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In this piece, we give you the basics of eating street food and how to protect yourself from tummy trouble. So is eating street food safe? We think it is, if you follow our suggestions here. We hope you find this information useful, insightful and helpful and hopefully it will reduce the fear factor you may have over eating exotic food in foreign countries.

Unlike Mexico, Guatemala is not known for its street food. However there are exceptions. Guatemala has a more traditional cuisine, and most of it is sold in small sit-down restaurants instead of on the street. Kili has a moveable, outdoor place where he mixes up fresh ceviche daily. It is consistently packed with people who know the quality of his product, and we often stand in line to order take out.

DEE-Licious Street Food in Patzcuaro, Michoacan, Mexico. Sometimes the best food in town is right off the street. Crowds gather around these food stalls and you can see the food sizzle! You can almost smell the aromas!

What are banana sheets? you might ask. A vendor slices bananas lengthwise into thin strips and places them on a grill to heat. Because of the sugar in the banana, the strips begin to adhere together and eventually form a flattened grilled "sheet" of crispy, sweet bananas. They are surprisingly delicious!

One of the things we enjoy about visiting the beach, is that "life comes to you." Vendors walk the beach selling everything from beach cover ups, jewelry, fresh oysters, seafood cocktails to... fresh baked desserts! Oh just what we need! Up and down the beach they go, selling their products. All one has to do is wave them down and over to your table they will come.

If you have never been to Asia, you must know that the food options here are exotic and many. Everyday shopping is an adventure. You don't just purchase a banana, you must choose from a dozen of types of banana. Come take a look for yourself.

Corn is integral to the cultures of Mexico, Central and South America. As we walked around Comitan's Plaza we saw food stalls selling roasted, boiled and loose corn. Did you know that corn is a human invention? It's a plant that does not exist naturally in the wild. It can only survive if planted and protected by humans.

 Billy and I were in the middle of a three-city self-directed tour, Puebla, Cuernavaca and Oaxaca. Walking everywhere, we saw these colorful juice bars underneath the Gazebo which served everything under the sun. Next door to Susie's, this juice bar sells antigripals (power drinks if you want to ward off the flu), green drinks, fruit smoothies, strawberries and cream, machaquitos (an anise style drink), and eskamochas (a liquid-y fresh fruit cocktail).

 Everywhere we travel, street food is an integral part of our enjoyment of any particular country. Having spent years in the restaurant industry, the preparation and presentation of food in foreign countries fascinate us. Mexico City was no different. Take a look at some street food locations, very near to our hotel.

This must be the place! FIVE Guys working on the line, making tacos - they must be expecting a crowd! For about 50 cents apiece, you can enjoy one of Mexico's trademark delights. TACOS!