Food on the Road

Tonight I cooked for myself. I know, it might not be miraculous, but it was the first time I had cooked a meal for myself here in Kabul. I've made soup once for the house around the holidays, and brownies and banana bread on a couple of occasions, but this was my first actual meal.

I moved rooms, which I'll have to take photos of and update you on tomorrow when it is light, and was starved after it all. I never got dressed today and didn't feel like going out, so I figured I might as well cook something for myself. Nothing special, just pasta, but still a rarity.

Generally meals in Kabul are a bit off from the norm. We have stuff available for breakfasts and than have a cook prepare lunch for the group. There are leftovers for dinner, or just snacking. We end up going out to dinner about twice a week, but most of the time it's not a real dinner. I know, not the best diet, but that's the way it goes. After being in Vietnam for a month, and eating dinner regularly, my body was protesting on the first couple of days back.

One of the things that I've realized is unique in my life is food on the road. Because of my globe trotting nature I've spent years of my life eating from restaurants or the like. This last eight months may be the longest stint thus far of not cooking for myself, though my study abroad semesters in college were similar.

What this means, you've got to be extra careful with what you eat when you aren't cooking it. Generally speaking it is harder to know what goes into your food, and thus can be easier to consume high calorie meals without really realizing (though the fabulous taste gives it away!) Luckily this hasn't often been an issue for me, though I did gain weight when leading a semester abroad to Australia with our own cook!

In cases like Vietnam, it means the freedom to try different foods at every meal. Sushi, Italian, French, Vietnamese - take your pick! When people ask you what food you are craving, it can get hard when you've already had every type of cuisine in the last week - I know, it's rough!

Though a life of eating out may seem glamorous, it often can get old. Most of the time I try to psyche myself out of any signs of boredom, but it can be a symptom. I'm also most often eating alone, so that takes a special talent to enjoy. I think I've become a master at it though!

Cheers,

Miel