Season 1, Episode 24

The Caribbean Files - Volume 1

We've compiled the best of Anthony Bourdain's Caribbean trips in The Caribbean Files - Volume 1, in which he further explores Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Grenadine Islands. In Haiti, Tony walks the streets of Port Au Prince, taking in the destruction the earthquake left behind. After that, he meets up with Handy Tibert, a well-known face in the Haitian film industry, for a taste of Haitian street food. When Tony and Handy stop for chicken, rice and beans, and a spicy slaw, they quickly notice that passersby have stopped to watch, not because of the film crew, but because they are hungry. Tony and his crew make a quick decision to buy out the street food vendor and feed the onlookers. Unfortunately, a violent commotion erupts, which Tony pegs as a metaphor for what is wrong with so much well-intentioned aid effort around the world. The next day, Tony returns to the streets for the Day of the Dead. Usually this holiday is filled with celebration, but this year's festivities are a bit more somber as the Haitians visit the remains of their relatives lost in the quake. Afterwards, Tony meets with actor and humanitarian, Sean Penn, in the tent city built by his relief group, J/P Haitian Relief Organization. They sample chicken pies and explore the grounds, then look through inspiring pieces of art created by local Haitians. In the Dominican Republic, Tony meets filmmaker Juan Basanta for lunch. Empanadas, longanisa, Dominican peas, stewed goat and avocado salad are served alongside ice-cold Dominican beer. On the outskirts of town is the neighborhood of Villa Mella. Here, Tony meets up with local writer and magazine editor Ruben Lamarche for a celebration full of chicharron, pork deep-fried in lard. Tony heads to the Grenadine Islands where he meets chef and restaurateur Norman Van Aken for breakfast on the beach. They dine on barracuda, clawless lobsters and croissants that don't suck. Then he visits the small island of Bequia to hunt and feast on a large rodent. On St. Vincent, Tony fishes for crawfish and relaxes by a waterfall.

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The Caribbean Files - Volume 2