An Unforgettable Experience

Would you eat an insect? If I was asked this question two months ago, I would definitely have scrunched my nose in disgust. The very idea made my stomach do somersaults, but that was before the trip that turned my world upside down.

It began as a typical family holiday to Thailand. On the third day of our trip, we found ourselves in a bustling night market in the heart of Bangkok. The air was humid and thick with the scent of exotic food, and the market was bursting with activity. We meandered through the throngs of people, looking curiously at the vibrant textiles and ripe, exotic fruits on display.

My sister was the first to spot the unusual food stand. We approached the stall, hoping to indulge in what appeared to be skewers, but found ourselves in front of a feast of insects. An assortment of grasshoppers, crickets, scorpions, and even tarantulas, glistened under the stall’s fluorescent light. The friendly vendor greeted us with a twinkle in his eyes, urging us to try out some of his delicacies.

Our parents jumped at the opportunity. My sister and I watched as my father took a large bite out of a grasshopper with a sickening crunch, before giving us a thumbs-up sign. “It tastes like shrimp!” he laughed. My mother went next and nodded in agreement. “Come on, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience!” my father urged us.

My sister and I exchanged nervous glances. With a mixture of curiosity and dread, I reached for the least intimidating insect, a small cricket, and took a bite. My initial revulsion gave way to surprise as a nutty, smoky flavour filled my mouth. It was not unpleasant, but the knowledge of what I was eating made my stomach churn. Pushing the image of the cricket to the back of my mind, I quickly chewed and swallowed. Then, I took another bite.

By the end of the night, we had each tried a few different insects. It was an unusual and unforgettable experience, and this shared adventure would become one of my family’s most recounted tales. Now, if anyone were to ask if I would eat an insect, I would tell them about the day I did.

My heart drummed with excitement as we turned off the main road onto the rugged path that led to our campsite. For months, my family and I had meticulously researched the best time to chase the elusive aurora borealis, consulting countless guides and travel blogs. All that effort had culminated in this trip. Miles away from home, we were on a quest to witness the celestial dance of the northern lights.

The friendly staff at our lodging had recommended an expansive clearing in the woods a distance away from our accommodation. They regaled us with their own stories of the lights and promised that that was the best spot to get a view of the mesmerising performance.

The sun had just begun to set when we arrived. The air was crisp and chilly, and a thick blanket of snow covered everything around us, creating an ethereal landscape. My father and I worked together to assemble the tent while my mother and brother prepared the sleeping bags and blankets. We then lit a roaring fire that would keep us warm against the night’s chill.

As night draped over us, the world seemed to hush in expectation. We had a simple dinner over the campfire and settled into our sleeping bags right beneath the heavens, gazing up at the expanse of the sky. Millions of stars twinkled overhead as we waited in silence, each holding onto the hope that this would be the day that Mother Nature decided to put on her performance across the skies.

Then, it happened. The changes were almost imperceptible at first. There was a subtle shift in the atmosphere and a gentle glow teased the edge of the sky. The air crackled and popped, and the glow soon intensified. Colours burst forth in a spectacle of green and purple as ribbons of light unfurled across the night sky, weaving through the sea of stars.

Waves of emotion washed over me as we bore witness to one of nature’s most extraordinary sights. We gazed at the sky with childlike wonder, taking in the spectacle of a lifetime. The lights seemed to dance forever, and when they finally dimmed, I was left with a deep sense of gratitude. This unforgettable experience would live within me forever.