November 11, 2007 - Tropical Fruits

One of the best things about traveling is eating different foods. We feel so blessed to live in Asia where there is such variety to be purchased so conveniently and cheaply. Street vendors are everywhere, selling ready to eat snacks for cheap prices.  Here is a fruit vendor in Bangkok, Thailand.

I often get comments to the effect of, "Do you eat from street vendors?" or "Do you eat at those restaurant stalls?"  Many of you have been warned about eating from street stalls and carts, so it's hard to understand why we eat from them.

I understand the confusion. When you travel overseas for a short term trip or for a vacation, you don't have time to adapt to the various "bugs" in the food. And you certainly don't want to spend two of your ten days in bed with a stomach virus! That makes sense.

But remember we live in China. Sure, we get stomach virus a few times a year since the sanitation standards are not as high as many other places in the world. But we also are more used to it, so we don't get sick as often or as seriously as a visitor would. When we travel to other countries in Asia, we would hate to miss out on the great local food. So we look for relatively clean places and enjoy! (I do want to say that Thailand compared to China is very clean. We've never been sick from eating street food here.) Below is a photo of my absolute favorite Thai food.

Papaya Salad

This is made serving by serving when you order it. It's an explosion of flavors -- peanut, shrimp, chilis, onion, garlic -- sweet, sour, and spicy all together -- in a crunchy texture. I love it! And I can get it from street vendors for about $.75 (for one serving). Cheap and good -- my kind of food! (Now remember what you tell your children, "You don't know you don't like it until you try it!" I promise; it's good.)

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Comments

November 11, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by drewsfamilytx

If I don't look at the name, it sounds and looks delicious! But papaya? I've tried it and it is completely and totally ewwwww to me... I'd rather eat Bondigi (dried silkworms).

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November 12, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by homeschoolingmommaof4

That does look tasty and anything with shrimp in it is a winner in my book.

Have a blessed day!
JoAnn

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November 12, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

I'm with you girl! It looks amazing. Wish I could get something like that here in the Arizona desert. (not likely...unless I make it....any recipes?)

Emily
thelearningneverstops.blogspot.com

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November 12, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by bethanyrae

Hi Jimmie,
I nominated your blog under the geographical category for the 2007 Homeschool Blog Awards.
I really enjoy what you have to share with us...
thanks,
bethanyrae

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November 12, 2007 - Ha!

Posted by Lori

I grew up in the Mid East and after we returned to the States, I took a trip to Egypt with TMI, where we renovated an orphanage. There were two really sweet Arab ladies there who used to make real tea for me, just the way I was used to it, and we would have these nice little visits if I had free time.

Our team leader got wind of it, and was FURIOUS with me for eating the local food and forbade it! GRrrrrrrr.... Tea is BOILED, for cryin' out loud, but I was taught to respect my leaders, so that was about the last good tea I've had since. Must persuade my husband to find some research to do in the mediterranean area.

Anyway, my mom's thought was that as far as food that entered our house, she would scrub and prepare as best as possible, but that God would have to protect us from food we ate elsewhere, and we did great. It wasn't until we were home on furlough that she contracted hepatitis..... (:

(:
Lori

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November 12, 2007 - We love Papaya Salad!

Posted by 10gal

Can't wait to visit Bangkok again. I tried making some... wasn't the same =(

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November 13, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by MorningLight

I lived in Bangkok two years back in the early 90's. May you are making me hungry. I just love weekend market, papaya salad, and everything there is to see. Do have a wonderful time for me. Have you had durian yet? It is my favorite now. (But it didn't start out that way.)

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November 13, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by jenn4him

Oh that looks too good to pass up! I wish we had such vendors here. If I lived in China, I would not cook. We'd just walk up and down the streets every meal. OK, not really, but I'd be wishing I could.
Jenn

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