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A Little Bit Fishy


We spied this beauty in a fish market near our house. I don't know if it really illustrates just how weird it is to walk along a vegetable market and come across this. A squirmy, squiggly, live octopus. Just out there. To be bought.

When I took this picture, the woman who runs the stand came over and started speaking to me in that-language-I-cannot-speak. My instinct was to get scare, as I always do when I 'get in trouble' and apologise for taking a picture of her wares.

D pointed out that perhaps she just thought I wanted to buy it. Umm ya, well I guess that would make more sense.

What brings me to finally post it today is that we have not only witnessed an octopus-to-eat live, we've EATEN it. Okay, well when I say 'we' I me D but since we do the highs and the lows together, I might as well take credit for his bravery.

We were out with the teachers the other day for a much needed bonding eating session. They took us for sashimi, kind of like sushi but without the rice so as one of the skinny-weight-conscious Korean teachers said 'it's not as many calories'. Nuff said.

The fish was absolutely delicious. The best full I've ever had.

But before they busted out the pieces of fish, there were many courses of things, things which we just dive in and try most of the time and which brave D can say he ate all of.

It was when they brought out the 'live octopus'. People, understand this. IT IS LIVE. IT IS MOVING. IT IS TRYING TO LIVE.

In a little dish, tiny pieces of the octopus squirmed and squiggled around.

'Live octopus' one of the teacher said.

In my most polite - although high pitched - voice 'Oh, so they are live?'

'Yes' he nodded in the same way one might confirm that one would in fact like cream in the coffee.

And, since in comfortable company, I felt comfortable saying I would pass.

What I would have liked to say is that if that squirmy thing passes my lips, all those other wonderful fishes and vegetables and who knows what I've just eaten will most certainly come right back up. And then I will ruin everyone's meal.

But there was D. After struggling with his chopsticks, he finally nabbed one and threw the slimy sucker back.

After it was in his mouth, the aforementioned teacher let us know that sometimes, you can be 'suffocated' by the suction of the octopus. SUFFOCATED??? WHY DOES THAT SOUND WORSE THAN CHOKING??? ANYONE WITH ME HERE??

And so he chewed. And chewed. And chewed.

And I did a quite side 'how is it?' to which he simply nodded, as he was still chewing.

He didn't get sick. He was in great form all night. And I'm sure he didn't give a second thought to the little guy he 'killed' in his mouth.

Braver than I. Although, I'm not sure he'll try it again. One of those 'only live once' moments.

Comments

Anonymous said…
EEEEEEEUUUUUUUUUUUUUWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!

Love
ms

p.s. you won't ask for us to carry this on an Xmas eve menu will you?
5:17 p.m.
Travelling Chick said…
I think it MAY just be a bit difficult to find live squid in North America....so unfortunately (ha ha ha) no, we won't be requesting for Christmas ;)
12:56 a.m.
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