Jerk Chicken and Bats (Though Not in the Belfry)

[drpaisley]

It had been raining since the top of the page It started raining on and off this afternoon, and there was the distinct possibility of more on the way. But that didn't stop me, oh hellz no! There was Jerk Chicken to be had, the best Jerk Chicken evar!, at the Jamaica booth at the annual Ethnic Enrichment Festival at Swope Park. So I got the ladies into the van just after 6p, and we headed south. As we left, it began to rain here, but after a few blocks, we were in the clear. Good omen, right?

We got there and joined a goodly crowd who were wandering from booth to booth, sampling the wonderful food of many exotic lands. I confused the gatekeeper with my shirt, which she described as "Where's Waldo on acid." Naturally, we took the long way around, but finally the booth I sought came into view. I stepped over to the Lithuania booth and got a bacon bun ( obligatory "not a euphemism") to nosh on while I waited in the rather long line for the food of the gods, mon. As I waited, I began to feel a few random drops, but no problem. Then it began to pick up, and became a definite drizzle. Most people ran for cover, but no one in the Jamaica line moved, except to open up umbrellas, which of course I was lacking. As the rain continued to fall, I reallzed that my choice of hats was perhaps not the best as my glasses slowly became covered in water.

Finally I made it to the window, and I said to the woman taking the orders, "You notice this is the only booth with a line," and she said she hadn't had a chance to look around. "Perhaps it has something to do with our slow service," she said. "No," I replied, "It has something to do with your jerk chicken." She laughed, and took my money. When I got my plate of ambrosia, I asked for a second plate to cover the precious bounty, then adjourned to the beer tent, where I found they had Grimburgen on tap for $5 a pint. Double score! I found Rohanna, and chatted with some folks who had never been to the festival before inbetween bites of perfect jerk chicken. About halfway through, I realized my sinuses were completely clear.

At that point, the rain slackened, and we took the opportunity to head home. Before we got out of the park, the rain started up again, even more intensely. By the time we got home, it was blowing like a small hurricane. We got out of the car and headed inside. Suddenly I saw something fly by my head, then back again. Ro said "There's a bird in here," and I replied "No, it's a bat." And indeed it was.

Dragonet and I tried changing the lights around, waving towels and shirts to try and direct it to the door, but nothing worked. Finally I managed to lightly swat it out of the air with a broom. Dragonet scooped it up in a shirt, and the bat started cursing her mightily. She put it outside, and after a few seconds to get its bearings, it headed off into the night.