Global Journey Blog vol.5 -Yui Ikegami
Hi all, I’m Yui Ikegami, a student studying abroad in Miami!
The year has already begun, and I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year.
The year 2023 has flown by so fast, but I feel that it has been a fulfilling year for me through many experiences.
And at this time, I am only halfway through my study abroad program.
In this blog, I would like to look back on the last semester and give you an update on how things are going.
Memorable food that I’ve met here
My family and friends often ask me, "What are you eating? Actually, even I don't even know much about it, but I eat out, cook for myself, and eat at restaurants in equal proportions.
Here are 3 things that I really liked so far.
1. Bagels
When I first came to the U.S., I went to a supermarket and came across bagels in the cream cheese section.
I tried sesame flavor, cinnamon flavor, etc., but what I ended up with was blueberry flavor. The perfect combination of just the right amount of sweetness and rich cream cheese.
I still often make and eat them for breakfast. I feel it is a flavor I will miss.
When I visited New York, I often saw bagel specialty stores. The birthplace of bagels, indeed!
There were many people lined up at the store from morning, and the eat-in space was crowded.
What surprised me was the variety. There were many kinds of bagels to choose from, not only cream ones, but also colorful ones and ones with fruits kneaded into them, all of which looked delicious.
After much deliberation, I ordered the Pumpernickel (rye) honey nut and tofu cream flavor.
It was very tasty, full of cream, mild and just the right amount of sweetness.
2. Haitian Cuisine
There are many Haitian immigrants in Miami, and you will find authentic Haitian food restaurants.
I have heard about Haitian food from roommates and professors who are from Haiti, and it all sounds really delicious.
Haitian cuisine is a food culture that was a fusion of West African and French food.
Among them, rice with the flavor of black mushrooms called diri ak djon djon, and stews of vegetables with pork, beef, or lamb are considered to be the classic dishes.
I once went to a Haitian restaurant and still cannot forget the melt-in-your-mouth beef stew I had there.
I also enjoyed fried conch shells, sweet fried doughnuts called festivals, passion fruit juice, and other Haitian dishes until I was full.
I think it is a cuisine that is hard to find in Japan, and I would like to try many different kinds of it in the future.
3. Cuban cuisine
What is the most famous cuisine in Miami? I would answer, "Cuban food.
If you look up "Cuban food" on Google Maps, you will find dozens of places to eat, even in small areas.
I have been to several Cuban restaurants and have always been amazed at the variety.
And since they are all in Spanish, I order without really understanding the differences between the dishes, and then eat what I get while checking out what comes lol.
What amazes me even more than the abundance of dishes on the menu is the volume.
When I had dinner with my friend's family, we ordered several dishes for two people, and I was full after eating half of them.
We ordered these three items. Cuban sandwich, a set of snacks such as tostones (fried green bananas) and fried pork, and roast pork, which all are classic dishes.
Cuban cuisine is characterized by the ingredients used, with green bananas and cassava potatoes, which are used to make tapioca, making an appearance.
Each is enjoyed as chips or sweetened and baked, just like potatoes and sweet potatoes in Japan.
As with Haitian cuisine, there is a real variety and they are all delicious, so I hope to continue to explore them!
2. Traveling: History of pirates that I learned on a Trip in Florida
Following my trip to the Bahamas, which I introduced in my last blog, I traveled to Jacksonville and Key West on the Florida Peninsula.
One of the most impressive parts of the trip was learning about the history of pirates.
Saint Augustine, the oldest town in America, is believed to be where the Spanish began their invasion.
There, the ruins of a castle along the harbor included a large gun tower and a lighthouse to watch for approaching pirate ships.
In Key West, we visited the captain's quarters, which remains in the oldest house in town.
Since there were many shipwrecks in the area, a towing law was enacted whereby a ship's gold or goods could be legally recovered and a portion of the proceeds turned over as a reward.
On the other hand, there were some ships that were not qualified to recover the money and tried to take it, so they were put on the blacklist and policed.
I feel that this was a valuable opportunity for me to learn a lot of things about Miami.
3. Almost in a Spanish-speaking area- My First Conversation Challenge
The most surprising thing I’ve felt in Miami was that Spanish is spoken more than English. I have many opportunities to hear Spanish in supermarkets, restaurants, on the radio, and from school staff.
That's one of the reasons I'm learning a little bit too,
The other day I was able to have a conversation in Spanish for the first time with a cab man.
He said, "How often do you take a cab?" What terminal do you get off at in the airport?
I was able to understand what he was saying and answer his questions! It was so exciting.
I will continue to work hard so that I can leave behind the memories of our conversations in Spanish!
In closing
I think Miami is a really interesting place that is not really American, but a mixture of South American and Caribbean cultures.
The energetic Latin music blasting through the city and the palm trees that I am bored to see are not so appealing to me now, but I am sure I will miss them someday.
I will continue to enjoy Miami through food, culture, history, and language for the rest of my stay in Miami
I hope to keep sharing my many surprises and discoveries on my blog!
I’m excited to see you at the next blog. Thank you!
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