Durian SMELLS awful. The taste is very different. Savory and sweet at the same time and not unpleasant at all. People get used to smells and tastes that become theirs. I know people who find much American food to be gross (fatty and bland) and smell awful (greasy). I sat in front of a boiling pot of ? in China that smelled like cooked, old shoes and tasted no better. I have taken Chinese folks to dinner in the US and seen them have the same reaction to some foods. Having said that, Durian fruit is funky even in Asia!!!!! Has not taken over the world, or even the region, and is a "local delicacy". Perhaps like many "local delicacies" there is a reason it does not get adopted other places.
Did you take the stairs from ground level to the top of the basilica or pay for the elevator. For anyone that ever does this PAY FOR THE ELEVATOR! Especially if you can't read the sign in Italian that warns you of the number of steps AFTER the elevator ride.
From a taste standpoint it doesn't taste bad, but i did not like the texture at all! That aftertaste though just wouldn't leave me.
Speaking of big boobs, Icequeen said the the big reveal happens when Kelly is introduced as our new coach.
The discussion of Durian reminds me of a particular kind of fish that they eat in Japan. I forget the name of it, but if it's not cooked just right it will kill you. They serve and eat this stuff in restaurants. I guess some people just can't resist the challenge. And they have great faith in their cooks.
Sorry. Don't own the books. I prefer Ann Rice's "Beauty" series. All 50 Shades is is Twilight with an attempt at something more hardcore.
Not being familiar with what durian is, I googled it. This was the description of the smell of this fruit...."turpentine and onions, garnished with a gym sock." Taste or not, that is not going in my mouth.
In Sweden, some eat a fermented (AKA rotten) herring called Surströmming. It dates back to viking times when there was no refrigeration. It's beyond foul -- think the worst rotten fish smell you have ever encountered. Swedes take great joy in challenging non-Swedes to eat Surströmming. Youtube is loaded with videos of the challenge. Here's one of the funnier ones where the challengers promises his wife and kids prizes if he can eat the fish: