Homeless Diver

I’m back in Manila after a long bus ride and its been raining this afternoon. I was hanging out with some local friends and finally broke down to eat with my fingers….something I swore I would never do. These people are just way too cool and fun to be around. Lunch was BBQ whole fish, pork chops, rice, veggie mix, grilled eggplant, avocado slices, salted shrimp paste (didnt try), and…I think that was it. - served on 2 large banana palm leaves covering the table. I was the only one with a plate and fork/spoon. Everyone else plopped it down in front of them and dug in, so I did likewise (but with a plate still) with my fingers. I guess I was looking awkward because I was instructed on how to properly ‘push’ the food from hand to mouth - and that shit works!

I’ve always had this phobia of eating whole non-gutted fish with head, tail, skin, and scales on it. But honestly, its easy as hell. I enjoyed the whole lunch!