My American Life

Almost two months have now passed since my arrival back to the states and back too a land that I can understand, well almost. I still find myself browsing over the pictures and memories that are still oh so fresh in my memory. I am also trying to find ways that I can make those three months a cohesive part of my life. "My American Life," to steal the title of a great public radio talk show. The one greatest thought that remains with me is how lucky we are as Americans to have such safety, such an easy life. I see now that all of us, as Americans, are the spoiled brats of the world.

In India and most other Asian countries the competition for schools and more so precious money making jobs is considerably more fierce. When you have one billion other people to compete with, you better have the best education and an incredible drive to be the best if you wish to make any money at all. As is well documented, families tend to live together in larger numbers to help ensure survival. When dad cannot find work its up to his son to go out onto the street and find whatever possible to make a few cents to pay for that days rice.

I intended this trip to be a culinary journey, to explore the broad and diverse cuisines of these storied cultures. I ran into much more than I bargained for and found out that I was highly unprepared to fully dive into the local cuisine of most places.

I was most interested in the street food of these places since it is the one type of food that is severely lacking here in Minneapolis and in the US in general (damn health and safety codes.) I quickly learned that most of the street food vendors spoke little or no English and that the food was often like playing Russian Roulette (Especially in India,) but it was damn tasty going down. Traveling much of the trip alone or with new friends (read: complete strangers) it was always cheapest and easiest to make a stop at a food cart and gobble down some food; a plate of rice with curry in India or some noodle soup in S.E. Asia for no more than a dollar a plate. The restaurants that catered to tourists were more often than not (but not always) cleaner and more expensive than the local joints. What they were missing (besides the grease and grime) was true flavor. The dishes served in these places were always a disappointment.

One of my most memorable and delicious meals was actually prepared by me (and some other companions) in the small, beautiful but touristy fishing village of Hoi An, Vietnam. The meal included fried vegetarian spring rolls, a steamed fish stuffed with ginger and garlic, squid with chili sauce, sauted greens and come cold local brew.


The second best meal was had two nights in a row at a small food cart in the extremely touristy town of Khao Lak, the gateway to the Similan Islands; known for some of the best reef diving in the world. The food preparation was simple yet flavorful. It seemed as though as diners we had only two choices: the soup or the pork. Pork for me please!!