Food.

"Meals make the society, hold the fabric together in lots of ways that were charming and interesting and intoxicating to me. The perfect meal, or the best meals, occur in a context that frequently has very little to do with the food itself." - Anthony Bourdain

Sitting down for a good meal to me goes beyond just the food. I love it as an encompassing experience that can fulfill more than just my physical appetite. It can attack all of the senses. Good presentation and the atmosphere of the meal go far to please the eye. A well made and tasty dish obviously pleases the taste buds. A lot of foreign cuisine please me with their rich aromas from their spice and natural juices. Texture, a feature often ignored in making good food, can make a meal even more memorable. Finally, there is sound. So where can good sound come from in a meal? I love meals with friends and family. Having good friends, food and atmosphere is an experience that can connect people to things, places and events that transcend the meal itself. Let me explain...

The word connect is defined as: to join, link, or fasten together; unite or bind: to establish communication between; put in communication. A good meal can do a good job of connecting people, places and things. Many aspects of a good meal do not need a translator, meals communicates in a universal language that only requires an open mind.

For example, I recently tried Trinidadian food with my Brionna at Pam's Kitchen in University District in Seattle. If anyone gets the chance they should try this place out. As far as I know it is the only place that serves Trinidadian food in that area. In fact, Trinidadian cuisine is really a delicious derivative of Indian food. I could tell from the amount of Cumin, other tasty spices and the naan-type bread that was served. All things considered it was an awesome meal. Brionna was exceptional company (thank you for taking me here!). The restaurant felt like it belonged on the water in some faroff and away tropical locale. The food was incredibly delicious with an aroma teasing and goading me into devouring it which I happy obliged. Finally, there was the "sound", I really mean it when I say my friend made good company. I am always happy to see my friends as we have not hung out as we once did in college. If a picture is worth a thousand words, what would is a meal worth?

Coming back to my point of connect. Having these opportunities to go out to eat and have good meals with friends transport me places. When I hang out with my college friends at a good restaurant, it helps me to reminisce and try and relive those wonderful days in the Palouse at Washington State University. When I eat a big meal with family and our family friends it helps me to reconnect with my culture and to hear stories of the old times that I can otherwise only experience through books and film. Seattle is a great place for my habit. I can try new and exciting places to try and get a literal taste of other cultures and to put my bank account to work a little bit too. Many of the things that I do, like the meals I chase and crave, are not in fact a form of escapism, as some might think, from the civilized life but instead a way to connect with the world at large.

I would like to conclude by addressing something I have not fully addressed to this point in my two posts. I see this blog as a means to convey my deepest gratitude of having the undeserving fortune of being able to enjoy good food, good friends and family, good films and living a more fulfilling life. Each post will focus on one of three things that I find the most connect; films, food and/or all around wonderful times with my loved ones.

One new connection at a time, one step before the next; that is how I am living my life.

Looking forward to writing my next post!
Next post: Film.
Pill #36/180

Since you (*wink, wink) asked: