Dip and Pluck

Our first meal takes place on a dusty sidewalk.

The scents are all new.

Our table takes up half the sidewalk and

we are constantly jostled by passing tourists,

little kids up way past their bedtime,

prostitutes, beggars and the like.

I hover over the stalls

trying to decide.

There is rice vermicelli, slighty thicker than our beehoon,

yet thinner than laksa noodles.

These noodles can be accompanied by

a green curry of chicken feet and congealed pig blood

or a fragrant thai laksa gravy swimming with fish balls

At other stall the rest of the gang are swarming over

a Koay Teow Th'ng type dish.

Suddenly a fight breaks out.

A prostitute has thrown her shoe at the head of another

(who I presume, got the man)

The other girl is livid, and takes off her own shoe and throws it back

then the are hobbling towards each other

each with a shoe on

there is a screaming match

before they lunge

a flurry of hair

red nails

and curses

I opt for Thai Laksa.

She dips the noodles in hot water to soften and warm them

She dips for gravy to pour over.

It is thick, fragrant,

but nowhere near as pungent or fishy as our version.

The bowl arrives in front of me.

Her part is done.

This is where it gets fun, the part that I love about Thai streetfood.

She has furnished me with the basics

noodles and a delicious liquid base

when the bowl is set in front of you

it is time for you to make what you want of it.

The table is laden with goodies,

fresh herbs, blanched veg,

and condiments such as chilli flakes, sugar,

fiery slices of orangey peppers, fish sauce and chilli oil.

I pluck dill and sweet basil

sprinkling feathery green shreds over my gravy

I dip into the crunchy beansprouts

I dip into the crisp longbeans

I dip with my condiment spoon

chilli flakes, sugar

a dash of fish sauce

I toss it all together and taste.

It is an explosion of flavours and textures on my tongue

sweet, sour, salty

creamy,crunchy, smooth, cool

then chilli.

The heat is fiery, numbing.

By the time I am finished my lips are

red and swollen.

It is at times like these when I most appreciate a ciggarette.