by Elana Lycos, junior, dietetics major
What’s one thing nearly everyone says they want to do in the future? Travel, right? “I want to see the world,” is a common statement you hear from people you meet. Why do you think so many people want to travel internationally? Don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely one of those people who gets excited when talking about traveling abroad, swimming in crystal blue waters, and meeting interesting people. Maybe it’s the unknown; in our minds, places around the world are uncharted and mysterious. They’re exotic and dreamlike because we can make them out to be whatever we want in our heads.
Of course, one of the most incredible things about traveling is the food. You can’t possibly imagine what a Middle Eastern dish full of vegetables, meats, spices, bay leaves and other flavors tastes like (unless you’ve had something like it before). In reality, food is the greatest gift of travel because it is one thing that’s truly mysterious and delightful with every bite. You can fantasize about how the sun will feel on your skin because you’ve felt it before, but you can’t imagine what a new authentic dish will taste like if you’ve never tried it.
When I think about the places I’ve traveled, some of my favorite memories are from restaurants. I’m convinced this is because eating is one of the greatest pleasures in life, and food is easy to remember. The foods you experience when you travel turn your fantasy into reality, as the destination becomes something you can taste, smell, touch and embrace. Therefore, food immerses you in unfamiliar cultures.
For example, one of the most vivid memories I have from when I visited Greece is of me sitting in a little restaurant in Athens, eating lamb skewers and listening to the owner of the restaurant sing. The whole restaurant was clapping along to the music and it felt like I was in the heart of a new culture. It was a time I shared with people from an entirely different part of the world than me, and in that moment, we were one somehow.
Food helps you remember specifics as well, like what city you were in when you had that empanada, or what point of the vacation you were at when you had tons of sushi from an iconic Japanese restaurant. I can remember entire days of past travels simply based on certain sensational meals that I had.
If all this talk about food is making you hungry, then head to one of the dining halls on campus. This time, instead of opting for fries and a burger or that slice of pizza try something new, like chickpea curry or a spicy salmon sushi roll. While the experience won’t be exactly the same as visiting the country of origin, it’ll give you a little taste of the world unknown.
MSU does a great job of providing meals for students that reach beyond the borders of the classic American cheeseburger and fries. The chefs prepare foods that can give students a taste of those uncharted lands. For example, you can indulge in Indian cuisine from the “Tandoori venue at The Edge at Akers, or try a variety of Latin-inspired dishes from Sabor at Holden Dining Hall. Even Sparty’s locations around campus and Sparty’s Market offer items like tabouli salad, sushi rolls, chicken shawarma and more. Instead of sticking to what you know, be a bit adventurous and try to broaden your palate. The world is full of amazing places and incredible foods, so don’t be afraid to see what’s out there!