The Avian Misadventures of Outdoor Dining
There’s a fancy word for eating outdoors: al fresco dining. The term is Italian and means “in the cool air.” But that’s not how Italians use the term. For them it means quite the opposite: spending time in the clink. We sure did screw that one up. But no worries, for today is National Eat Outside Day!
Depending on when and where you are on our planet, al fresco dining may be a pleasant way to spend an afternoon or Hell on Earth. An afternoon spent dining with friends in Eastern Texas in July may very well end up a disagreeable engagement. The sugary cold of a Texas style iced tea does nothing to combat the sweltering heat mixed with the incessant mosquito buzz and bites. But a Fall evening barbecue among the yellowing leaves and cool breeze of the Appalachian mountains might turn out to be a life defining satisfaction.
Whatever the case, there is one thing you need be cautious of when dining outdoors: bird chlamydia.
I almost fell victim to bird chlamydia (also known as parrot fever) and a host of other bird diseases while rooftop dining with friends and family. There I was enjoying my warm eggs benedict and chatting away with lifelong friends when—plop—an avian beast perched above decided to relieve itself on my breakfast.
And I was oblivious to it all.
But, just as I dug my fork into the dish’s sloppy goodness, my sharp-eyed friend immediately halted me, warning me that my next bite might be my avian induced demise. We promptly ordered a replacement plate and laughed away the disgust.
I owe my life to my friend. Were it not for him, I might have ended up hospitalized, suffering the agonizing pangs of bird related infirmities.
So, the lesson of it all: never eat outside alone.
Happy National Eat Outside Day!