FOOD FROM FAR AWAY PLACES

                             A Beginning---More to Follow

Pizza is not Italian and French Toast did not originate in France, both are strictly American innovations. As I traveled around the world I ate many different foods that are unique to the locale. Some I liked so well I have incorporated them into my diet, some I enjoyed, but left behind for various reasons.

     Danish pastry does come from Denmark. The light airy pastry is scrumptious. But a Danish smorrebrod is very different than an American smorgasbord, the equivalent of a buffet. A smorrebrod is an open face sandwich with any combination of thinly sliced items one desires. They are made to order, usually in a bakery or special shop. The only limitation is one’s imagination.

     Strudel is German/Austrian and I still talk about the fabulous apple strudel I had in Eizendorf, Austria. Served with or without schlag (real whipped cream), it was warm, right out of the oven and melted in my mouth. These people are proud of their apfelstrudel and on another trip I was served it many times, sometimes it was fair, other times good, but none compared to the strudel I ate in Eisendorf.

    It is said the croissant represents the Turkish half moon and was left behind in Vienna, along with coffee beans, after a failed Turkish invasion.

Cumera, a sweet potato, paler in color and less flavorful than our yam, is a diet staple of New Zealand.

     In Costa Rica the typical Tico main meal consists of rice, black beans, shredded raw cabbage and tomato salad. Meat, egg or plantains may be added.

      In the Cook Islands local delicacies include octopus, and ika mata, which is raw fish marinated in lime juice then combined with coconut milk and other ingredients—often vegetables and/or salad greens. Motu roni, the innards of the sea cucumber, resembles spaghetti and is cooked with butter, garlic, and other spices. In that part of the world sea cucumbers are called sea slugs. The slugs grow about a foot long and are plentiful in the lagoons near the reef. After extracting the insides the slug is thrown back in the water where it regenerates its loses and in 6-8 weeks is ready again for such punishment.

      In many parts of the world children grow up on Vegemite. Much of it is made Down Under from the dregs of the sugar process. Children love it, but it does not please my palate in the slightest.

      In Holland it is common to spread Nutella, a spreadable chocolate on toast. This I do like! Now that Kraft is making this product it is common here in the states.

      Poke is a paw paw (papaya) pudding. Mixed with tapioca and coconut cream, it is orange in color, has a funny texture, and a rather bland taste, reminiscent of poi.

      The Earl of Sandwich and I would have been very good friends, as I can make a sandwich out of anything! In many parts of the world sandwiches do not exist, and where they do there is great variety. In France a sandwich meal would consist of a chunk of cheese, a hard roll or French bread and wine. In Italy, no matter what one orders for sandwich ingredients it will be served on a roll or hard bread with absolutely no condiments of any kind. In England I was served a sandwich of grated cheese over buttered bread.

     When traveling, one can almost always find one of our fast food establishments. But what a shame to visit them, as I think part of any trip is to learn about the culture and to try different and new things, including local cuisine. I might not order a food a second time, but I just might, and meanwhile I have enjoyed my trip to the fullest.

     My motto is to eat first and ask questions afterward, as so often our perception of a food colors our attitude and we just might miss out on something great.

MORE LANDMARK SYNOPSES

                     Landmark Synopses continued

Buckingham Palace, built in 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham, may be London’s most famous landmark. King George III later bought the house for himself and Queen Charlotte. In 1820 King George IV commissioned John Nash to build a state palace, much of which remains today.  In 1837 Queen Victoria was the first sovereign to live in the palace. It has been the London home of the Royal Family ever since. The British flag always flies, but the royal flag flies only when the Queen is in residence. August to October is the only time one can view the state rooms with their many works of fine art. The changing of the guard, including 40 men and three officers, is a colorful display of pageantry by the Queen's personal guards. Gardens on each side of the traffic circle directly in front of the Palace are in the shape of a crown.

Admiralty Arch is the entrance to the mall leading to Buckingham Palace. It has three arches; the center one is for royalty only. The mall road is red macadam to resemble a red carpet and is the road one always sees on TV. On the left of the mall is a park; on the right behind trees are several buildings including Clarence House, home of the Queen Mother.

       Leicester Square was a popular place to live when it was laid out in 1670. A number of music halls were established here in Victorian times and the area now is the heart of the West End entertainment district. The legendary theater district is over a century old.

       Trafalgar Square conceived by John Nash was constructed in the 1830s to commemorate Admiral Lord Nelson who died at the Battle of Trafalgar. The Corinthian column, built in 1842, stands 170 feet tall and is capped by a statue of Lord Nelson. The square is teeming with pigeons and is the site of public gatherings and celebrations. Victoria Gate Arch leads to Trafalgar Square.

       Victoria Station is the hub for fast, comfortable trains.

       #10 Downing Street is the home of the Prime Minister, made famous by Winston Churchill. However, Prime Minister Tony Blair moved into #11.

        St. Paul’s Cathedral is the fifth cathedral built on this site. Sir Christopher Wren designed it after the great fire of London in 1666 destroyed its predecessor. Wren’s son put the last stone in place in 1708. It has been the scene of many historic and national events and has become a symbol of endurance especially during WWII when many buildings covering 32 acres around it were bombed and destroyed. The nave, transepts, and choir are built in the shape of a cross, as was common in medieval cathedrals, but the majestic interior reflects a Baroque influence. Christopher Wren designed 52 churches, but St Paul’s is his master work. By 1939 only 33 of Wren’s churches still existed as 17 were destroyed in bombings.   

        Tower of London, built by King William in 1078, after the Battle of Hastings in 1066 has been a fortress, prison, treasury, and palace. It is located just inside the ancient Roman area and now offers several attractions; perhaps the most visited one is the Jewel House where the Crown Jewels are on display.

        The Tower Bridge completed in 1894 is a piece of unique Victorian engineering that has become an international symbol of London. Its pinnacled towers linking catwalks support the mechanisms for raising the road so large ships can pass through. The walkways which offer spectacular views are now closed to the public.         

The Monument is a Doric column, designed by Christopher Wren, commemorating the Great Fire of London in September 1666. At 202 feet it is the tallest isolated stone column in the world. It is alleged that the fire started exactly 202 feet away on Pudding Lane. If one wants to feel like a fly on a corkscrew he can climb the 311 steps to the top for a spectacular view of London.     

London Bridge is near where the Romans crossed the Thames. A wooden bridge was used for 700 years, and the picturesque London Bridge was used 100 years until it was replaced with a modern day bridge designed to carry and support modern traffic.