« Mayoral Candidates To Be Announced | Main | Thirteen Candidates »
Octubre 05, 2004
Bugs
Literally translated, the word "bichos" means "bugs". My mom always warns me when I arrive to Bolivia to take care and make sure I wash my hands, be selective in the food that I eat, and just be safe rather than sorry.
I think I got a bit cocky, from my past experiences where I ate anything and anywhere I so desired. Tacos at 3 in the morning? No problem. Nice bowl of soup in the market? No problem. Relatives used to tell me that I had the required bichos to counteract any ill effects. It is the way that locals can usually drink the water without any major side effects, but any visitors must always drink bottled water.
Anyway, today I was out of commission with a slight stomachache. I think my bichos took an extended vacation, because they did not think I would ever return to Bolivian food. It is tough to pinpoint what exactly caused my gastric disagreements. Hopefully I will back to action, sooner than later, I have so many places and things to eat before I return to the States.
Posted by eduardo at Octubre 5, 2004 07:24 PM
Comments
I was similarly frustrated in February when I visited Bolivia. My stomach was absolutely fine (and quite happy!) until I ate half a salteña from a woman in a little town who's name I don't remember (between La Paz and Copacabana, where the autobus is ferried across). After that, I had trouble eating anything except soup. It was very disappointing, considering that while my stomach was touchy I had the opportunity to eat (and watch my girlfriend eat) stilpancho, plato paceño, and anticucho. Que lastima! :)
Posted by: Grant at Octubre 7, 2004 05:52 PM
Yeah, be careful with salteñas, tucumanas or other empanadas that may have been sitting around for ages in those little glass cases.
Interesting name for your webpage (keeping with the food theme), by the way!
Posted by: eduardo at Octubre 7, 2004 08:32 PM