Anyone want my alligator meat?

One of the things that I love about traveling, whether it be domestic or abroad, is trying new food. Or, trying old food (not old in the dried up or moldy sense, but old as in familiar) with a different twist. Some of the things I have tried I love and others I could never even see again and be ok with it. I'm not fond of alligator, turtle or most goat cheeses, nor do I like beef or sausage at any locale across the Big Pond.

However, here are a few of my favorites:

*Cheese - any kind of cheese (except most goat)
*Chocolate croissants from Le Panier at Pike Place Market
*Turkey po' boy sandwich at The Gumbo Shop in New Orleans
*Cornish game hen from La Lousienne in New Orleans
*Iced coffee and beignets from Cafe du Monde, New Orleans
*Hot dog from street vendor in New York City
*Fresh bagels from small cafe run by Jewish family just outside of Harlem in New York City
*Salad with ham and gruyere cheese at an outdoor cafe in Paris,France
*Roasted chicken at small inn near Glendalough, Ireland
*Chicken Cashel Bleu at classy restaurant across the way from the Rock of Cashel in Cashel, Ireland
*Toasted cheese sandwich at that pub on the highway near Waterford, Ireland
*Fried egg sandwich with bacon and cheese at cafe run by Italians near Buckingham Palace, London, England
*Coppa Nostra at Italian joint near Bedford Square in London, England
*Fish enchiladas at La Sirena Gordita in Zihuatenejo, Mexico
*Chicken tamales and cheese quesadillas from Cafe Tacuba in Mexico City, Mexico
*Tomato, avocado, onion salad from Los Arcos cafe in Cuernavaca, Mexico

As I make this list, I wonder if it was really the food that was so damn good and memorable, or was is the ambiance of the place, the people, the smells, etc.? Like the toasted cheese sandwich near Waterford, Ireland. I mean, c'mon, it is cheese and mayo and bread! However, I was the only woman in the pub and from the looks that I got I think I was the ONLY woman who had ever crossed the threshold of the pub. There were drunk Irishmen wearing knit caps and tweed coats who had arrived on their bicycles, pounding down pints and singing old Irish ballads. It was like stepping onto the set of "The Quiet Man".

Nonetheless, I am now starving and I am going to make some scrambled eggs, whole wheat toast with jam and an iced latte!