I have been studying abroad in Europe chasing my Eat, Pray, Love experience for over two months now. To those of you unfamiliar with the book, Eat, Pray, Love is the story of a divorced woman in her thirties who is lost, confused, and in search for what she really wants in life. In the quest for meaning she decided to spend a year around the world: four months in Italy, where she would rediscover pleasure (EAT); four months in India, where she would meditate in an ashram (PRAY); and four months in Bali, where she would learn how to fuse the two (LOVE). While my story is very different to this because as much as I would like to deny it, I am an over privileged twenty-one year old on an all-expenses-paid adventure in Europe. The story of Eat, Pray, Love at its core resonates with my desire for a holistic life. I am at the crossroads where I am not sure what I want to do professionally or even if my college major is the right choice. I am scared of the future and question if I will be able to balance work and home the way I intend to. I forever wonder if I will find that all consuming, passionate love by the right age so I can 'settle down' and have the ideal family life I have always dreamt of. While I could let all of these thoughts lead me on my quest for the true meaning of life, I decided to focus on the EAT part of the Eat, Pray, Love. So, instead of rambling about all the things that should, would, could be I am going to tell you of the amazing food I have been eating while abroad. The burst of different flavors from the different corners of Europe has been no less than a spiritual experience for me! I am a strict vegetarian and all the meat eaters out there have made it very clear to me that I am missing out by sticking to this dietary choice but anyone who knows me knows there's no way I am giving up this way of life. Moving on, I still have a number of places I am yet to visit but here are the top ten things I have eaten while abroad. (DISCLAIMER : I am not a photographer so please excuse the poor picture quality, snapchat filters etc)
1. CHEEKY NANDO'S
The true British experience is incomplete if you don't grab some cheeky Nando's with your mates/lads.
2. This cheese will make you feel grate haha
When in London, a meal at Delfino is a must and when you're there you absolutely have to get the Burrata which is a fresh Italian cheese made from mozzarella and cream.
3. Are you really in Paris if don't order macaroons as an entree, main and desert at every meal?
This salted caramel macaroon at Ribe Cafe made up for the language problem and lack of vegetarian options I had to deal with in France!
4. Stole a pizza my heart
Who knew the Brussels airport had a Michelin star restaurant?
This local Czech desert will leave you wanting more! I got mine with apple strudel filling, vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce (hello calories?).
6. What warms your insides and gives you all the feels?
This dense hot chocolate at Cafe Louvre in Prague is probably the best gift to humanity tbh I am considering going back for some more!
7. Brunch in BudaBEST
Sunday mornings are for mimosas and brunch and Ala Maison is the only way to start a day in Budapest!
8. Longing some Lángos
Lángos is Hungarian flat bread which you can get with topping of your choice. I had my Lángos experience at the local Central Market in Budapest!
9. Egg-cellent start to the day
Spoon, Edinburgh where J.K. Rowling wrote Harry Potter is one of the few places in Scotland where you get vegetarian Haggis. Traditional Haggis is made of sheep meat and does not sound particularly appetizing to me so I got the soy and lentil substitute for it. Verdict - It wasn't bad. Would I order it again? Probably not.
10. Hummus where the heart is
The Greek Kitchen at the Farmer's Market in Edinburgh has the best home made hummus and baclava and Baba ghanoush and basically best middle eastern food I have ever eaten #obsessed
That's a wrap (with Halloumi pls) excuse the food puns but I bet I've left you craving all this yummy food with Europe on the side!
