Heartburn City

Due to my fellow workers' lunch routine on the last day of the week, Friday shall henceforth be renamed Fireday. God I love Fireday. Usually a group of 8 to 12 enjoy an extended lunch together. And when they go out they like to enjoy some really spicy food. There are two restaurants that I've visited with them. I've been to both places now twice. Today we went to a Sichuan style joint. I had eaten here with Jeff and Megan a few weeks back and loved it then. This time around is no different.
Today several of the dishes are new. Even though some of the same culprits are there. Like a rack of hanging beef. Strips of cold beef resembling raw bacon hanging over a stick of bamboo. It is accompanied by a red chili dipping sauce. A plate of grilled string beans that are so flavorful that I can't stop eating them. Next chicken simmering in a bowl of red chili sauce. Excellent. Just keep an eye out for bones. Everything has bones. Like the fish simmering in red chili sauce. Oh this is so good. My scalp is starting to tingle from the heat accumulation.
Next out is beef sprinkled with chili flakes. each piece of beef is attached to a healthy portion of fat. It flaps in the breeze while it hangs from your chopsticks. That's kind of gross so I hurry it into my mouth to get it out of view. Jeez that's good too.
I'm grinning from ear to ear, I can't get enough. the food is spicy but still retaining its flavor. The conversation is loud and friendly. I can't understand a single word and yet I feel apart of the group. Every now and then an explanation is made to me in English and I can follow along.
Another large bowl is set down on the table. I drag a ladle through it and overturn what appears to be mushrooms. I scoop myself a big grayish brown square, everyone stops and looks at me, I ask "are these mushrooms?"
"no, pigs blood."
"OK but there not mushrooms right?" After being assured that they are not mushrooms I pop the square into my mouth. Delicious. it's like a spicy tofu with a slightly salty aftertaste. This is some good eating. A few other assorted beef and vegetable dishes are brought out. All drenched in red chili sauce. To help extinguish the blaze I'm served a bowl of plain white rice. Drizzling the remnants of all the sauces left on the table on top of my rice is like heaven. I go through two bowls of rice. The final plate is served. Sweet fried dough balls filled with what I believe to be a plum sauce. Checkmate. I am so delighted that I pick up the tab. A little over $40. This is good living. I just might be the only guy in history that goes to China and gains weight.

Two hours later sitting at my desk I'm cringing from chest aches and burning belches. My skin crawls a bit from all the chili oil I've ingested. I spend time trying to configure myself on my desk so that I can lay down and still work on my computer.
I can't wait for next Friday.