Day #7 of 30 - When the Shoe is on the Other Foot

When one is immersed in a foreign culture, it is easy to assume that we are the only ones who are confused about what is happening around us, and that the burden of adapting is ours to bear. But every now and again I am reminded that it does work both ways, as the following email demonstrates. I received this exchange last week from some mahjong friends.

From: Lyn Gilmore
Sent: Wednesday, 8 June 2011 12:35 AM
To: Anita Vetter et al…
Subject: Hey yanks :-) Real marshmallows at Target

Hey y'all,

I was at Target at Bullcreek today and they are selling genuine USA Campfire marshmallows for $3 a bag near the checkout. Expiry date 2012.  Since I brought back some graham crackers it looks like we are well on our way to all the fixings for s'mores.  Who has a backyard fire pit?!

Cheers,
Lyn

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From: Julie Porter
Sent: Jun 9, 2011 10:32 AM
To: 'Lyn Gilmore' , 'Anita Vetter' …

 Subject: RE: Hey yanks :-) Real marshmallows at Target

Ok . following questions from an ignorant Aussie

1.  How are  'campfire' marshmallows different?

2.  Is the expiry date important other than the obvious?

3.  What are Graham crackers and why are they important, ?

4.  You will be pleased to know that I learnt that ' fixings' are 'ingredients' from watching F Troop when I was a child. BUT WHAT THE HELL ARE S'MORES ?

5.  Firepit? Seriously?

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From: Lyn Gilmore
Sent:  Wed, Jun 8, 2011 at 8:51 PM
To: Julie Porter et al…
Subject: Hey yanks :-) Real marshmallows at Target

I totally sympathize Julie! 

1.       They are big fat soft fluffy pillows of marshmallow-y goodness.  Different from the small yet delicious marshmallows served with coffee etc here.  About twice or three times the size.  Also, pure white.  Never pink.

2.       Mostly the obvious on the expiry - often USA products are pretty close or past their expiry when found.

3.       I will have to bring you a graham cracker.  Not sure I can adequately explain...it's a sweet cracker...kind of like a digestive biscuit?  We also use them crushed and mixed with melted butter for pie crusts.

4.       S'mores - traditional Girl Scout and Boy Scout treats (Girl Guides?).  Two blocks of graham crackers, with one or two roasted/toasted campfire marshmallow pressed between, along with a delicious square of (traditionally) Hershey's milk chocolate. http://images.foodnetwork.co.uk/recipes/traditional-smores.html

5.       They are WAAAAY better with the marshmallows cooked over an open fire.

It's a thing.  Like vegemite.  Something American kids all grow up with :-)

The vegemite "thing:" Australian kids grow up with vegemite spread on toast. Sometimes they add butter or cottage cheese. It looks like motor oil sludge and to my American palate it tastes just awful. But hey, they're not so crazy about pumpkin pie either. ("Why would you add sugar to a vegetable and put it in a pie?) And how about corn bread, chicken fried steak, and tamales? Anyway, I'm looking forward to a "s'mores night" as soon as it stops raining and we find a park with a barbecue pit. See you (munch, munch) tomorrow for Day #8.

P.S. My friend Lyn writes a wonderful blog called "Lyn Upside Down" which also addresses life for Americans in Australia. You can find it at http://lynupsidedown.blogspot.com/