After finishing the egg, I find I am not very hungry anymore. It was incredibly filling, even if it was strange.

The waiter sees that I am finished and rushes over as business has slowed down by the time I got the entire egg eaten. He smiles broadly, apparently proud that I enjoyed the egg. Of course, I would never say anything to the contrary anyway, but it makes me smile to see him so happy.

He asks if I would like anything more and I reply that I would like to try the durian, a fruit. I want something sweet, I say and he replies "we shall see" and turns back to the kitchen with my dirty dishes in hand. Wondering what that could possibly mean, I lean back and listen to the conversations around me. People seem to be enjoying their meals and I realize I am satisfied as well - that silly Lara tried to scare me with stories of strange Vietnamese foods! HA!

After several more minutes pleasantly relaxing, I suddenly smell something rather digusting. I can not describe the odor to you. I KNOW what it smells like, but I really can't tell you or Corny will come after me with her nasty chainsaw! But suffice it to say, that it reminded me of a latrine. One that is in a hot clime and has been left to fester for a very, very long time.

I can not imagine what disaster had occured in the restaurant and have decided to leave rather than wait for my dessert, when the waiter stops at my table. As I start to explain my change of mind, I realize the odor is coming from MY durian! "Oh my!" I exclaim before I can stop myself. The waiter laughs out loud, luckily not insulted by my words or the look on my face.
"Do not judge a fruit by its scent" he says sagely as he walks away, leaving the durian.

Staring at the plate, I gulp quite loudly. It is a distictive looking fruit (as well as smelly as all hell)with a dark, spiny shell and dark yellow flesh which is rather soft looking. I look up at the waiter and he mimes that I should scoop the flesh out of the shell, which I do. The stink is offensive to say the least and I have to swallow several times before I can once again focus on the fruit. I poke at it with my utensil and the flesh opens, revealing a dark seed inside. I scoot it out onto the plate and dip into the flesh. Hesitating again, I can see the waiter and most of the customers staring at me in anticipation. Oh great - the odor has caught everyone's attention and now they are all wondering if I will actually eat the stuff. Sighing to myself I quickly put the bite into my mouth, nearly gagging. Before I know it, a wonderful flavor bursts onto my tongue and my eyes pop wide open. I can see people's worried looks and the waiter doubles over in laughter. I swallow the durian, with pleasure. It tastes like pureed almonds and it quite delicious! Again and again I dip my spoon into the durian and before I know it I have eaten it all!!

The waiter had made his way to my table as he watched with joy how well I enjoyed the fruit. As he gathers the refuse and takes my money, he bows and I feel as if I have passed a test. My venture into Vietnamese food has ended and I find that I enjoyed it. Some dishes I enjoyed more than others, obviously, but it was a good experience.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!