Now that another friend arrived from a trip abroad having suffered some sort of digestive dilemma and having encountered quite a few on my travels myself I decided it's time to list the 'safe eats' rules by me.
# tap water is generally not the best idea to consume at the start of the trip. The bacteria being usually so different from where you're from may cause your insides to act on it. However this doesn't mean there's anything wrong with the water. If need arises, desensitizing your tummy by brushing your teeth with it for a week or so first gives you a general idea how you'll react.
#Cooked food is good food. Proper heating gets rid of most of the bacteria and steering on the vegetarian side releases you from worrying about salmonella and the sorts. Then again the same knife might be used to cut raw animal products and vegetables.
#When eating fish, make sure it's fresh and get the whole fish. More that once i've witnessed big day old barracudas missing a couple of fillet steaks rinsed in the sink and placed back to display with the fresh catch.
#No animals (except on the plate) with your food. Scratching a scabby stray dog while using the same hand to eat pineapple cut with a dirty knife (STUPID!!!) most likely landed me with
IBS-like symptoms doctors say i'll be getting along with for the rest of my life.
#Wash your hands, use hand disinfectant if you feel like it but most of the time soap will do just fine. Don't pick your nose, scratch your head or scavenge your feet while eating.
#enjoy your food. Don't get paranoid just cos something doesn't look like at home. Explore and try new flavors, eat where the locals do and if your tummy is as sensitive as mine you'll be best friends with the bowl at some point anyways. Might as well get it over with sooner than later.
photo: Ross C
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