Koryn wrote:
They were sitting in my backpack, in the car, while I was in the gym. All ripe and creamy, and slightly warm from the sun. Nomnomnom.

I ate all of them. It was delicious!

*NOTE: Yes, I am aware this thread topic sounds like a XXX film.*

I like warm bananas.  That is, if warm equals Bananas Foster over a couple of scoops of vanilla bean ice cream.  I like them warm that way.

Jim Ball wrote:

I like warm bananas.  That is, if warm equals Bananas Foster over a couple of scoops of vanilla bean ice cream.  I like them warm that way.

That sounds like something that would have me sitting on the toilet for three hours, with a stomach ache.

Bobby C wrote:
I suppose in Bengali ( India ) cuisine, they use bananas, their flowers and even stems. ( Andrew Zimmer- Bizarre Foods, India). Sounds good, if cooked right.
[img][/img]
Crispy, fried Banana flower sounds good.

I've seen banana leaves for sale at Asian grocery stores, but I have no idea how to prepare them.

I'm traveling for shoots next week, but when I get back, I promised myself I'd buy a durian to try. They have frozen ones at the H Mart Korean grocery near my house. Supposedly, you either love them or hate them. I've never had a fruit I didn't like except cantaloupe, and I still like it okay frozen in a smoothie.

Koryn wrote:
I've seen banana leaves for sale at Asian grocery stores, but I have no idea how to prepare them.

I'm traveling for shoots next week, but when I get back, I promised myself I'd buy a durian to try. They have frozen ones at the H Mart Korean grocery near my house. Supposedly, you either love them or hate them. I've never had a fruit I didn't like except cantaloupe, and I still like it okay frozen in a smoothie.

With banana leaves, food like fish and other stuff ( spicy )are usually wrapped in it and cooked ( excellent, grilled). Sometimes food is served on banana leaves too. The leaves themselves are not eaten. I've had food like that. The leaves give a certain flavor to the food that is wrapped inside.It's delicious.

Koryn wrote:
They were sitting in my backpack, in the car, while I was in the gym. All ripe and creamy, and slightly warm from the sun. Nomnomnom.

I ate all of them. It was delicious!

*NOTE: Yes, I am aware this thread topic sounds like a XXX film.*

Isis22 wrote:
I will eat bananas warm or room temperature. I don't like them cold.

On that note, I like room temperature soft tacos that had time to soak up all the spice and juices.
I could eat those all night... I'm mean Day... with a cold Beer.. yeah That's it, Beer 

Shhh, don't judge me!

Koryn wrote:

I've seen banana leaves for sale at Asian grocery stores, but I have no idea how to prepare them.

I'm traveling for shoots next week, but when I get back, I promised myself I'd buy a durian to try. They have frozen ones at the H Mart Korean grocery near my house. Supposedly, you either love them or hate them. I've never had a fruit I didn't like except cantaloupe, and I still like it okay frozen in a smoothie.

I have a friend that likes durian. We went to get pho in my car and he ordered a durian drink. He wanted to take it home with him. We got in the car. I told him he could either finish drinking it outside or we could put it in the trunk but it was not going to be allowed within range of my nostrils.

Smells really foul, be prepared for that. Putrid, rotting pork smell. I hear it tastes fantastic.

On the other hand, some ripe cheeses stink pretty awful and taste great.

Someday I will try durian.

B L ZeeBubb wrote:
[

Smells really foul, be prepared for that. Putrid, rotting pork smell. I hear it tastes fantastic.

pretty much. sticky, messy too. Durian seeds, roasted or fried in coconut oil is good ! Mildly nutty.

Koryn wrote:
I'm traveling for shoots next week, but when I get back, I promised myself I'd buy a durian to try. They have frozen ones at the H Mart Korean grocery near my house. Supposedly, you either love them or hate them. I've never had a fruit I didn't like except cantaloupe, and I still like it okay frozen in a smoothie.

I want to try it but I'm scared. There's this weird place here that sells them. I've never actually been in there, just heard stories.

Alabaster Crowley wrote:

There's this weird place here that sells them. I've never actually been in there, just heard stories.

What stories ? Intrigued.

Bobby C wrote:
What stories ? Intrigued.

My aunt buys weird seafood, sometimes live, from there. My vegetarian step-mother had to transport some live crabs and was very upset.

Alabaster Crowley wrote:

My aunt buys weird seafood, sometimes live, from there. My vegetarian step-mother had to transport some live crabs and was very upset.

Sounds like an Asian ( Chinese ? ) market.

Bobby C wrote:
Sounds like an Asian ( Chinese ? ) market.

Yeah, I guess it's mostly Asian. I'm not sure more specifically.

Edit: hm, they have a website
http://grantstonemarket.com/index.html

They have live geoduck. Creepy.

Bobby C wrote:
2 words for this thread:
Sexy delicious.

After seeing this post I will never eat another banana again. Thanks!

Alabaster Crowley wrote:

My aunt buys weird seafood, sometimes live, from there. My vegetarian step-mother had to transport some live crabs and was very upset.

I used to work in a Chinese restaurant. We had live crabs in the freezer for weeks. I wouldn't recommend you work in a place like that.

Alabaster Crowley wrote:
Yeah, I guess it's mostly Asian. I'm not sure more specifically.

Edit: hm, they have a website
http://grantstonemarket.com/index.html

They have live geoduck. Creepy.

If you think that place is weird, traveling to Asia, Africa and South America is not recommended for you, unless you do a lot of mental preparation. Markets like that in the US are actually quite "tame" compared to stuff ( food and other ) you see abroad.

Bobby C wrote:

If you think that place is weird, traveling to Asia, Africa and South America is not recommended for you, unless you do a lot of mental preparation. Markets like that in the US are actually quite "tame" compared to stuff ( food and other ) you see abroad.

I have to clarify. I think things like this are "weird," meaning different from my experience. I don't think it's weird like WHAT ARE THEY THINKING THAT IS WRONG just because it's a different culture.

Alabaster Crowley wrote:

I have to clarify. I think things like this are "weird," meaning different from my experience. I don't think it's weird like WHAT ARE THEY THINKING THAT IS WRONG just because it's a different culture.

I see. I was a bit surprised of your opinion. Now I get it.
You'll be fine abroad then. I've traveled around the world a lot ( except Africa and South America ) and some countries in Asia still jar my senses.

B L ZeeBubb wrote:
[

Smells really foul, be prepared for that. Putrid, rotting pork smell. I hear it tastes fantastic.

Bobby C wrote:
pretty much. sticky, messy too. Durian seeds, roasted or fried in coconut oil is good ! Mildly nutty.

I watched people online, cutting them open and eating them, including some Westerners whom had never tried it before. They all seem to really enjoy it, and one lady compared it to pudding that tastes like honey.

That sounds so incredibly bad-ass.

I wonder WHY it stinks so much, if it tastes like honey pudding? 

I actually hate the smell of papayas. Never noticed it the first few times I ate them, then after maybe the 3rd or 4th time I bought one, the smell made me gag. I like it frozen and put in smoothies, but they just smell like vomit to me.

Bobby C wrote:

I see. I was a bit surprised of your opinion. Now I get it.
You'll be fine abroad then. I've traveled around the world a lot ( except Africa and South America ) and some countries in Asia still jar my senses.

I think most of Asia would be hard for me as a vegan. There's a lot of sneaky fish.

Koryn wrote:
I watched people online, cutting them open and eating them, including some Westerners whom had never tried it before. They all seem to really enjoy it, and one lady compared it to pudding that tastes like honey.

That sounds so incredibly bad-ass.

I wonder WHY it stinks so much, if it tastes like honey pudding? 

I actually hate the smell of papayas. Never noticed it the first few times I ate them, then after maybe the 3rd or 4th time I bought one, the smell made me gag. I like it frozen and put in smoothies, but they just smell like vomit to me.

Papaya does have a slight "off" smell. I love 'em anyway. ( Seen the movie "The Scent of Green Papaya" ? Very good, very sensual, Vietnamese-French movie. Recommended). South East Asian Green Papaya salad is pretty darn tasty !
When you get the durian, if you have seeds, don't throw them away. Cook them. I'm sure you can find how to cook in the interweb. They are very tasty.
The frozen durian probably does not smell as strong. I remember being in the subtropical heat, eating fresh durian. Powerful smell !

Alabaster Crowley wrote:

I think most of Asia would be hard for me as a vegan. There's a lot of sneaky fish.

Yeah. You might have to compromise and go vegetarian. Asia is  a vegetarian's heaven though.
I have a hard-core vegan friend. She will, occasionally, eat Sushi from a good restaurant and fish, if it's local and fresh.

Bobby C wrote:
Yeah. You might have to compromise and go vegetarian. Asia is  a vegetarian's heaven though.
I have a hard-core vegan friend. She will, occasionally, eat Sushi from a good restaurant and fish, if it's local and fresh.

I haven't eaten seafood since I was 11. It's not happening.

Do you mean Asia is good for pescatarian?

Bobby C wrote:

Papaya does have a slight "off" smell. I love 'em anyway. ( Seen the movie "The Scent of Green Papaya" ? Very good, very sensual, Vietnamese-French movie. Recommended). South East Asian Green Papaya salad is pretty darn tasty !
When you get the durian, if you have seeds, don't throw them away. Cook them. I'm sure you can find how to cook in the interweb. They are very tasty.
The frozen durian probably does not smell as strong. I remember being in the subtropical heat, eating fresh durian. Powerful smell !

I can't figure out how people realized they could even eat durian, and it would be tasty, considering if it smells that bad.

You wouldn't think someone would eat something that smells like dead pigs.

Yeah, the frozen ones we get here are supposed to be mild-smelling while still frozen, which is why they're allowed into the US (from my understanding). However, you have to let it set out and thaw, so I'm hoping my neighbors don't think I'm Jeffery Dahmer-ing it, or something, if I sit it out to thaw for the day and go to work.

Alabaster Crowley wrote:

I haven't eaten seafood since I was 11. It's not happening.

A lot of vegetarian food in Asia is vegan. Fish sauce is mostly used in South East Asia, but you can get a lot of dishes without it. Also rice is the MAIN staple there, so you won't have much problems + fresh fruit is plentiful

Bobby C wrote:

A lot of vegetarian food in Asia is vegan. Fish sauce is mostly used in South East Asia, but you can get a lot of dishes without it. Also rice is the MAIN staple there, so you won't have much problems + fresh fruit is plentiful

I'm good with lots of rice.

Koryn wrote:
I can't figure out how people realized they could even eat durian, and it would be tasty, considering if it smells that bad.

You wouldn't think someone would eat something that smells like dead pigs.

Yeah, the frozen ones we get here are supposed to be mild-smelling while still frozen, which is why they're allowed into the US (from my understanding). However, you have to let it set out and thaw, so I'm hoping my neighbors don't think I'm Jeffery Dahmer-ing it, or something, if I sit it out to thaw for the day and go to work.

The first person who ever ate it is a HERO !
I hear stinky tofu can smell preeeety awful too. It took a while for me to get used to blue cheese. Now I love it.
You might have a SWAT team outside your house when you get back from work !

It can smell that offensive.

Alabaster Crowley wrote:

I'm good with lots of rice.

And most everyone there have black hair and are physically about your size. You'll feel at home.

Bobby C wrote:

And most everyone there have black hair and are physically about your size. You'll feel at home.

My boyfriend asked if I was Asian after only seeing me on webcam. I had a little more weight on me and my eyes are kind of slim sometimes. My dad looks part Chinese and he's just regular white.

Alabaster Crowley wrote:
My boyfriend asked if I was Asian after only seeing me on webcam. I had a little more weight on me and my eyes are kind of slim sometimes. My dad looks part Chinese and he's just regular white.

You could pass for an Asian ( a very hot one, at that ).
Maybe should think about modeling in Japan. They love Asian looking western ( or vice versa ) models. You have a certain style ( alternative/goth ). maybe, You could fit a certain niche there. Being an English speaker is a big bonus too. If I was you, I would seriously look into it.

Bobby C wrote:

You could pass for an Asian ( a very hot one, at that ).
Maybe should think about modeling in Japan. They love Asian looking western ( or vice versa ) models. You have a certain style ( alternative/goth ). maybe, You could fit a certain niche there. Being an English speaker is a big bonus too. If I was you, I would seriously look into it.

Hah. Thank you. That would be a dream. I wish I could afford it. Maybe one day when I'm making the big bucks as a photographer (lol sure).

Alabaster Crowley wrote:
Hah. Thank you. That would be a dream. I wish I could afford it. Maybe one day when I'm making the big bucks as a photographer (lol sure).

You have it upside down. You go do modeling there to make the big bucks ( or at least a good buck).
IMO, you have better chances of making some money and having fun as a model in Japan than making big bucks ( or hardly much ) as a photographer here.
I have an inkling that you might be able to do something there. You should definitely look into it.
One other strategy would be to go teach English. That way, you will be able to "acclimatize" yourself and build networks.
Start by learning Japanese. It's not a very hard language to learn, at least verbal.
There are no guarantees in life but I feel somewhat strongly about this.
In life, you just have to jump into and do stuff and with a little luck and some patience, things will fall into place. You have youth, beauty, talent and intelligence on your side.
May the force be with you.

Bobby C wrote:

You have it upside down. You go do modeling there to make the big bucks ( or at least a good buck).
IMO, you have better chances of making some money and having fun as a model in Japan than making big bucks ( or hardly much ) as a photographer here.
I have an inkling that you might be able to do something there. You should definitely look into it.
One other strategy would be to go teach English. That way, you will be able to "acclimatize" yourself and build networks.
Start by learning Japanese. It's not a very hard language to learn, at least verbal.
There are no guarantees in life but I feel somewhat strongly about this.
In life, you just have to jump into and do stuff and with a little luck, things will fall into place. You have youth, beauty, talent and intelligence on your side.
May the force be with you.

You need a lot of start-up money to move across the globe. I don't have that, AT ALL.

Alabaster Crowley wrote:
You need a lot of start-up money to move across the globe. I don't have that, AT ALL.

/threadjack. Sorry Koryn
AC, I think, we need to move this conversation to PM.
You are not moving there. You are going to go work there.
Start by looking into it and sending out your portfolios, networking, That's free ( or at least cheap). See where that will take you.
I moved across the globe with zero dollars and a one way plane ticket and a backpack. I did build networks and was fluent in the language and the culture before moving.
Like I said earlier, I have traveled around the globe. I have learnt that wherever you are, whoever you are, you will end up meeting people that will "take you places". But you have to take the steps.