Local Christmas Traditions

With the over-the-top, paranoid-like security measures that every high-traffic US airports employ, I have decided to stay put for the holidays instead of going home as I usually do.  After working for around fourteen hours almost everyday for the past six months, I simply do not have the energy to queue for two to three hours and subject  myself  to have my luggage scanned and turned upside down after hours of meticulous packing in the hopes of finding any explosive devices.

Loomi Luvin'

      My  palm reader said I'm going to hold
 something old and withered in the palm of my hand. 
Perhaps this was what she meant?!

Unless you are familiar with Persian and khaleeji cuisines, most likely, you have never seen nor heard of lumi (pronounced as "loomi").   They are preserved limes boiled in salt water and dried out in the sun until they become brittle and  reach that tan or black color.  Sometimes, they're called "black limes" or "black lemons," which is a misnomer.  

Papaya Fried Rice

With Christmas just a little over  two weeks away, I am starting to feel the pressure to finish everything work-related before the break.  It doesn't help either when you hear "Only 'X' days till Christmas!" on TV every night.  As soon as September arrives, the entire Christian population in this country start the count down.  

Thai Pumpkin Coconut Custard (Sang Kaya Fuk Thong)

 

From about 2003 to 2007, I spent Thanksgiving Day in Thailand on business trips.  I have done away with turkey but Thanksgiving is not Thanksgiving without any kind of pumpkin.  I used to order this Thai pumpkin coconut custard at the hotels I stayed at on all the Thanksgiving Days I  was in Bangkok.  It became my own personal tradition as a way of celebrating the holiday the best way I could away from home.