A Journey Through Food

Switzerland

A few weeks ago I went on fall break with another SEA student and his parents and we journeyed from England to Switzerland and throughout Italy.  It was an amazing trip and we all had a great time enjoying the sites and everything that the countries had to offer us.  We saw numerous places throughout Italy since we drove to each place that we stayed at.  There were many differences among Switzerland and Italy and throughout the Italian cities as well.  For example in Sargans, Switzerland the culture was more relaxed and based around farming, but in the city of Venice it was much more chaotic and focused around the tourist attractions and the city life itself.  These were drastic differences and very easy to spot as we traveled from destination to destination. 

Restaurant in Rome

            There was one key similarity that we all seemed to pick up on throughout the trip and that was the hospitality that was given throughout these European countries as well as the high regard for their food.  While we did go to a few different countries for meals and shopping the atmosphere was the same, minus the language difference.  All the shop owners/restaurant owners were overly accommodating and they took so much pride in every meal that they cook.  One meal in particular stood out to me and that was in Rome, Italy and it was at small mom and pop owned restaurant.  The owners were husband and wife and the husband was the one who waited on us and he was very outgoing and friendly.  He recommended certain items, and you could see the passion he had for his food and meals that he was about to serve to us.  He even gave us some complimentary bruschetta for us to have!  Meals like this do not come along often and to see just how much someone can care about their food and reputation is amazing and something that I will never forget.  Overall the atmosphere and meals were outstanding and to be able to experience a meal like this with the care and passion that was added was remarkable.

This was a huge contrast to back home where you are likely to find chain restaurants, with bad service and frozen meals.  All throughout Europe on our trip we found excellent meals, hospitality, and a history to go along with it! Truly a journey that I will never forget and one that truly made its mark on us!