Update - February 28, 2009
An update about food. Last week, Haruko and I became honorary Oaxacans...by eating crickets, a favored treat here.
I have eaten many strange things in my lifetime and now I can add insects to the list.
Lorena made us pasta with crickets. Also known as Espaguetti con chapulines. Whenever I walk though the food market women tempt me with their baskets of chapulines, roasted in spices to make them slightly reddish and crunchy. Not being particularly tempted by the slightly strong smell on a hot day as I see them heaped high in baskets, I have passed on this delicacy until now.
I can report that the taste was divine, although I must admit I had to forget that I was actually eating bugs. After pulling out a leg from between my teeth, I settled down to enjoy the meal. We polished it all off with a mescal, because, well, what is a cricket meal without a little mescal to top it off?
From the land of exquisite foods...
Joyce