Forward...into the past!

Flickr EF Costume Set

As expected, there were a smack-load of fantastic costumes at the con. One of the huge bonuses of EF is seeing the work of costumers who don't get out to the states.

My favorite costume this year was a tie: Karpour's Baseball (the Egyptian Fruit Bat) and Beastcub's blue dragon (dunno the name). The bat was just adorable, plus my fave species, plus performed exuberantly by Karpour (at least, I -think- Karpour was in it...). The blue dragon was a fantastic design and moved -really- well (head, neck, tail, body-- everything). I also liked the border collie (personal bias).


Flickr Snack Trade Set

Something unique to EF: the International Snak Trade! People were encouraged to bring their favorite (or most unusual local) snack to the convention and share with others. This resulted in some of the most delicious and nightmarish things I had all weekend. The Italian contingent brought local hams and salamis: OMG, good! There was a "soft" salami that was almost spreadable and I've never had a salami that flavorful. The local "ham" was like a dark red prosciutto; the other salami was hard and spicy. Plus, adult soft drinks! Flavorful, but not too sweet. If it were possible to bring these back to the states (the salamis), I would, but it's verbotten, zehr (or something to that effect).

There was a marzipan cake (the green things with the chocolate ends)-- kind of like a marzipan petit four-- that was excellent. Henrieke (and I'm SO SORRY for continually spelling your name wrong!!!) brought the Dutch version of NicNacs which were not only better than NicNacs, but come in flavors like onion and bacon! Om. I had to resist diving into the American snacks out of habit...

On the other side, I tasted the most awful, horrible thing ever to have the term "treat" applied to it. It's a Danish or Scandinavian candy called "Salmiakki": a bitter chew that looks like a piece of tar and tastes worse. For the sake of good international snack relations, I -tried- to finish it...but after a couple of minutes I had to spit it out and wipe my mouth out with a paper towel. I dashed back to the Italians and washed out the taste with Italian sodas and salami. Good grief, the main -flavoring- ingredient is ammonium chloride!! Flavoring!?!! Yes, I can believe it must be an acquired taste...

Bwa-hahah! Here's a video of people trying Salmiakki Ice Cream!!!

Salmiakki aside, it was a lot of fun trading snacks and stories!

EDIT: I almost forgot! My FAVORITE SNACK!!1! In Sweden there is something called "De Ruijter" and it's essentially flavored confectioners sugar in the form of little sprinkles. Apparently a typical way to eat this is to put some butter on a slice of bread and then COVER it with this stuff. Basically, it's frosting. In flavors. I said something to the effect that if it were available in the States, I'd eat it with a spoon...to which a women said that's what she did as a child! Haha! "Hmmm...what should I have for lunch? PB&J? Salami sandwich? Naw...SUGAR SANDWICH!!"

Flickr EF Costume Set

As expected, there were a smack-load of fantastic costumes at the con. One of the huge bonuses of EF is seeing the work of costumers who don't get out to the states.

My favorite costume this year was a tie: Karpour's Baseball (the Egyptian Fruit Bat) and Beastcub's blue dragon (dunno the name). The bat was just adorable, plus my fave species, plus performed exuberantly by Karpour (at least, I -think- Karpour was in it...). The blue dragon was a fantastic design and moved -really- well (head, neck, tail, body-- everything). I also liked the border collie (personal bias).


Flickr Snack Trade Set

Something unique to EF: the International Snak Trade! People were encouraged to bring their favorite (or most unusual local) snack to the convention and share with others. This resulted in some of the most delicious and nightmarish things I had all weekend. The Italian contingent brought local hams and salamis: OMG, good! There was a "soft" salami that was almost spreadable and I've never had a salami that flavorful. The local "ham" was like a dark red prosciutto; the other salami was hard and spicy. Plus, adult soft drinks! Flavorful, but not too sweet. If it were possible to bring these back to the states (the salamis), I would, but it's verbotten, zehr (or something to that effect).

There was a marzipan cake (the green things with the chocolate ends)-- kind of like a marzipan petit four-- that was excellent. Henrieke (and I'm SO SORRY for continually spelling your name wrong!!!) brought the Dutch version of NicNacs which were not only better than NicNacs, but come in flavors like onion and bacon! Om. I had to resist diving into the American snacks out of habit...

On the other side, I tasted the most awful, horrible thing ever to have the term "treat" applied to it. It's a Danish or Scandinavian candy called "Salmiakki": a bitter chew that looks like a piece of tar and tastes worse. For the sake of good international snack relations, I -tried- to finish it...but after a couple of minutes I had to spit it out and wipe my mouth out with a paper towel. I dashed back to the Italians and washed out the taste with Italian sodas and salami. Good grief, the main -flavoring- ingredient is ammonium chloride!! Flavoring!?!! Yes, I can believe it must be an acquired taste...

Bwa-hahah! Here's a video of people trying Salmiakki Ice Cream!!!

Salmiakki aside, it was a lot of fun trading snacks and stories!

EDIT: I almost forgot! My FAVORITE SNACK!!1! In Sweden there is something called "De Ruijter" and it's essentially flavored confectioners sugar in the form of little sprinkles. Apparently a typical way to eat this is to put some butter on a slice of bread and then COVER it with this stuff. Basically, it's frosting. In flavors. I said something to the effect that if it were available in the States, I'd eat it with a spoon...to which a women said that's what she did as a child! Haha! "Hmmm...what should I have for lunch? PB&J? Salami sandwich? Naw...SUGAR SANDWICH!!"