The Friday the 13th Diet

“I’m sorry, I can’t let you do that ‘mam. I can tell you are the sort of person who will wake up in the morning and regret that decision.”

Rendered speechless I could only stare up at the man as he continued. “I suggest one of our salads. The grilled salmon is particularly good,” he kindly offered.

I stammered back, “but I think I am hungry enough for the burger.”

“Mam,” he began again, “I will make sure you don’t leave here hungry.”

And with that, off he went.

The most shocking thing for me was that someone would dare say such a thing. But then I was having that sort of day. I won’t bother with details, except that I hope when someone discovers one day that the computer skin they have in their hand is mine, they may consider how potentially complicated they made another person’s day.

Alas, so here I am in Washington DC wanting a burger but instead about to get a salad. However, it is Friday the 13^th and I can’t help but think the whole day is seemingly fitting.

My salad arrived and in all fairness it was great. But I couldn’t help feel some envy as I noticed a fellow at a neighbouring table devour what looked like a really good burger.

The next day I worked up a giant appetite following a long day of taking in many of DC’s famous sites. Still craving a big gourmet style burger I made my way to another neighbouring restaurant. Delighted to find a burger on the menu I knew exactly what I was going to order. Then arrived the waiter. “I am going to have the burger I announced,” with both confidence and determination.

“Mam, did we tell you about the fish of the day yet? It comes highly recommended,” he furthered.

Completely rattled at this point I started to wonder if the whole world could now see exactly how many cookies I had eaten over the holidays. As much as I wanted the burger, I wasn’t about to risk the remorse the waiter had hinted at the day before.

Fish it was.

It is my first trip (albeit completely unanticipated) to Washington DC and I have to admit I like and enjoy the warmth and friendliness of the people here. Strangers have stopped to pay me an unexpected complement; people are quick with a smile, a hello and a helping hand - that in combination with the city’s many sites and history make it a worthwhile place to visit.

However, it is also a good place to go if you are considering a diet.