Monday, September 29, 2008

Snake Village

Thanks to some friends, I finally got a chance to get out of town for a little while on Sunday. I was ready to go check out a new church, the same one I didn't go to last week, when my housemate, Paul, asked if I wanted to go to Snake Village. Well, of course I want to go to Snake Village - whatever that is.

We met up with Paul's friend from work, Ben, his room mate, and one of his students. This was our ride for the day...
Snake Village turned out to not really be a village, so much as a part of town on the other side of the Red River that has restaurants that specialize in snake. This guy helped us pick out a nice cobra.
They weigh it, then they slit it open and pour it's blood into a beaker with vodka.
The bile from the liver is also squirted into a bottle of vodka to make a refreshing green aperitif.
After that it seemed like the snake dishes just kept coming. There was snake soup, fried snake meat, snake organs with star fruit, snake skin fried like pork rinds, snake bones mixed with seeds and served on crispy flat bread, more snake soup... It was really amazing. I was very surprised not to see the snake's head again.A good time was had by all.Someone ordered french fries for me. After my seafood diner experience, I was more than happy with my fries and a coke.Now, when you eat snake like this, it's customary for someone to swallow the snake's heart. While it's still beating...

Paul gave it a try...

And he did manage to get it in...

He tried again, but never actually swallowed it. He swears that he's really going to do it next time.

And then we all went for a little ride around the countryside. I even got a new hat, and Paul took care of everything as a late birthday present. He may not be much for swallowing snake hearts, but he's a really nice guy.

6 comments:

rebar said...

I feel like I just watched the cobra-eating equivalent to a donkey show.

Hoorah!!!
Thanks, Seth!

Crazypants said...

I love the pic. you look so happy!

dondi said...

How long does a Cobra's heart continue to beat after it's dead, anyway?

dondi said...

How long does a Cobra's heart continue to beat after it's dead, anyway?

Seth said...

"How long does a Cobra's heart continue to beat after it's dead, anyway?"

A really surprisingly long time. I'd say around 10 or 15 minutes. Yet another reason I wouldn't put that in my mouth. Apparently you can feel it beating in your stomach after you swallow it.

Juji said...

Dear Seth,

I once went to a snake wrassle and in Mexico nearly stepped on a Coral snake, my brother once made me put a grass snake in my (yeah get ready for it) mouth. I like snakes and have met some real snakes in the grass in my time.

Also in Mexico, Tepoztlan, a mercado guy was selling paper cones full of brown furry bugs with red spots...people eat them live like popcorn and don't care if their hearts beat or not...my friend Sam upon seeing the guy commented "I hope he's not trying to sell that cone.

All the stuff made Mike laugh and it hurt his stitches which were already there before you had him in them. He's recovering well.

Miss you, love the blog and you. HAVE A GOOD YOM KIPUR.

JUJI & MIKE