-^-for posterity-^-

we figured out how to make grilled cheese sandwiches and french fries. (recently renamed freedom fries in the good ‘ol us of a) (ha!)

we asked a few of the english teachers if they would like to come over and try some of our american specialties. two of the braver english teachers arrived appropriately fifteen minutes late.

one of us worked the grill and the other fried the potatoes. we had a whole mess of goodies and were excited about sharing some of our national cuisine (i’m repressing a smile while typing). the grilled cheese sandwiches came out nicely and the french (freedom) fries were grilled to perfection. we even had ketchup and mustard.

the braver of the two teachers admitted to us that he had never eaten cheese before. cheese is not a staple in this part of the world by any stretch of the imagination and there is only one store in long xuyen that sells it. they sell singly wrapped pieces of american cheese made in france (the ironies keep piling up).

the plate of grilled cheese and french (freedom) fries were placed in front of the teachers (topped off with a small slice of tomato because you can’t present a plate to someone that’s only full of fried food. there has to be something there that seems healthy.) the teacher who had never tried cheese before picked up one of the grilled cheese slices and bit into it. he mulled the processed cheese, processed bread and butter around in his mouth for a bit changing his expression repeatedly. he swallowed and concluded that it was good.

neither one of the teachers could finish off their slices of grilled cheese so we gave them to the dog who doesn’t know anything about cheese or vietnam or france or iraq. the dog ate them and appears healthy.

our little experiment with grilled cheese and french fries went well. we shall make them again and soon become cheese ambassadors.