Alligator for lunch?

And just how could I refuse?



One morning, two of my favorite elders, called to see if I'd cook up the tail from the alligator they'd caught. I must say, I've never had the slightest desire to taste alligator, especially an alligator that lives in one the dirty trenches in our town.







I reluctantly consented. In a few minutes the elders arrived at our apartment toting a small plastic bag full of frozen alligator tail. I had to just imagine how excited Elder Lee looked the night this little alligator met his maker.









Every elder in Guyana hopes he'll catch an alligator before he finishes his mission. And of course, after he catches it he has to eat some of the tail. He just has to do so in order to be able to brag about it the rest of his life!



This little alligator looks more like a great big lizard.







Yuk! Here's the little guy getting de-tailed by Pres. Bennie!









And now he's losing his skin.

Elder Lauritzen chops up the frozen tail into pieces and we thaw it out. Notice the skin is all gone. We've heard that it tastes a lot like chicken, but we don't know for sure.

I keep thinking to myself, "It came from a dirty trench. I just can't eat it!"

The tail is simmering and it's starting to look edible. I'm wondering if I'll really be able to take a taste. I'm shuddering inside.

I spoon some barbecue sauce over the little chunks of meat and we all take a taste. Ah, it does taste like chicken. We each eat a small portion but save the last portion for Pres. Bennie.

Can you imagine this? We all have alligator in our stomachs and we are still smiling. I can't believe I ate it!

Of course, all the other elders were jealous when they heard about it the next day!