My Journey Begins....With Food!

So this was the first time that I could get around the Great Firewall of China and make a post on here (they blocked this site for some reason!) My initial trip over here was tough and tiring. Between forgetting a lot of my Chinese, exhaustion, and the speed that the Chinese people talk with I was so taken aback. My way around the the Shanghai was confusing and I had no idea where I was, but I like being there. The flight over to Xi'an was a lot less tiring and confusing, and as soon as I arrived in Xi'an, I went to bed immediately!

After arriving in Xi'an I was in complete awe. I was in a new country, continent, and half of the world! I had so much to learn, do, see, hear, smell, taste, touch, and understand that the possibilities are were endless and I wanted to see them all right then and there. There was only one problem.....I needed to get some food in me! I hadn't eaten much from stress and forgetfulness, so I was taken to the school canteen. The food sucked!! I can't tell you how awful the food was at this school cafeteria, but the good thing for me was that this food did not represent the quality of food in this city!

Since my first experience with the food I've come across soooo many new and delicious foods. From this delicious semi-uncooked (I think?) flatbread that's made with green onions, red peppers, sesame seeds, and other spices, to random meat on a stick, to deep fried mushrooms, the food here is delicious and frankly, I don't know what half of it is, and I don't care! This experience here is opening my eyes to new food options that I've started to not care what it is; I'm just going to try it instead of asking questions. That's not to say that I'm just going to eat anything; on the contrary, I'm still a little hesitant to try some things, but that's because I know my limits. I'm easing myself into the mentality of food isn't evil or bad, that I just need to try it, but it takes time people!!

The flavors are complex and delicious, yet there seems to be a minimum of ingredients and flavorings used. I think the fact that most of the food here is natural helps the quality of the food that I've been eating because additives don't detract from the natural flavors of whatever I'm eating. I appreciate it and love it. I've gained a new appreciation for food and am opening myself to new ideas and flavors.

My journey was impacted by food first, and what an impact that food has had on me!