Breakfast

I have always made it a practice when traveling to eat as the locals do with a few exceptions.   If I wanted to do everything as I have always done it, why would I travel.   I can stay home and eat McDonalds or cereal and milk or fix my normal eggs and bacon or sausage.

The one concession that I make is that I am very careful of what I drink.   If it is not boiled like coffee or tea, I stick with bottled water unless I know that it is safe for me.  Not only when traveling overseas, but also even in the USA.   Sometimes different water will make me a little unsettled for a day or two.

Since I was not cooking for myself in the Philippines, when I wasn’t eating with others that I was meeting with, I would go to a couple places to eat.   I tried the local suggestions and can say that while they were different than what I eat in Cornfield County, Indiana, they were good.

One morning, I had coffee in the form of 3 in 1.   It is instant coffee, creamer, and cane sugar (according to the label) all pre-mixed in a sweet coffee.   As a black coffee drinker, I would have preferred it, but the 3 in 1 is all they had, so I thanked them and drank it.

In addition, I had a chicken drumstick, a salad made from various vegetables and what looked like a type of seaweed in an oil and vinegar dressing.   This was accompanied by a soup.

It was filling and all very good even though it wasn’t what I would have thought about on my own.

Another morning, I had 3 in 1 coffee and Pandesal rolls.   These are a sweet dough roll coated with a bread crumb coating.   They are delicious when fresh and warm.   I have heard rumors that there is the possibility of a Pandesal roll that is not fresh but they were always sold out before they were very old.

One of the mornings, we were going to have a meeting, one of the young ladies bought some for what they called “merienda” or light snacks.

I really liked them because I try to avoid overly sweet foods like doughnuts and Danish rolls.   They were very pleasantly balanced; just a hint of sweetness and a light and fluffy texture.

I have decided that this winter I will try making some at home to enjoy.   If you ever get a chance to try them, I am sure you will enjoy them but expect to get up early or they might be gone.