That's how journalists assigned to cover the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand felt.
Elmo needed pictures of the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand. Just the basics. Because in this small airport, it didn't feel like a Southeast Asian Games was being held. There were no images of sports cheer in the airport, except for one corner where the volunteer information desk was located, and a photo area with the mascot and the sign "33rd SEA GAMES, Thailand 2025."
"Oh, this is like Halim," said Ramdan.
True enough. This airport is basic. Not luxurious. Halim Perdanakusuma is even nicer.
We hurriedly ordered a Grab and were turned down four or five times, until finally only a 10-person van was willing to transport us with excess luggage. In Elmo's suitcase alone, the equipment he was carrying was worth an Innova. Not to mention the Afghan equipment. Cameras and lenses ready to capture Indonesia's potential champions.
Once again, the sound of our stomachs begging for food had to be stifled. The journey was almost an hour, and the four of us had to first store our belongings in the rented apartment unit. Until finally, mealtime actually arrived.
Pork noodles. Rice with roast pork. Pork sausage. Oh, we can't eat this. Efforts to wander around the sidewalks around the accommodation were in vain. Our stomachs again needed more patience.
Until finally, one of the restaurants that sold a lot of vegetables in the display case, and many pictures of sea animals. But when we looked at the menu with the help of Google Translate. Pork again.
Bismillah. We ordered fried fish, squid, an omelet for Ramdan, and som tam Afghani.
One by one the dishes arrived. Starting with som tam.
It looked attractive. It was said to be made from sliced young papaya, added large Bangkok bean sprouts (because all large fruits or vegetables are often called Bangkok), some long beans, sliced red tomatoes, carrots, lime, roasted peanut shards, all drizzled with an orange-brown sauce. The color aroused our hungry stomachs.
Our four forks immediately attacked the som tam which was only one small plate. Hmm... it tasted fresh, of course, the sourness of the lime, the spiciness of the chili, a little sweet, and savory all in one. The roasted peanut shards added savory flavor and created a texture that wasn't boring.
Not bad. Simply put, the taste of som tam 11 12 with Bogor pickled vegetables.
Then the stir-fried squid arrived, then the sweet and sour fried fish, and Ramdan's two omelets. But there were only three servings of rice for the four of us. We learned our first Thai word: khaaw. Rice!
But the waiter said they were out of rice. So we shared. And for me, only the tom sam was memorable. The rest, my tongue mostly tasted sour.
After covering the SEA Games in Thailand for several days, my taste buds felt compelled by the dominant sweet and sour flavors. They say Thai food is delicious. Even the fried chicken sold on the street is delicious. Is that true?
I tested that statement myself. In the front yard of the Sports Authority of Thailand complex, there was a bazaar. It felt like hunting for takjil (breaking fast) in the Benhil area of Jakarta. The difference was, I was unfamiliar with most of the menu. Most were halal because the vendors wore hijabs. A few had cute pig pictures on the banners at the display tables. And only one stall sold fried grasshoppers, sago worms, crickets, and maggots.
The rest were, like the ones often seen in YouTube videos about Thai street food. Tempting. I wanted to try everything.
But the one I wanted to try was the red fried chicken. I bought two, one thigh and the other wing. They came with Bangkok sauce.
The taste was not impressive. It was delicious. Fried chicken marinated in several spices. I tasted coriander, pepper, and garlic, then coated with a little cornstarch, then covered with red paprika powder to make it tempting. Savory like fried chicken. But not as delicious as Indonesia's fried chicken with turmeric serundeng.
