Why is the Bologna Smiling at Me????

Posted on June 12, 2013 by The Roaming Bean in Eats & Drinks // 9 Comments

Ask any traveler what the weirdest food they’ve found while traveling and they’ll probably answer you with some type of sheep’s head or intestine dish. Me, I’m totally down with all that stuff; I enjoy eating new and odd things. However, the most odd thing I’ve yet to come across was this:

I give you the smiling bologna face.

This little diddy was found in a market across from the Blarney Castle in Ireland

You might be thinking “But, wait… how is bologna the most odd food item you have ever seen?” Look at it. It’s smiling. Plus, bologna is just all sorts of wrong. Any type of meat product that can be bent and squished into different angles yet keep its original form without tearing is absolutely disgusting.

Call me crazy (most people do), but I’d happily stuff my face with eyeballs and brains over a piece of bologna that is smiling at me!

What’s the weirdest food YOU have ever seen while traveling?!

About The Roaming Bean (109 Articles)

You're probably wondering what the heck is a "Roaming Bean"... Given that I am clearly not a Bean, and my name is Jen, what gives with this Bean thing, right? A friend of mine called me JenBean as a child, and it kinda stuck. Actually, it really stuck... even my license plate says Jenbean. And seeing as I have this grand lust to wander the world, The Roaming Bean seemed suitable. I've changed my career path more times than I have my underwear (minus all the times I've gone commando).... from animating, to forensic pathology, to international business, to fashion marketing and even to my wonderful and favorite of the bunch, degree in culinary arts, nothing kept my attention. Nothing was fun enough to do every day for the rest of my life. I mean, even though I cooked for celebrities in the heart of Hollywood, CA, why the hell would I want to sweat my ass off in a ridiculously HOT kitchen for most of the day and go home smelling like beef and onions? And the chef hat?? Do you know what that did to my hair?? Enter traveling.... The rainy day I descended down the tower of Notre Dame in Paris, gripping on to the railing for dear life so not to slip and tumble to an early death from the torrential down pour that was causing a small flood in the stairwell, my life changed. When I safely made it to the ground, legs shaky from an apparent lack of fitness it requires to walk up and down 387 steep stairs, I realized my hands were stained a delightful copper color from the rusted hand rail I had so dearly clung to. Desperate to get the icky stuff off my supple hands, and no running water in sight, I did what any other hopeless idiot would have done: I washed my hands in the nearest Parisian gutter. It was that moment that changed my life... I threw away my hair dryer, my rolling luggage and my dignity. I let my hair go natural, I bought a back pack and I CAMPED through Europe for a month and a half. Yes my friends, I crossed over into a savage traveling beast. Ok, a lot of people travel that way. But I didn't. And I'm so incredibly thankful for that rainy day in Paris that made me realize the world is a pretty sweet place. That realization led me on a quest; a quest to get out there, see things, soak up some local culture and eat my way around the world (with minimal food-related illnesses, such as but not limited to raging diarrhea).

9 Comments on Why is the Bologna Smiling at Me????

カシオ計算機電卓カシオ exilim カシオ日めくりカレンダー // October 21, 2013 at 2:10 am // Reply

株式会社カシオコミュニケーションブレインズ
The GypsynNesters // September 28, 2013 at 5:00 am // Reply

We eat lots of strange stuff, it’s part of the fun of traveling. Donkey, Rocky Mountain oysters, jellyfish, even guinea pig, but without a doubt the worst of all (maybe not weirdest but certainly worst!) was silkworms.
- The Roaming Bean // September 28, 2013 at 2:49 pm // Reply
  
  See, I have no problem eating things like that! I’d gladly take BBQ’d intestines on a stick over bologna any day! I’ve never had silk worms, but I’ve heard the texture is absolutely awful!
Craig Fisher // September 6, 2013 at 2:49 pm // Reply

We have that in th UK, but it’s called “Billy Bear Meat” !!
- The Roaming Bean // September 9, 2013 at 6:04 pm // Reply
  
  It’s awful! I’d be scarred for life if I saw that as a small child!
joanfrankham // June 14, 2013 at 1:35 am // Reply

Definitely not for eating, who moulds it into that shape…and with what! !
- The Roaming Bean // June 14, 2013 at 8:25 am // Reply
  
  Exactly!!! It’s disturbing!
GeekHiker // June 13, 2013 at 7:50 pm // Reply

I don’t know that it’s the weirdest, but kangaroo in Australia is pretty tasty. As for that bologna, it’s gonna haunt your dreams, that’s for sure. It’s like a horrifying cross between scary cafeteria lunch-meats… and clowns. *shudder*
- The Roaming Bean // June 14, 2013 at 8:24 am // Reply
  
  I’ve never had kangaroo, but I’d try it. Funny how I’m ok with insides and odd animals but not smiling bologna! It’s just wrong!!