tail. This is absolutely going to be your year unless, as in the new book Mediocre by Ijeoma Oluo, someones standing in your way, now and for a hundred years.

In addition to a quiet setting and uninterrupted time to write, on a recent retreat for women, Ijeoma Oluo noticed that when socializing, most of the attendees talked about men but not the boyfriend-husband-partner men. They discussed bad dudes, particularly the white ones that largely controlled publishing. That conversation morphed into bad men, white men in general, that are found just about everywhere

There are, Oluo says, a thousand memes that feature the words, Lord, give me the confidence of a mediocre white man, meaning that white male mediocrity is a baseline from which all power rotates, regardless of skill or talent Its as if some sort of higher rank should be granted just because those individuals happen to be white men.

None of this is new. Its been going on for hundreds of years, Oluo says, and Black women arent the only ones on the receiving end of it. It exists in the West, as white men fight against white men over land that white men stole.

We see white male privilege all over politics, from the top down and especially in political arenas where white supremacy exists. Its been on college campuses, and in places of higher education where Black people were historically denied entrance. Its in the workplace, where Black women continue to make far less money than their white male counterparts.

White male privilege exists today in economics, pro sports, in language, in an ignorance of history and the contributions of Black men and women, and in entertainment. Its a very dark place, Oluo says, and there are things every American can do about it starting with two things: an acknowledgment that we need white men, and an admission to our complicity in this terrible, untenable legacy.

Got a few days to read? Yeah, and grab a packet of those sticky-flag things, too. Mediocre is a book that practically demands them: though this is not a seven-hundred-page manifesto, theres that much information inside its covers.

Whats more, author Ijeoma Oluo asks readers to think about her words, and not lightly. This is a read-a-few-paragraphs, put-it-down kind of book, making you live with the facts before moving forward. Oluo uses stories to illustrate many of her points, diving into American history, politics, and economics to help readers to see how quietly, totally entrenched white male privilege is and has been. Most eye-opening are her many statements of relevancy, showing how white males enjoy other cultures blithely, often while denigrating those very cultures.

Be prepared to give yourself a lot of time with this book it needs that. And then be prepared for action, because Mediocre is going to make you roar.

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Do we need white men? This author has a surprising answer - Caribbean Life

Some franchises in the film industry are, to a greater degree, defined by their main protagonist and what they bring to the role than they are by the merit of their own narrative and worldbuilding. And Pirates of the Caribbeanis a perfect example of this, despite the fact that Disney has recently decided to push ahead with the next installment without involving Johnny Depps legendary Captain Jack Sparrow.

The endless saga of the actors legal feud with former wife Amber Heard recently took an unexpected turn when a UK court ruled against the former in his libel case, which led to a whole lot of rage and backlash on social media. And as for Depps career prospects in Hollywood, Warner Bros. revealed that they would recast the role of Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beastssaga, so things arent exactly going well for him at the moment.

Of course, Disney is also reluctant to continue to work with the actor. Only recently, we heard that a soft reboot of thePirates franchise is in development, with Margot Robbie in talks to play the lead role. As youd expect, fans of Jack Sparrow took to social media to show their support for the iconic character and they even started a petition to have the Mouse House rehire Depp, which is currently closing in on 400K signatures on Change.org, as it currently sits at just under 370,000 and is gathering steam rather quickly.

Admittedly, its difficult to imagine Pirates of the Caribbean without Captain Jack. In fact, if you take the characters charisma and charm out of the equation, the story doesnt have a whole lot else going for it. The last two entries, 2011s On Stranger Tidesand 2017sDead Men Tell No Tales, actually go a long way to prove this point by showing just how important he is, as without him, the pics wouldve basically been intolerable to watch, if not downright mediocre.

Alas, this petition has thus far proven almost entirely useless when it comes to changing the decision of Hollywood moguls, so lets hope that Depp manages to get back on his feet in the near future and maybe convince the Mouse House to give him at least a cameo in the next Pirates of the Caribbean.

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Petition To Rehire Johnny Depp For Pirates Of The Caribbean Closes In On 400K - We Got This Covered

Theres a wellness kit with sanitizer, a face mask, gloves, and a sachet of Emergen-C. Amenities in the time of a pandemic. Housekeeping comes twice daily but will visit less if I prefer. I keep the regular schedule (Im a sucker for turndown), but head onto the balcony whenever theyre cleaning. I happily note that when Nicole arrives that evening, shes masked and wearing a disposable gown over her uniform, as well as gloves and a bonnet.

Fast Wi-Fi allows me to work efficiently from the hotel, and the generic beach scene that was my Zoom backdrop is replaced by the real deal, the whoosh of waves my soundtrack instead of daytime TV. Ive swapped my usual day-old sweats for a fluffy robe. As the sun sets, I declare day one a success.

The next two days unfold smoothly. I Zoom with Stateside colleagues visibly envious of my new beachfront location. At meal times, chef-prepped delicacies are set up on a linen-clad table overlooking the sea. I write, email, and update my social media feeds, alternating between chaise, bed, and sofa. My days are interrupted only by the chirp of bananaquits, the odd-hours crowing of roosters, and the hum of air conditioning units.

But by day three, the shine is off the apple. I no longer bother to dress, remaining in my robe all day. I wistfully watch walkers and swimmers at the beach. (Grand Anse is publicas are all beaches hereand, as such, strictly forbidden for quarantiners.) My only brief human contacts are room service and housekeeping staff. Im lonely but I miss my four-day-a-week running habit the most. That, combined with daily cheese plates, makes me feel out of sorts, physically and mentally.

Grenada's Grand Anse beach

On day four, hope arrives in the form of two nurses, who come to administer the complimentary PCR test Grenada requires before visitors can be released from quarantine. Ill have the results in one to two days, they tell me, and I cross my fingers its the former.

Day five dawns and I wake up hopeful Ill get the green light to leave and check into my next hotel, Mount Cinnamon, which will be my base for exploring Grenada in the remaining days. But lunchtime comes and goes and then suddenly it's 5 p.m. I realize that even in a luxury resortwhich might be the best possible place to spend quarantinefive days of confinement isnt much fun. When I post an update on Instagram, a local hotelier DMs to report that her guests sometimes receive results as late as 9 p.m. Hope returns. Sure enough, at 9:10 p.m., the front desk calls. Im negative and free to leave in the morning. Angels sing!

Before I go to sleep, I lay out my gear for a sunrise run along the Caribbean-lapped crescent thats been taunting me. And when I finally start my run the next morning, every splash of waves on my sneakers feels like a beachy welcome. I pass seniors taking a sea bath in the shallows and walkers with their dogs in tow. Sailboats bob at anchor and the capital of St. Georges beckons in the distance. In the morning sun everything is illuminated. And so, at last, am I.

We're reporting on how COVID-19 impacts travel on a daily basis. Find all of our coronavirus coverage and travel resources here.

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Caribbean Travel: What It's Like to Quarantine in a Five-Star Resort - Cond Nast Traveler

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China is in no way a newcomer to the Caribbean in terms of providing development assistance: Beijings first foreign aid project in the Western Hemisphere was a brick factory in Guyana built in the 1970s. More recently and much more substantially, it has been estimated that over the last two decades, Chinas policy banks have provided close to $9 billion in lending to the states of the Caribbean Community states (CARICOM), with the overwhelming majority of these loans coming from the Export-Import Bank of China (Ex-Im Bank).

The Caribbean has received less attention than most other regions in terms of the evaluation of Chinese lending practices. This is ironic in that the Caribbean could have served as the canary in the coal mine of Chinese lending long before the Belt and Road Initiatives (BRI) Hambantota port debacle in Sri Lanka came to light and governments began to reconsider their relations with Chinese President Xi Jinpings signature global initiative.

Nevertheless, despite its history, the region continues to be susceptible to Chinas largess in light of the perceived lack of alternatives and the view of hard infrastructure development as a panacea that (incorrectly) can ultimately resolve the Caribbeans deep and long-standing economic challenges. Just last year, following its shift of official recognition from Taipei to Beijing, Luis Gonzlez, director of Asia and Oceania relations at the Dominican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that overall Chinese investment in the country would reach $10 billion over the coming years.

The Caribbean was the first region to experience what have become the main critiques of BRI lack of transparency, white elephant projects, ignored environmental concerns, investments long on promises and short on results, etc. even before BRI was launched in 2013. Guyana provides a useful case in point.

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The Chinese firm Baishanlin International Forest Development set up shop in Guyana in 2007, having signed an agreement to establish a $100 million wood processing plant, promising local job creation in the timber-rich country. The plant was never built. The Guyanese authorities ultimately announced that it would repossess all of the firms 627,072 hectares of forestry concessions while the Guyana Revenue Authority seized some corporate assets, noting a failure to pay import taxes. Former Guyanese auditor general Anana Goolsarran noted what are now standard outcomes of Chinese win-win investments, namely that the firm had not met requirements for the requisite permits and had not demonstrated the necessary technical and financial qualifications, nor any history of compliance.

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In the area of infrastructure, Chinas Cheddi Jagan International Airport project in Guyana has become something of regional legend. Construction started in 2012 and was supposed to last for 32 months; eight years later and it has yet to be completed. The project is being built by the China Harbor Engineering Company (CHEC), the same company that built the equally problematic North-South highway in Jamaica an initiative that ended with a portion of the outstanding loan being repaid by the transfer of 1,200 acres (485 hectares) of land. With a typical aversion to transparency, the project was shrouded in secrecy; local Guyanese media only found out about the deal from a Jamaican news source. (CHECs regional headquarters is in Jamaica.)

CHEC was also permitted to bring in 60 percent Chinese labor for non-technical work and an entirely Chinese workforce for technical aspects. Public contract tenders and open bidding were non-existent. In September of this year, Guyanas new president, Irfaan Ali, with Chinese ambassador Ciu Jianchun in the room, finally let rip and declared that Guyana had had enough: I am holding everyone responsible; the contractor, the consultant, the project management team, he said. This is not acceptable for the Guyanese people. In this current position it is very clear from all that I have seen and heard, and from all the questions asked, it is very clear that something is horribly wrong. The right decision at this moment is that we cannot accept this.

While Beijings model as a supplier of investment and infrastructure in the Caribbean has been deeply problematic, its approach does respond to real demand side issues, i.e., the yawning gap Caribbean states confront in terms of how to fund infrastructure development. The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) estimates that need to sit at around $20 billion, with similar numbers from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). It is also true, in light of the regions relatively small size, that BRI could fund and Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOEs) could perhaps build all of it.

Thus, in the absence of major new lending from other sources, a significant number of Caribbean countries have already joined BRI. Trinidad and Tobago first came on board in May 2018, followed by Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Cuba, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, and Suriname. In June 2018, one month after joining BRI, Trinidadian Prime Minister Keith Rowley frankly and ominously described the terms of the relationship: We told them we need your investment and you need our location in the Caribbean. Former Guyanese President David Grainger, despite his own countrys less than ideal experiences with Chinese lending, had stated before he left office earlier this year We cannot develop without infrastructure and we just do not have the capital to do it on our own. So, whether it comes from America, China or Britain we have to have it, and of course we have to look for the best deal.

The primary question for the Caribbean as to its future economic engagement with China in general, and with the BRI in particular, is one that has been raised in other parts of the world: whether debt traps will be created. The debt-trap diplomacy narrative, the most prevalent critique of BRI, has somewhat diminished in recent years. As more data have become available, it has become clearer that debt traps are not an inevitable outcome of BRI. However, they remain a genuine concern and perhaps no place more so than in the Caribbean.

In the context of the region, the realities are stark. Even with concessionary loans, these economies are not productive enough; do not grow fast enough; and do not have sufficient fiscal capacity to sustain a new influx of Chinese lending.

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the regions GDP growth hovered around a distinctly sub-par 0.8 percent; meanwhile, more than two-thirds of Caribbean states have a debt-to-GDP ratio of over 60 percent. In many countries, nearly 20 percent of government revenue already goes to debt repayment. Since 2010, St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Grenada, and Jamaica (twice) have defaulted on and restructured their debts. Across the board, it is important to note that these small island economies have very small GDPs Antigua and Barbuda comes in at $1.6 billion; Grenada at $1.2 billion; and Barbados at $5.2 billion which inherently casts doubt on the feasibility of paying back future loans in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

At the same time, the Caribbean remains a difficult region for entrepreneurship and trade in general. According to the Ease of Doing Business Report, the highest ranked Caribbean country is Jamaica at 71 followed by St. Lucia at 93. While Chinese loans come with the promise of economic diversification, the realities on the ground indicate that infrastructure development will not be remotely sufficient to facilitate either that outcome, or the promised increases in GDP growth. There is little reason to think Chinese loans could be paid back without becoming a burden.

Caribbean governments must be ruthlessly strategic in how they select infrastructure projects and with whom they partner. These projects must be of the sort that increase the earning capacity of the economy at a level that does not increase the debt burden a difficult hurdle to surmount. At the same time, the governance standards of Caribbean states have been lackluster. When you couple this endemic problem with the availability of Chinese loans untethered from rigorous requirements around transparency, distributional management, and supervision, the inevitable result is poor performance and unsustainable debt.

Recognizing these challenges and the questions as to how the Caribbean will move forward, one aspect that is generally overlooked is that China is a non-borrowing member of the CDB, unlike the United States which is not part of institution. As a donor member of the CDB, China has the opportunity in the Caribbean to test out real engagement with other multilateral partners. In 2017, the CDB signed a MOU with Chinas Ex-Im Bank in order to coordinate lending. While that agreement has not resulted in significant progress, if Beijing is serious about becoming a responsible partner among the global community of donor states, demonstrating that in the Caribbean via real cooperation with the CDB and CARICOM would be a good place to start. After all, the region was the first victim of irresponsible Chinese lending and investment practices it is certainly the logical place for Beijing to begin to make amends and demonstrate that BRI can adhere to best practices and coordinate with, rather than, compete against other institutions while providing real win-win outcomes for less developed countries.

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Bradley J. Murg, Ph.D. is Senior Advisor and Distinguished Senior Research Fellow at the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace.

Rasheed J. Griffith is a Consultant at Kelman PLLC, based in Bridgetown, Barbados.

This article is the second of a three-part series about Chinas investments in the Caribbean. The first part is available here.

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An Ignored Canary in an Unknown Coal Mine: The Caribbean's Economic Engagement with China - The Diplomat

ANN ARBOR, MI Inside a cozy spot across from Hill Auditorium near the University of Michigan, there is flavorful Jamaican cuisine you wont find anywhere else in Ann Arbor.

The Jamaican Jerk Pit, 314 S. Thayer St., has been a favorite Caribbean food spot for more than a decade.

Each entre is made to order, meaning the spice level can be can customized to a persons preference, from mild to hot. Jamaican jerk style seasoning is best known for its use with meat that is dry-rubbed or wet-marinated in a spicy mixture to create the famous smoky flavor.

Among the most popular items on the menu is the jerk chicken or pork, with plantains, rice and peas, tropical salad with pineapple and mango chardonnay dressing.

Anybody who calls me for the first time, thats what I would recommend. I call it the classic, said Robert Campbell, the restaurants owner and chef. Some people who arent sure what they want, I ask What are your favorite proteins? and that makes it easy for them.

Campbell doesnt give away all of his secrets, but says the one ingredient customers will find in each dish is the love he and his staff add to every plate.

You have to be consistent, no matter what, Campbell said. We try to stick with the basic seasonings: onion, garlic, thyme, ginger to keep the flavor, but the cooking process is a bit different back back home where we cook with the open fire and where Im at its difficult to do but we try and maintain the flavor.

Campbell, who grew up in Jamaica, has owned and operated the restaurant for more than 10 years. A graduate of Eastern Michigan University, Campbell currently lives in Belleville and said he is thankful to the area for keeping his restaurant afloat during the pandemic.

They do support me a lot. They do whatever they can, Campbell said. Theyll come in and buy gift certificates and use it for a later date while still using their cash or credit card when they come in.

Those stepping inside Jamaican Jerk Pit for the first time will have plenty to study. Inside the establishment, you will see dozens of flags and ornaments representing different nations and cultures from around the Caribbean Islands. The palm trees, Bob Marley portrait, as well as the traditional Jamaican art that is mounted on the green, red and yellow walls, add to the experience.

There is a small seating area on the first floor, but during normal circumstances customers can find a few more tables downstairs in the basement. As a result of the pandemic, Jamaican Jerk Pit is currently only offering take-out.

With many students electing to study from home during the fall semester, the effects of the pandemic have been noticeable, Campbell said, adding that he credits his loyal customer base for allowing him to stay open since March.

Im there every day and when youre honest with your customers, theyll do anything for you, Campbell said. If you take good care of them, they appreciate that and they tell their friends. Their friends will come and then it just becomes word-of-mouth.

Jamaican Jerk Pit is open from from noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and is closed Sunday. Customers can call the restaurant at (734) 585-5278, to place an order for pickup. More information is available on the website.

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Local Eats: Jamaican Jerk Pit serves a taste of the Caribbean in downtown Ann Arbor - MLive.com

Bob Marley would have been 75 years old this year, and while the reggae legends life was tragically cut short, his oldest son, Ziggy, has not only carried on his fathers musical legacy but his quest to make the world a better place, too.

Days after being wounded in an assassination attempt at his home in 1976, Bob Marley performed at a peace concert in Kingston, Jamaica, famously saying, The people who are trying to make this world worse arent taking a day off. How can I?

Thats a lesson that Ziggy Marley has taken to heart.

Winner of eight Grammy awards for his music, Ziggys humanitarian work has included serving as a Goodwill Youth Ambassador for the United Nations and participating in Bob Marley Foundation initiatives worldwide.

His own charity, U.R.G.E. (Unlimited Resources Giving Enlightenment), a non-profit organization whose mission ranges from building new schools to operating health clinics, receives a portion of the proceeds from his latest project, More Family Time, a new childrens reggae album featuring four of his school-age children as well as the voices of Sheryl Crow, Ben Harper, Angelique Kidjo, Lisa Loeb, Tom Morello, Alanis Morissette and Busta Rhymes.

Marleys first childrens album, Family Time, won a Grammy in 2009. My children play an important role in inspiring that, says Marley, with the latest record drawing upon the wild energy and excitement of his youngest son, Isaiah, 4.

In addition to positive messages a lot of it has to do with loving each other, having manners, and having fun says Marley the books also have a strong environmental message. Im trying to instill into children one of the most beautiful ways to make the world a better place, he said.

To mark his fathers diamond jubilee, Marley also released Bob Marley: Portrait of the Legend, an oversized photo book filled with images drawn from the Marley familys collection, including rare behind-the-scenes and casual depictions of Marleys personal life.

The focus is on understanding Bob outside the legend, and as a human being, said Ziggy, who helped curate the collection. It brought back a lot of memories about that time period, he added, including playing soccer with his father and accompanying him on a tour of Zimbabwe.

Bob Marley died in 1981 of cancer at age 36, when Ziggy, now 52, was just 13 years old.

Going though the photos, it hit me how young he was, said Ziggy. Its sad, but he did so much in that time its still a testament to his ethics and spirituality. He knew he had to do everything in the shortest amount of time.

Bob Marleys songs of freedom still resonate with marginalized people all over the world, and Ziggy has trodden a similar path with his social justice work, including support of the Black Lives Matter movement and his efforts to raise environmental awareness.

Reggae, says Ziggy, never goes out of style.

In good times and bad, it has a place in society, he says. It gives strength and encouragement to people who are oppressed.

In addition to his work on the Bob Marley photo book, Ziggy has also authored a childrens book called I Love You, Too, based upon a dialogue with his daughter, Judah; and the Ziggy Marley and Family Cookbook, filled with traditional Jamaican recipes and healthy ital food drawn from Rastafarian culture.

Food is one way that Ziggy, a resident of the U.S. for the past 15 years, stays connected to Jamaica. America is a very big, sprawling country and an individualized place, he says. Jamaica more natural and spiritual where these is more nature, there is more spirituality.

Ziggy urges visitors to Jamaica to connect to the countrys natural environment, including at less well-known places as Cane River Falls in St. Andrew Parish and the mineral springs in Bath, near Kingston, where Ziggy would go to sooth his aching muscles during his soccer-playing days.

Staying at a rural inn or AirB&B would give visitors an opportunity to connect with the Jamaica thats closest to his heart, Ziggy says.

Its not a storybook or a fantasy Jamaica is a modern place, but more rebellious against western culture, he says. In the countryside most people dont have much material wealth, but they are full of happiness and joy.

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Ziggy Marley on His Father, Reggae and Jamaica Caribbean Journal - Caribbean Journal