One of the really great things about Melbourne, at least in the warmer months, is that there is almost always a festival on the weekend. Today’s festival was focused on Thailand. There were dance performances on the main stage, stalls to buy traditional food, and crafting tables. One table had an amazing display various fruits carved into beautiful flowers. In another, three women were making a paste which they then hardened and sculptured into small fruits and imitation rubber ducks.
Wanting to try something new but unsure with so many options, I chose to eat something I have heard of, but did not understand how to make: fried ice cream. Though I’m not at all sure it is a traditional Thai dish, it was very good and the presentation of it was certainly different than if I were to order the same thing at home. It was presented in a triangular shape, the ice cream in a paper like sugar case that was fried. The ice cream was served with almonds, roasted coconut and a caramel sauce on the side as well. It was all quite delicious.
Sugary sweets aside, I could have used my time at the festival better. I did not learn much at all of Thailand culture. I can tell the difference now between their clothes and some dances from other Asian cultures that I have also been exposed to and before today I could not have. However, I do not know why the styles of dance and dress are the way they are. Nor could I tell you if fruit carving or fried ice cream are unique or original to Thailand. Really what I learned today is how much I do not know, that and how to fry ice cream.
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