Embracing the Unknown

(http://softrice.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/6-beef-intestines.jpg)

“Wow, this is really good”, I exclaimed, intensely chewing the rubbery, white substance that had been placed in front of me at the dim sum restaurant. It was like a noodle, yet not, and somewhat resembled a soggy tree branch.  I continued moving it around in my mouth, trying to distinguish what exactly the strange, but still quite pleasant flavor and texture were. Both were completely foreign, and I finally asked, still mindlessly chewing, “what is this?”

Everyone at the table glanced towards their neighbor, shifting their eyes uncomfortably, trying to decide whether or not they should tell me exactly what I was eating.

“It’s a thing Chinese people eat.”

Not at all satisfied with that answer, I reiterated my question.

“No seriously, what is this? It’s really good!” Silence prevailed for a few more seconds until finally someone piped up.

“It’s cow intestines.”

My chewing slowed as I processed that bit of information, and suddenly I wanted to get what I had moments before found absolutely delectable out of my mouth as quickly as possible. Trying to remember how delicious I thought it was before I knew what it was, I swallowed down the cow intestine.

“Oh. I see” I gulped. The look on my face made everyone laugh.

“I just think of everything as squid”, my friend said, picking up her own piece of cow intestine and popping it into her mouth, “makes it easier”.

I laughed and nodded. Sometimes, ignorance really is bliss.