What’s your favorite part about visiting a new place — the food? The architecture? The people watching?
The first thing on my mind when I visit a new place, no matter where it is, is the food. Food is as iconic a cultural gateway as would be the architecture or the museums of any place. That being said, I love tasting the street food while walking along the streets and gazing at all the architecture surrounding me wherever I am. While my daughter and I were traveling through France last summer, we weren't eating much street food, when in France you do as the French do, which is sit in street side cafes and watch the people and look at all the historic architecture, buildings, bridges and monuments. Paris is The place for that on every level possible. However when you venture outside of the capital, you still get the amazing sights and people but on a smaller scale and often on an older scale as well, as for example, in the south of France you will find Roman antiquities in the midst of small towns which in my mind simply increases the allure of southern France, one of my favorite countries.
Still, the food is still the first thing that calls to me and once my curious taste buds are satiated than the rest of my sense can be indulged. Isn't food just marvelous?
laurieanichols 