Going Home: The Food

Anyone who knows me (and quite a few who don't) knows that I'm a foodie.  One of my earliest memories is making sugar cookies with my grandmother.  Growing up, our family vacations seemed to be more about where and what we were going to eat than what sites we would see.  Family get-togethers became showcases for whatever style of cooking or food you were currently in to.

Joining the Foreign Service I knew that my culinary adventures would change tremendously.  On the one hand, I'd get exposed to so many new foods and items and cultures.  On the other hand, leaving California and it's wonderful markets and farmland would significantly decrease the diversity of what I could find to cook with.

So - it's no wonder that as we've been planning our trip home for R&R, where and what we would be eating and cooking has been a significant part of our planning.

There are the special restaurants and foods we wanted to have again.

Like the very famous Roast Chicken from Zuni Cafe.  So simple, so wonderful.  I've made it at home with this recipe - but nothing beats having it there - especially with good friends.

And then at Vik's in Berkeley, the wonderful Dahi Batata Puri - little puris filled with yogurt and tamarind chutney and cholle - super yummy!

La Taqueria was our first stop when we arrived back in the US - but they were doing their yearly closed for renovations and we had to wait two weeks for the tacos.  But sooooooo worth it! Carnitas and chorizo tacos with the works - double corn tortillas (1 crispy, 1 steamed, cheese, wonderful pinto beans, salsa, sour cream and hot sauce.  Sunset Magazine got the recipe to make it at home.

Then there are just the fabulous places to visit - like Nepenthe.  It's a wonderful place (to call it just a restaurant doesn't begin to do it justice).  It's in Big Sur, it's got amazing views of the coast.  There are big decks everywhere, a fire pit, the famous Ambrosia burger and wonderful wines.

I just love it there - so peaceful!

We also got to go wine tasting in Sonoma Valley.  Gary Farrell  and Hartford Court have some wonderful wines.

Good times with good friends!

And then there's the cooking to do.  I got to visit one of my favorite places in the world - and certainly one of the best grocery stores ever - the Berkeley Bowl.  So much variety, such excellent quality -heaven on earth!

Going Home: The Contrasts

We are on R&R this month - a time that we've anticipated for a while - all the things we get to do that we haven't done for a while, all the foods we get to eat, all the people we get to see.  There are so many reasons to look forward to a vacation back in the US.

But in addition to everything I've been looking forward to seeing / doing / eating, I was also really looking forward to what the contrasts would be.  What would stand out to me and to each of us after a year of living outside the US.

Of course there's all the things you know you're going to notice:

• traffic - whether it's more or less that what you're used to
• products - the US has a tremendous variety of everything.  The number of choices of soap is just mind-boggling

But the thing that has stood out the most is the friendliness that seems more prevalent in other countries (or at least in Brazil).

When we were in training back in Virginia, we were told many times of the importance of greeting people each day with a "Good Morning".  And how Americans are known for not doing this and how it can be seen as being unfriendly.  I made a mental to note to make sure I always said "Good Morning" and thought that was that.

Living in Brazil, I've become very used to saying " Bom dia" or "Bom dia, tudo bem?" to people all the time.  I say it to the people I work with, and the people I see walking down the street - anyplace I encounter someone, I greet them - and am greeted back.  It's nice to have that pleasant acknowledgement of each others presence each day.

I was surprised when I arrived back in the US how much it bothered me to not say "Good Morning" to people I encountered.  It felt very odd and unfriendly.  The very first morning when we were catching a shuttle to pick up the rental car, I had to stop myself from saying "Good Morning" to the other person on the shuttle.  You might be wondering why I didn't just say it anyway - but I really felt as though if I had, I would have made her very uncomfortable.  She would have wondered who these overly cheerful and friendly people were and why were they bothering her.  So - I bit my tongue and took my seat.

But as I went through the following days I noticed how little people greet each other on the street and how it contributes to a more isolated and invisible life.  It's sad to see people walk around in their little bubbles, not even acknowledging each others presence - unless it's to step carefully away from someone who makes them fearful.

So - I decided I wasn't going to continue to contribute to the invisibility and isolation of other people.  I would continue my "Good Mornings" and if it made them a little uncomfortable, if it made them wonder why some one was being friendly to them, if it made them realize that they were being seen as a person - then so be it.

NYE - Brazilian style

Last night we got to celebrate New Year's Eve Brazilian style!  And it's just glorious!

In past years, we've gone to a truly wonderful party at our friend and neighbors home in Berkeley.  There many people gather and there's lots of dancing, game playing, kids running about, good conversations - and then bubble wrap to stomp on and champagne at midnight while someone drops the giant yoga ball from the second floor.  Good times.

This was a little different.  First - they closed the street in front of our apartment at 2 PM and the beach vendors started setting up tables along the beach.  It was a charge of R$50 or US$25 for a table on the beach.  Luckily, we could sit in the front gardent of our building alongside the pool and enjoy it all.

We got down there around 9:30 - we'd been waiting for the parties to start and even took some catnaps while we were waiting.  At 9:30, our little group were the only ones down there.  The building next door was set up for a party- complete with DJ, disco lights and smoke machine - but no one was there.

We waiting and had snacks and great conversations.  The kids went swimming and played and had a great time.

It got closer and closer to midnight and we were wondering when the parties would get started.  Finally around 11:30 people started arriving at the party and the beach started filling up.  Everyone was dressed in white and strolling along the sand.

At midnight, a cheer went up (our cheer was about two minutes later as being good Americans, we went by Apple iPhone time countdown!).

We all strolled down to the beach so we could jump the waves 7 times for good luck.  There were loads of people in the waves and picnicking on the beach.  We watched the fireworks at each end of the beach.  It was super warm and balmy, with a nice ocean breeze - quite lovely!

It was a great way to ring in the new year!