Day 8 10/23/08
Today, a word on arrogance. And provincialism. I had a correspondence with an old friend that reminded me of all the “specialists” who were against this trip. Even told me that this might kill me, or at least make things worse. Well, so far, that turns out not to be the case. I’m not sure what motivates this, “if we aren’t doing it, it can’t be done”, or , “oh, those Chinese, they’re good at acupuncture and herbal medicine”, but I sure am glad I didn’t listen.
Well, enough vitriol for one day. I was saddened to hear that Martin, my wonderful physical therapist and acupuncurist, was transferring to another hospital tomorrow. I asked him to a farewell lunch. I thought it was a little early when he wanted to leave at 10:30. He said he would take me to a place a short walk away.
Bataan was shorter. By the time we got there, I was sure this was one last session of PT. We sat down (finally!) only to find out that this place was no longer serving food, drinks only. So we got into a cab (thank God) and went to a place that I unfortunately didn’t get the name of.
We walked into this place only to find there’s a two story spiral staircase to the dining room. This may as well have been Everest, as far as I’m concerned. I should have said no, but we’d already struck out once, so what the heck. Now, I knew full well that going down those stairs was going to be a lot harder than going up, but I figured that would take care of itself (Must’ve been the stem cells talking).
Well, I made it, which simply wouldn’t have happened, oh, a week ago. And it was definitely worth the ascent, and descent. This place looks like a country club. We sat on two love seats at a low table next to a concert grand piano. The menu had a “western food” page in English. I ordered a ribeye steak and a glass of blended fruit juice. Martin, a filet.
What we got was: a salad of cucumber, tomato, onion, cubed apples in a sour cream sauce and slices of banana. Rather odd combination that came with two slices of what I can only describe as Texas toast. I ate the fruit and the toast, not bad.
Then they brought the fruit plate, More banana, pear, watermelon, and other fruit I couldn’t identify, fresh off the vine or tree or whatever. By now I’m getting full. THEN they brought the soup, a corn(!) chowder which was actually quite good.
Then they brought Martin’s filet on a sizzling platter with all kinds of vegetables, what looked like fusilli, and a fried egg. The waitress poured a tomato based vegetable sauce over the whole kit and kaboodle. It sizzled so fiercely that Martin had to hold up his napkin like a welder’s mask. I asked him what the sauce was, and he just shrugged his shoulders.
My ribeye was a bit more sedate, about ten ounces of beef (more meat then I’ve had since I got here) on a bed of shoestring fries. There was a brown sauce on the side. I don’t know what this stuff was, but if I could patent it in the states, I’d be rich. It was beefy and spicy and rich without being cloying. I poured it all over the steak and devoured it. By far the best meal I’ve had here.
The reason I’ve gone into such detail was the check: 230 RMB for both of us. That’s $33 U.S. folks, no tip allowed.
First spinal tomorrow. I can’t wait.
6 comments October 23rd, 2008
