I have finished my first Rural Homestay. For the past 12 days, I have been living in Delgerkhaan Soum, Hentii Aimag, which is a bumpy five hour drive away from Ulaanbaatar. Mongolia is divided into 21 Aimags, or proviences, which are then divided into Soums. Since there is so much I want to share about this experience, I thought it best to break it down into topical categories, rather than try to make a chronological account of the past two weeks.
The Food:
Fat is considered the best part of the animal. Even after achieving my personal goal of eating everything put infront of me (except for the intestines...more on that later), I still do not understand why this is. I figure it's the same reason I love snack foods in all of their saturated-fat glory. One thing is for sure - they use every part of the animal - and that's something anyone can respect (however few could imagine what lal that means you have to eat).
Mornings I am served either last nights left overs, reheated by pouring hot tea over it, making a soup, or my favorite - these little dry buscit-like dough balls, sprinkled with surgar and moistened with hot tea. When my host mom makes white tea (tea with about a coup of goat milk), it is a lot like eating cereal.
There is not much difference between lunch and dinner. My favorite meal involves noodles - hommade noodles rolled out of flower and water. For the past several days, we have had a plethera of cabbage, onions, and potatoes mixed into the noodles and the constant bits of meat (and fat). My family gets the veggies from relatives living in the soum who have a garden. I realize this meal is my favorite because it's fried dough and salty potatoes, but I do not appologize for this pleasure. Sometimes, as to not get in the way of my indulgence, I choose to swallow the fatty meat pieces whole, rather than attempt to chew them or worse, offend my family by not eating them at all.
This brings a question I have struggled with in regards to food: Is it worse to consume what disgusts me but is considered the best, thus depriving those who would actually enjoy it? Or to openly reject taht which is valued and prized as not suitable for this American?
I choose the latter as the greater evil - but I welcome any advise.
Although, no advise could prepare me for the meals that would follow the slaughter of a sheep. Not to mention the slaughter of the sheep itself. But that deserves it's own post...
1 comment:
I know that you're ability to communicate is still limited, but perhaps if you were able to explain your dislike of the fat, then you can further bridge a cultural gap. It's great that you have attempted to eat it and respect that they consider fat the best part of the animal, but I think that the study abroad experience is as much about assimilating a new culture and trying to adapt as it is about sharing your own culture, food preferences, likes and dislikes. The most important thing is how you've considered the way they value fat and how your hosts value you as their guest. They want to share with you what they consider to be the best part of an animal, but I'm sure their intention is not to force you to eat or pretend to enjoy something you dislike. I know how much you value these people and their culture based on your consideration. I'm not sure that you will particularly offend your hosts since you have tried eating the fat, but alas, you're decision is a reflection on you, so I leave you with only my opinion.
It sounds and looks like such an amazing experience. Keep posting!
-Tristan
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