Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Once upon a time there was a young girl who travelled to far away lands, on a quest to see the world, and experience magic, beauty and treasures untold.
And that's exactly what she did.
On a trip where I've slowly but surely revealed, unraveled and explored new and old passions, there is one thing which has never strayed too far from my thoughts. Anyone who has been reading my blogs will know that this one thing is: Food.
I've been frolicking unashamedly from one new nation and culture to the next, on informal missions in search of recommended local dishes, tasty morsels, or a weird and wacky speciality which will push me to and beyond even my food limits. I've reaffirmed what I knew already - that the optimum way to make new friends quickly in a new country is to ask one simple question: 'What's your favourite food?'
Simple yet globally effective. As a result I've been invited to parties, treated to ancient ceremonies, brought to different cities for specific restaurants, and welcomed into locals' houses. I've entered into avid discussions with taxi drivers in Mexico about tacos versus quesadillas, nearly made a Californian bus driver crash the bus in his enthusiasm for'what makes the ultimate hamburger', and hurtled round roads in Guatemala whilst discussing the merits of white fish over oily fish with the driver. I've chewed on raw horse and live fish, tentatively braved the disturbingly soft flesh of the sea urchin in Japan, refired my age-old passion for kim chi pickled cabbage in Korea, shhlluurrrped tantalizingly tasty pho broth in Vietnam, delighted in sensationally exquisite haute cuisine meals in California, braved street stalls across the continents, dined like a king on cheap as chips lobsters in Belize, learnt the various and very different flavours of East versus West coast American oysters and eaten a classic New York hot dog. Kitsch, quality or comforting, most dishes have been delicious, some, admittedly, less so (grasshoppers and worms in Mexico…).
Anyway, you get my point - this has been a global foodie quest.
Sometimes life has a sort of beautiful symmetry about it, which never fails to delight me. Unexpected meetings of mutual acquaintances across continents, a book which ties all your thoughts together landing straight into your lap, a film or a song which resonates perfectly with a conversation you were having with an old friend, or an email arriving in your inbox with impeccable timing. It is therefore more than a little apt I think that, right at the end of my food-filled trip, I've met a Chef - someone who will happily talk about food for hours, ranting and raving with me at exquisite taste combos, and, most importantly of all, cook me dishes that are straight out of my wildest dreams! Divine New England Clam Chowder, Roast Spanish Sea Bass with chorizo and scallops, spectacular spicy omelettes and even some all-American pancakes. Mum's worried I've met a feeder, but happily a little downtime in Connecticut has allowed me to settle into some semblance of an exercise routine to counteract any negative effects.
I've been inspired to continue blogging, turning my obsession with food into the written word, discarding the travel, and instead concentrating solely on marvellous nosh-filled adventures. For those of you interested, I'll be continuing writing as of next week under www.scribblethenibbles.blogspot.com
Of course, we've not just been eating. I've also been able to explore a bit of this area of the North East of the states - heading to beautiful and relaxing Long Island, gorgeous leafy New England, and nearly but not quite to Rhode Island.I've been up to Boston and explored Harvard, yet another rip off of Oxbridge. I've listened to lectures at Yale University and pretended to be a hardworking student once again, and I've continued to be amused at the vast gaping void that exists between Americans and British who, in spite of speaking the same language, so often fail to understand each other! Though it never harms to hear on a daily basis, 'Oh my gosh, I just lurve your Accent!!'It has been relaxing and enjoyable last few weeks of my trip.
And so (she looks down and bashfully scratches her toe in the sand), that explains why I've gone a bit blogawol of late.
But the question remains, as I return to England and 'real life', will I live happily ever after…?
Tune in next time.The adventure's not quite over yet…
- comments