[Originally published on 5 June 2014]

One time I went to Munich, Germany, and I was looking at the menu (everything was in German, of course) trying to figure out what to order. I wanted to play safe so I chose something that I understood was meat (from cow, I think). I was like “ok, this can’t be bad, I know it’s some kind of meat”. Well… the part I couldn’t understand was actually the word “kidney”. A big and smelly kidney. In Southern Europe we don’t eat kidney like that and I was unable to eat it.

It was even worse in Macau, China, because I couldn’t figure out what I was eating and everything seemed suspect. On the last day, I found a Steak House, where I ate the best steak in my life. But eating in France was divine. Everywhere I went the food was just delicious.

However, food is not necessary bad just because is so different from what we are used to and vice-versa. Spain is just around the corner for me and I think it is just painful to eat there (in the regions around Madrid I mean). On the other hand, food in Ireland and in the Netherlands is quite different but very good. In my opinion, of course.

No doubt the food experience is part of the travel experience. First of all because you have to eat and you have to eat the food which is available. Also, because the food conveys the culture of the country. You can have amazing surprises or horrible disappointments.

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