T H I S+W E E K Burma or Bust By Joshua Cohen A charmed traveler in China takes the hard road to a forbidden border. D E P A R T M E N T S >The Surreal Gourmet By Bob Blumer A fruity, non-boozy, end-of-summer smoothie Mondo Weirdo By Don George Strange bedtime tales from Thailand, Peru and Ecuador Passages A Simple Gift By Robert J. Matthews A touching encounter with a leper in Nepal Readers' Tips and Tales Great Railway Journeys - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Your virtual travel agency - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - LA S T+W E E K Tuesday, August 19, 1997 Sleeping with elephants By Don Meredith Earth-shaking encounters in Kenya A full list of all Wanderlust articles

smooth exit ___ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ENJOY THE LAST GASPS OF SUMMER WITH A FRUITY SMOOTHIE. THE SURREAL GOURMET 'fess up. How many times over the premature Labor Day weekend did you ask the rhetorical question: "Where did the summer go?" Perhaps global warming has caused the clocks to speed up, or Martians stole it in retaliation for our invasion of their red beaches. As our summer sun sets for the last time over the carefree horizon, it's time to brush the sand out from between your toes and check back into reality. For those of you with kids, it's time to settle back into the routine of getting the little tykes out the door each morning before rushing yourself off to the job that allows you to support them in the manner to which they have grown accustomed. (No doubt their shopping list has grown longer after comparing inventory with their new summer pals.) A few weeks ago, I prescribed a few adult-strength frozen fruit concoctions to help us enjoy those last gasps of summer. Now here's a back-to-school variation for kids (and adults) who don't have the time or patience for a sit-down breakfast. It's simple, quick and nutritious. Just don't mix up the recipes, or the kids may seem unnaturally enthusiastic about heading back to school. - - - - - - - - - - - - BREAKFAST SMOOTHIE (Makes 2 smoothies) Ingredients 1 ripe banana 1 cup fresh strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, peaches or mango 1 cup plain, low-fat yogurt (don't pour off the liquid that floats on top, it contains nutrients) 1 tablespoon honey, or to taste 1/2 cup orange juice (ideally fresh squeezed) 1 cup ice 1. Place all ingredients in a blender and liquefy on high speed until smooth. 2. Garnish with a banana slice (skin on) and serve immediately. Le Secret: For the sweetest, most satisfying drink, use fresh fruit at its peak of ripeness. The Adventure Club: Add extra fun to the experience by buying flexible straws. Music To Blend By: "Welcome Back Kotter" theme, found on "TV's Greatest Hits of the '60s & '70s" (TVT Records) Sept. 2, 1997 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Illustration by Bob Blumer (aka the Surreal Gourmet). Browse the Surreal Gourmet Archives The Surreal Gourmet's Web Site is located at http://surrealgourmet.com.

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