Thin Crust

This weekend Andy and I had a rare occurrence: a break in the middle of a semester. We took full advantage and went away to the south of Dominica. Driving away in the little matchbox car we rented began a feeling of freedom we hadn't had in a long while. As we sped along the curvy coast of Dominica, our shoulders relaxed, our conversation deepened, and our faces lightened. The stress of accelerated medical school in a foreign and developing country during our first months of marriage would consume us if we let it.

This semester in particular has been a doozy. On my part, after a few blind spots, some failures, some not so great surprises, and loneliness, I had started to let it consume me. It takes real proactivity, honesty, and community to pull up and out of a pit like that. And not just that once. Life takes continued proactivity, honesty, and community. The last few weeks felt like swimming through mud. I had just started swimming though water again when this weekend came, like a current going my direction.

On Saturday evening Andy and I ventured out into the darkness with foggy directions and an appetite. We made our way to the best meal we've had in Dominica to date. Sunshine Cottages and Restaurant is owned and operated by a delightful couple, Sabina and Marco. Their friendly hospitality, the space's warmth, and the simple, genuine food completed that novel feeling of freedom that started with the drive. Sabina's smile made me feel like I was eating at an old friends' home. Marco, in his Crocodile Dundee hat, described building the cottages, making the brick oven, and mentioned that his tomato sauce was a secret family recipe over 150 years old. Sabina told us about using locally sourced ingredients for all of their pizza and dishes. They mentioned farmers, markets, and food grown right on their own land. The vegetarian thin crust pizzas burst with flavor and depth. Italy met Dominica and the result blew us away in a beautifully simple and understated way.

While Sabina and Marco will close for the too hot summer here, we plan to venture their way again when they reopen in September. And hopefully again before we leave in December. The weekend was completed by a stay at Fort Young hotel and snorkeling in the bubbles at Champagne reef. I don't think we'll ever forget this gift.

Amazing pizza. Food done well and shared can restore sanity, simplicity, and contentedness. What a gift.

View of Dominica, the Caribbean, and the Atlantic from Scott's Head.