Some fragmented thoughts on sacred architecture, the chef Rodrigo Pacheco and how we honor history, the land, and one another through what we eat and cook
I identify with your delight in food. My happiest memories almost always include food, and whenever I'm asked to list things I'm grateful for at any particular moment, a recent meal is always on the list. My husband and I keep a running list of meals that were true experiences, thus indelibly shaping us. One of my favorites was at a WWII bunker-turned restaurant on a tiny side street in Klaipèda, Lithuania, a port town that was at that moment in the middle of its annual Sea Festival. While we ate lamb dumplings and cherry dumplings with a refresher of horseradish-infused vodka, the cool Baltic Sea breezes wafted over our sun-soaked sidewalk bench. Then, to our surprise, a parade started up from somewhere else in the city and marched by, trumpets blaring and balloons and flags flying. A friend who was with us that day remarked that it was a moment to make one "happy in the deep places." We still use that phrase when we're feeling the joy from food, good company, and pleasant surroundings.
As someone with an autoimmune disease and who has made a substantial diet change as a result, it was a wonderful experience for me to read of how food is being treated with such intention and gratitude (and dare I say even reverence?). Because I have to think about what I eat, I am a lot more aware of "thoughtless" eating than I was before.
Also, your words about love taking on different forms stopped me in my tracks. You were writing in the context of food, but it hit me that this is also a way to approach relationships. I needed that just now; thank you Jeff!
It was wonderful to read your article. I was born in Ecuador, but I have lived in Chicago for 45 years, most of my life. When I return to visit relatives in Ecuador, some of the things I enjoy the most are the happiness and warmth of people, the outstanding food, and the rich culture you are surrounded by.
I can, unfortunately, not make the trip to the restaurant - but I have friends who live in Ecuador and perhaps they can have the experience you shared. I am jealous of your life and the many places you have gone, the many people you have met.
Oh, thank you for this glorious read. Chef as shaman... Such a rich meal! I am so touched by your experience. I imagine a more widespread cultivation of this kind of thing. I'm trying to imagine what this approach would look like on the Gulf Coast.
I identify with your delight in food. My happiest memories almost always include food, and whenever I'm asked to list things I'm grateful for at any particular moment, a recent meal is always on the list. My husband and I keep a running list of meals that were true experiences, thus indelibly shaping us. One of my favorites was at a WWII bunker-turned restaurant on a tiny side street in Klaipèda, Lithuania, a port town that was at that moment in the middle of its annual Sea Festival. While we ate lamb dumplings and cherry dumplings with a refresher of horseradish-infused vodka, the cool Baltic Sea breezes wafted over our sun-soaked sidewalk bench. Then, to our surprise, a parade started up from somewhere else in the city and marched by, trumpets blaring and balloons and flags flying. A friend who was with us that day remarked that it was a moment to make one "happy in the deep places." We still use that phrase when we're feeling the joy from food, good company, and pleasant surroundings.
As someone with an autoimmune disease and who has made a substantial diet change as a result, it was a wonderful experience for me to read of how food is being treated with such intention and gratitude (and dare I say even reverence?). Because I have to think about what I eat, I am a lot more aware of "thoughtless" eating than I was before.
Also, your words about love taking on different forms stopped me in my tracks. You were writing in the context of food, but it hit me that this is also a way to approach relationships. I needed that just now; thank you Jeff!
It was wonderful to read your article. I was born in Ecuador, but I have lived in Chicago for 45 years, most of my life. When I return to visit relatives in Ecuador, some of the things I enjoy the most are the happiness and warmth of people, the outstanding food, and the rich culture you are surrounded by.
I learned so much about the food and the culture. It was a joy.
I can, unfortunately, not make the trip to the restaurant - but I have friends who live in Ecuador and perhaps they can have the experience you shared. I am jealous of your life and the many places you have gone, the many people you have met.
Oh, thank you for this glorious read. Chef as shaman... Such a rich meal! I am so touched by your experience. I imagine a more widespread cultivation of this kind of thing. I'm trying to imagine what this approach would look like on the Gulf Coast.