Planning to not plan

September 25, 2014


It is always a struggle for me - as a type A personality - to avoid the urge to plan every minute of every day in every country before I leave. I manage that urge by booking my accommodations for the first night or two in each place. Then I research all the "must see" lists, and print off google maps and directions on how to get there. I research how much a taxi should cost, what the local scams are, and where the good, cheap places are to eat.

Today I was working on our days in Dubai. Since we are only there a short while, I have pre-booked a foodie tour through the old part of Dubai called Deira. I always try to book accommodations in the old part of town, as that is usually where I find the best markets - a favorite thing of mine to see. Food is such a big part of culture - it is part of communication, a way people around the world share themselves. Eating is a ritual that varies from place to place.

I remember the short plastic stool on which Nathan and I sat on our travels through Vietnam. Supper made and eaten on the sidewalk! I remember the amazing food stalls of China town - as Stephane and I ate our way through Bangkok. Eating in Africa with Joel was a lesson in graciousness - as people shared their few morsels with us.

I look forward to experiencing the food on this trip - and I have chosen to make it a central theme of wherever we go. I have booked us on eating tours and into cooking classes. I can't wait to try fish and chips in London and wash it down with a pint and to experience pizza in Naples at the very restaurant where it was invented. In Dubai I I look forward to crispy sesame-studded and stuffed falafels hot out of the fryer and of course baklava! I am not sure what to expect in the Philippines where we will spend most of our time. I have read about the food there, and am already missing my morning coffee...like in India, Nescafe is all I am likely to find - especially in the hill country where we will be mingling with tribes that still live as they did thousands of years ago.

On my way home - after dropping Nikki off in Tanzania for some medical volunteering in the town of Iringa - I plan on eating my way through Paris...bon apetit to me!

I will write again soon...I fly into Calgary next Tuesday to help Nicholas pack (always a challenge), and then we head off at 6pm October 2...coming along?