Friday, April 10, 2009

Hungry?

I'm not a big TV watcher. I don't have a clue who Simon is ridiculing and Randy is "Yeah Dogging!" this season. My idea of the biggest loser is the guy who cut me off yesterday in traffic. And Big Brother? 1984 had come and gone before I ever read the Orwell classic, but the only way I care about Big Brother is if the feds are sending somebody to peek in my bathroom window at night.

But there are a few things I tune in to watch. Cornhusker football, Saints football. The Dallas Stars even though they cross-checked my across the mouth this year. Yeah, I'm a sports fan but a man can't get by on balls and pucks alone. Sometimes he needs to broaden his view and learn about the world beyond the gridiron and hockey rink. Sure most of the time I turn to books for that, but there are times when mere words fail to do a subject justice.

When you ask. Glad you did.

Ever wonder what the roasted eyeball of a goat tastes like? Or fish stomach sauce? How about eight week old putrefied shark?

Sure you could describe the affect on you salivary glands but it's a lot more graphic to see the expression on the oh-so-brave Andrew Zimmern's face as he swallows such craziness. Bizarre Foods on the Travel Channel is one of my favorite shows and for those who read my blog on a regular basis will realize I mentioned it in my recent post about the scent of Morocco. Well after that post I was contacted by folks from the Travel Channel about spreading the word about the upcoming season which start Tuesday night, April 14th. Check your local listings for the time, but here is what the people at the Travel Channel sent me to use in this blog.

The first episode of the new season takes Andrew to the beautiful country of Tanzania. He begins his journey in the city of Arusha, a favorite jumping off point for tourists going on safari. Here he samples the traditional Tanzanian breakfast supu; a soup made with goat lungs, heart, and liver, as well as cow stomach, intestines, and tongue. Andrew's next destination is the Village of Irkeepusi down the Ngorongoro Crater, where he spends a few days with the Maasai tribe. Here he's taught such traditions as drinking blood from cows and goats since the animals are too valuable to be killed. Andrew's guide Edward also takes him to a meat camp for men, where the goal is to fill up on as much meat as possible over 5 days.

Andrew's next step is on the lower slopes of massive Mount Kilamanjaro, where he learns the ways of the Chagga tribe. Many of their foods are made with bananas, including their beverages. Andrew watches the tribe make banana beer by hand. Later he tries three different soups, including one made with dirt and another made with blood.

Hungry yet? Be sure to watch next week! In the meantime, here's a sneak preview



Since I am a genuine fan and do plan to watch, I had no problem spreading the word. Besides, they promised me a little care package for the effort, including dome edible crickets that me and my youngest son are eager to sample. And how about that season opener. I like the sounds of a meat camp for men but something tells me they won't be dining of marinated elk tenderloin or even a nice tasty rib-eye. Nevertheless I'll be watching. How about you?

18 comments:

Kristen Painter said...

I'll definitely be watching. A) I love the show and B) I have a good friend who lives in Taz!

sybil law said...

Noooo... no...no...no...
I cannot stand watching people eat funky things. I love Anthony Bourdain, though...

Angel said...

I freakin LOVE this show!!! he cracks me up! and I also love that guy...."Man Vs. Food" he's cute and he gets to eat some really good stuff...unlike poor Andrew.....

Lana Gramlich said...

Erg...I think I'm going to pass. I'd rather watch Gordon Ramsay abuse a bunch of wannabe chefs than ANYone eating something, shall we say, "non-traditional?" I mean, kudos to the guy, but I just can't watch it.

Lyzzydee said...

I couldn't even read your discription of what he was intending to eat, I have a seriously weak stomach for all of that stuff.
Have fun if thats what floats your boat!!!!

the walking man said...

I don't mind so much what goes in his mouth, even though 99.9% of it would never pass my lips, he's jusyt not snarky enough to hold my attention like Bourdain does.

Charles Gramlich said...

I think bizarre foods every time Lana orders pineapple on her pizza.

MyAwesomeOliveShoots said...

I really enjoyed your blog and have no idea how I found it but the post about Andrew Zimmern was priceless! I love that guy and live vicariously through him. Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

I saw this on when my hubby was channel surfing. We were eating and I couldn't watch anymore.. I don't even remember what they were showing..

Thanks for making my stomach turn.. I guess it's payback for all of my Friday posts

Anonymous said...

Okay, once again I'm glad I shot the television. Good to know about helium, though. I had pictured big helium generators of some kind.

So, are all the members of all the choirs sopranos?

Ello - Ellen Oh said...

Oh man Travis - I am a big fan of his show! Me and the kids love him! But if you ever tell me you are contacted by Anthony Bourdain's people, you need to hook me up or I'll be knocking on your door...

Cloudia said...

Travis: T C is paying you in....edible crickets?

No telling what may come of this!
Seriously though, that's pretty cool. You are becoming a "taste maker."

I'll be watching. Aloha-

ps: My MTM post is set to publish Monday a.m.

G. B. Miller said...

Ugh.

No way.

I'm sure he's a good host, but the farthest I'll go in watching it, is surfing by it in my menu guide.

Leigh said...

For the latest in Travis' publishing news, visit
http://criminalbrief.com/?p=6212

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Ga-ross! We stumble across this show every now and then but I never last very long. The meat camp sounds like your type of adventure!

Too cool that they contacted you. :)

Unknown said...

I love this show, but I can seldom watch it, it makes me want to puke.

Anonymous said...

I like the way Mr. Andrew tastes the food...he tastes and ponders.
I would like to be in his head when he is thinking about his word choice. I talk way before I think most of the time. Hahaha the bleep bleeep would be going on. I like the show sometimes i like to hold up a throw pillow but all in all the show is quite good.

Junosmom said...

Nope, not watching and you can keep the crickets. I'll eat my salad (ha!)