Things we might have said...

“Wait a minute, you’re telling me you won’t swallow pills but you’ve chewed and eaten tripe, adrenal glands, beef tongue, and brain?”

***

While sharing physical symptoms: “I wouldn’t worry. You’re just a freak of nature and a medical abnormality. You could be a subject for experiments! A medical breakthrough!”

***

Comparing our unshaved legs: “Why be ashamed? There’s a lesbian somewhere who would find our hairy legs VERY sexy.”

***

About Belgian cuisine: “I don’t know where the reputation for fine food comes from. In my experience, every dish they do, another culture does better.”

***

About speaking the truth: “So I was being interviewed by a Flemish university student for a project she was doing, and she asked, ‘Who holds the power in your country?’ And I told her ‘White men in dark suits.'

Di, thanks for the memories.

November 17, 2007

Comments

[Claudia]

LMAO! Thanks for the chuckle. Loved the hairy legs comment. We all slack in the winter, I think. I like to say it adds a layer of warmth. ;)

[Manictastic]

You two are crazy! Crazy I tell you! But oh so entertaining.

[furiousball]

the hairy legs comment ... it's all about perspective!

[wendy]

well, at least we've progressed fom white men, in white suits..

not much of a growth spurt..but getting there..hopefully.

[Ortizzle]

good food for thought. and a good laugh.

Who holds the power in our country? Big Money.In any color suit.

[Nance]

Offal? Awful!!

[Di]

Oh the surprises in store when I call by ... thank you for not saying who said what. I kind of screamed with laughter and then read the entire post to everyone else here.

Thank you!!!! I've been cleaning, then cooking most of today for the in-laws ... they've just left, we've run out of wine and this was a truly marvellous way to end the day.

love,
the kitchen drudge xo

[stuckheretoo]

So true about the Belgian food..so true.

[Inge]

I will pretend not to be hurt by your comments on Belgian food, but ouch ;-)! There must be at least one dish you like, no? I guess I'm getting overly protective of my wee little country now that I'm an expat in New Zealand...

[Expat-CIT]

The list of inside jokes from this weekend with Di must be endless! I love inside jokes - your own secret little universe you can giggle about like you're back in the third grade. How fun!

[V-Grrrl]

Inge,

Feel free to comment on New Zealand cuisine and share your opinion of Vegemite and Pavlova. : )

I do think Belgium does desserts better than any country I've ever visited.

[Kate G]

This is one American expat who thinks that the food in Belgium is wonderful, from the fresh produce and bread at the outdoor markets to the great restaurants in my Ixelles neighborhood! When I was back in the States two weeks ago, most of the food--even in upscale restaurants--couldn't even come close in taste and quality to what the Belgians eat every day.

[V-Grrrl]

Kate,

Inge will be pleased!

I love Belgian dairy products, but find the breads just OK. With two kids at home and a limited budget, we rarely go out to eat.

Last week I received an e-mail from a Belgian asking me where the best place was to get an American burger! (Fat Boys at Place du Luxembourgh, in case you're wondering.)

[Di]

Oh lordy Inge, I'm sorry. I eat in an Antwerpen kitchen and there is much NZ versus Belgium teasing over here. That didn't come across, did it.

Since arriving in Belgium I've eaten adrenal glands, blood sausage, hutsepot, stoemp (carrot version), pigeon soup, bread pudding, pancakes, marzipan with bread, chocolate too, sausages with applesauce or mustard ... all of which are startlingly different to home.

And I shop in the local supermarkets for produce, sometimes at the market here in the city ... I came here from Turkey and New Zealand where the produce almost walks off the shelf it's so fresh, and Gert had to explain that because Belgium is so small with such a big population that yes, produce is a little more difficult to find as fresh as we became accustomed to eating it in Istanbul, for example.

But start me on Belgians and their stunning liguistic abilities, or on their friendliness once you're allowed into their lives, or on their often good intentions towards the 170+ nationalities they have living here in Antwerpen, or on their beer and chocolate and you'll hear a whole different story.

And as for eating in Ixelles, I'm envious. I'm sure I would have developed a whole other view of Belgian cuisine in French-speaking Brussels in an upscale neighbourhood ;)

Oh and as for Gert, he was trying oh-so unsuccessfully to hold back the laughter as someone defended Belgian cuisine. I must get him back to NZ so that we can play fair in this 'my food is better than your food' game that we play in our Antwerpen kitchen.

I think I'm ahead at the moment, he's a complete sucker for pavlova and has come round to tomato sauce on sausages. Vegemite remains on his most despised food list though ...

[hgngith]

Veggies : Fresh and beautiful but not the way they prepare (spices, etc)
Witloof: They can have all of it.
Meats : Not that great of a selection
Food in restaurants : Granted we usually eat at medium priced places but are usually quite disappointed.
Moules: Tastless, lacking any basic seasoning. I don't get it. I need some spice !
Blood sausage : No way

[Peter]

V, wondering about all the additional things you both might have said surely must be the most intriguing part of your post ;-)

@hgngith: the quality of Belgian food (especially when dining out) depends on where you live, and on how much you're going to spend. Walking through the Rue des Bouchers in Brussels, dining in a regular Antwerp kitchen or tasting the latest dish in a local 3* Michelin elite restaurant will present you with entirely different views on Belgian food.

[V-Grrrl]

Well Peter, I have to leave you wanting more, no?

Come visit me and I'll share all my secrets and my jokes. Hey, I can even do the Doris Day thing, luv.

I will not, however, let you glimpse my hairy legs. I'll probably shave them to perfection. I know gay men have high standards, and I don't want to ruin my standing with my Antwerp fans. ; )

[Inge]

Well, my comments apparently sparked a lively discussion about Belgian cuisine! As far as New Zealand food goes, I honestly can't find fault with it - the quality, freshness and variety is really amazing. Very rarely do you eat out here and leave disappointed, while in Belgium you definitely have to pick your restaurants more carefully. I'm not too fussed on fish & chips though, our frieten are way better ;-). Shall we call it even?

[Di]

Mine were dealt to this afternon ... being publicly outed was inspiring lol. Now I can show my little sore knee to others and whine more convincingly now the swelling can actually be seen.

Do it Peter, just do it. You know you'd love it xo

[V-Grrrl]

I'm growing fond of my hairy legs. I admit they look gross, but they feel sort of nice. No stubble or dry skin from shaving. You can call me Gorilla Grrrl. I'm not shaving until Peter comes to visit!