The ABC's of Trip Reporting- PLEASE JOIN US ON THE NEW THREAD!

[All7OfUs]

It's the German version of mulled wine. It actually means „glowing wine“. And in Nuremberg it is traditionally made with blueberry wine.

Mmmm!! That sounds fabulous!! Blueberry wine, huh? I will have to look for that!

Ok, I never thought about that, it is indeed common here. Friends of mine who have a dog, very often take him with them, but they generally call ahead when they go to a new place and ask.

I am seeing more and more dogs go into shops and even the grocery store, but most places are still marked with "no animals, except service dogs".

You were lucky that you did come in August 2010 after the new smoking law came into effect. It is still a very new developement that smoking isn't allowed in restaurants – and only Bavaria has a total ban on smoking, other areas of Germany have certain exceptions.

That is something I just really have a hard time with. The smoke really interferes with my enjoyment (and taste) of my meal!!

And I missed you!

Hate when that happens!

I am looking forward to you and Liesa coming to Europe!!

It may be a while!

I think one reason for Europeans travelling more is that it is so much easier to get used to crossing borders if they are so close. Just think of it, France is about the size of Texas, Germany the size of Montana, the UK the size of Michigan, Austria the size of South Carolina and Italy the size of Arizona. The whole of the European Union, which comprises most of the European states is less than half the size of the USA. If you live in the Czech Republic and want to see the sea, you must travel to a different country, if you live in the Netherlands and want to see a mountain, you must travel to a different country as well. So people are used to travelling. And within the European Union travelling has become much easier with open borders and the common currency, the Euro. And once you have realized that stepping out of your boundaries isn't so difficult, you start exploring new destinations: Egypt, Thailand, Chile or the US!

That totally makes sense! And I think once you've traveled some, it gets easier!

Also, I think, don't forget that we have so much more time off from work. At least 4 weeks of paid vacation time is the standard all over Europe and here in Germany many people get six weeks. So it just seems much more justifiable to travel a long distance if you then can stay there for three weeks.

I love the idea of that!! Time off, makes happier, more productive workers!

Wow, how interesting! So these dances are closer to your FIL's house than where you live at the moment?

Yes, they will be much closer- like only 20 minutes away as opposed to an hour and 15 minutes away.

What is TLC? When I read your post yesterday I was thinking exactly that this might be hardest for her due to her age. On the other hand I am sure that she can gain the most out of it. I think this ability of adapting to a new culture knowingly as a means to an end and not just because it is what you do as a kid, is something she will be able to draw upon all her life. It is one of the things we try to teach our exchange students. I know it isn't any comfort for her now...

ANd that's where we need to guide her.. instead of letting her build up resentment or excess grief, we really need to help her see all the great things that she can make out of her experience so far. I also think getting a new dog for her will help her healing process- she really feels that loss especially.

Yes, it is my favourite place for sausages!

But I"m sure there are many other places like that. Does the fact that tourists go there detract from it some for you??

Oh, please tell!!!

Ok, but first I want to catch up on others' threads. I'm so far behind on just about everyones!! I even see you got an update up that I"m dying to read!!

Thread hijack!!

Camille, bless your heart, you've just found yourself a travel buddy! I LOVE to travel and have been to Europe several times: Belgium, Italy, Portugal, UK ( 2 trips to each country - I am forgetting somewhere...) and on my list is Germany and Austria and maybe even DLPR .....but DD can no longer travel now that she has a little one and my usual travel buddy has 2 college students, so no money.

My dad was Naval Air and with each transfer we drove across country stopping in almost every state along the way - by the time I was 11 I'd seen Niagara Falls, the Painted desert, the Petrified Forest, the Grand Canyon, even Disneyland. Both coasts, nearly everything in between. Absolutely wonderful!
Be brave - your only regret will be not going sooner. (and now you've a travel buddy!)

Liesa, now I get to catch up!

YOu know you can hijack (or interject) anytime you want, Christine!!! I do love to travel, and really want to see Southern France and Italy! (thanks to the Impressions de France at WDW!) But the top of my list is West Africa. I totally want to groove to the music there!!!

Great update! That food looked soooo good. If I wasn't already eating lunch while reading this it would have made my mouth water! I know restaurants in the states say they have "open kitchens" but that was a REAL open kitchen!!
Also your daughter Anara's name is so beautiful I love it!

THanks!! I wish we could buy authentic German sausages here!

Anar (without the A at the end) means "pomegranate" in Kazakh- and most other Central Asian Turkik languges. If you (like we did) put the A at the end it Russifies it, and we really liked the sound of it. Anyway, it's a fun name for her, and she loves to tell people what it means.

 

[lovealldisney]

ANd that's where we need to guide her.. instead of letting her build up resentment or excess grief, we really need to help her see all the great things that she can make out of her experience so far. I also think getting a new dog for her will help her healing process- she really feels that loss especially.

My heart really goes out to her. I have a daughter that's 14 they are so emotional at this age! It has to be especially hard for her. I think getting a dog is a great idea. Any kind you are thinking of? puppy or older dog? I'll say an extra prayer for her.

 

[englishrose47]

All caught up Liesa !!! I hope that TLC is workinh for you DD!!!I just heard my pix are up soooooo I have to get to photobucket and check it out !!!

 

[marvali]

Oh, I'd be happy to FB Friend anyone!! Did I miss your asking?? If so, please forgive me!!

Just PM'd you....

No, you didn't miss it. I have seen you mention FB at other times, and I just stood in the background and felt left out!!!

Marvin, I just remembered that I heard in the past that the German pavillion in Epcot has a stand that sells Glühwein during Christmas! So you even get a chance to try it soon!!

Not a big wine person, but might try it and see if the blueberry helps the taste. DW will probably be all over it though!

That is something I just really have a hard time with. The smoke really interferes with my enjoyment (and taste) of my meal!!

DW is that way too. When we went for Matt's Ring Ceremony, the room we got was supposed to be non-smoking, but someone had smoked in it anyway and she almost got sick. Definitely have to avoid smoking areas when it is mealtime!

 

[Millie12591]

I'm really hoping life settles down again for a little while, and I can devote a bit more time to this and my blog- which I've neglected terribly the last several months.

You will, all in good time my friend, all in good time.

Actually there are balls every 2 months with this group. Each one has a different theme, but it is always English Country dancing. The next ball is titled "The 12 Days of Christmas". Andrew will be home for that one, and he wants to go as one of the 12 Lords a' Leaping, and wants me to make him a cape for it. Anyway, it was started by a family who just had an interest in it, and started it as a way for people to get together and have a good time around a common interest. Every Thursday they also get together for lessons, so you can come to the balls knowing a bit more. After we move, we may start going to those.

OMGosh this sounds like so much fun!! Can I assume it was started by a homeschool family? How do they know the dances from the different era's? It's not like we have video of dances from back then.
I wonder if the people of a certain era wrote the sequence of the dances at some point to be taught and this is how we know them today?



We had a great time!! I may have even talked Mike into going next time. As for losing my dress- ummm.... that wouldn't have been the first time. In public. At a dance. I'm dead serious.

That's great! I'm glad he will join in on the fun next time. I would love to see him dressed like one of the Lords a leaping along with Adrew!
Oh my, for losing the dress in public! You will have to tell us all about that at some point!

It's much darker. And redder. I like it; but it's so different.

I love it on you! Red was certainly the way to go, I can't believe I ever said for you not to.

SURE!!! Liesa and I will travel!!!

No, I think you're right, it's kind of American to not travel a lot. We meet very few who have made it a priority to spend their extra money on traveling.

Now I just need God to show me the right job, a job where they won't mind when I travel, and the job won't get in the way of needing to be available to the family. And pays well.
See, this is why I need God in on it, it sounds impossible, but with Him it's not.

I was just saying that to my daughter the other day! I would totally be in there once or twice a week with my Peeps drinking coffee and getting loaded up.

Yes, yes we would.

It needs to be one of the places we visit when we go to see Magdalene and Katharina. Oh, and Germany! Or at least one like it, I'm thinking and hoping there lots of places like that all over Germany.
Since I've now bought a exercise bike (recumbent style) and plan on shedding this weight, I can then travel the world having fun possibly gaining it back! When you see places like Liesa's showing on here how can you not?!? Maybe all the walking will help burn it off.

Same thing when we first got to Kaz. and everyone smoking in there.

You were lucky that you did come in August 2010 after the new smoking law came into effect. It is still a very new developement that smoking isn't allowed in restaurants – and only Bavaria has a total ban on smoking, other areas of Germany have certain exceptions.

I remember when they started putting laws into effect here to ban smoking in public places and me thinking what's the big deal, of course this is because I've grown up all my life with places being like this, parents smoked, etc.
Now! I avoid any place that allows smoking, if I can! I've even convinced both my parents and brother to quit smoking in their homes! They all can't believe they ever smoked in their homes now that they've quit. My brother went to get some things out of his storage and was almost knocked over by the smell that came out of his storage bin, he couldn't believe he ever smoked in his home and vowed never to again after that experience. Times are a changin. Thank goodness! The smoking was truly one of the big reasons I thought against traveling abroad, now hearing this has changed and hearing from my friend moving to France it's changing there too makes it that much more appealing.

Hey All, I just posted a 4 minute video of the Ball on my FB page. Enjoy!!

Woo Hoo!!

I am looking forward to you and Liesa coming to Europe!!
I think one reason for Europeans travelling more is that it is so much easier to get used to crossing borders if they are so close. Just think of it, France is about the size of Texas, Germany the size of Montana, the UK the size of Michigan, Austria the size of South Carolina and Italy the size of Arizona. The whole of the European Union, which comprises most of the European states is less than half the size of the USA. If you live in the Czech Republic and want to see the sea, you must travel to a different country, if you live in the Netherlands and want to see a mountain, you must travel to a different country as well. So people are used to travelling. And within the European Union travelling has become much easier with open borders and the common currency, the Euro. And once you have realized that stepping out of your boundaries isn't so difficult, you start exploring new destinations: Egypt, Thailand, Chile or the US!

Also, I think, don't forget that we have so much more time off from work. At least 4 weeks of paid vacation time is the standard all over Europe and here in Germany many people get six weeks. So it just seems much more justifiable to travel a long distance if you then can stay there for three weeks.

I'm looking forward to it too!!! I'm not sure which I'm looking forward to the most....meeting you and your sister, traveling with Liesa or coming to Europe! Okay, all of it!
I just knew you would have an amazing explanation!! This makes great sense! I started not feeling so bad about it there for a minute.....but then realized I don't even take advantage of traveling here in the states!!
This beautiful country God so wonderfully placed me in and I don't even take advantage of it. Well, that will change for certain!
I now have beautiful friends who live in OR, and I have a friend who is moving to N.Y. city soon. I'll be able to explore coast to coast! Not to mention a few meets!!! Rosie, and Tracy will be on the top of my list for N.Y.!!!

Thread hijack!!

Camille, bless your heart, you've just found yourself a travel buddy! I LOVE to travel and have been to Europe several times: Belgium, Italy, Portugal, UK ( 2 trips to each country - I am forgetting somewhere...) and on my list is Germany and Austria and maybe even DLPR .....but DD can no longer travel now that she has a little one and my usual travel buddy has 2 college students, so no money.

My dad was Naval Air and with each transfer we drove across country stopping in almost every state along the way - by the time I was 11 I'd seen Niagara Falls, the Painted desert, the Petrified Forest, the Grand Canyon, even Disneyland. Both coasts, nearly everything in between. Absolutely wonderful!
Be brave - your only regret will be not going sooner. (and now you've a travel buddy!)

Christine!! I've been thinking a lot about you and wondering if I'd see you on here soon. How are you feeling? I bet your close to being back to normal by now.
I'm so happy I have a travel buddy! It sounds like we need you to come along!! Your quite the well traveled woman! I know your going to be traveling at some point soon, maybe we'll have to come and visit you.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Christine!! I've been thinking a lot about you and wondering if I'd see you on here soon. How are you feeling? I bet your close to being back to normal by now.
I'm so happy I have a travel buddy! It sounds like we need you to come along!! Your quite the well traveled woman! I know your going to be traveling at some point soon, maybe we'll have to come and visit you.

Feeling much better this week! Thank you! At week 4 of the 6-8 week initial recovery - will see the radiologist oncologist November 17th for his recommendations...expecting 3 to 5 radiation treatments and then we continue prayer of gratitude as God continues to shower me with so many incredible blessings! Check ups every three mos - God does have a sense of humor...this for someone who avoids Drs like the plague!

Camille, I would join you and Liesa in a heartbeat! Just say the word. Of course, would not want to be a 3rd wheel though.... did not mean to invite myself along.

Liesa, the costumes are amazing! You have a real gift for creativity...in more ways than creating munchkins. I love how caring you are for your daughter as she goes through this difficult time.

 

[englishrose47]

So glad to hear you are doing well Christine !!!

 

[Pollito916]

The ball looks like fun - and I'm very impressed with your dress making skills, especially since you said you don't sew much! I am having trouble picturing teenage boys acting "proper" without giggling too much

Sorry about your daughter having trouble adjusting, I can't even imagine what she (and all of you!) are going through.

That German food looks amazing! The melon I'm eating now is good, but doesn't begin to hold a candle to those pics! And for anyone interested, I think I saw a Glühwein at Trader Joe's when I was there last week, or maybe it was World Market? Either way, both of those places import their stuff so it may be fairly authentic, I'll have to go back and look for a bottle!

 

[addictedtothemouse]

I love the pictures of all the dresses at the literary ball.
I must say that I knew who Bobba Fett and Mr. Collins were.
The food in Germany ...... yummmmm! I love sausages and saurkraut. And who doesn't like pastries?

 

[MaryAz]

Looks like some yummy food! Glad the presentation went well. SOrry you daughter is feeling sad. to her

 

[All7OfUs]

My heart really goes out to her. I have a daughter that's 14 they are so emotional at this age! It has to be especially hard for her. I think getting a dog is a great idea. Any kind you are thinking of? puppy or older dog? I'll say an extra prayer for her.

She has been spending HOURS researching on the net about different breeds, and really wants an Australian Shepherd. However, that being said, we will most likely end up with a mutt-ish dog that comes from the Rescue. Full bred dogs are just too expensive for our budget. I think she really would like a puppy, but we'll just have to see- first we need to get moved to a more permanant situation.

THanks!! I know prayer works, and we really appreciate each one!

All caught up Liesa !!! I hope that TLC is workinh for you DD!!!I just heard my pix are up soooooo I have to get to photobucket and check it out !!!

Tonight may bring on more tears as we have dinner with these family friends of ours who know what coming back means. They lived in Nigeria for a long time, and brought their family back with teens about 4 years ago.

No, you didn't miss it. I have seen you mention FB at other times, and I just stood in the background and felt left out!!!
Not a big wine person, but might try it and see if the blueberry helps the taste. DW will probably be all over it though!
DW is that way too. When we went for Matt's Ring Ceremony, the room we got was supposed to be non-smoking, but someone had smoked in it anyway and she almost got sick. Definitely have to avoid smoking areas when it is mealtime!

Well, glad we took care of that FB request!

What is a Ring Ceremony?? Boy Scout thing??

Smoking is just really hard to deal with during a meal. I don't loathe it if I"m outside, but NOT while I'm eating!

 

[All7OfUs]

I remember when they started putting laws into effect here to ban smoking in public places and me thinking what's the big deal, of course this is because I've grown up all my life with places being like this, parents smoked, etc.

Me too; it all started even before we left 10 years ago.

My brother went to get some things out of his storage and was almost knocked over by the smell that came out of his storage bin, he couldn't believe he ever smoked in his home and vowed never to again after that experience. Times are a changin. Thank goodness! The smoking was truly one of the big reasons I thought against traveling abroad, now hearing this has changed and hearing from my friend moving to France it's changing there too makes it that much more appealing.

Our previous owners smoked in the house, and we cleaned brown stuff off the walls for years after we moved in. Every time the bathroom got steamy it'd drip down and I'd have to wipe them all over again. Truly, nicotine does leave its mark on a home!

I'm looking forward to it too!!! I'm not sure which I'm looking forward to the most....meeting you and your sister, traveling with Liesa or coming to Europe! Okay, all of it!

Now, I just need to find a good job, and make some travelling dough!!

I now have beautiful friends who live in OR, and I have a friend who is moving to N.Y. city soon. I'll be able to explore coast to coast! Not to mention a few meets!!! Rosie, and Tracy will be on the top of my list for N.Y.!!!

I do hope that ORegon is at the top of your list!!

Feeling much better this week!

Camille, I would join you and Liesa in a heartbeat! Just say the word. Of course, would not want to be a 3rd wheel though.... did not mean to invite myself along.

Liesa, the costumes are amazing! You have a real gift for creativity...in more ways than creating munchkins. I love how caring you are for your daughter as she goes through this difficult time.

This is such GREAT news, Christine!! I"m so glad you are feeling pretty well, given the circimstances!! Let's all pray each week gets better and better!!!

You can certainly join us!! OF COURSE you would be VERY, VERY welcome!!

HA!! Yes, we certainly got our "creative" on a few times! But don't get to overly wowed by sewing from a pattern. I had some help, and they were fairly easy patterns.

Mikki will get better in time. I"m just glad she will still let us snuggle her and comfort her, that she will talk to us, and is not too bottled up to cry and let it out!!

 

[All7OfUs]

The ball looks like fun - and I'm very impressed with your dress making skills, especially since you said you don't sew much! I am having trouble picturing teenage boys acting "proper" without giggling too much

Sorry about your daughter having trouble adjusting, I can't even imagine what she (and all of you!) are going through.

That German food looks amazing! The melon I'm eating now is good, but doesn't begin to hold a candle to those pics! And for anyone interested, I think I saw a Glühwein at Trader Joe's when I was there last week, or maybe it was World Market? Either way, both of those places import their stuff so it may be fairly authentic, I'll have to go back and look for a bottle!

There was ZERO giggling or teasing or bad behavior! I was truly amazed that young men CAN still be gentlemen! I have absolutely NO problem with my girls going to this kind of event and knowing they will be in good hands!

Thanks for your good thoughts about Mikki! I know it will just take a lot of extra time for her in particular.

Hmmm... I will have to go to my local TJs and see what I can find there! I like to try out new stuff like that. Otherwise, I'll have to brew up some homemade spiced wine and pretend really hard.

I love the pictures of all the dresses at the literary ball.
I must say that I knew who Bobba Fett and Mr. Collins were.
The food in Germany ...... yummmmm! I love sausages and saurkraut. And who doesn't like pastries?

There were some really, SUPER fancy duds there!! I'm already thinking about what to do for the Christmas Ball in January!

Looks like some yummy food! Glad the presentation went well. SOrry you daughter is feeling sad. to her

MMMMMMMMm, Hmmmm!! Let's get that sausage thing a'going!!

 

[that's nice]

Just cruising through to comment on your updates... I've read them but apparently I saved my comments till now...

I'm glad the kids were passed out when you stopped back at the moose.

Your dinner looks scrumptious! I wish I was there eating that!

Those ladybug desserts weren't made of actual bugs were they?

 

[All7OfUs]

Just cruising through to comment on your updates... I've read them but apparently I saved my comments till now...

I'm glad the kids were passed out when you stopped back at the moose.

Your dinner looks scrumptious! I wish I was there eating that!

Those ladybug desserts weren't made of actual bugs were they?

No, those would be in Thailand, not Germany.

 

[marvali]

Feeling much better this week! Thank you! At week 4 of the 6-8 week initial recovery - will see the radiologist oncologist November 17th for his recommendations...expecting 3 to 5 radiation treatments and then we continue prayer of gratitude as God continues to shower me with so many incredible blessings! Check ups every three mos - God does have a sense of humor...this for someone who avoids Drs like the plague!

Great News Christine! So glad you are getting better and well on the road to recovery!

Camille, I would join you and Liesa in a heartbeat! Just say the word. Of course, would not want to be a 3rd wheel though.... did not mean to invite myself along.

Oh yeah you did! Who you think you're kidding???

Tonight may bring on more tears as we have dinner with these family friends of ours who know what coming back means. They lived in Nigeria for a long time, and brought their family back with teens about 4 years ago.

Hope your dinner went well!

What is a Ring Ceremony?? Boy Scout thing??

No, it was part of the reason I was out of the loop a few weekends ago. Being a senior at a military college, it is the big ceremony when they get their rings. Part of Parent's weekend, with lots of pomp and flair and celebration! I finally got some of the pictures uploaded to PB, so I will try to get an update about it in my PTR soon!

I'm guessing you will have to go through the same type thing one day......sooner than you think!

Smoking is just really hard to deal with during a meal. I don't loathe it if I"m outside, but NOT while I'm eating!

I can deal with it, at least better than DW, but definitely prefer not to. Agree it is much easier to deal with outside!

 

[carissanboys]

I saw all of your pictures from the literary ball on FB and you all looked fabulous!

Those ladybugs are awesome.

 

[that's nice]

No, you didn't miss it. I have seen you mention FB at other times, and I just stood in the background and felt left out!!!

AWWWWWW Marv..... it's OK...

When we went for Matt's Ring Ceremony, the room we got was supposed to be non-smoking, but someone had smoked in it anyway and she almost got sick. Definitely have to avoid smoking areas when it is mealtime!

Smoking is just really hard to deal with during a meal. I don't loathe it if I"m outside, but NOT while I'm eating!

I cannot be anywhere near someone smoking while I am eating. (no offense to any smokers out there) I feel like I'm going to vomit. At work 2 weekends ago, I was stuck at a table with 2 babysitters for the bride & grooms sisters kids. They were outside smoking throughout the cocktail hour and got up a few times to smoke during dinner. I kept sliding my chair backwards to get away from the smell. Then I couldn't take it any longer.... I grabbed my plate and just ate behind my system. It was disgusting.

Sorry for the RANT.

Feeling much better this week! Thank you! At week 4 of the 6-8 week initial recovery - will see the radiologist oncologist November 17th for his recommendations...expecting 3 to 5 radiation treatments and then we continue prayer of gratitude as God continues to shower me with so many incredible blessings! Check ups every three mos - God does have a sense of humor...this for someone who avoids Drs like the plague! :

Glad you are feeling better!

I see you here and on Kathy's thread too. Keep us updated

No, those would be in Thailand, not Germany.

I think the problem was I responded after I watched Bizarre Foods on the travel channel. it was the Halloween episode and this is what is was all about:

This special discussed unfamiliar foods that are considered scary and what made Westerners uneasy about them. Andrew then hosted a Halloween party with Bizarre Foods fans where he served his favorite fares. He discussed drinking blood with food historian and author Linda Civitello, which is based on culture and status. Anthropology director at the University of Minnesota William Beeman explained about fear of bugs and organ meat, saying that people are more likely to eat insects with a side. Chef Patrick Lue Chai, whose restaurant Andrew ate at in LA, cooked fried crickets with potato strings as well as other insects for the party. Appetizers at Andrew's feast were tarantula, waterbugs, grasshoppers, hissing cockroaches, and Thai stir-fried ants and crickts. The entrees were fresh cow's blood, raw goat kidney, chicken feet, and guinea pig.


I guess I just had bugs on the brain!

 

[All7OfUs]

Hope your dinner went well!

It was a great time. We discussed all the typical topics that missionaries do like: what kind of accidents we've survived, what color our poop was after we had this or that infection (ie. giardia), and how we weaseled out ways out of eating the local delicacies. Only other "M Workers" would even get that.

No, it was part of the reason I was out of the loop a few weekends ago. Being a senior at a military college, it is the big ceremony when they get their rings. Part of Parent's weekend, with lots of pomp and flair and celebration! I finally got some of the pictures uploaded to PB, so I will try to get an update about it in my PTR soon!

Andrew told me yesterday that his "bars" are in a glass cabinet at the ROTC office, and that they are presented at his commissioning. Guess that's the same idea.... and yes! I cant' wait to get to go as a parent myself.

Hurry and get that update up!

I'm guessing you will have to go through the same type thing one day......sooner than you think!

YEs, things like this always happen faster that you think they will.

I can deal with it, at least better than DW, but definitely prefer not to. Agree it is much easier to deal with outside!

Maybe it depends on what you've grown up with, or how sensitive your noses/allergies are?? (I mean "your" collectively- as in all of us)

I saw all of your pictures from the literary ball on FB and you all looked fabulous!

Those ladybugs are awesome.

THanks!! We had such a great time!! WEren't they cute?? I have no idea what they were- perhaps they were cake with fondant??

I cannot be anywhere near someone smoking while I am eating. (no offense to any smokers out there) I feel like I'm going to vomit. At work 2 weekends ago, I was stuck at a table with 2 babysitters for the bride & grooms sisters kids. They were outside smoking throughout the cocktail hour and got up a few times to smoke during dinner. I kept sliding my chair backwards to get away from the smell. Then I couldn't take it any longer.... I grabbed my plate and just ate behind my system. It was disgusting.

Sorry for the RANT.

EWWWW!!! That stinks! (literally)

I think the problem was I responded after I watched Bizarre Foods on the travel channel. it was the Halloween episode and this is what is was all about:

This special discussed unfamiliar foods that are considered scary and what made Westerners uneasy about them. Andrew then hosted a Halloween party with Bizarre Foods fans where he served his favorite fares. He discussed drinking blood with food historian and author Linda Civitello, which is based on culture and status. Anthropology director at the University of Minnesota William Beeman explained about fear of bugs and organ meat, saying that people are more likely to eat insects with a side. Chef Patrick Lue Chai, whose restaurant Andrew ate at in LA, cooked fried crickets with potato strings as well as other insects for the party. Appetizers at Andrew's feast were tarantula, waterbugs, grasshoppers, hissing cockroaches, and Thai stir-fried ants and crickts. The entrees were fresh cow's blood, raw goat kidney, chicken feet, and guinea pig.


I guess I just had bugs on the brain!

Shockinly, there is NOTHING on that list that I could even remotely come close to eating. Nothing! Blech!!

 

[marvali]

Hurry and get that update up!

Got it mostly written, but was hoping to find some more pictures when I got home to go with the story, but no luck. DW was in charge of the camera, as I was running the camcorder to get a lot of the action for DS to have in the future. There were a lot of badly focused pictures as the camera tended to focus on people close to DW instead of what she was trying to get. I will have to find the time to record the tape to DVD so I can pull some "pictures" from the DVD. I will just have to go with what I've got for now, but I knew you would appreciate a little taste of what your future probably holds!

Maybe it depends on what you've grown up with, or how sensitive your noses/allergies are?? (I mean "your" collectively- as in all of us)

You might be on to something! Growing up, two of my Uncle's smoked, so it wasn't unusual to be around. They were usually pretty good about where they did it though. When we would be at my Grandparent's at Christmas, tradition was for all of us to be outside between dinner and opening presents while the women folk cleaned up from the meal, and it was time for all the fireworks. One of my Uncle's would light a cigarette and hand it to us boys to use to light our firecrackers. Good Times and memories there!

The funny thing is, my Granddad grew tobacco on his farm when I was young, and I loved going in the tobacco barn to smell the tobacco curing! It is a wonderful smell......until someone lights a fire to it!!!