He of the Iron Stomache

Late Monday morning finds me in my destination town of Shenzhen. Finally. I've waited a good three hours for my driver to pick me up in Hong Kong. Another hour is spent on the road followed by a series of checkpoints that you must go through to be allowed into the mainland. Needless to say that when I check into my hotel and get down to the office I'm famished. It's 12:30 and the design crew is ready to take me to lunch. It's a good thing that I'm hungry because this is the "let's see what the American can stomache" test.
After a round of tea is dispersed a bowl of inch long crispy brown things is placed on a lazy susan. I'm told it is fish. it is very tasty. On closer inspection these tiny shreds of meat are entire fish. reminiscent of what you might see at PetCo in the tropical fish department. Next is boneless chicken feet. they are served whole and look exactly like chicken feet. The table stops and waits to see my reaction. I grab the largest one I can find in the bowl and stick the whole thing in my mouth. I'm in China I figure and this is where I earn the respect of my hosts. Several extra chews for good measure and down it goes. Actually it's not that bad. Now don't go ordering me any the next time we eat together but it is tolerable and distantly tasty.
The rest of the meal consists of battered smelt (I usually keep this in the bait compartment of my tackle box- and that's where it should stay!), whole shrimp exoskeleton and all, and pigeon. Which I find to be absolutely delicious. Who knew that the feathered rat could be such a delicacy.
Also eaten (enjoyed) are several dishes that are vaguely white and yellow with chewy and meaty consistencies. After lunch I have earned several pats on the back from my peers and I am taken back to the office to be introduced to the rest of the office.
I am satisfied walking back in the sticky heat. Realizing that like my lunch this experience will have it's uncertainties, mild terrors, and wonderful surprises. I can't wait to find out what else is in store for me.