Japanese Happy Meal and it's Surprises.

The lunches for out workshop have been pretty good while we've been in Japan. Today, we had a traditional Japanese lunch box full of bits and morsels of goodness and exceptional badness. The lunch came in two layers. The first layer seemed to have a lighter selection, while the bottom section appeared to be the filler section.  I didn't want to be the first to get one of the  mystery lunch boxes, and Neel, our Indian coworker, was brave enough to grab a box first.

Neels's big problem was that he can't use chop sticks. I never thought I would be making some kiddie sticks for an adult, bu I got a rubber band, some paper, and two coconuts and made him a child's pair of chopsticks. I really didn't need any coconuts, but I though the professor on Gilligan's Island always used coconuts, so I wanted to sound as innovative as the professor. Actually, if he was so innovative, how come he couldn't fix the boat or build a new one. Scratch the coconuts.  Chopsticks, rubber band and some paper is all you need to make anyone some kiddie sticks. Now, Neel isn't the best judge of foreign delicatessens.

Rick and Luke soon joined us in the arena, and grabbed a box each. I decided in wasn't rude to eat at this point so I grabbed mine. Luckily, I was finishing an email, so Rick and Luke got  ahead start on the box.  There was a lot of enjoyment out of figuring out what was safe to eat. 

It was a real game of Russian Roullette. Each time I chose on of the items in my box, there was an interesting texture or a very unique taste. Some things were okay, but I can still taste some of the bad choices as I'm writing. The rice burrito's in the button were pretty good, but there was a little item that looked like a grape that had the saltiest, bad taste of anything I have eaten in Japan. I like a lot of Japanese food, but today's mystery box literally left a bad taste in my mouth.

Just before our next meeting, Blaine and Knut grabbed their happy meals and joined us in the conference room. Both Blaine and Knut didn't get far before they decided they would try to find some hamburgers in stead.   Our conversation over instant messaging start with Blaine

Blaine -  I couldn't eat lunch
Knut - It was nasty. I need a burger.
Me - It was ... exotic
Knut - whatever describes nasty to you.
Me - That was our most expenseive lunch
Blaine - Let's get our money back and get some sliders


Nothing like some interesting food to end our workshop. Knut wanted to take the box home, but he said it smelled too bad.