Day 30, Sick in Singapore

To celebrate a month since I began this journey, I came down with the worst food poisoning ever. For the first time in my life I called the ambulance. I panicked and I needed some reassurance that I would be fine. I am still in my bed with a bit of a headache, but, I guess I will pass by Singapore without trying out any dish whatsoever. I can't even think about food right now, let alone smell it.

Perhaps this digestive incident wouldn't have been such a surprise to Phileas Fogg either. Maybe after a month of being on the road, eating irregularly and trying out foods that the stomach is not really used to, something like this was very likely to happen. Plus being on a boat most of the time would surely have it's say. So, I'm left imagining that on his way to China Mr Fogg also got food poisoning but was a true gentleman and did not complain about it.

Obviously, no food today for me, but, that doesn't mean I don't have a story for you. Recently, my little project attracted some media attention from CouchSurfing, the travelers network. I was happy that the idea caught on and I got really nice reactions from the readers. I remembered that in the book, Phileas Fogg journey also made its way to the news. The idea that someone could go around the world in 80 days must have seem preposterous to many, making the news eve more saucy and reader avid.

My journey wont' make the lines of the Times Magazine but to me it is interesting nonetheless. One of my readers is from Singapore and she lives in London. When the article about my blog hit the news section on CouchSurfing.com she wrote me with a suggestion for a recipe that is fairly easy too make and very widespread in Singapore: Bak Kut Teh. It was a very nice gesture and I appreciate it very much, but, since now I'm in bed trying not to think too much about food this recipe won't really come to life.

Before receiving this recipe I tried to do a little research about Singapore and its food, so I spent some time on the internet learning the Singaporeans love to eat and that food is a national obsession for them. Having read that I think I'd like going someday to Singapore and relish in the multiculturalism of their dishes. While I was doing my reading I came across some YouTube videos with Singaporean recipes from Makansutra Cooking.

I generally don't like to watch food being made on TV as it often looks artificial and the way it is presented sounds so rigid and formal that I lose my appetite eventually. Makansutra Cooking however made it sound fresh, and savoury, Seetoh is not afraid to use sounds when describing food, does not have a picture perfect kitchen which makes it look real, like you could do it too, his food literally makes you want to try it. I've picked a recipe I will once like to try, and while I try to get back on my feet for my Hong Kong pit stop, I will let you enjoy a nice video from Makansutra Cooking.