Had a bit of a cultural weekend, and did things I have never done before, and things I will try again.
On Saturday, I went to a crawfish boil. Depending on where you’re from, it’s “crawfish,” “crayfish,” or “mud bugs.”
Whatever you call them, they are a lot of work to eat. I’ve had crawfish étouffée, and I love that. But! In that dish, the tiny crustaceans are already shelled and deveined.
When you partake in a boil, along with corn on the cob, new potatoes, and andouille sausage, you have a plate full of bright red, sea creatures that resemble a cross between a miniature lobster and an insect… hence the name, “mud bug.”
You have to pull off its head, then finagle what tender meat you can from the tail. In the end, you have a pile of bright red exoskeletons, decapitated pseudo-bugs, and hands that smell like fish for days, all for a liiiiitle bit of crawfish.
I still like the taste of crawfish, I just don’t want to work so hard for it.
It’s like eating escargot… I can say I’ve done it, and never have to do it again.
The other event was a community lunch and market at a Buddhist Temple.
I’ve lived in my little town for more than 20 years. I am very familiar with the surrounding cities and towns. I had no idea we have a for real Buddhist Temple, with for real chanting monks in marigold orange robes. It was surreal.
The lunch was Thai food prepared, I’m guessing, by Temple congregants. There was also a small market where fresh vegetables, and baked goods were available.
This lunch happens every Sunday, and I do plan to make a return trip to the Temple. I am intrigued.
“If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary.” ~ Jim Rohn
This week’s word is:
Risk
What to do:
Using “risk” for inspiration, write 100 Words – 100 exactly – no more, no less. You can either use the word – or any form of the word – as one of your 100, or it can be implied. Include a link in your post back here, and add your story to the Mister Linky list. If you don’t have a blog, you can leave your submission in the comment section, or as a Facebook status post. Remember to keep spreading the love with supportive comments for your fellow Wordsters.
Thin spiral notebook 
Well that’s not fair! I love the sound of crayfish. We do have them but our native species is endangered and I’m not sure whether you’re allowed to catch the invading species which is attacking or diseasing them or whatever. Anyway, I’ve often seen travel programmes in the States where someone is eating crayfish with chilli and butter etc and they look sooo delicious. But I suppose it’s a bit like langoustine – you’ve lost the will by the time you’ve eked out the tiny bit of meat. Fascinating about the Buddhist temple. I’ve always liked the idea of a Sikh Gurudwara where on the day of worship, at the end of the service there’s a huge communal meal, everyone brings what they can and it’s cooked and shared out. I think that’s what the very early Christians did too. Will have to have a think about your challenge.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think the communal meal is what the congregation have in mind. It looked like a lot of people there were regulars, and not members of the temple.
LikeLiked by 1 person
we don’t really do enough of that sort of thing anymore. The best we manage is the occasional street party, but that’s a bit hit and miss.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The potluck dinner needs to make a comeback.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I kind of like the name mud bugs, though it doesn’t sound like the name of something I’d want to eat ;).
Link left … though my risk story is not of rewarding adventure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Crawfish are truly ugly crustaceans, and live up to their mud bug nickname.
LikeLike
We call them crawdads here and I remember turning over rocks beneath the bridge that crossed a branch of a local river to find them and trying to grab them. I’m looking forward to writing to this prompt! And your pictures of the temple have been great!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There were eight Buddhas in the shrine, one for each day of the week plus the one seated in the front. They are all life-size and had serene expressions. It was all very calming.
LikeLike