A Perfect Example of International Dining

Michael and I are pros by now at going out to eat overseas. We haven't stayed at a single place over the past 6 weeks that has a kitchen, which means every meal we must venture out and find food. Usually its a fairly normal and enjoyable experience, but sometimes we have those meals that really remind us that we are far far away from home. And tonight was just one of those nights, at least for Michael. First, let me set the scene. While here in Thailand, we have been doing some research for some friends on the cost of living. Tonight we traveled across town to Carrefour, the French version of wal-mart that has international chains around the world. Carrefour, in our experience so far, is never a stand alone building, but is built into a mall like complex, complete with clothes boutiques, electronic stores and now more to the point, restaurants and food courts. We planned our trip to the super market for dinner time so we could investigate the food court, its nice to have so many options. On our way towards the food court we passed a restaurant, and stopped to check out the menu. Ping pong fish balls, pig liver, pig intestines, raw squid, no thank you!! Keep walking. Further down the hallway we pass McDonalds and KFC, fail proof back up plan. We enter the main part of the food court, and not a single word of English. As we walk by each little food booth without description, all I could think was "ping pong fish balls, pig parts..." Michael being the braver, more adventurous, and cultured one just picked a place at random, while I being a wimp and picky eater went to McAmerica (McDonalds). Now, I used to be a (rightfully so) McDonalds hater, with their nutrient deficient food, overloaded with calories. But started last August through now I have developed feelings of deep appreciation for this internationally found chain that (almost) always tastes like home. I met Michael back in the food court at a table, nuggets in hand. And he had...we still have no idea. Soup, some kind of enormous noodle stuffed with tofu and vegetables, and dipping sauces. How do you even eat something that shape?! After sitting down and staring at his food, he took his tray pack to the man that served it to him and tried to ask how do you even eat this cold, squishy dish? Not much success, he didn't speak English. How did Michael even pick this dish? He found someone ordering it already and pointed at it, easy enough. No language needed. After coming back to the table, and staring his dish down again, we started noticing people were watching him, obviously amused at our ignorance, finally one sweet lady had mercy on us, walked up to the table, and asked in English if she could help us. After that, smooth sailing. verdict on the meal: it was good, I even tried it and liked it. My meal? chicken nuggets taste exactly the same in Thailand, however, I did try the "Plum Dipping Sauce" they put in my bag. It was good. Another meal accomplished.





The top things we saw TODAY, that you would never see in America. The first pic is self- explanatory, the second- a corn sundae from KFC