So, I am in Europe now and it is my fifth time being here in the last 2 years. I remember being in London on one of these trips after a night on the town with friends following a shoot and all I wanted was some breakfast. I didn’t care that it would come with sauteed mushrooms, broiled tomatoes, and baked beans. I would eat around it. But, like every time that I ordered tea in London, I forgot to tell them no milk in my tea. It arrived with my breakfast and I was teetering on sending it back. Finally I said “fuck it…drink the damn tea the way they want to serve it to you and like it.” At least that is what went through my head. I like to have my food a certain way. I am known for this in the states to go into a restaurant and change the menu according to the way I want it. Well, that doesn’t really fly here in Europe. It isn’t Burger King and you can’t always have it your way. So, I drank the tea and got over it. The funny thing though is that when I got back to the states on one of my regular trips to coffee bean in the morning I added some nonfat milk to my tea. I started to like it and I pretty much always add milk to my hot and iced tea when I order it now. I had the same problem with salami sandwiches I would get in Paris. They come on a baguette with butter and salami. I would order one and scrape off the butter which was a pain in the butt. Now, I just eat them the way they come and actually I was craving one on the plane ride over to Europe this time. I have a few more weeks here and I know I will have Bratwurst in Munich and maybe even I can make myself try french fries with mayonnaise in Amsterdam. One thing is for sure, nobody has to twist my arm to try Guinness in Ireland. I am definitely looking forward to that experience.
September 17, 2008 at 3:11 pm |
I have found the same thing. It is better to go with the flow and try new combinations. It can be too much work going against the grain. Last time I was in Europe, a couple people ate at fast food chains because it was familiar. What a waste of possible experience.
As far Ireland, I found the food to be very good. The guiness stews and fresh fish was excellent. But I ate mostly in the pubs, rather than fancy restaurants. It just didn’t seem right to be eating somewhere else. The pubs are such a huge part of the culture. And definitely go to the Brewery in Dublin for some Guiness. It was like chocolate milk there! but it is very good everywhere. Much much different than the states.
September 17, 2008 at 3:27 pm |
You mentioned milk in your iced tea Aria, I have never heard of that..going to try it out, but french fries with mayonnaise I gotta pass lol
September 17, 2008 at 7:02 pm |
I think its a case of when in Rome ..lol I live in Scotland but spend 6 months a year here in Nova Scotia and everyone is amazed that I take my food so plain they are always saying you cant eat it like that ..add this or that but I enjoy my food without too much frills ..but its always nice to try new things ..but some things I really do say a firm NO to ..lol
September 17, 2008 at 10:42 pm |
I’m actually kind of interested in the way you switch up the menu at resturants. I was a cook for a few years and have had to deal with patrons switching the way their food was prepared (most notibly the process on how it was cooked) several times. So is it different combinations or completely different preperation? I would also like to know your political views but thats just because I’m greedy and bored. Hope you have a wonderful week beautiful.
September 18, 2008 at 6:13 am |
It’s weird when you actually start to like foods that you once found gross. I’ve had this experience a lot because I was a picky eater as a kid. My family used to compare me to the kid in the Life Cereal commercials, Mikey, who hated everything. I liked disgusting, pseudo foods like Chef Boyardee more than most real food. However, nowadays, I’m not picky at all and will eat almost anything. That is, everything except the disgusting, pseudo foods like Chef Boyardee. Enjoy Europe (especially the Guinness in Ireland)!
September 19, 2008 at 12:48 am |
Europa a la carte! relax and enjoy your trip, enjoy every moment and keep your mind in the different tastes of every place of this world!
September 19, 2008 at 7:44 pm |
When ever I hear about French Fries being drowned in Mayonnaise My stomach gets just a little queasy. That just does not sound like a good or appealing combination.
Then again, I thought people were nuts when they would go to Wendy’s and dip their fries into their frosty until I tried it.
September 19, 2008 at 8:14 pm |
Yep, you are right. If you complain, you may get something put in your drink lololl. I have worked in a restaurant business, but i never did deviance of this manner. However, in the movie called waiting … , realized it is better to just be happy with your food. There are people starving in dying in a 3rd world with barely any produce. Sorry if my opinion is too strong.
Well, i am glad you are doing ok. The skin cell blog worried me alot, but i will be praying for you. Stay God blessed, favored, and prosperous !!!!
September 20, 2008 at 1:17 am |
Shucks, if one grows tied of London, one goes tired of life, so ‘they’ say. Then again, I’m just a pour mountain buoy, nuttin’ speacial. Prarie guy can run and lie, but the tuth comes out, dude, in 7’s and 6’s and 2’s., per yor rivah Bree Anna. cyain8
September 20, 2008 at 5:39 pm |
Once said in the movie “Pulp Fiction”, that we here in Holland drown our fries in mayonnaise.
We like it, and eat a lot of it.
Where in America they only eat ketchup on their fries.
When are you coming to Amsterdam, than I would look for you, I work their
.
Greetz, Tom de Haan
Netherlands.
September 20, 2008 at 8:37 pm |
relax , enjoy u vacation
i like taste diferrent food in my vacation , its cool.
September 20, 2008 at 10:05 pm |
At last I found what I `ve been looking for,for a while.nice
when will U come an visit Ur fans in Norway?
September 21, 2008 at 1:12 am |
mayonnaise and ketchup tastes really good with french fries, you dip in the mayo then the ketchup and its gravy, even in the states things differ in every resturant, i order the same thing in three different places and each place made it a totally different way, mozzarella in corezza, one made it in italian bread and had it breaded, another in white bread(sliced like wonderbread ish) with ham and breaded, and anohter made it like grill cheese, one place i like ordering from use proscutti, and red sauce in italy is different in every city, but i heard breakfast isnt the same in america as it is in europe i heard germany serves deli meats, and england isnt the place for good food, even though i like shepards pie, but the fish i wouldnt be good with
September 21, 2008 at 2:40 am |
I travel quite a bit with work mainly around Europe and I always try to eat the local cuisine, after all you never know when you’ll end up back in these places. The phrase ‘when in Rome do as the Romans do’ should always apply.
Also a couple of years back I was in Lincoln, Nebraska. I decided (as an Englishman) that I’d order some tea with my breakfast, you should have seen the shear look of horror on the waitresses face when I asked for milk. She thought I was a freak of nature.
Enjoy Europe Aria. Remember when you’re in Ireland to ask for a ‘pint of the black stuff’ nobody says Guinness!
September 21, 2008 at 2:30 pm |
Hi Aria,
I advice you to visit in Turkey When You are in Europe.
I am sure that You will like Turkish meals very much.
İstanbul is one of the most amazing cities in Europe.You can stay at Çırağan Palace-Kempinski hotel.It is at Bosphorus.
http://www.kempinski-istanbul.com/en/home/index.htm
I am sure that you will feel very comfortable.
The Bosphorus in İstanbul is excellent.The view is super.Rumeli and Anadolu Castel is wonderful at seaside.
The Topkapı Palace,Ayasofia and Sultanahmet is the best touristic places.
Also,There are a lot of shoping Centers.I advice to visit MetroCity and Akmerkez.
Later,There are a lot of seaside restaurants.You can have exotic fish meals.
İskender Kebap is the best meat meal.If you don’t order fish,It is super.
Next,There are a lot of amusing night clubs.I advice to go to Reinna
We are pleased to guest.
You can arrive in İstanbul by Turkish Airlines.
http://www.turkishairlines.com
We are waiting for you.
I kiss you sweet.
September 21, 2008 at 9:36 pm |
Not good enough you thought and erased m words.I am not giving up cause this is a very nice blog with a lot of nice people with nice things to say.I.like many others dont know you,but we still keep on writing….some of us just to get a little attansion from you,others…..All in all we are just little people proberly will know one even remeber us when we leave this world.Thank you for this blog and please let me have your attenion from time to time?
September 22, 2008 at 5:24 pm |
oh yeah nothing compares to beer fresh from the tap
September 24, 2008 at 6:21 pm |
I’m Irish; I’ve been living in NYC for two years though. I was just back home in the summer and I must say it was great to get a proper pint of Guinness. One of the best pub’s in Dublin is on Smithfield Square and is nearly totally unknown outside locals. It’s called the Cobblestone, there is an area reserved for musicians and nearly every day they come in and jam and sing together, if you want to check out some traditional Irish music in Dublin in a real place it’s cool. The Porter House in Temple bar is another good place, it’s a micro brewery and they have a great pint of stout in there.
What takes you to Ireland? Will you be going outside Dublin? If you get the chance you should, that is where the rebels live; there are still pockets of the wild and the free out there, people whose ancestors never gave into the oppression of the British Empire, who still have the fight in their souls. Dublin is quite anglicized by comparison.
September 26, 2008 at 4:54 pm |
May I recommend trying Beamish Irish stout as well as Guinness? Beamish is my favorite because of it’s smoothness. I haven’t had it draft, though, and I won’t for a while because it will be a few years before my next trip to Ireland.
September 27, 2008 at 1:26 am |
Hi Aria,
I read your piece on antibiotics (a little tardy though- forgive me.) Something struck me that I had read today so I thought I’d send it to you in case you were still interested in this thread. Here is the URL for it:
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/080924/health/canada_medicine_research_1
It concerns honey as a newly discovered homeopathic antibiotic. I agree with your position on the body’s ability to heal itself and react to “interference” within its own constitutional network naturally.
I don’t know if you answer such postings but I hope you are well and enjoying your travels/adventures!
Scott (and Dale)
PS: I’m a member of your myspace page and my wife and I find you both beautiful and intelligent (no we’re not into swinging.) You go girl! I bet you meet all kinds. lol Did you really mean what you said about enjoying intelligent company (Einstein) and reading? If so, I find that inspirational. Thanks.
October 1, 2008 at 7:10 pm |
We in Europe are OK with our Food. London is a real good Gastro City. Mayo on Chips (Sorry English North English at that…. French Fries) Is from Brussels and it really must be tried, but with Real Mayo(i.e. hand made non of that manufactured crap) If u get to England try and find a Fish and Chip shop run by people from up north and try propper Fish and Chips. I go a real good chip shop!
October 2, 2008 at 11:36 am |
You’re in Europe? And you didn’t even call? How disappointing…
looking forward to new imagery
October 11, 2008 at 7:37 pm |
If you are still in Europe and haven’t been to Amsterdam yet, you have to try fries with mayo, it’s so popular here and yummy, what dutch people also like is hot peanut sauce with mayo on their fries, but that might freak you out. Enjoy your trip!
xo
October 31, 2008 at 8:23 am |
hi sweat heart, i hope you had a good day. i miss you travis from miami fl
November 4, 2008 at 2:57 pm |
Happy Birthday Goddess! like the wine!
January 6, 2009 at 2:15 am |
How did the Guinness treat you? And what parts of our fair, yet dismal and drenched, isle, did you see and enjoy?
January 23, 2009 at 9:04 am |
Surely is not easy to have your food exactly the way u want it in restaurants…I haven’t tried myself many european foods,since I am from Greece and here the food is quite delicious…have u tried it?
May 29, 2009 at 12:18 am |
Next time you’re in the Netherlands please try the Stroopwafels… I hope you’ll thank me.