Tips For Eating Abroad

I've been fortunate enough to get to travel quite a bit- to many other countries, and eaten in many other cultures. The most exotic of which, were Brazil and Ecuador. Those were the two trips that, although they were great adventures, were not exactly vacations- at least not the "resort-type" atmosphere.

My Brazil and Ecuador travels were missions trips I went on with my local church. Instead of going to the nicest areas, we went to the poorest. Sounds fun, huh? Talk about some questionable cuisine. Not exactly what you'd call 5-star dining in those villages. However, they were experiences I will never forget, and I am so thankful I got to be a part of them. It was actually really cool to get to see these people on the other side of the world, and how differently they live.

One stop we made that I remember while in Brazil, we were served smoked piranha...fully scaled and with the head still attached. I sat that meal out.

Another memorable meal was in Ecuador. A nicer restaurant that we went to served us roasted guinea pig- whole... skin and all. (I'll spare you the pictures.) We were told that was a delicacy. I passed on that as well. I'm adventurous, but I have my limits.

Below are some tips I thought I would share, you might find useful if you're traveling to a foreign country for the first time (even if it's not to remote villages).

3 tips for eating abroad:

1. Don't drink the water. Some might think that's an obvious one, but you might forget that it also includes ice, tap water in the bathroom (brushing teeth), and homemade popsicles (don't ask- it's a long story) . The reason water in other countries is not suitable for us to drink, but you might see the locals having no problem drinking it, is because they have built up an immunity to certain harmful bacteria and contaminants, such as coli, coliform, and nitrates. Even if you read online that the country's water is safe, why chance it? Go with the bottled water.

2. Ask the locals what their signature dishes are. Although they will get travelers from all over the world, most resorts cater to American cuisine. They will also often times have Italian, Japanese, Mexican, and even French dining options. You won't usually see a ton of local authentic food, that's because they aren't typically getting visitors from their own country at the resort. They try to serve food that they know we are used to, and that we will like. You can often find some authentic dishes on the buffets at resorts, but usually your best bet is to venture out into the nearest town to a restaurant (assuming it's a safe location). So next time you're traveling, ask a local what they like to eat, and where they like to go.

3. Just put it in your mouth! How are you going to know if you don't try it? I have been known to be a bit of a chicken when it comes to eating food from a truck on the side of the road. (I realize they've come a long way, and there's a lot to be said about food trucks in 2022, so I've come around.)

You can always just spit it out, right?

(Pictured is The Jamaican Patty Co. In Springfield, MO)

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