home is where my tummy is

In a little over a month, we'll be back in my hometown, Zamboanga City, to spend Christmas with my parents and my brother and his wife. Our youngest sibling won't be around because she also works overseas and already went home for her vacation last July. We won't be complete but it's still going to be a happy time nevertheless.

Aside from spending time with my family, I'm also looking forward to meeting up with old friends, going back to old haunts and eating back all the weight that I've lost. If there's one thing that has J in awe of my city, it's how cheap the food is. We may not have much in terms of nightlife but we more than make up for it with glorious food that won't bust your pockets. I'm already imagining the giant prawns that my father cooks in coconut milk, all kinds of fresh fish prepared the way I like, the sweet and luscious knickerbocker (fresh bananas, mangoes and watermelon, jello cubes and served with a scoop of strawberry ice cream) at Patio Palmeras,  the delicious asado and bola-bola siopaos from National Bakery, the yummy pork and chicken barbecues from Triple E and Blue Diamond, the spicy hot satti from Jimmy's, the best-tasting arroz caldo at Busy Bee and, of course, the street food on R.T. Lim Boulevard where squid balls and fish balls really taste the way they're supposed to and with sauces that puts Manila's watery, bland concoctions to shame.

Goodness, I'm getting really hungry just thinking of it! I can't wait to get home and I promise to regale you with photos of all the gastronomic delights I'll be indulging in. Just 42 days to go, woohoo!

Mood Music: Food Glorious Food from Oliver!