My recent travels abroad have got me thinking ... thinking about the cultural disparities between the US and other countries.

In Hong Kong, for example, I was amazed to see Wal-Mart-sized Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Gucci stores. Everywhere you looked, there was one on the corner or in a seemingly endless mall underground.

In Kingston, Jamaica, I quickly learned that it was okay to answer your phone calls during important business meetings, and that arriving 30 minutes to 45 minutes late to an appointment was quite standard. Although, I never did get used to this!

In Shanghai, China, I had to do a double take every time the cab driver asked me for a measly $2 for a ride across the city. What a steal! Fortunately, staying inside a cab might have been the best call. The pollution throughout the city made me scared to breathe, let alone walk around the Bund.

The beaches at Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos were absolutely gorgeous, but they were a sharp contrast to the ever-present noise of construction of homes and hotels. This island is really under development!

While, the customer service in Barbados was suspect (I never knew that asking a simple question to the hotel staff would be received as an insult), the beautiful views and windy climate made it a pleasant visit.

All in all, I am amazed when I think of the various cultural differences between the US and abroad. I have to say that I have a new appreciation for life in the good ‘ole US of A. Yet, with all of these dissimilarities, I took note that there is one thing that brings people from many different cultures together--food and dining. No matter the location or culture, food offers comfort and a connection with people from all walks of life.

I had the time to experience many great restaurants, dishes, drinks, and people in these countries. So, here is what drew me closer to each of these cultures and what I grew to love in regard to food in some of these countries:

Best Cocktail Drinks!

No doubt about it, the Terra Nova Hotel can pull off an amazing rum punch. While you may expect to get a better drink in some of the tourist locations, like Montego Bay or Ocho Rios, I can assure you that I have been to both of those, and nowhere compares to the Terra Nova. The best drink most certainly goes to this Kingston Hotel, who has one amazing bartender, Devon. He can pull off a great-tasting and rum-packed drink, for sure! The rum punch includes various rums, orange juice, pineapple juice, lime juice, simple syrup, and a float of dark rum. Martin, another Terra Nova bartender, makes a killer Caipirinha. This drink is made with limes and Brazilian liquor, Pitu Cachaca. Don't miss these drinks if you happen to make your way to Kingston, Jamaica.

Best Afternoon Tea!

As I approached the Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong, I was pleased to see four Rolls Royce's lined up in front of the hotel. I knew this was going to be my kind of place for afternoon tea. And I was not disappointed. The hotel screams regency, as I walked through the doors to hear the grand piano playing amazing music. The dining room/lobby boasted large columns, marble floors, and white linens on amazingly-decorated tables. I loved the mini sandwiches with smoked salmon, egg, chicken, and cucumber, followed by scones and strawberry jam. Of course, I was pleasantly surprised to see macaroons, one of my favorite cookies, truffles, and tiramisu treats to complement the wide array of teas that the Peninsula offered. Overall, this first-class hotel is very romantic and definitely offers an enchanting tea time!

Best Seafood (and dessert)!

La Azure at the Crane Hotel left us with an amazing taste in our mouth. The Local Spiny Lobster served with linguine, cherry tomatoes, garlic, and virgin olive oil (with a side fresh herb salad) was beyond delicious and quite succulent. The lobster was large in its portion size and melted in my mouth. Also, I would not miss the apple strudels for dessert, with toffee ice cream. I am not big on apples for dessert and would normally choose a decadent chocolate treat, but I wanted to let my husband choose this one. And I was pleasantly surprised; this ice cream seemed to complement the apples in an amazing way. This dessert was gone in about five minutes, so I guess I liked it more than I expected. Located at the Crane Hotel, St. Phillip, Barbados

Best Ambiance!

Aqua deserves every bit of its name, no doubt! Situated right on the aqua waterfront in Barbados, sofas line up overlooking the beautiful water! And, it is not only the water that screams Aqua, but it is also the inside of the restaurant as well, as the aqua-painted walls blend right in with the ocean. Although I shouldn't talk much of the walls; this restaurant is mostly open windows, making you feel like you are one with the water. The sofas, located conveniently next to the bar, make a great spot to sit with friends and to soak in the wonderful ocean air. Also, I strongly recommend the Oriental Woked Noodles with Certified Angus Beef and Tiger Prawns, as I couldn't keep my hands off this dish that my husband ordered. Located on Hastings Main Road, Christ Church, Barbados

BEST JERK (and, no I am not talking about your boss!)

Chelsea's. Jamaica. Just go there and see how the chicken melts in your mouth and gives you a kick you won't forget. Oh, and don't forget to try my all time favorite Jamaican side dish, Festival! It is fried sweet bread, and how can you go wrong with that! Located at 7 Chelsea Avenue, Kingston Jamaica

There is no doubt in my mind that I have visited amazing countries with fascinating cultures and great people. I am so thankful that I have had the opportunity to broaden my cultural and culinary horizons. I am continuously amazed how there are so many things that divide our world, like war and politics. However, I know that one thing is for sure ... food unites us. We may be from different parts of the world with different backgrounds and ways of doing things, but food touches our hearts in a connecting way. Hardly anyone can disagree on superb food, even if your party arrives 30 minutes late.

What is your favorite Thanksgiving dish? Visit http://www.epicurista.com [1] to vote for your favorite food!

Kelly Martin, editor of http://www.epicurista.com [2], has grown up in the food industry. Having worked at various fine dining restaurants, her appreciation of gourmet food and superb service has flourished. She regularly dines at some of the best restaurants around the world and finds herself in search of the "finest cuisine". Kelly is also extremely passionate about wines and ideal pairings. Not only this, Kelly enjoys cooking and is an avid learner regarding food techniques and preparations. Her obsession for first class food makes her an ideal critic.