What Time Is It?
Categories
Recent Entries

November 21, 2003

Barrie Lie-Birchall Toasts and Tells

barrie3.jpgI'm Barrie Lie-Birchall (Legend) here in the land downunder in beautiful and sunny Perth. The party sure will be a blast but unfortunately I can't be there to raise a glass with you. No doubt there, you will sink a few on my behalf!. So, to Sean and all those in Portland who will be legless by the party's end, have a bloody great time!. I will raise my Toaster to you all before I put the bread in. Good on ya BnA!

Oh yes, you want a travel story!. On my first visit to Java back in the 1980's, I went to a place called Semarang in the north. Stayed in the old part of the city (which was a buzz!). At that time, there were hardly any travellers cruising through. In fact I didn't see my first Westerner until 2 weeks after arrival!. As most people who have been to Semarang will know, it is a maze of small lanes of markets leading into other markets.

Got the munchies late one night and went for a leisurely walk. I came across this street vendor who seemed to be doing brisk trade. A small menu board leant upon the front of his cart. Steam and deliciously inviting aromas wafted around my nose and I decided 'this is the place'. I noticed in the list was Nasi Godog. This guy has to be having a lend of the people, surely. In for a penny, in for a pound I thought. After all, I had eaten a lot of weird things on my travels (Sated rat, snake, fried cat and even pan-fried various insects) and so I reckoned dog would taste just like normal meat provided I didn't see the animal beforehand. He was grinning as he prepared the night's meal. I grinned and happily walked off after paying the few Rupiah for the meal.

After devouring what I regarded as extremely tasty tucker, I told myself that I must return the following night and imbibe once more. So, the following night I returned, the vendor was there, grinning, and I commented on how tasty the dog was. His blank stare had me recollecting if I had packed the Immodium in my backpack!. The vendor's teenage son was standing nearby and overheard what I said. He interjected in the less than amicable conversation. In broken English he explained whilst his irate father (obviously pissed off with the dog situation!) glared at me.

" Oh meester, no dog. Good meat."

I pointed to the menu -board.

"Oh meester, this is mistake. This maybe should be Nasi Gudeg."

I later found out that the vendor's wife hurriedly wrote the menu-board the previous night and was unaware of the error!.

Anyway, guys have a fantastic party, think peace and happiness.and smile for the world.

Wombat Wanderer - discover, respect and learn.

Posted by Blogs.BootsnAll on November 21, 2003 07:37 AM
Category: Australia, Cheers from Abroad, Cheers from Abroad
Comments
Email this page
Email this entry to:


Your email address:


Message (optional):




Designed & Hosted by the BootsnAll Travel Network