The Recklessness of Refrigeration
One of the striking features of most tropical islands is the relative paucity of refrigeration. Simply walking into a food market challenges one's pampered western sensibilities. Putting aside the fact that the selection in most places is a tiny fraction of a typical American market, there is the additional challenge of confronting how little of the food is refrigerated. There is a palpable odor of vegetables being past their prime due to inadequate chilling. There are very few cold drinks. Eggs are out on a shelf. The store itself is most likely not air-conditioned. Yet the food is all perfectly edible. One can find provisions to cook meals. One's health is not at risk shopping here. The issue, upon closer examination, is primarily a matter of aesthetics. This isn't the way we do things at home. No it isn't, and it illuminates vividly how insane some of our American practices are.
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