I appreciate your patience with my somewhat erratic writing schedule as I navigate through immigration requirements, the aforementioned travel schedule, and unplugging from two countries, the USA and Portugal. Easier said than done.

What The Shuck

Forget the souvenir shops. If you want the fastest route to a destination’s culture, head straight to a food market. Where else can you food hop, meet growers and artisans, discover ingredients you can’t pronounce, and burn calories with a side of priceless people watching?

Think of a food market as a farmers market on steroids. Some are newer ideas, while some are centuries old. Under one roof, stalls overflow with fresh produce, crusty breads and pastries, local and ancient crafts, spices, artisan cheeses, music, local wines, and enough tempting aromas to derail any diet. On occasion, I need a seat to recover from a flavor-packed knockout punch.

During this stay in San Francisco, I had the pleasure of visiting the San Francisco Ferry Building. Located at the historic, you guessed it, Ferry Building, somehow, I’ve never explored this iconic foodie hub. After reading about one vendor’s passion to bring Cambodian noodles to the U.S., I moved this destination, and its 40+ vendors, to the top of my must-eat list. (Yes, there is a list.) With a fellow traveler, we wandered the halls, slurped noodles, and followed our appetite from one delicious discovery to the next. It was love at first bite. Cheeky . . . I know.

Some of the Best Food Markets in the United States

If your travels take you to Europe—or even just across town—put a food market on your itinerary. For maximum enjoyment, bring:

• A sturdy shopping bag for all the goodies you swore off. If the item doesn´t require refrigeration, save it (and your appetite) for later.

• An open mind. Try the unfamiliar ingredient, mysterious pastry, or local specialty. The worst outcome is a good story. The best outcome is your new favorite food.

• An empty stomach. Skip the full meal and graze instead. Order small plates, international cuisine, and ask the vendor what is popular. Think tapas, not Thanksgiving.

Lastly, food markets are a fabulous resource to score locally crafted keepsakes, textiles, culinary tools, and dried goods.

Some of the Best Food Markets in Europe

A day at a food market delivers culture, community, and enough culinary adventure to keep your taste buds talking for weeks. Besides, the thousands of steps you log wandering the aisles practically make that extra pastry a health food.

Strands

It´s summer. One easy-peasy add-on to your travels (whether domestic or international) is a GetYour Guide walking tour. Skip the overpriced bottle of wine or a boring gift certificate and instead gift a new memory with a walking tour.

Juicy Morsels

How early should you arrive at the airport? First question: domestic or international?

On a recent flight from Lisbon to Newark, I was advised to arrive four hours early due to Europe’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), the latest government fiasco to make things “more efficient.” Being my father’s daughter, of course I arrived five hours early.

Good thing I did.

Border control was a marathon of long lines, cranky babies, overheated travelers, and nowhere to sit or use the restroom. You could cut the tension, and I was concerned as the only security guard present was a 12-year-old, nervous-looking girl wearing an “I am in training” safety vest. Poor little thing was thrown to the wolves with screaming passengers whose flights were long gone, threats being exchanged. I reached the gate a mere 15 minutes before boarding. And that was with carry-on luggage only. Fwehh!

My advice? Check your airline’s recommendations and then add extra time. If you’re checking bags, traveling with kids, or need mobility assistance, add even more.

Air travel seems to be in its “everything takes longer than expected” era. Security takes longer. Border control takes longer. Delays and cancellations are more common. Plus, more items are an additional charge on airlines. “Ladies and gentlemen, as part of your in-flight experience, we offer (for a fee): wifi, lukewarm processed food, toilet paper, air, and Prozac.” At least on Portugal´s own TAP Airlines, there´s complimentary Portuguese wine.

So, arrive early. Relax with a book, and overpay for an airport sandwich. It beats sprinting to the gate while insisting, “They’re waiting for me!”

Turn The Page

Sometimes books go in a different direction than you initially expected. Thus is the case with these two eye-opening, humorous, and thought-provoking reads. What a surprise of stories!!

Dispatches from Pluto - What happens when a New York City couple trades metropolitan for a fixer-upper Mississippi Delta plantation? An enlightening insight into racism (including reverse), learning to embrace a new life in the South, and all the struggles and humor that are found along the way.

A Rosie Life in Italy - Book One of Seven recounts an Irish family’s dream to call Italy home. An eye-opening and honest read, especially if you´re considering purchasing a property or taking the plunge into a new life in Italy.

Quote

“The traveler who has once been from home is wiser than he who has never left his own doorstep.” Margaret Mead

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