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 Stroopwaffle! 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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| Stroopwaffle 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!
ReplyDeleteSo 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!