Chopsticks

I've been spending altogether too much money on fancy chopsticks. I can't help myself!! They're so beautiful. And I blame my fascination with them on several people.

So it all started before I began my adventures. I read somewhere about how many tons of disposable chopsticks the Chinese go through every day. I thought "oh I'll just buy my own pair so I don't contribute to the landfills." Then I got to Nepal. One of my wonderful roommates, Luna, eats everything with these simple but beautiful bamboo chopsticks. She told me about how she believes that food's energy is effected by everything that touches it, and it is best effected by other plant forms rather than metal. Of course I believe in the energy of everything so that further deepened my resolve to get myself some nice natural-material chopsticks. Then Andy comes along and shows me this beautiful set of chopsticks he got in Thailand (mind you, they use silverware in Thailand, not chopsticks). I couldn't wait to get to China and get my own.

So now you know. I started off with a fun cartoon pair that Andy picked out (it came in a pack of 2-one for each of us). Those were plastic (I convinced myself it'll be easier to clean as a traveller with limited access to dish soap). It took me over a week to find my next pair....a beautiful wooden one painted with delicate little branches and birds. Too nice to use on a daily basis. The same day I found a rather simple wooden pair with other types of wood inserted into the top...and they came with a beautiful chopsticks-holder! While staying in Dali, I bought a short rosewood pair because of both the shape carved into the top and the shopkeeper told me about how wonderfully the energy of the rosewood effects your food (good salesman). Then I came across 4 pairs with colored woven cases, on display next to some beautiful chopstick stands (tiny wooden block to rest your chopsticks on so it doesn't smudge the table!) 2 shaped like fish and 2 rectangular-curvy ones. I'm working on convincing myself that I have enough now and needn't buy anymore.

I love my chopsticks.