Chiguiro

Today for lunch we had a nice big organization-wide lunch to celebrate the year and the imminent holidays. We went to another open air restaurant, which was a bit of bad luck since it was monsoon-raining out. We all ordered ahead of time. The choices were "res" or "chiguiro": beef or "the world's largest living rodent"... As I have chosen to be an adventurous eater here in Colombia, I went for the rodent. It actually was fairly tasty, but I think I have come to a point where meat is no longer required: I have been more adventurous than ever before, and I think this trip home and a break from nothing but meat & carbs can be a transition period between my carnivorous diet and a return to vegetarianism. Here are some photos of the colorless dish I was served (you can count on at least 2 forms of carbs: arepa & potato + meat)

World's Largest Charring Rodent.

"Fruit Salad"

This picture does not do the real deal justice, but use your imagination:

"Fruit Salad" in Ibagué generally comes with cream, chocolate sauce, 3 ice cream scoops, and cherries on top... So much for a healthy snack alternative.

La Mujer y La Geografia

Went to lunch with the host family today. I ate Sancocho, which is a typical soup of Tolima, and delish. Yucca, platano, potato, and avocado in side, and rice and chicken on the side, with an arepa. Tastey indeed. The menu at the restaurant had a random paragraph on the back about women and geography, that translates to:

From 13 to 18 she is like Latin America: in full development

From 19 to 25 she is like Asia: half virgin, half explored

From 26 to 35 she is like Africa: hot but a liar

From 36 to 45 she is like Europe: destroyed but interesting

From 46 to 55 she is like the US: purely technical

From 56 to 65 she is like Russia: pure tale

From 66 to 70 she is like Australia: it is known where she is, but nobody wants to go

From 71 on she is like the UN: she exists but does nothing

After lunch Amalia bought something called gelatina de pata, which I made the mistake of asking what it was: cow foot, processed. Now I know that gummy bears have the same contents, but from horses, but for some reason I couldn't help but gag when I took a bite. I didn't take a second....

Origins of the Blog: Romancing the Stone, Part II: Mom & Deb in Colombia

It was at the vegetarian-friendly restaurant that we stumbled into in Cartagena our last night on the coast that it became clear that food just can't be a part of my travel blog. It is an entire topic all on its own. And so we began brainstorming titles, and it was Mom who came up with the brilliant idea. What better name could I think of than a tribute to the great eater (and cook), my grandpa, August (Gus) Thomas Sr.?

"It was an elegant sufficiency. Any more would have been an overabundance..."

What a classic phrase, and so apropos for the way I was raised to eat: with passion and gusto, and a bit of gluttony thrown in to boot. Eating for the Thomas' (and the Gaissers for that matter) is about sensual gratification.

And so, here is a brief review of some food enjoyed on my recent journey to the Caribbean coast of Colombia with my Mom & aunt Deb:

Republik: Thai curries & Vietnamese noodles in Bogotá

Hilton restaurant: avocado & shrimp salad & seafood crepe & swordfish in passionfruit sauce with mashed potatoes, Cartagena

Pre- & Post- shot of snapper lunch, Taganga

Kitchen where they made us homemade lasagna from scratch to order & a shot of the diners, Cartagena

Cream of veggie soup (a bit late), stuffed mushrooms, and fresh veggies with chicken in a mushroom sauce @ a tourist trap in Cartagena

Killer salsas, deadly passionfruit cocktail & the place setting @ Andres D.C., Bogotá