It was our last day in Japan but before we were to be taken to the airport, my cousin wanted to know what kind of food we'd like to eat for breakfast. "American or traditional Japanese?" he asked. All ten of us piped up, "Japanese!"
I had to translate everything since my brothers, sister-in-laws and their kids understood very little Japanese. I made it plain to them but something got lost in translation. We all had miso soup, rice, eggs in mind but that is not what was on the menu.
Upon entering the restaurant, we took off our shoes (that much was a given) and we were served by waitresses wearing kimonos (that was different). Sitting on a tatami floor and served a ten course meal was wholly unexpected.
All I wanted was a nice cup of coffee and a piece of toast but noooo such luck. Out came dishes so strange that I wanted to throw the contents back into the sea (where the little creatures had come from).
I don't want to be an ingrate but eating something with tentacles and suckers just does not appeal to me: morning, evening or late night snacking. Though I hardly touched my food, I had my trusty camera with me and my Japanese cousins were happy to see me memorialize our meal in film.
This happened over a year ago so why am I reminiscent? It's because in a few days my cousin and his family are coming to the States for the first time and I hope he does not have a gastronomical surprise like I had. Whether he'll be pleased with the food has yet to be known but one thing is for sure...I'll do my best so nothing is lost in translation.
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1 comment:
I agree! Food should not have tentacles. I hope you have a great visit with your cousin. I can't think of any American food that would be to shocking. But I guess it's all relative, if he's used to a few tentacles he may be in for a surprise!
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