Traveling in countries where I do not speak the language offers certain challenges, particularly when finding something to eat. But with street food, quantity and cost can be conveyed with fingers and the ingredients are usually self evident. Ease, however is not the main appeal. Primarily, it is a means of being part of the local culture and daily life. The people preparing and eating the food are almost always locals. I have spent countless, pleasurable moments sitting on stools, a curb, perhaps at a tiny table or just standing while eating something fresh and usually made to order.

The sellers may offer just a few items, sometimes only one, so it is often his or her speciality. You can almost be certain it is going to be good.

One of my fondest memories lingers from Thailand, many years ago. On two or three occasions I ordered Som Tum, the green papaya salad, from the same seller; his cart was just large enough to hold the few ingredients in a small display case. I would say “Som Tum” with a smile and he would get to work, slicing, cutting, mixing, preparing and then the moment came. He would hold up a very hot chili pepper as his way of enquiring how many I wanted. The cuisine there can be notoriously spicy. The locals might ask for four or more, but I would timidly raise a single figure to indicate only one. I suspect he already knew my answer, but each time he chuckled kindly as he put the finishing touches in place.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post! Welcome to the tales of a woman solo traveler and thoughts to make today the start of something new. I hope you find information and inspiration in the text and images and join me in my quest for growth, wonderment and self-improvement.