I think understanding the value of immigration starts with valuing spices.
My hometown is addicted to corn, chicken, cheese, potatoes and mayonnaise and my stomach can barely handle our world famous chopped barbecued mutton. I wish my town would appreciate ginger in Chinese and Japanese food to prevent nausea. And we’re doing spicy wrong— wasabi and gochujang are just better than green chilies and I will die on that hill.
Some people reject Indian and Korean food because they are not used to the smell of the spice blends and think they change the whole fridge with their leftovers. We’re supposed to eat leftovers within a week. Also, making friends online with people who eat the unfamiliar food as home cooking can lead to advice for managing food storage if you just ask nicely without framing the other culture as a problem.
I agree with you that our country is losing valuable friendship, disciplined work ethic and ideas by turning against immigrants. If our president wanted to promote Russian and Yugoslavian culture exchange in a nice way, I would hear him and Melania out. But no, he’s mimicking dictators and fascists and taking our freedom away. There are better customs to appropriate.
What if there was a samovar at Mar a Lago? Matroschkas on one Russian holiday? Pysanky eggs at the Easter egg roll on the White House lawn?
Probably my timing is off. I’m just mentally folding a paper crane and praying for an end of war in Ukraine without an end of democracy in the USA.
This travelogue warms my cold and tired heart. (Also, once you get back to Savannah, and if you haven't already, have lunch at Crystal Beer Parlor. It's pretty dang amazing.)
And they want to send us back to the tasteless 1950’s where they served jell-o molds of shrimp, bananas, black olives and peas. Make Aspic Gourmet Again!
Great article, and thanks for sharing your experience in France. It sounds wonderful and who the hell doesn’t love great food?
Speaking on that level, I thought what you mentioned about your new hometown of Savannah and how it has evolved its diverse food community over the decades: “newish hometown of Savannah has on offer today: everything. Japanese, Nepalese, Indian, Italian, Mexican, Korean, Chinese, and one very good British pub. How lucky that we Americans understand the value of immigration, but wouldn’t it suck if somebody came along who didn’t? Wouldn’t it suck if all of that went away?”
Yeah, that would suck if a certain Orange Tinted Failed Game Show Host decided he didn’t like people of color, and took them all away… No More Good Food!!!
I guess we’d all need to learn to be happy with nothing but Cheeseberders 🥴
My inspiration/incentives for travel are mystic places & food, often combined by enjoying local offerings and wondering what those ancient population ate. Italy is where I discovered that lettuce had a flavour. I agree that Canadian & USAmericans would be very disappointed if we returned to the culinary offerings of our predecessors, unless we go really far back for bannock & venison. Those years in between were a culinary wasteland but fortunately we were rescued by immigration.
You'd be wise to stay! Thompson Twins was my LOL moment for this one. You are neck and neck with George Saunders for my best Substack, which is saying something because GS is sublime.
I think understanding the value of immigration starts with valuing spices.
My hometown is addicted to corn, chicken, cheese, potatoes and mayonnaise and my stomach can barely handle our world famous chopped barbecued mutton. I wish my town would appreciate ginger in Chinese and Japanese food to prevent nausea. And we’re doing spicy wrong— wasabi and gochujang are just better than green chilies and I will die on that hill.
Some people reject Indian and Korean food because they are not used to the smell of the spice blends and think they change the whole fridge with their leftovers. We’re supposed to eat leftovers within a week. Also, making friends online with people who eat the unfamiliar food as home cooking can lead to advice for managing food storage if you just ask nicely without framing the other culture as a problem.
I agree with you that our country is losing valuable friendship, disciplined work ethic and ideas by turning against immigrants. If our president wanted to promote Russian and Yugoslavian culture exchange in a nice way, I would hear him and Melania out. But no, he’s mimicking dictators and fascists and taking our freedom away. There are better customs to appropriate.
What if there was a samovar at Mar a Lago? Matroschkas on one Russian holiday? Pysanky eggs at the Easter egg roll on the White House lawn?
Probably my timing is off. I’m just mentally folding a paper crane and praying for an end of war in Ukraine without an end of democracy in the USA.
This travelogue warms my cold and tired heart. (Also, once you get back to Savannah, and if you haven't already, have lunch at Crystal Beer Parlor. It's pretty dang amazing.)
I got it👏
Oh man, I love the Thompson Twins too! 🎶
An oldie but a classic for anyone curious about the palettes of right-wing people in the UK. LOTS of white food… https://plashingvole.blogspot.com/2013/04/blue-cheese-tories-and-food.html?m=1
And they want to send us back to the tasteless 1950’s where they served jell-o molds of shrimp, bananas, black olives and peas. Make Aspic Gourmet Again!
I know I can always count on Chez Black for good food, great stories, and well-timed humor. Thanks for the lift!
My Jealously Meter was pegged with your last entry... je vous envoyerai la facture plus tard.
Great article, and thanks for sharing your experience in France. It sounds wonderful and who the hell doesn’t love great food?
Speaking on that level, I thought what you mentioned about your new hometown of Savannah and how it has evolved its diverse food community over the decades: “newish hometown of Savannah has on offer today: everything. Japanese, Nepalese, Indian, Italian, Mexican, Korean, Chinese, and one very good British pub. How lucky that we Americans understand the value of immigration, but wouldn’t it suck if somebody came along who didn’t? Wouldn’t it suck if all of that went away?”
Yeah, that would suck if a certain Orange Tinted Failed Game Show Host decided he didn’t like people of color, and took them all away… No More Good Food!!!
I guess we’d all need to learn to be happy with nothing but Cheeseberders 🥴
Six eggs for a dollar?... Wow... Here in the States we're up to a dollar an egg... And pretty soon, six dollars for an egg...
My inspiration/incentives for travel are mystic places & food, often combined by enjoying local offerings and wondering what those ancient population ate. Italy is where I discovered that lettuce had a flavour. I agree that Canadian & USAmericans would be very disappointed if we returned to the culinary offerings of our predecessors, unless we go really far back for bannock & venison. Those years in between were a culinary wasteland but fortunately we were rescued by immigration.
I lived in Arles for the last four months of 1995. Been a regular visitor ever since 🇫🇷🇫🇷
being a somewhat retired French professor, I congratulate you on your almost perfect French words you sprinkle throughout your daily musings. Bravo!
Never mind the Thompson Twins I am jealous of your French sojourn.
Gen X filters at hand. Their best song isn't Hold Me Now, it's Doctor Doctor. Just sayin'. :)
Both of those are great, but I was partial to the lesser known "You Take Me Up."
Me too!
I was partial to "King for a Day"
You'd be wise to stay! Thompson Twins was my LOL moment for this one. You are neck and neck with George Saunders for my best Substack, which is saying something because GS is sublime.
Would you please let me know who your travel agent is?
Her name is Martha.
🥹