A Culinary Confession
Written by Kyle on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 in Korea, Republic of
Feelin' normal
She looked at me straight in the eyes and said, "You know you want me. Just look how sumptuous and enticing I am. You can't resist me." Feelin' normal
I tried to look away. I tried to think of something else, but she just wouldn't go away. I know that if I indulged now, I would feel it later.
"Hey, it's OK.", she reassured me. "Let's do it, just like old times."
And so I did. I sunk my fork into her and scooped her into my mouth. Who was she? She was the exquisite combination of cheese, chicken, sour cream, and tortilla that the cuisine experts at On the Border call an "enchilada". And I don't regret eating it a bit.
I used to complain when I would see other travelers going into a McDonald's or a Burger King. I couldn't understand why someone would go so far from home only to taste the same things that are accross the street from where they live. But I can now safely say that I am a hypocrite and I do it myself.
Don't get me wrong, I love Korean food. I don't think I've had better dinners than the nights where I've stuffed myself full of pork galbi and spicy kimchi soup. As good as it is, however, there's only so much fermeted cabbage that I can eat. After a while, my the solar plexus needs a reminder of home. Even if its a shitty one.
This isn't the first time that I've done this, either. I've dined in Burger King more outside the US than I ever did while I was back home. In fact, when I'm in familiar territory, I wouldn't dare to step in most fast food joints; it's just not my style of eating.
Away from home, it's different, though. I start to miss the things that I never liked in the first place, like a whopper meal. I even go so far as to King Size it, fearing that if I don't completely placate the urge, I might return the next day. When I see the golden arches, I start to remember the taste of the french fries in my mouth. I imagine making a complete meal that consists of 5 orders of fries and 10 packets of ketchup. And when I heard there was an On the Border in Korea's largest mall, well, I had to go. The fact that they had guacamole was enough incentive.
And you know what? It tasted damn good. I might even have to go back. Just don't tell anyone, or it might ruin my reputation as a hardened traveler.
Comments on "A Culinary Confession"
I'm glad that you like the blog! Thank you for sharing!
Hmmm....that looks good! I just started a personal challenge to eat more raw foods, and you've really messed with my head with this. :->
Anyway...glad I bumped into your blog! I'm trying to figure out a way to earn a living(teaching or something similar) while traveling(preferably to Spanish speaking country, but my research is showing Asia pays more)...I'll be following your blog! All the best to you on your journey!
Well, I think the tomatoes on the taco are raw...so you could always go for those. Asia does pay a good chunk of money (especially Korea), but it's not without its trials and tribulations. From what we know of teaching in Spanish speaking countries, you basically have to market yourself and get a lot of private students. But, still, it won't pay that much. We used Korea to save up some money and do some more traveling in the near future.
Hmmm...I appreciate your response :-> Focusing on Asia, and saving for bit, really is sounding like a more likely strategy. Thanks again!
I fully admit to the occasional visit to "Muck Dees" in the hot season in Thailand just to sit in the aircon for an hour. I plan on buying a drink to justify my sitting there, but always end up with a bag of fries as well. But, don't tell anyone!
At least you can justify it for the aircon. I just want the fries!
We certainly aren't McDonald's fans and I can't remember when I had last eaten at one....but in Las Vegas, we succumbed to the dollar burger and three dollar chicken sandwich when the "fancy" restaurant next door was charging 5 times the price for the same "delicacy."
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by lawrence claudia at February 17, 2010 08:00 AM