random thoughts on traveling - part three, the food

I am sick of eating at airports! Why is it always gross sandwiches that were made off-site and are generally icky looking? The hotel eating is really not much better. I feel like everything I have eaten so far has been aggressively American. If I have to even think about another hamburger or chicken sandwich or whatever else, I think I might hurt someone.

There have been a few fun meals though. In Pittsburgh, another girl that was interviewing was at my hotel. Neither of us knew anyone else in town so we went to dinner together. A friend of hers had played music at this pub and recommended the Polish food to her. So we went and ate Polish food. Damn! That shit is tasty, but not very good for you! I think everything was cooked in about a stick of butter. So obviously it tasted good, even if it felt like a gut bomb. Also there was free wine at the hotel and beer at the pub, so good times!

In Minneapolis, Mike and I went to an Italian place in “Dinkytown.” I don’t really know why it is called that, but it was a cute little part of town that I bet students hang out in all the time. We sit down and there are all these old couples dancing in the middle of the restaurant. It was super cute! The food was delicious and was not a burger, so I was happy. Also, there was a bottle of wine involved, which is always a welcome edition! (Are you sensing a theme?)

In LA, there was a carne asada burrito lunch. Yay Socal burritos! I miss you. The best meal though had to be sushi. The sushi dinner came after a few days of choking down food due to nerves re: interviews. I don’t think I have been so hungry in a really long time. I heart raw tuna! Also Japanese beer is yummy.

Finally, when I met the girl in Pittsburgh, we found out we would be in Salt Lake City and Houston at the same interviews. So she was upgraded from single-serving friend to triple-serving friend. We went last night to the Red Iguana which one of the interviewers told her was the “best Mexican food ever.” As a California native, who has spent many years in San Diego and then multiple years in Texas, I was, needless to say, slightly skeptical of that claim. We were both trying to figure out if there was anywhere in the city where you could really drink. Well, this was one place! We proceeded to decide that we should do shots of tequila just cause. So now I can say I took a shot of tequila in SLC. Watch out LDS! The food was actually good too! I know! I was surprised too.

Now I am in the airport in Phoenix and the awesome choices were fast food burgers or pizza. GAH!