Nov 16th- Thai Food!

Anyone I've had the chance to talk to since returning from Thailand knows that I absolutely loved the food. Well, what I was willing to try, that is! I thoroughly enjoyed fresh fruit, curries and roti's every chance I had. Jeremy made a comment one night about being willing to try ANYTHING that the locals eat... You know, when in Rome, do as the Romans, right? He even said he'd eat the bugs. Between the park and dinner at one of the Ashlock's favorite restaurants in their hometown. We drove by the Tuesday night market and stopped for some fruit. Guess what I found! BUGS!!! Not being sure if Jeremy was serious or not, I thought I'd buy them as either a freak show or gag gift (take that as literally as you care to!). We tried to get the man who operated the stand to give us just one of each... 1 grasshopper, 1 cricket and 1 grub. I don't think he understood and gave us a little baggy full with more than enough! They were seasoned and appeared to be fried. It actually didn't smell too bad until I had to walk around the market with them. Then my tummy started to churn a bit. When we got in the car, we tossed his appetizer up to him, pleased with our little dare. :D

We aren't completely bad parents. The kids (3 of whom are complete vegetarians) were happily distracted at a separate table and completely unaware of what was going on at ours. Although they appear to be bored, I think they are just exhausted. They were watching Arthur on tv (in Thai, of course!) They didn't seem to notice that they didn't understand what was being said.

This poor little cricket lost his leg on Jeremy's plate. Ick!

You think I won't eat this?

I will and with a smile on my face.

Grasshopper. Check.

Grub. Check.

Cricket. Check.

(Though he looks like he's starting to feel a bit queasy, doesn't he? I'm sure he'd say he was just tired of us taking his picture, wink, wink!)

Payback to my wife for calling my bluff. Check.

(If that grin on his face isn't evil, then I don't know what is!)

I would feel remiss if I didn't mention that if any of you get the chance, he recommends the crickets. He said that they were "actually not bad". His review of the grubs and grasshoppers was not as favorable. One he had a hard time swallowing the legs (they stuck in his throat) and the other was a gross texture. I'm sure you can figure out which one was which.