It's time to wrap up the figs! In case you forgot, this is where we find something to be grateful for each day. You will see from the below that I am extremely food motivated and food makes me happy! I want to thank Elisabeth for dreaming this project up and keeping track of everyone's goings on. I am grateful for you, Elisabeth. And now, onto the other FIGs.
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| These figs are from my tree in Oakland! |
10. I arrived in Krakow! Yay. Also, it was very late (midnight) and I not only figured out the bus system, but it only cost about $1.50 to get into town from the airport. Just to put it in context, from SFO to the city center is about $12 on the train, and if I were to take an Uber home, it would be about $60, and even getting to/from the airport in Lyon was $17. Hey, that's $10+ extra dollars that I can use to buy more food! Priorities.
11. I went on two separate walking tours and the guide was very jolly. His name was Tomasz and he was very tall and very passionate about history. It was a somber day at times, and a cold one, but I learned a lot and so am thankful for that.
12. I had a nice (very cold) run around the old part of town and then came home and snuggled up and finished a good book and ate pierogis!
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| Wawel Castle |
13. I tried my first Obwarzanki, which is basically like a bagel, but a bit less puffy. I ate it as I walked through the old part of town as the sun was rising. Also, today it was warmer, only 32 degrees instead of 17, feels like 9! Yay. This sounds like a joke, but I spent the entire day outside, so was very happy that it was not colder. VERY happy.
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| Obwarzanki man |
14. I went to the Schindler Factory Museum, which is not in itself positive, but it definitely makes me grateful for a lot of things like food, hot water and life itself. It was very cold too and imagining the Jewish people walking from the ghetto to the factory for work, which was a blessing, makes me really think hard about my own life in general.
15. A warm bowl of Zurek. It's mustardy, it's meaty, it's hot. What more can you ask for.
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| Zurek |
16. Zapiekanki. Basically bread with cheese. But melted. Yummy.
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| Zapiekanki |
17. I met up with my cousin and had a great time chatting and catching up with her and her partner.
18. My cousin and I went for a morning walk to a farm, went to Haarlem for a beer, met up with a friend of hers in Amsterdam for happy hour, had a nice lunch (bitterballen for the win!) and met up with her partner for a great dinner. Wins all around: good food, good beer, good company!
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| Bitterballen |
19. Wednesday market and my first homemade Stroopwafel! The old man was so cute and he let me take a photo of him. Have I mentioned that I have a thing for old men with hats?
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| Stroopwafel man |
20. Another walk to the farm, and this pig kindly let me take his photo! Have you ever seen such a cute little pig?
21. I rode a bike to the beach and put my feet in the North Sea for the first time.
22. Hard to choose one, but I would have to say Belgian beer!
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| So many good ones! |
23. I worked out! For the first time in a looooong time. It was fun (until the next day!) I forgot that the weights were in kilos at first and I was wondering why I was so much weaker than I used to be. Then I remembered and felt pretty good about myself!
24. My flight was on time, I got my backpack on with no issues (budget carry on rules in Europe, woof), and I arrived in a new place that is WARM! Yippy kai, ai, yay.
25. I spent literal hours just walking around Seville, enjoying the warmth and the new vibe and colors. It even rained and I didn't care. Also I spent probably an hour in the grocery store, ogling the ham hocks, various yogurt drinks, and potted meats.
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| Plaza de España |
26. As I ride the bus towards the coast, I can't help but smiling at the excitement of being in a new place. Even though this also means figuring out new language, customs, routes, and daily routines, it is exciting, and even more so when I crest the hill and see the ocean. My next month will be near the sea and I am really happy about that. Sunshine really is an amazing balm for the soul.
27. Where to start? I went for a run along the ocean. I went grocery shopping in a new place, which is one of my favorite things to do. And I sat here, and watched the sea as I read my book.
28. Today's morning run.
Happy Friday!
What was your sweetest FIG this week?
Krakow looks like a beautiful place and the food looks amazing! Your reading nook looks like the perfect place to spend an afternoon. Growing figs sounds like fun - do you make something with them? I'm not sure I'd know what to do with a fig. One of my favorite FIGS is traveling vicariously through you!
ReplyDeleteAw thanks, Michelle. I used to mostly eat my figs fresh from the tree, or you could make jam or tarts. However, I also like to make baked oatmeal with them!
DeleteSo many great things you are seeing, and so much good food! I have never been to Poland, you are brave to go there this time of year. But I guess February would be pretty off-season, which I know you prefer.
ReplyDeleteDid you ever make fig jam? A friend brought a dish over to my house, it was goat cheese topped with fig jam and caramelized pecans and wow, it was good.
Lots of FIGs for me this week, after all, I was in Mexico for part of it. But also it's very sweet to be home. I love travelling but I love coming home. Rex went to the groomer yesterday to get all cleaned up from his time at the pet resort, and he is so soft and fresh now!
I did not make fig jam! I don't mind eating it from time to time, but I am not really a full on jam person. I usually just ate them fresh off the tree. I do love a good soft doggo, and those poodle mixes are SO SOFT! I am sure he is happy to see you again. I mean, I KNOW he is, but I am sure he is extra happy after your time away!
DeleteThat pig is SO CUTE. I am a tiny bit obsessed with pigs. Are you familiar with League of Pigs on YouTube? Pigs race - that's all it is. I love it.
ReplyDeleteSo many fun food FIGs. That seems so fitting, doesn't it?
I have never seen the pig channel, but it does sound interesting! I did love seeing that cute hairy pig. As for food figs, yes, I did think that was fitting!
DeleteI'd have to say my sweetest Fig is the weather here. It's warmed up and I'm able to run. About to leave for my 3rd run this week. I'm hoping that my very best fig will be that I don't end up with the stomach bug working it's way through the house, but I'm not sure I'll be that lucky.
ReplyDeleteOMG - the carryon bag bit is so relatable. I was on the phone with Mini yesterday. She started her spring break today. She flew from Italy to Portugal and then goes to Toledo and then to Barcelona. She was stressed about her carryon. She was wearing LOTS of layers, and over stuffed her standard backpack - like just her academic backpack, not her huge one. She's hoping to get by without paying for a checked bag. The bag was accepted on her first flight. Fingers crossed.
Go Mini, go! I feel her pain! I saw a YT video where the guy had a "coat" on that had a ton of inside pockets so that he put all of his stuff in the pockets and then did not have to pay for a carry on! But I have also seen ones where people wear a lot of layers. I would have a hard time with that, as first of all, you have to take them off to go through security and second, I would be sweating like a pig and then would also have my pack on etc...and probably sweating from being nervous too. I think Mini will be fine. If my backpacking pack gets through, her school bag will be fine!
DeleteWell one of my FIGs this minute is reading your list.
ReplyDeleteRight this second I'm thankful for:
- the sunshine.
- being Canadian. At this current time in geopolitics - and especially after what happened today in the Oval Office - I am just so glad I was born and currently live in the country I do. What a tremendous blessing!
I did not see the news, but am now afraid to look. I think I will keep my fig happy feeling through the weekend for now. Is there sunshine there now? If so, yay!
DeleteThis is a wonderful list. That PIG is a FIG!
ReplyDeleteFrom this week?.... NYC, and all the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of this great city for three days and two nights. I've been to Poland a few times but to small villages and Łodz.
Yay NYC. I love that city. I definitely will have to go back to Poland, as there are many other places I still want to go. This trip was a good taste, but I want more! But maybe when its a bit warmer, eh?
DeleteWhat a wonderful list! My gluten-free heart bleeds a little bit looking at all the yummy bread photos, though!
ReplyDeleteWe’ve had our week of spring like weather, but today a strong wind blew in cooler temps. But at least it’s not below zero so I’ll take what I can get! Paul and I had an awesome one on one day together. When we were leaving the mall, I asked him what his best part of the day was and when he listed out what he enjoyed, he included spending time with me. :….)
Awwww, what a cutie! I love that he loved spending time with you, and he is comfortable saying that! I am happy that your weather is not super horrible, and I hope that March is in like a lion, out like a lamb!
DeleteBeautiful pictures, what a lot of lovely figs you have!
ReplyDeleteHah! Both metaphorically and figuratively!? Thanks!
DeleteOooh, zurek! I haven't had that in a LONG time. Did you have pumpernickel with it? That's the best.
ReplyDeleteI had a lovely brown bread that I do not know the name of! But it was good too!
DeleteI love all of your FIGs. So much good food!
ReplyDeleteAnd I dream of living outside of the U.S. right now. How nice it would be to forget everything happening back home and soak in the sights and sounds of Europe!!
Yes, and the eggs are cheap here too! :)
DeleteOh, Stroopwaffels! they are so good, but so sweet! Bread with cheese sounds better to me. :)
ReplyDeleteThe Stroopwafels you buy in a packet are definitely too sweet for me, but this one was not as bad! I am not really a sweet person, and bread and cheese is more my style too!
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