I really enjoyed this - I was in Croatia last month and j think I learned as much about Dubrovnik through its food as it’s architecture (which was stunning, by the way!) I also love the way food allows you to experience a culture remotely yet authentically (I’m thinking of a brilliant Bosnian restaurant we tried in Croatia, as it’s just next door but a country I have no plans to visit at this point - we had no idea what to expect, but everything was unique, delicious and I now have a great affection for their food.) And again this piece made me think about food can make you feel part of a community you’re not quite fitting in with. Only a simple grasp on the language, their location quite far out of the village and time still spent in England meant my parents were not quite part of village life when they lived in France, but every time we went for lunch at the village auberge for the plat de jour, when everyone from farmers to estate agents came in to enjoy the same thing as a community, we felt connected.
Thanks so much for your comment, Rachel! I completely agree- food is the great equalizer! Your comment about your parents and France reminded me of when my own parents have come to visit me in Madrid. Neither of them speak Spanish, but both have felt at home when we’ve gone out to eat in the city. In fact, the food is what they talk about enjoying the most. Also, I’m envious of your trip to Croatia; it sounds like it was an amazing experience!
Interesting piece Kiki, as usual! I enjoy both the sightseeing and the food tasting when traveling. I don't prioritize one over the other, but being vegetarian, and depending on where I am, I may be forced to spend more time in museums rather than restaurants (most of traditional food sold around the world is fish or meat based. What people eat in their homes is another story).
I really enjoyed this - I was in Croatia last month and j think I learned as much about Dubrovnik through its food as it’s architecture (which was stunning, by the way!) I also love the way food allows you to experience a culture remotely yet authentically (I’m thinking of a brilliant Bosnian restaurant we tried in Croatia, as it’s just next door but a country I have no plans to visit at this point - we had no idea what to expect, but everything was unique, delicious and I now have a great affection for their food.) And again this piece made me think about food can make you feel part of a community you’re not quite fitting in with. Only a simple grasp on the language, their location quite far out of the village and time still spent in England meant my parents were not quite part of village life when they lived in France, but every time we went for lunch at the village auberge for the plat de jour, when everyone from farmers to estate agents came in to enjoy the same thing as a community, we felt connected.
Thanks so much for your comment, Rachel! I completely agree- food is the great equalizer! Your comment about your parents and France reminded me of when my own parents have come to visit me in Madrid. Neither of them speak Spanish, but both have felt at home when we’ve gone out to eat in the city. In fact, the food is what they talk about enjoying the most. Also, I’m envious of your trip to Croatia; it sounds like it was an amazing experience!
Interesting piece Kiki, as usual! I enjoy both the sightseeing and the food tasting when traveling. I don't prioritize one over the other, but being vegetarian, and depending on where I am, I may be forced to spend more time in museums rather than restaurants (most of traditional food sold around the world is fish or meat based. What people eat in their homes is another story).