As you can see from the photos above, we’ve ridden our camels all morning and now it’s time for a lunch stop. It’s a chance to sit out the worst of the day’s heat and relax. I’m sure our heroine, Lady Charlotte will get out her sketchpad and sketch some of the sights. Her stepbrother William and his friend Justin are probably whispering together in a shady corner and checking their maps.
Delicious scents are wafting through the makeshift camp. There’s flat bread and the local white cheese. Today we’re having Fuul, which is mashed fava beans and another dish with eggplant, tomato, garlic, oil and spices. There’s some sort of meat—it looks like strips of lamb. Oh, and there’s fresh oranges and juice along with bottled water and the usual hot tea served with mint.
I tend to have a cast-iron stomach and have only had a stomach bug once during our travels. I was very sick in Turkey and spent an entire night running to the loo. I struck up a friendship with the night guard, and he had the cheek to tell me the next morning that I looked much older than he thought. I ask you – who looks great after running to the loo all night and getting no sleep?
I eat the local food, as long as it’s vegetarian. I’ve eaten some delicious food from little roadside stalls in India, Pakistan, Turkey and of course, Egypt. The trick is to pay careful attention to their cooking and get freshly cooked food. Watch your food being cooked and make sure it isn’t reheated. A good hint is to buy from stalls that the locals frequent.
Do you like to try the local food when you’re visiting an unfamiliar place? Do you prefer to eat food you’re familiar with? Do you travel armed with anti-diarrhea pills? (Don’t forget – every comment on an Egypt post puts you in the draw to win an ARC of Lynx to the Pharaoh.)
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It has been several years since I had the opportunity to try another cultures/countries food. I remember it being wonderful. All the new flavors and scents. My hubby wouldn’t do so good with the scent part, he has a very weak stomach. Have a great day.
by Roberta Harwell June 26th, 2009 at 7:02 amHi Shelley,hope your feeling better I’d be dieing out there I’m not a rough it person like you. it’s pretty neat that your in another country and tasting their foods and learning about their ways. be safe and don’t step in any camel doo doo’s
by Connie B June 26th, 2009 at 8:10 amI have to watch what I eat when I travel but I love to try new things. It is always so nice to try dishes you have not tried.
by Savannah Chase June 26th, 2009 at 11:30 amRoberta – my hubby doesn’t seem to do as well as me either. He eats meat, and that’s often a problem factor.
Connie – I’m not actually in Egypt at the moment, although I have visited. This is a virtual tour.
Savannah – I like to try some new things too, although there are some that I draw the line at. Even if I ate meat there is no way you’d get me to try a guinea pig!! Yuck. Nope, just couldn’t do it.
by Shelley Munro June 26th, 2009 at 3:08 pmEnjoyed the photos and the comments.
by JOYE June 26th, 2009 at 3:50 pmIn a foreign country, I eat food that I can recognize what it is. And I take the tums and other stomach soothing goodies
I always try and have local food everywhere that we travel, I have been lucky till date, touchwood.
Pl. take a moment to vote for us at “The Great Driving Challenge”. Appreciate your support…Thomas
by Thomas June 26th, 2009 at 10:07 pmVery cool! I do like to try local food, and yes, do travel with anti-diarrhea pills. We’ve been fortunate so far :) The food is usually such a vital part of the culture that I don’t want to miss it!
by Fedora June 27th, 2009 at 9:49 amOh,Ok! Dummy me must be the hot weather getting to me.my lights are on upstairs there just dim.Thank god your home and SAFE!!
by Connie B June 27th, 2009 at 10:29 amI like to try the local food, but one time I wasn’t so lucky and now I’m a little bit more careful! But I love visiting the market places…
by Eva S June 28th, 2009 at 1:03 amI love local food and always try them wherever I visit. Luckily for me, I have a very strong stomach and can usually eat anything I want! :o) Tamsyn
by Tamsyn T. June 28th, 2009 at 2:02 amJOYE – I think it’s a wise person who goes prepared!!
Fedora – You’re right about the food being part of the culture. I think it’s a way of learning about the culture and immersing one’s self in the travel experience.
by Shelley Munro June 28th, 2009 at 2:28 amThomas – I think if you’re sensible it’s possible to bypass the upset tummy and other problems.
Connie – our visit to Egypt was awesome and we have lots of wonderful memories.
Eva – Hubby and I love exploring markets, no matter where in the world we are. It’s always fun taking market photos. They’re some of my favorites.
by Shelley Munro June 28th, 2009 at 2:30 amTamsyn – a strong stomach is a very good thing.
by Shelley Munro June 28th, 2009 at 2:30 ami try unfamilar but i prefer food i know cause then no feelings are hurt and yes i carry around all kinds of stuff upset tummy baindaids i have my own personal first aid kit
by Beverly G June 28th, 2009 at 3:06 amI too have a cast-iron stomach and enjoy eating food that is from the region,but only if I know what it is!
by Peggy Gorman June 28th, 2009 at 3:46 amI think of the show Bizzare Foods and I know I couldn’t eat what that guy does.
The pictures of the trip look so neat and glad you had a fun and safe trip!
Oh, yeah. Whenever I get the chance to travel (mostly to Europe), I ALWAYS eat local! It just makes the travel experience so much more interesting and real. And yes, I do carry my own little pharmacy with me, including immodium (anti-diarrhea pills). I’ll eat almost anything, except for oysters and a couple of other things, and it’s very rare for me to not have a good meal either from the markets or a local cafe.
Later,
Lynn
by Lynn R. June 28th, 2009 at 9:13 amWhen we travel, I always try the local foods. I was in the Peace Corps and ate lots of things you wouldn’t consider just to be polite. Part of traveling is experiencing everything the area has to offer. Food is a large part of that. You would be surprised what you might like.
by Patricia Barraclough June 28th, 2009 at 5:40 pmi am apicky eater I am very choosey and never try the local food. Love the pics!
by Voronda June 30th, 2009 at 6:41 amWow. I don’t travel far away like you guys do and isn’t happening anytime soon, I’m afraid. When I DO travel, it is within Canada. I have a list printed really small on a recipe card that I keep in my makeup case so I never lose it. It lists everything I’ve ever considered taking on a trip, whether it includes a bathing suit or ice skates or both. I never worry about forgetting something when I have that card (although I would worry if I LOST that card!). When we visit new cities, we try the local cuisine, but it’s nothing like what you guys experience. Way to go for trying “foreign” food!
by Elaine June 30th, 2009 at 8:39 pmPeggy – I couldn’t eat half the stuff on those Bizarre food shows. Just thinking about eating it makes my stomach lurch. I might have a cast-iron stomach, but I like to eat things that are recognizable!!
by Shelley Munro June 30th, 2009 at 10:28 pmLynn – I’ve had some wonderful meals in tiny tin shacks. I’ve had some horrid meals in 5 star hotels too. When we visited India the locals used to love us visiting in the markets etc. Often they’d give up their seats for us and then stand around and watch us. It was like being in the middle of a reality show.
by Shelley Munro June 30th, 2009 at 10:31 pmElaine – you sound very organized in your packing. Hubby is organized like you. I tend to wait until the wee dog goes on holiday first then do my packing last minute. My story is that I don’t like to hurt her feelings!
by Shelley Munro June 30th, 2009 at 10:33 pm