Eating...
You must repeat this gesture 3 times a day.
At home, it’s simple. I open the refrigerator or the cupboard… and I choose from a multitude of foods that I have known since my childhood. When traveling, in a foreign country with an unknown language and alphabet, it’s something entirely different.
Just buying coffee is an adventure. In front of the supermarket coffee display, I wonder. Well, I know it's coffee, but still... Espresso coffee, normal coffee, whole beans, instant,...
Only one brand seems to offer ground coffee… for use in the coffee maker in my apartment. I take the bag, pay for it and, when I open it when I arrive at my apartment, I realize with surprise that it is instant coffee. Well… we’ll make do.
The indecision starts again with the ramen bags. There are several varieties, from mild to more “spicy” ones.
Well, know that the scale of “spiciness” is not the same in Thailand as in Quebec… and that even mild ramen is hotter than anything I’ve tasted at home.
Cocooning or restaurant
I really like cocooning, so breakfast and lunch are generally taken at the apartment. Some fruit, yogurt and instant coffee for lunch. Ramen with egg, avocado, cabbage or other side dish for lunch but I always dine out. Why, you ask me? Well, the restaurants are so cheap and the food so good that it's not worth my time to prepare an elaborate meal.
In restaurants, we are often faced with the unknown but… we dive in. I prefer to take risks than confine myself to tourist restaurants, which are often more expensive and much less good.
Like this Chinese restaurant that we decide to try. The menu is… in Mandarin and Thai and there are few, very few photos. The waiter, very kind, tries to explain the menu to us, but my lack of knowledge of Thai, coupled with his lack of knowledge of English, makes the process... too arduous.
Finally, he invites me inside and shows me how it's done.
Small basket in hand, I choose a variety of fresh vegetables, meats, noodles, tofu and mushrooms. Everything is cooked in broth and delivered to our table.
The meal is accompanied by a beer so cold that it turns into slush when poured.
It’s delicious, really delicious. I don't regret having dared and I will go back.
A drink with that?
Since our arrival, we have adapted to the specialties of the region. Fresh fruit smoothies and coffees are an everyday staple. Without forgetting the Thai milk tea. My partner, who doesn't like tea, enjoys it almost every day.
And what about Thai specialties. I discover new dishes, each more delicious than the last. Koh Soi and expertly spiced Massamam, green papaya salad, pad thai,…
“When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
* In Thailand, we eat with a spoon and a fork. We push the food with the fork into the spoon.
* Putting a fork in your mouth is as frowned upon as putting a knife in your mouth in Quebec.
*Chopsticks are reserved for Thai cuisine of Chinese origin, especially noodle dishes. I prefer Vietnamese chopsticks which are longer and easier to handle. On the other hand, I am improving every day in handling them.
* There is never a knife at the table because the pieces are already pre-cut. Only farang (foreigners) use a knife.
*A meal always begins by eating a spoonful of rice to show respect for the farmer and for this staple food of the Thai people.
* Serve with cold water or a lager. In Thailand the three major brands are Singha, Leo and Chang.
* Someone asks you at the end of the meal: “Àràwy mai? (Is it good?)” You respond: “Àràwy mâak! (It’s delicious!)”
* As tips are not usual, they are all the more appreciated.
And, to finish in style, here is a show we were treated to at the Chiang Mai night market.
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