Yesterday I was craving a treat. It was the type of night that, if I had been at home, I would have taken a nice stroll up to the grocery store on the top of Queen Anne and bought myself a delightful mm cookie. But alas, I did not have that option. While I sat in my Vietnamese living room brainstorming what options I did have I received a text from a friend saying, "Ali, I'm bored! Come play with me." So now I had a partner in the treat hunt. But the question still remained, what type of western treat would we be able to find?!
After a short discussion we thought of the only thing within a reasonable distance that would maybe qualify as a western dessert---a donut. Yep, that's right. It may represent everything stereotypical about overweight America and yet, it was delicious. They even had ones with chocolate frosting and sprinkles! What more could you need?
Actually, that is the point of this story, we decided we did need something more. After our donut fix we realized we were both actually hungry. So we brainstormed again and came up with our next food craving: snails. Yep, that's right. We happened to be right next to a lake that is known for having good snail restaurants. The word "restaurant" is a little misleading though; it is closer to street food. Small tables, little plastic chairs, etc. Once we arrived and sat down to look at the menu we realized neither of us had ever been to snails without being accompanied by a Vietnamese friend who could decipher the difference between the plethora of snail options. In the end we just picked a random option (we actually went with the one that had the word for ear in it because who doesn't think the idea of snail ears is hilarious?!). Everytime I eat snails---or snail like things---I have a moment of panic where I'm convinced I'm remembering wrong and that they'll be really gross. But then I eat one and remember that they are actually quite good.
As we sat there, finishing the plate of snails (to be fair, I only had probably about a fourth of them and let Joel take the rest. Snails are good, but I can only eat so many) I realized just how funny our evening's choices were. First, uber wanna-be-Western donut joint. Second, street food snails. It is yet another example of the irony of this city. The result of idolization of the "developed" world coupled with a strong allegiance to a traditional way of doing things. I realize that is a big statement and mostly I just say it meaning, Vietnam is so intriguing! I just wish I could know and understand everything.
PS Please say you noticed the title of this post and chuckled to yourself. It's a pun! hehe. I crack myself up :)
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