MARKET SCENE; POULTRY AND FISH SECTION; DRIED ITEM SECTION.




Initials IF/VS/PW/SS



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Background: ANYONE WITH A PALATE CLOYED BY THE CONVENTIONAL DAILY DIET CAN BE HEARTILY ENCOURAGED TO VISIT THE VILLAGE OF CHAU DOC, SOUTH VIETNAM. CHAU DOC BOASTS A MARKET WITH A DIFFERENCE - WHILE ONE SECTION IS DEVOTED TO FISH AND POULTRY, THE OTHER HALF SPECIALISES IN DRIED JUNGLE DELICACIES. THESE MOUTH-WATERING ITEMS INCLUDE EELS, WATER FROGS, RATS, ANT-EATERS, CROCODILES, IGUANAS, AND THE OCCASIONAL PORCUPINE.

NOT THAT ALL OF THE ITEMS FOR SALE ARE DESIGNED SOLELY TO STIMULATE THE TASTE BUDS. NEARLY HALF THE POPULATION OF CHAU DOC ARE CAMBODIAN DECENDANTS, AND MANY OF THE DRIED ANIMALS ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE MEDICINAL VALUE. VILLAGERS SWEAR BY THEIR ABILITY TO CURE THE RHEUMATISM OR THE ACHING BONE.

SO THE MAN BEHIND THE STALL ACTS NOT ONLY AS A SALESMAN BUT A MEDICAL CONSULTANT. ALL ONE HAS TO DO IS TO DESCRIBE ONE'S AILMENT TO HIM, AND HE'LL PRESCRIBE THE APPROPRIATE REPTILE GUARANTEED TO SCARE THE SYMPTOMS AWAY.