Around the World in a Hundred Meals ... or so

The author of travel blog, Foodie International spent the last year on a mission: travel 100, 000 miles and eat 100 memorable meals. After attaining her goal, she plans to repeat her endeavor on a journey she entitles, "A Twist of Plate."

Foodie International explores many aspects of diverse cultures in just about every part of the world. However, the blog mainly focuses on the "common denominator" of people everywhere ---- food.

Foodie International's latest visit was to my family's home town of Bangalore, India. My stomach is rumbling as I look over the pictures of the of the parathas and samosas. YUM.

In retrospect, its clear that I totally should have followed Foodie International's ingenious game plan. Oh well, there's always next time!

Photo by Jaya Bird: Viennese Chocolate Cake at Ritter's Coffee Housei n Vienna, Austria

"A Place Where Everyone Knows Your Name"

I've lived in large, bustling cities since going to college over a decade ago. As an adult I truly appreciate the commonplace familiarity and warmth of my hometown that you don't always get in an urban setting. It's truly a place where everyone knows your name.

Zeina's Cafe in Utica, New York, truly embodies the "everyone's family" mentality and owners Layla and Al are quick to welcome you. The Lebanese food on their menu is fresh,authentic, absolutely delicious and truly a taste of home.

Zeina's Cafe was recently featured in Utica's local paper, the Observer Dispatch.

Click here to read more.

Photo Credit: Facebook

Meals fit for a a King

A thousand dollar fritatta?! Talk about a extravagant Sunday brunch!

Click here to check out a Daily Meal slideshow featuring this fancy pile of eggs and some more of the world's most expensive dishes!

Photo Credit: trendir.com

It's Tea Time!

I have long been a fan of Tea Time. Even as a kid I remember often preparing tea for my Mom and Aunts on lazy afternoons.

I am not sure if it's old tradition, the high level etiquette and civility, the excuse to get dressed up or the plethora of tiny, tiny sandwiches that I love, but it's definitely a past time that still gets me quite excited.

Few would argue the highest form of high tea can only be had in London. Just thinking of English High Tea makes me want to get up and curtsy.

In fact a vivid image of Queen Elizabeth comes to mind. She is elegantly reposed in Buckingham Palace wearing her crown and long white gloves and sipping a fancy cup of Early Grey tea. Her Majesty's prized corgis have fallen fast asleep in front of the roaring fire after enjoying their feast of caviar (I have an active imagination in case you can't tell).

Anyway, Global Grasshopper has compiled a list of the Ten Best places to have afternoon tea in London.

Click here to check it out!

By Jayabird: Buckingham Palace

Pop Up Restaurants - Catch them if you can!

Getting a reservation at your local "Pop up restaurant" seems to be the new "in" thing to do.

However, these extremely popular establishments usually open and close in the flash of eye (ranging from a few days to a few months), so good luck snagging a table.

Pop up restaurants are sprouting up all over the U.S. Some continually maraud from one part of town to a another while others city hop.

These restaurants give chefs a chance to test out new dishes and indulge in their creativity. The cuisine offered at different pop ups vary greatly and give customers a chance to try something new.

Click here to learn more about a pop up restaurant near you.

Picture by digiboston.com: Menu from Pop Up Restaurant "Eat" in Boston, MA

Soft Landing

I am now at my parent's house in New Hartford, New York. My international "flight" is officially over and my job search and return to "real" life is about to begin. However, my journey is not really over.

I plan to continue my travel blog with a little revamping. Jaya Bird will continue to feature flashback and homecoming tour posts, and bring attention to noteworthy travel blogs,food finds and international news.

Perhaps most significant, I plan to chronicle my experiences about my re-entry into the world of reality and responsibility. Fellow travelers and bloggers have told me that this transition can be both difficult and comforting. I believe that this process will be especially enlightening given the new perspective one gains after extended traveling.

So stay tuned ..... as I continue my "migration" through life!

Picture One by Jaya Bird: A view of my parents' backyard.

Ciao e Grazia Firenze!

I leave Florence on Thursday morning. It's hard to believe that I have been here for almost three months. It's truly a beautiful city and I have really enjoyed my time here. Here are a few things that I learned while I was a temporary, wannabe Florentine:

• Bad pizza and bad wine do not exist in Italy.
• Dogs are well dressed and allowed just about everywhere.
• Long knit sweaters, leggings and boots are the general outfit of choice for fashionable Italian women.
• Bisteca Florentine is a speciality in Florence – a huge hunk of meat that’s charred on the outside and virtually raw on the inside.
• Italians have individual gestures to communicate just about everything.
• Apertivo is way better than Happy Hour --- buy one drink and an all you can eat buffet of hot and cold food is included.
• Coffee Bars are the best. The best espresso, cappuccino and pastries are served to you by well dressed Italian men. A great place for a snack and people watching.
• Paninis and wine on the go – love it!
• Italian trains (non Eurorail) go everywhere: however, they are incredibly slow and run only if there is not a strike.
• Italian politicians give American Tea Partiers, hippies and anarchists a run for their money – at least in the insanity and scandal department.
• Italians seem a little disappointed when you clarify that you are from New York State not New York City (Then again, I think this may be true everywhere).
• The statue of David is not a disappointment and leaves even those who may not be that interested in art absolutely awestruck.
• Italians take pride in their appearance. Their version of “dressing down” is still pretty darn nice. Heck,I didn’t feel comfortable wearing a sweatshirt to class.
• "Bo" means “I don’t know.”
• Many dance clubs have drink cards. Bartenders stamp your card with every drink and you pay the bouncer on your way out.
• I wish we had more piazzas in America (just a thought).
• Tips are included in restaurants (sometimes a service fee or "coperto" is added on) and for taxis.
• “Vai in la boca di lupo” directly translated means "Go in the mouth of the wolf." The expression is used to wish someone good luck.
• Italians take their time with dinner but barely spend a minute on breakfast.

This is certainly not an exhaustible list but aptly consolidates a lot of the memories and experiences that I have had while in Florence. I have really loved my time in Italy and hope to return some day. Ciao Bella Italia!

Picture One by Jaya Bird: Scuderi, one of my favorite coffee bars.

Definitely not Chef Boyardee

Over Christmas break I went to a small resort/farmhouse in San Miniato --- located just outside of Florence.

At the Assia Holiday House I went horseback riding for the first time in many years. My lesson reminded me that first, I absolutely love riding and second, I really need to get into shape. My legs were shaky at best when I dismounted my horse. Not to mention, I had to sit down very delciately for the next three days. However, I definitely missed the little adrenalin rush you get as the two ton beast you're perched upon charges forward.

During my time in San Miniato, I was also was treated to a 4 hour cooking class with Chef Marco. On the menu:
Antipasti
Verdure Fritte - cipolle, salvia, carciofi (Vegatables - onions, sage, artichokes, friend in a light batter)

Primi Piatti
Tagliatelle fatte a mano con salsa di carciofi
(Hand-made tagliatelle with artichokes)

Secondo Piatti
Pollo in umido all caccitora
(Chicken in vegetable sauce with olives)

Dessert
Crostata di frutta (Pie with custard and fruit decoration)


Hopefully, when I get back to the States I can recreate these dishes. Still, it's worth noting that back in college Ramen Noodles and meat sauce was the height of my culinary expertise.... I've definitely come a long way!

Photo One by Arianna: Chef Marco and I in the Kitchen
Photo Two by Jaya Bird: Pollo in umido alla cacciatora
Photo Three by Jaya Bird Crostata di frutta

“He’s my Brother’s Brother”

The one thing that impressed me more than the historical and maginficent sites of Istanbul were the locals. The Turks are so friendly and truly make you feel like an old friend or family.
First, there was the staff at the Hotel Tulip House – the Bed and Breakfast where we stayed. During our down time, we often hung out in the reception area with Ali, Mehmet and Jahan. Jahan is Phd candidate and was always ready to chat about politics or philosophy, Ali loved telling jokes and playing backgammon and Mehmet and Darren developed a quick habit of constantly teasing each other.

By the time I arrived at the Tulip House to meet Darren, Mehmet had already invited us out to a birthday party for his “brother’s brother” on Saturday night. Only the celebration was not for his actual brother but a close friend. After some discussion with our new friends, Darren and I came to the conclusion that the phrase “my brother’s brother” or “my brother” often just means close friend.

Absolutely every local we met was happy to talk with us and help with just about anything we needed. People on the street were quick to help us find our way and a shopkeeper offered us a chat and hot apple tea while we perused his items for sale. The warmth that the locals extended to us was a type of behavior that they also shared amongst themselves. Cab drivers would often stop to ask each other for directions, bring over other cabbies to help translate our English and ask each other make change. They did all this with a quality of familiarity and trust that was deceiving. It took a while to realize that no, some cab driver club did not exist which made them all close friends --- they just naturally treated each other like family.


On Saturday night we met Mehmet and his friend Nee (Turkish for Nile River) at a nearby train station and took the metro to Kumbet Restaurant for the birthday dinner. Upstairs we met the guest of honor whose name escapes me. However, I did learn that he was the 2005 Turkish Arm Wrestling champion AND was a singing contestant on a Turkish show equivalent to American Idol. His (actual) brother beat boxed along with him.

While Darren and I could not participate in most of the conversation which was conducted mainly in Turkish, the dinner guests did their best to explain the discussion, the food, customs, ask us questions and generally include us and put us at ease.

Dinner included mouthwatering Turkish tapas and a main course of fish. I am not normally a fan of fish served in this manner but this dish was incredibly juicy and was pretty wonderful. Our dinner was washed down with Turkish Vodka It tasted a lot like licorice and was mixed with water before being served.

After dinner one of the guests pulled out a Turkish instrument that looked like a skinny guitar and played popular Turkish songs that everyone at our table (and in the room) sang along too.

Then the birthday celebrant, his actual brother and one of his (non) other brothers got up to dance. The performed a traditional dance of the Turks who are from the region closest to the Black Sea:



The whole night was truly a “Turkish Delight.”

Picture One by Jaya Bird: Darren and Mehmet
Picture Two by Jaya Bird: Darren and Ali
Picture Three by Jaya Bird: Nee and Mehmet
Picture Four by Jaya Bird: Turkish Vodka
Picture Five by Jaya Bird: Homsee Fish

Class Field Trip

My conversation teacher Lucia, ended our week with a field trip to Mama's Bakery (admittedly an American chain) on the other side of the Arno River. She had never tried a bagel (she liked them!) - and I was happy to enjoy a taste of home (a plain bagel with cream cheese and sun dried tomatoes).

Picture by Random Tourist: Left to Right - Jacob (Nantucket, USA), Me, Lucia (Firenze), Simone (Switzerland) at Ponte Vecchio.

Fast Food...Italian Style!

After another week of my intensive Italian class my head was spinning. I decided to reward myself with lunch at Il Due Fratellini -- The Two Brothers (Thanks to Mari Wright and Panini Girl for the recommendation!).

Located near the Duomo and my school, Il Due Fratellini serves fresh paninis and wine. Customers can order their lunch to go (portare via) or enjoy it while standing on the nearby sidewalk and cobblestone street. The good folks at Il Due Fratellini also provide these shelves to hold your wine --- so you can use both hands to wolf down their insanely good paninis:

My lunch consisted of a panini with prosciutto, goat cheese and arugula --- and a glass of red wine. All for a total of 3.80 Euros - how's THAT for a value meal! I'd take this version of fast food over Mickey D's or Burger King any day.

Sounds like the "Wurst"....

For Blog

Some things are better left separate. I think Curry and Bratwurst fall into that category (Flashback to Berlin).

Home Away from Home

It's been a busy week. Steph and I spent a short weekend in Rome. Saw a few of the sites - the Mouth of Truth, the Vatican and the Trevi Fountain (etc.). It was as amazing as I remembered, but I will definitely have to take a train back down to take in more of the history.

At the beginning of this week, Steph and I arrived in Florence --- my new home away from home for the next several weeks. I moved into my room/apartment, which I am sharing with two to three other people. However, my actual room has a separate entrance to the hallway and a shower which consists of a faucet/showerhead on on a wall - ahhh, Italy (pics to come).

Our first full day began with our now traditional free walking tour (really the best way to get a lay of the land). We were joined by several people from Stephanie's hostel including Bryan (San Francisco, USA). We toured several churches such as the Maria di Novella, Ponte Vecchio and the palaces of the once powerful Medici family.

Our tour guide also took us to the Gelataria di Santa Trinita. It's one of the few shops who make their own gelato and don't have it shipped in. It was the best gelato I had - seriously, it's the kind of treat where you have to quietly sit back, close your eyes and revel in every delicious flavor.

Oh, and in case you are wondering I am definitely going back there - perhaps after a good run along the Arno. :)

Picture by Jaya Bird: A great view of Florence, Italy.

How Convenient

I think there are some days I'd pick this over an ice cream cone. Maybe....

Listen to the Locals

We were planning to take a train from Trapani to Palermo (on the north side of Sicily) yesterday. We mentioned to Antonio (our B and B owner) and several locals and you would have thought they had said we are going to take a three legged mule.

"Noooo. Train is bad. Takes too long. Take bus - only 90 minutes."

The Train was about 2 1/2. Well, we had booked it quite a while back so we thought what the hey.

We boarded our tiny train just before 12 (seriously it was just a few cars) and we were off.Sort of anyway. We stopped at quite a few stations and I swear for traffic and for no reason at all (or that I could tell).

I lookedout the window and saw “Marsala.” Wait a minute, that’s due south. We were due north.

At the next stop “Castelvetrano.” Everyone got off. The station was quiet and the surrounding grape vineyards quite serene, conjuring up Godfather flashbacks again.

Steph and I found out the train towards Palermo was in three hours and we were in fact going the right way. Apparently you go in a circle to get to Palermo.

We settled in on a bench and had a great time reading and people watching. Policemen and Station managers were fighting in Italian and gesticulating wildly --- two minutes later they were friends again and laughing together. A German Sheppard wandered about eyeing my train station pizza. A cool Sicilian Breeze kept us comfortable.

The men came to know that first, we didn’t speak Italian and second, we were going to Palermo. They didn’t really interact with us (it was entertaining enough just to watch this little movie play out in front of us) but they made sure we got on the right train and helped us with our bags.

A couple hours into our second train ride the conductor comes through and starts rapidly talking to the passengers – we were straining to understand one word of his Italian.

We then come to a stop and he smiles at us and says “Change.”

Everyone gets off crosses the tracks and about ten minutes later and gets on a one car train to Palermo (or so I hoped). Finally, we pull into our station – which did not say Palermo (and why would it) --- the conductor informed us we were at our destination.

Exhausted we hauled our luggage off – one of the passengers hung back to make sure we were safely off.

So yeah, a 90 minute journey took about 71/2-8 hours.

So when in Sicily 1. Take the bus 2. Listen to the locals. 3. Know that the best way from Point A to Point B is NOT a straight line. 4. Finish a long journey with Sicilian pizza, it makes everything better.

Picture by Jaya Bird: Our train stop for about three hours.