We take food for granted. Ever since we can conciously remember, there was food. Aptly tasting food. Food to delight in. It didn't matter if at one point it was from the breast, bottle or concocted from some powder substance. Simply put, since we've been born, it was food and it made us happy!
So it causes one to pause when food, although necessary, becomes a subject of debate, a subject of bravery and sometimes the subject of torture.
Take for instance the debate aspect. Food is a necessity to thrive and live. What is there possibly to debate? How about what it is? I spent my entire life living with full recognition of what fanciful delight tempted my palate and could easily recognize and trust what was presented to me. But here we are on the other side of the world and I can't, for the life of me, win this debate. And I can be one heck of a debater!
Then there is bravery. Let's put the use of this word into context first. I use it with no mention of aptitude or recognition. I am no hero by any means. Although, I get some credit for stepping out of familiar territory to at least try something new (maybe old to you). Sushi, all sorts of it! The presentation was artistic and colorful. How could I turn it down - and I don't even like seafood. How about a full baby squid? All 8 squiggly legs attached to plump little 2 inch diameter body. I guarantee I didn't chew and am thankful for seasoning sauce. Jon still threatens to repress kisses, but you and I both know that it'd take more than that for him to follow through on that threat! Oh, and there is the delicasy of duck skin rolled in tortillas and duck meat - skinned and carved from a whole duck, beak and all, right next to you no less. Add a little soup containing finds from a snorkeling adventure and I think I've sold you on my bravery. Frankly, Spongebob's world is quite good, barring Baby Tentacles!
But life and food wasn't intended to be that easy, so the element of torture was thrown in. This starts with the debate aspect but ends in a cry of mercy -YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING, THERE IS NO WAY I WILL EAT THAT! I am clearly a wimp. I've seen all sorts of unidentifiable food objects, some with full skeletal structures and others with a goo that speaks terror - like today's plane food. That meal begins and ends with the consumption of a very small supposed bread item and a swig of water. And I am left with a bit of wonder at all the indigenous people taking a fancy and satisfaction at the same meal of terror.
Am I losing weight with this food debacle? Not really. The weight loss credit goes to Jon and Emily. You see, the conquest of finding normalacy, like the simple pleasure a bottle brings to a baby, ends with a cleverly planned night out to dinner... American style. Some call it desperation, far from bravery. Did I mention bottle? Alcohol exists over here, and that, if not anything else, provides the illusion of bravery and conquer of torture.
I've now just arrived in Thailand where Jon recently visited and reveled at the amazing food and spices. We've always been fans of Thai food - albeit American style. I'll give it a good ole' girl scout effort. If all else fails, there are rolls with butter and bravery juice!
Bon Appetit!
No comments:
Post a Comment