January 19th, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC.
Stereotypes are made to be broken. That is the saying, isn’t it? Maybe it isn’t, but it should be. I try to live my life in a way that ignores conventional wisdom, bucks the status quo, and defies the general rule.
I’m no rebel. I could never pull off the leather jacket. But I don’t mind discovering things for myself rather than only basing my opinions on the knowledge of others. I think Eat Weird, the online video show that my friend Chris Fehnel has allowed me to help out with, is a great example of how stereotypes are meant to be broken. Do you think that eating a Kangaroo is bit, well, weird? I don’t. I think it is some of the best food I’ve eating in my 28 years of living. Think it odd to suck on a pig’s foot? Chris doesn’t. He enjoys the darker parts. Just because you’ve grown up thinking one way doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go against the grain to try to prove it wrong.
Jumping off a tall bridge and onto a hard surface will, from all of my experiences with slightly lower-heights, hurt. This is true and will probably always remain true. Not a trend I recommend bucking.
What about movies? The movie you thought about renting this weekend only got a 30% on Rotten Tomatoes? OH NO! What are you going to do? Critics hated it, surely you will too!! You know what? Rent it. You might like it. If you’re like Chris and I, you’ll actually look for the most poorly reviewed movies ever made… rent them… grab a few beers… and watch them. Like I’ve said so many times before; ‘You have to eat a few bad steaks to know what a good one tastes like.’
What about places you’d like to travel? Do you base your vacation destinations on what Anthony Bourdain refers to as “the hotel channel” in his book Kitchen Confidential? Even he would be the first to tell you not to listen to his suggestions, to pave your own path, disregarding everything you’ve ever heard about a place, and just soak it in for yourself.
Tonight, in the third episode of season five of No Reservations, Tony and his team travel to Washington, DC. I don’t know about you but when I think of Washington, DC. I don’t think of food. I think of the Capital Building, the White House, politics, museums, monuments, rows and rows of the victims of war — anything but food. I’m looking forward to seeing this stereotype of Washington, DC., an area no more than 6 hours drive from my front door step, being broken, smashed, and obliterated as No Reservations shows us a different side of the nation’s capital. The good food side.
Photo courtesy of The Travel Channel.
True that. When I think of Washington, DC, I definitely don’t think of food. I think I enjoy episodes like this even more-so than the unconventional destinations where you expect you will find some crazy awesome food. This opens the door to explore every city, even one that’s not known for being a food destination, to find the best it has to offer.
If you’re looking for a terrible movie to watch, I’ve got two suggestions for you: C.H.U.D. II – Bud the Chud and Fatal Error, two of the most terribly awesome movies I’ve seen.
When I moved from PA to DC, I was pretty much in the same mindset. After living in the DC area for a few years now, I’ve found an abundance of great Thai and Vietnamese restaurants. Can’t wait to see tonight’s episode!
Chris F.: I think we should take Eat Weird on the road to get some out-of-the-way places. Not that we don’t live in one already anyway!
Kyle: Thanks for wasting several hours of my time.
Nick: I’ve got a few friends that live in that area. I really need to get down to Washington DC in 2009. If I do, expect a line to be dropped.
well I am not sure exactly where or what this comment will get me but your father and I have eaten in Washington DC and the most memorable thing about it was getting approached by a panhandler looking for a handout.
But then again we are getting on in years and can not really remember WAY back then!
We like to watch the show at times but have a hard time watching what some people will eat!!
Enjoyed this article and will give the show a shot. The older I get the more interested in things missed I seem to get…y’know, like great food, Greek Islands, Star Quarterback, etc., etc.
smile.
Bernard: Thank you very much and I hope you enjoy No Reservations.