By the time this post appears, I'll be on my way to the US.
'Balik kampung' means to return to one's village. That's not quite an accurate description of my journey; I'm not going back to where I grew up, but to where my parents have lived since the late eighties. Still, as far as I'm concerned home is where the Mom (or whoever cooks up something special for you whenever you make a visit) is, so in my heart I'm balik kampung-ing.
I'll no doubt be jonesing for Malaysian tidbits in a short while, but don't cry for me - every morning I'll be waking up to this.
I'm taking a disc full of food porn but expect posts to be few and far between for the next couple of weeks. Whether I post at all will depend on the ease of doing so from a computer not my own, via a land line. Of course, had I been a good girl and stored up some posts over the past few weeks this wouldn't be an issue.
To make up for my negligence, I'm offering EatingAsia readers a small taste of where I'll be: a speck of a town that was home to a well-known female American artist, about thirty miles from a lovely wee church reputed to have healing powers. Leave a comment with the name of the town and the state. And please state your general location. The first correct answer from an Australia/Asia-located reader AND the first correct answer from an Americas/Europe-located reader win.
The prize will be an ingredient, and I'll include a couple simple local recipes that anyone anywhere should be able to source other ingredients for. PLEASE - do not bid for the prize if you don't intend to have a go in the kitchen!! (Friends, acquaintances, anyone who knows where my folks live - you're not eligible. Sorry!)
In the meantime, I'll see what I can do about posting without DSL ... and EatingAsia will be back up to speed the week of May 22.
You're going to Abiquiu, New Mexico. I am so jealous...I'm in the urban city of Chicago. I love the Southwest. The color of the sky is amazing.
Have fun!
Posted by: Thaigirl | 2006.05.03 at 13:00
Ha! It looks like Thaigirl got it. I cheated and guessed New Mexico - all the images have a prefix Nm_ :-D The church is El Santuario de Chimayó and is a national historic landmark. The place looks like it is rich with history! Have a wonderful time!
Posted by: Manisha | 2006.05.03 at 13:23
I'm guessing Santa Fe, New Mexico. That's where Georgia O'Keefe lived for awhile, and that's where she died too, if I'm not mistaken. The church with the healing powers is Santuario de Chimayo.
Not that I've ever been the New Mexico. Hell, I haven't even been the old one.
Posted by: Brian | 2006.05.03 at 17:32
Thaigirl must be right with Abiquiu, NM -- Santa Fe is hardly 'a speck of a town --although El Santuario de Chimayo is more like 20 miles away as the crow flies (maybe you meant by road?)
Unfortunately it looks like at least Manisha, if not Thaigirl herself, is US-based, so my hopes of being the European winner are not going to be fulfilled. Have a great time.
Posted by: Max | 2006.05.03 at 18:15
I'm guessing:
Abiquiu, New Mexico
I love your blog....and I'm in Taipei. Does that make me the first Asian reader to guess???
Oh, I so hope that I'm right!!!! :)
Thanks for all of your lovely food postings. I found this site and bookmarked it when I was looking for Thai food recipes one day....and I've been coming back ever since.
Posted by: Jessica | 2006.05.03 at 22:35
Hi, I'm going for El Sanctuario de Chimayo, outside of the town of Chimayo, New Mexico. I'm in Adelaide, South Australia, greetings to all from down under !
Posted by: Angela | 2006.05.04 at 08:05
gonna miss all ur asia post. thanx for all the great stuff and awaiting for ur next post,
Posted by: michael | 2006.05.04 at 18:30
Yup, it's Abiqui NM. Looks like Thai Girl is the US/Europe winner, Jessica the Asia/Aus winner. Thanks to everyone else who participated.
Thai Girl and Jessica, drop me an email with your full address. Specify if you like it mild, medium, or hot.
Thai Girl's goodies will go out sometime in the next couple wks and Jessica, I'll send yours off from Malaysia after I get back wk of May 22.
Posted by: Robyn | 2006.05.04 at 23:52
Robyn,
I hope that you allow yourself to stray from the "eating asia" theme of the website at least once and post on chowing in New Mexico. I am sure that fans (specially those in Malaysia/Asia) would love to read a bit on what you ate while in NM.
Richard
Opplicario@aol.com
Posted by: RST | 2006.05.05 at 05:35
Wow, I got it right? Awesome!
Thank you for offering your readers a bit of fun while you're away. I am in a middle of my finals week at school and your blog has been one of my much needed de-stressing activities. I miss the street food from Bangkok so much and now I want to go to KL also!
Happy travel...
Posted by: Thaigirl | 2006.05.05 at 12:06
Will you be posting on Mexican food? I can't wait!
Posted by: Rabbit | 2006.05.05 at 20:27
RST and Rabbit - the problem is visuals. W/o my photographer how can I adequately convey the deliciousness of the local grub?
I'll take my dad's digital in hand and give it a try, but no promises....
Posted by: Robyn | 2006.05.05 at 22:42
haha.. was too late to participate in the mini-contest :) the pics look absolutely gorgeous though.. can't wait for the upcoming reviews!
Posted by: Jayne | 2006.05.08 at 09:37
I've been lurking, taking in your site for quite some time now, and now that you are heading back stateside, thought I'd give you a big Thanks! for the wonderful photos and stories. Your blog is a delight. Can't wait to see what comes next!
Posted by: L | 2006.05.09 at 08:28
I will be in Abique during labor day week end to scout for elk. I will make sure to stop at your place,,,
Posted by: Nick | 2007.08.24 at 02:48