#londonium

[yczhwx]

stained glass at the church of st magnus the martyr and the mithraeum temple

[wasleichtestravel]

Grey squirrel, London. England.

[qaaba]

#ThrowbackThursday #tbt #somewhereinLondon #Londonium #saltandpepper #bear #beard #orange #gpoy (at London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnIGp4UAeU_/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=tvf6kk8sdo5j

[pomegranatepithos]

Flying with Food

I had forgotten to preorder a vegetarian meal for my flight. I was in luck, though, for they had extras. Most people think airline food hits the scale of rankings just above high school cafeteria fare, which only just ranks above questionable roadside trucks. But I’ve always felt the vegetarian meals on planes are less of a crapshoot. The veggie option usually means you are actually getting vegetables. Meat on a plane doesn’t always mean meat. At least, not the meat you may have expected.

Some years ago, prior to my decision to cut meat out of my life, I was taking a trip to see family. It was an anticipated trip because we hadn’t seen those particular family members for quite a while.  That particular flight offered a meal instead of just pretzels. (I dislike pretzels and wish they would go back to giving peanuts instead, but I digress). I ordered the vegetarian plate then for the same reasons.

That was the first time I had couscous. I’d never even heard of it before, so when I peeled back the foil liner I was a bit flummoxed. I know the foil is to keep the meal hot, but it makes me think they are trying to make the meal more exciting by making the exact contents a surprise. This meal was definitely a revelation to me. Those little, almost fluffy, balls of goodness went so well with the grilled veggies. Those who were traveling with me were dubious as to my exclamations of deliciousness and proceeded to eat their mystery meat while I relished this new texture on my tongue. And because the context of that trip was familial, I’ve always had fond thoughts about couscous and family.

On last night’s flight, the vegetarian meal given to me also included couscous. Imagine that. There I was, on a plane, leaving family and everyone I’ve ever known to go to someplace I’ve never been. Yet I was reminded of family by a simple meal most people wouldn’t rate above fast food.

I thought it was pretty darn good. And the mango sorbet wasn’t too shabby either.

[wasleichtestravel]

Picadilly Circus, London. England.

[wasleichtestravel]

Vintage Cars, London. England.

[wasleichtestravel]

Trafalgar Square, London. England.

[wasleichtestravel]

London. England.