BenAroundtheBlock

Ben has been around, around and around. The world is a big place and he still has lots to cover and thus the journey continues. Let's wander together...food, travel and unbridled adventure.

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My 18” paella pan is my latest new toy, it got its first use to rave reviews. Cooked over a gas BBQ in 34F temps the socarrat (crusty umami rich browned bits) was nearly perfect. A charcoal grill next time! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #paella #socarrat #seafood #paellapan #instapaella #instafood #foodie #foodisculture #newrecipe #cookinginthecold #courageinthekitchen #atewelldrankwell #benaroundblock (at Chicago, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqaQ-OdH_Hb/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1rotdd2xf4am1

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This morning was as pleasant as it was quiet. Silence is priceless but so is seeing what's on the other side of the world. @faena #buenosdias #faenahotelbuenosaires #quietmorning #silenceisgolden #wanderlust (at Faena Buenos Aires)

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Standing on the Puente de la Mujer, on my birthday, dreaming of mooring my sailboat at Yacht Club Argentino behind me. #argentina🇦🇷 #buenosaires #dreaming #yachtclub #sailboat (at Puente de la Mujer)

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My favorite dinner and a movie is in the air, in business class, to another country, on your birthday #boom #unitedairlines @united Houston(IAH) to Buenos Aires(EZE) Year-to-Date: 60,258 miles, 59 flights #birthday #gifttome #bdayadventures #allbusiness #dinnerinthesky #newcountry #dinnerandamovie (at Ministro Pistarini International Airport)

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Sky runner! Beautiful sunset amongst the clouds of Tropical Storm Cindy! Seems to look better from the first class window. #unitedairlines Austin(AUS) to Houston(IAH) Year-to-Date: 55,196 miles and 58 flights #skyrunning #cloudsurfer #sunset #wingsup (at United Club - Houston George Bush International Airport)

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Oh so close. Bulkhead aisle is a nice 2nd though. #unitedairlines Chicago(ORD) to Austin(AUS) Year-to-Date: 55,056 miles and 57 flights #ord #aus #soclose #fly #bulkhead #lastflightout (at Chicago O'Hare International Airport)

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Yesterday - Exit! Let me off the plane! One of those days of delays, sitting on the tarmac and airport operations still in recovery from storms around Chicago 6/14. Cocktails! #unitedairlines Grand Rapids(GRR) to Chicago(ORD) Year-to-Date: 54,078 miles and 56 flights #cancellation #delayedflight #tarmac #exit #airport (at Chicago O'Hare International Airport)

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American the beautiful! Sun breaks after heavy rain. #americanairlines Chicago(ORD) to Grand Rapids(GRR) Year-to-Date: 53,941 miles and 55 flights #chicago #ord #airport #airplane #quicktrip #wheelsup (at Chicago O'Hare International Airport)

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What a day to eat tomatoes, drink beer and listen to music. #nola #festival #tomatoes #frenchquarter (at Creole Tomato Festival)

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The Centurion. Good eats and drinks, kinda free. Or really expensive haha. @americanexpress #americanairlines Dallas(DFW) to New Orleans(MSY) Year-to-Date: 52,697 miles, 53 flights #dallas #dfw #amex #centurionlounge #perks (at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport)

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A cancellation, a delay, it's okay...enjoy the ride. #unitedairlines Austin(AUS) to Austin(AUS). Year-to-date: 52,249miles and 52 flights #enjoytheride #milehigh #glenfarclas #firstclass #bechillin (at George Bush Intercontinental Airport)

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The big 50/50. Half way there! And MVP in the exit row. See you soon Emerald City! #alaskaairlines Los Angeles(LAX) to Seattle(SEA) Year-to-Date: 50,235 miles and 50 flights #seattle #emeraldcity #5050 #halfwaythere (at LAX Terminal 6)

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Glad I'm only passing through Smog City! #unitedairlines Austin(AUS) to Los Angeles(LAX) Year-to-Date: 49,234 miles, 49 flights #california #lax #smog (at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX))

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First flight out is never fun but it helps when you get to sit with the big boys up front! #unitedairlines Chicago(ORD) to Austin(AUS) Year-to-Date: 48,204 miles and 48 flights #firstflightout #firstclass #bigboy #notamorningperson (at Chicago O'Hare International Airport)

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Hello Windy City! Passing through for dinner! #unitedairlines Grand Rapids(GRR) to ORD(Chicago) Year-to-Date: 47,226 miles and 47 flights #chicago #skyline #coastline #fromtheair (at Lake Michigan)

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Lake views from the long weekend on Hills Lake in Wautoma. #wisconsin #lakelife #sunset (at Little Hills Lake)

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Life in the fast lane isn't for everyone, especially children. In a blur roadside to seat in ORD's C concourse 13m45s! New record. #unitedairlines Chicago(ORD) to Austin(AUS) Year-to-Date: 45,974 miles, 44 flights #lifeinthefastlane #weekendwarrior #lifesablur #personalbest (at Chicago O'Hare International Airport)