Reflections on Food in its Various Forms

While it hopefully won't come as a shock that cuisine differs between regions, it is important to realize that those things that are rather common (bread, toast, butter, etc.) often do not translate, unless your target audience speaks your brand of English. In Britain, for example, chips refer to a fried potato dish that are otherwise known as "French Fries," and "red sauce" is ketchup; the fried or baked slivers of potato, called chips in America, are crisps virtually everywhere else. Consequently, if you plan to order something in a foreign land (this applies to the different parts of the USA as well--the deep south and the northeast often have very different dietary options), know what it is before ordering.

 

Beware the Odd Name
Should you be confronted by something calling itself a butty, or more often, a chip butty, it is essentially a bun filled with chips (fries)--sometimes offered with sausage included. This dish, from personal experience,is not appetizing, unless you have been craving chips and the fryer was operated properly. Even so, it is not an experience demanding repetition.



Use Caution with Cans
If, while looking at shelved foodstuffs, you come across something called All-Day Breakfast in a Can, it really is what they say it is.  Thank you Britain for this foray into culinary history.  According to the label, it contains all aspects of a traditional English breakfast: beans, sausage, bacon, eggs, tomato sauce, and mushrooms.

Then, of course is the ubiquitous Cheeseburger in a can.  What enterprising young German we have to thank for this gem, I have no idea.  And yes, the canned Cheeseburger was formulated in Germany, apparently for use as a camping food.  It comes with everything already in there: bun, cheese, onion, pickle, there may have been tomato and/or a variant of leafy greens of some former description, but I somehow doubt it (and yes, I have witnessed this), and "meat" that in the fine example I saw, was grey.  Also, it does not look like the image above once it's been sitting on a shelf for a few months/years/whatever.  Especially not after its intended victim has boiled it, as that is the listed preparation.  Instead, it looks about like:

Lovely.  Again, thank you Germany.  The world knows you appreciate the outdoors and want to promote travel, preparedness, and easy meal storage.  But this... this is off the reservation and completely uncalled for.  Better luck next time.

For more amazingly horrid food substances in cans, check out Dear Vice -- Carnivore.


 Moral of the story: If your high-quality meal costs £1.50 or less, there's a good chance that it's not that great.  If you decide to go with canned something or other, at least have some real, fresh-ish bread to go with it.  Example: beans on toast, which really is beans on toast.  Or better yet, crack open that big box in the kitchen called a refrigerator and make some eggs.  You can even eat the eggs with your beans on toast.

Keep the kettles going and have some tea, that always helps things look a little better.

Till next time,
Kate

Tips, Tricks, and Trials

There will be many more of entries like this, but here is a selection of tips, tricks, and trials from my various jaunts. I hope they prove as useful to you now as they have to me in hindsight.

Reactions to Nationality
I've gotten everything from: "Oh, you're American are you? Well, I like that," delivered with an obvious leer, to "I'm sorry to hear that"... like I'd just told them I've a terminal illness when people find out I'm American.

Then there was the one farmer in Ireland who stated quite plainly "Well, you don't look American." When I looked confused as to the origin of such a statement, he continued, "Americans are usually rather [pause] heavy, you know, isn't that how it is." I tried to be as nice to the guy as possible, as he was giving me a lift in his tractor to the next town, but it just brought home how the rest of the world sees the USA. Mass-market television is such a supplier of "knowledge" now that if it's not stereotypically Texan, Jersey Shore, New York, or (occasionally) Los Angeles/Berkeley/San Francisco -- because they're usually blocked together -- then it's not "American".

Then there's the times when my local accent is strong enough that when it invariably slips and California comes out, I'm met with wide-eyed, gap-mouthed shock. Admittedly, that last one amuses me a bit too much.

Linguistics
As everyone has undoubtedly seen many times over, the linguistic capacity, capabilities, and intricacies most often have roots in the individual's place of geographic origin (i.e. the way a person talks, inputs and outputs information, is influence by where the are from). For those of the human race who are self-described nomads (and those who listen to music outside of their individual socio-economic-geographic sector), it is important to note that extended exposure to any one culture, society, people, or language will inevitably impact the individual's interaction with and perception of the world around them.
Note: I can pull off a rather credible and thick accent at times. I'd not suggest attempting this course of action if you can't do it well. Let the inflection and tonal change come to you, rather than chasing it blindly. Otherwise, you're liable to scare it away and annoy the locals. I find this especially true in Britain. They've a tendency to laugh at "idiotic Americans" in certain locals, if given the ammunition. You've been warned.

Immigration and Customs
Depending on the target and origin locations, certain things must come into play when traveling. Some countries require visa clearance for even short holidays, while others only if you'll be in the country for a considerable time. If you're not sure if you need one or what kind to get, ask the consulate of the target country or make use of the Google. As my experience is western Europe in nature, I've experience with the British Consulate. They're the ones who allocate student visas, which you need if studying abroad.
Note:When someone says to "Q", "Q up", or any variation thereof, it means that those being addressed should form a line. This is especially important when dealing with situations involving the UK Border Agency.

Transit
When traveling in foreign lands, make sure you know the transit schedules in advance. In fact, as much as I like improv travel and as much as it's provided me with story material, I'd recommend having travel arrangements (tickets, lodging, maps, etc.) worked out well in advance of departure. Not the least of which because the border agency (if traveling internationally) has a penchant for wanting to track the movement of incoming persons.

It's wise to not anger the irritable bear manning the check-in desk at the airport/bus depot/train station/etc. They control whether you can get on the damn thing or not. If your rear gets hauled to security, you will get an epic pat-down. The Scottish TSA is not a fun place. Especially when in a bid to save weight and space in your luggage you're wearing all your clothes, thus messing with the scanners.
Note: Aggrivation is wearing five pairs of trousers, in a bid to save luggage weight, and upon reaching the scanner remembering you forgot a handful of change, a pen, and your keys in the pockets of the first layer.

Necessary Introductions

First, this is to be the travel blog aspect of the site.
Second, I'll let you in on a little secret. Much as I try to hide it, especially when traveling, I am American.
Third, I am an Anthropologist. I people-watch. It's my job. Kind of a requirement.

In the course of this bit of lit, I will likely explore various tangential avenues that otherwise have little to do with the subject at hand. Likewise, expect a humorously anthropological look at life abroad as seen through student eyes.