I left class in a daze as I followed the sweet smell of sauted onions to a simple brick building with white roof. I looked up and saw a sign that read: YUM YUM. I stepped inside and took in the small building. On my left were families chatting happily between bites of specialty hot dogs and ice cream. On my right was a counter with staff members buzzing about taking orders and handing over brown paper bags with food. There were signs all over that said Cash Only.
I gazed at the menu and the only thing on it I recognized was the word hot dog. It was my turn to cash and I panicked.
“I’ll have one hot dog, All the Way.” I said confidently.
“One more All The Way!” The cashier yelled back to the other workers.
I had no clue what an All the Way consisted of, but in case you haven’t noticed I have a tendency of jumping in with both feet.
While I waited for the mystery hot dog, I struck up conversation with the gentleman beside me. He bought a drink called “Cheerwine” which I had never encountered in my 22 years. Apparently the drink is native to North Carolina. I asked him what it tasted like and he looked at me like I had just insulted his mother. He handed me his unopened bottle and told me it was mine now. Mi tell him ‘undred tanks!
I took a sip and it was magical. “It tastes like Dr. Pepper, without the doctor!” The small crowd that had gathered to witness the loss of my Cheerwine virginity chuckled.
Shortly thereafter, I was handed my hot dog so I parted ways with my new friends. When I got back to my room, I greedily ate my All the Way which was a hot dog covered in on mustard, chilli, onions, and slaw. It wasn’t the best hot dog ever, but I’m biased by Jamaica’s Bad Dawg hot dogs. There was something about the combination of the toppings though that made me want to go back for more. Maybe next time, I’ll actually try their ice cream too haha!
Kulture Shocked 