Travel Tuesdays With KM

You Ate WHAT?!?


When you travel to different countries or even different areas in the US, it's important to take in the culture and try food done their way.  You may surprise yourself and actually enjoy the food you're eating.  I consider myself a pretty adventurous eater, and let me tell you I do enjoy eating, but even I have my limits.  It's funny when I look back now on what I ate when I was in Europe because I wasn't as adventurous as I would have liked (there were many trips to Pizza Hut).

When I was in Scotland I was determined to try haggis but when it came down to it I just couldn't bring myself to.  The idea of what it actually is just ended up freaking me out.  Instead I indulged in my love for potatoes and found a vegan restaurant called the Baked Potato.  We were most intrigued by the sign pictured above.  How could I pass up the Hottest Tattie in Town???  As you can see in the picture below, the potato was covered in cheese and was absolutely delicious!  Very good choice if you're ever in Edinburgh, Scotland.

While in Egypt I was much more careful about what I ate and drank.  In certain parts of the world the water isn't necessarily safe for us to drink because our water is filtered a certain way that our bodies have become accustom to.  If anyone's ever seen seen the Sex and the City movie, then you know what happens when Charlotte accidentally opens her mouth while taking a shower...not pretty.  Unfortunately for me I had a similar, however not quite so mortifying experience as Charlotte, while I was in Egypt.  I didn't pour my soda into a glass, I drank it right out of the can...big mistake.  This led to something similar to Montezuma's revenge...disgusting I know.  Anything could have come in contact with the can before I drank out of it.  Learned my lesson there.  One of the other girls on the trip had the same thing happen to her after eating some fruit.  When the fruit you're eating is something that can be peeled, such as a banana, then it's usually safe to eat but when it's one that needs to be washed, such as an apple, be sure to stay clear and the same rule applies to vegetables!


Most people will tell you that the food in England is quite bland and not very good at all.  I have a different opinion.  There is a huge variety of restaurants over there.  There's everything from Italian to Chinese to Indian and you have to think that they're more genuine then what you get in the US because of how close England is to these countries.  Depending on where you go the food can be quite tasty.  One of my favorite meals, and probably the most common meal associated with England, while over there was fish and chips from a pub.  With a pint of beer it was delicious!  Usually it's served with a side dish called mushy peas...I absolutely loathe peas and under no circumstance will I eat them.  This however fascinated me for some strange reason and I needed to try it...big mistake!  The texture is just terrible and reminded me of baby food then the taste was minty.  I learned my lesson and decided to request no peas on my plate.

Brazil is where my adventurous taste buds really bloomed.  Ever tried larva?  Well I have.  The tiny, worm-like insect was not cooked and was definitely an interesting experience.  It was still alive when I put it in my mouth and once you bit down on it, it squirted out a milky tasting juice.  The whole experience reminded my of Gusher's fruit snacks without the satisfying fruity goodness.  To test my taste buds even more I tried eating caterpillar...now I don't mean the kind you would find here in the US that are about as long as your pinky and about as thin as a straw.  These caterpillar's were HUGE!

This poor little guy didn't know what was about to happen to him

Our jungle guide prepared them in a rather disgusting way that literally made everyone gag.  First he ripped the head off then proceeded to impale the caterpillar on a stick, making the insides squirt out.  Once the insides were out he pulled the inside-out skin off the stick and repeated this with a second caterpillar.  We would be eating the skin of the caterpillars.  He then skewered them and roasted them over a fire in the middle of the Amazon Rain Forest.  After it was cooked it had a charcoal taste and the texture reminded me of a roasted vegetable like a pepper.  To be perfectly honest, it was not the most disgusting thing I've ever eaten.  I would eat caterpillar over mushy peas any day.  


Down in Philadelphia they are known for a certain sub (or hoagie as they call it) made with a certain type of cheese.  This is of course a Philly cheese steak.  The traditional/proper way to eat a real cheese steak is with Cheese Whiz...I was beyond apprehensive about trying this because all I could picture was them taking a can of Spray Whiz and squirting it on my sub.  I was grossed out!  However, after some coercing I decided to try it the proper way.  We went to Pat's and once we got there I was told there is a certain way you need to order.  A simple "may I have a cheese steak with Cheese Whiz and onions," would not cut it.  Luckily there is a sign telling you how to order.  I'll admit the first time I went there I couldn't order on my own but the second time I did!  I said, "can I get it wit Whiz."  The "wit" means getting it with onions.  The Whiz did not come out of a spray can and I was surprised at how good it actually was.

Steak Wit Whiz...Kaley approved!

No matter where you travel be sure to expand your taste buds and try something different...it may not be as appealing as it sounds but in some cases you may never get the opportunity to try it again.  I know I slightly regret not trying haggis but I know I will be sure to try it next time I'm there.  Don't let any experience pass you by!


Are you an adventurous eater?  Let me know what you've tried!