No one ever wants to drink water from the tap in foreign countries. “Careful of the water,” they say. “Careful, or you’ll get sick.”
When it comes down to it, though, most of the food you eat in these countries comes from the tap water. It’s washed in tap water (if it’s washed at all), it’s cooked in tap water, and then it’s served with tap water poured in the glasses you get.
You could, of course, as many people do, avoid those glasses of water, preferring bottled water instead. And you could, of course, avoid the food too, preferring your own meals purchased and cooked with water from home. And you could, of course, wash the food you eat in water you buy or drag from home too.
But who does all that?
For me, part of the fun of living in a new country is trying the food. It’s only a matter of time before I end up drinking the tap water too. It’s not like I can get away from it while still eating the food. It’s not like I’d want to even if I could.
I’m not afraid of it anymore. I’m no longer “careful.”
