Sometimes things that look good on the plate and taste fantastic going down result in a cataclysmic nuclear meltdown in your stomach. 
That is when something like Tums can turn down the radiation levels and allow you to get some sleep without feeling like molten lava will erupt out of your mouth.
For me I would rather suffer the burn than stop taking risks in life. I’ve eaten some incredible things at places many people would shy away from. I’ve had the most incredible pork at a roadside stand in Bali, eaten rabbit on the way to Lembang, sampled exotic fruit from roving fruit vendors cut with a dirty rusty knife. Of course I’ve had a fair share of issues in eating this way. I’ve had food poisoning that resulted in a near death experience. I’ve fought parasites and other bugs. But I don’t wish the experiences away or stop taking risks in my life.
Sure I could lock myself away in my house and huddle in a ball on the floor fearful of any and every thing out there that could kill me. I could play it safe and do all the things people expect me to do. But what kind of life would that be? A life without taking risk is…well…boring. Of course I am not talking about running around without using your brains. Calculated risks are the kind that create a life of enjoyment while running around willy-nilly will just get you into trouble. Think before you leap but don’t spend too much time thinking. Life is short so strike while the iron is hot.
And of course when life serves you a plate of suffering you’ve got great memories to pull you through a well as Tums to calm your stomach.
Keep moving forward to great things!
Well yes, …….there’s calculated risks and then there’s unwise risks (aka unacceptable risks). Getting behind the wheel of a vehicle and heading into traffic is an example of the former while eating from an unlicensed roadside food stand in a third world country I would place in the latter category. There’s an old saying: “Never test the depth of water with both feet”! I believe that might apply here.
BTW, what do you think people are expecting you to do? Maybe only to think before acting……….
Matt, I’ve really been enjoying your daily pic’s and blog commentary. I can definitely sense your passion on a wide range of subjects. Keep up the good writing!
@Tracker – We all have different degrees of what is acceptable risk. It may not be acceptable to some to eat from a roadside food stall but for others it is a daily occurance. We each have to judge and determine how much risk we are willing to take. For some the level of risk they are willing to take is small while for others they enjoy living on the edge. Neither is incorrect.
As for the comment regarding what people are expecting you to do, they point I was trying to make was that I believe at times we hold ourselves back from doing things because we have these preconceived notions of what we should do because of what we see others doing and we don’t want to be labeled crazy or irrational. There are lots of different paths in life and we don’t necessarily have to follow the path the majority are following.
Always appreciate your great comments! Keep them coming. Glad you are enjoying this blog.