|
|
|
|
by Jill Robinson, with Greenheart Travel
When we share stories from our travels, we are often talking about food. Local cuisine grounds us to a moment in time; the smell, texture and taste creating a visceral connection to a place. To this day, when I smell slightly burnt toast I think of my great grandparents in Missouri walking on creaky floorboards in the early morning hours. My heart forever yearns for Scotland, and the bar where I worked and learned countless life lessons, each time I catch the stale smell of dark beer.
Food is an important centerpiece of every culture, and our ability to have an authentic taste of life as a local is determined by the speed in which we are "eating." Speeding through a list of countries, checking off cities and tourist sites as they are seen, is like shoveling in spoonfuls of gelato at a frantic pace. Both experiences will leave us with a fleeting sense of understanding, an assumption of flavor and probably a headache. I can say this, because I have been guilty of taking on the buffet of Lonely Planet highlights., and in the end I regretted that I had no idea what I had consumed despite the pricey bill I was paying.
But, I have also been so fortunate to enjoy the slow savoring of a meal with friends, old and new. The ingredients in these travel moments might not have been exotic, the drinks maybe not as strong, but every bite, every experience, was taken with thought, and therefore, all the more delicious. After all, to experience the local cuisine, to understand (or misunderstand) the proper dining etiquette of a culture, to share in conversation and coffee, is to understand the art of slow travel and in turn, is to understand a culture more deeply.
When we travel, food offers more than physical health benefits. Georgian supras and epic French dining experiences are the adventurer's emotional nourishment providing a setting that transcends any difference in age, race, gender or language. We travel to connect, to learn that there are just as many similarities between people around the world as there are diverse cultural traditions and ways of doing things. In the year ahead, make your next travel destination about savoring the feast. Linger over a cup of coffee in a bustling cafe, unplug and engage in a new language no matter how broken the sentence structure may be, and truly take the time to patiently observe and immerse yourself with gusto in a country and culture during your travels.
Where have you traveled that you've used food to connect with a culture? Tell us on Twitter @greenhrttravel #Hungry4Travel
 A Manifesto for Slow Travel
"Slow travel is not about money or privilege. Slow travel is a state of mind. It is about having the courage not to go the way of the crowd."
"So here's my proposition: work as often as you please! It's your life; these are your moments to fill and hopefully enjoy."
Learning Who You Are Through What You Eat
 "They will give her grape leaves and meat pies and baklava and the Arabic words that go with them, our enduring and only link to the heritage that necessarily grows fainter with each generation."
|
|
________________________________________________________________
|
How Do You Celebrate Culture and Cuisine?
Share your amazing cultural experiences that have revolved around the dinner table and local cuisine and we'll feature you during November's "Hungry for an Adventure" theme:
Blog: Email your stories or photos about your experiences with food and travel to jrobinson@greenhearttravel.org and we will publish them on our blog site.
Facebook: Comment on our daily posts and photos.
Twitter: Share quotes and ideas about how you feel food is connected to travel on Twitter using #Hungry4Adventure.
Flickr: Any photos you email will be featured on our Flickr photo album Hungry for an Adventure.
Pinterest: Share and re-pin world recipes, photos and inspiration for food and travel on our Pinterest board.
Instagram: Taking photos during your Greenheart Travel programs? Tag us on Instagram @greenheart_travel!
|
|
________________________________________________________________
|
|
Inspiration for the Armchair Traveler
Quote: "Do we really want to travel in hermetically sealed pope-mobiles through the rural provinces of France, Mexico and the Far East, eating only in Hard Rock Cafes and McDonalds? Or do we want to eat without fear, tearing into the local stew, the humble taqueria's mystery meat, the sincerely offered gift of a lightly grilled fish head? I know what I want. I want it all. I want to try everything once."
Recipe: Colada moradaIn Ecuador, locals celebrate el Dia de los Difuntos or Day of the Deceased on November 2, a day to honor and remember all the loved ones who have passed. Colada morada is a traditional drink served during the festivities.
Video: | | EAT |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
|
__________________________
|
|
__________________________
|
Greenheart Travel Opportunities
|
|
__________________________
|
|
|
|
|
|
Not ready to travel quite yet?
You can still go global by staying local with these CCI opportunities.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Save 20% with this Greenheart Shop Online Coupon: Enter "ccinews"
 What if you could change the world by shopping? Greenheart Shop believes consumers have the power to affect positive world change by supporting sustainable and fair business practices. Purchase coffee, clothing, accessories, and more with the CCI 20% off discount.
|
|
|
Center for Cultural Interchange: The Greenheart of Cultural Exchange
Established in 1985, Center for Cultural Interchange (CCI) is a non-profit international educational exchange organization dedicated to the promotion of cultural understanding, academic development, environmental consciousness and world peace. In 2004, CCI became the "Greenheart of Cultural Exchange" by adopting Greenheart as its environmental and social initiative. Through Greenheart, CCI promotes fair trade with the Greenheart Shop, authentic travel opportunities via Greenheart Travel, and community service with the Greenheart Club. Greenheart is also a worldwide movement.
|
|
|
