We were so used to Changiville. It's our home away from home - our kitchen. Dara was trained in Singapore and he did not use MSG in his cooking. My favourite was Pho with the soft beef tendons. That's where I started to eat with chillie padi too.
There were problems with the landlord and one day, the guest house cum cafe was gone. We are getting used to how quickly things change. Shops open and close and usually with little notice. So I started to look for alternatives. It surprised me that there were a lot of eating places around me. I could go left or right, far or near and I was happy. I was not much of a foodie but I was becoming one. During meal times I will tell the folks "I am looking for food!" and off I go, hunting for comfort food, desserts, avocado shakes and I was becoming quite adventurous and discerning.
One evening we walked into a little shop cum residence and I was OK the moment I saw soup in the pot. Bong Yod smiled widely and very warmly and I returned to eat regularly.
Think about it. I barely manage saying the numbers in Khmer and can only point or take my money out and she uses her fingers to show me how many thousands or hundreds. She will teach me how to say the amount and I am learning! And we have come a long way.
I observed that she stored her dried food items with soap and insecticide aerosols and mosquito coils in the same glass cabinet. One day I was there with a local colleague and with her help, told Bong Yod that these items should be separated. She was very welcoming about the info and explained she thought the packaging was safe enough. She even clarified what items could go together.
I also told her about the use of MSG as I could taste it and the effects on hair fall. She was like "no wonder my family is experiencing hair falls!" She quickly asked for alternative ways of cooking and I shared how I would have cooked the soup she was serving. She was concerned that local customers might not like it and I suggested having MSG available for those who want it.
A few days later the goods were rearranged. I could taste the change in her cooking too. I was surprised as a friend had told me the folks here do not change easily. She has this enthusiasm about her dishes and through her daughter who speaks English, I sometimes explain why I like some items and why not some others. My current favourites are her ginger chicken, stewed bitter gourd, fish sour soup and potato-radish soup.
This evening was the best. She was alone with her 2 year old grandson who was giving her a hard time as he wanted to be in on everything. Cars usually stop by for cigarettes or gum or just anything and junior would take his stool to stand on it next to the car and join in the conversation.
This time he was going really near the car to pick something up as the car was moving off. She shouted and carried him away while I gave him the disapproving look. He was greatly offended, got on the floor and threw a tantrum. Grandma got the cane and I quickly got an empty carton and a plastic bottle and waved him toward me on the floor. I pointed him to the bottle like "you are this guy here" then swung the carton like a car and knocked over the bottle. Then I showed him a hit on my head and he seemed to get it. He held his head like he was hit! He was smiling and enjoying the conversation without words. Grandma understood what I was trying to tell him and spoke to him.
I taught him "thumbs up" for being clever and a "Hi five" like we are friends. I waved good bye to a happy boy who waved back and rewarded myself with a dessert treat at the street corner.
Good bye Changiville and Hello Bong Yod!
