Around the world in 80 ways

I had the pleasure of hearing author of Only Planet, Ed Gillespie speak this morning. Gillespie traveled the world without the use of airplanes with the purpose to spread the message of the importance of global warming and how much of a carbon footprint air travel has.

I’m not convinced.

I found Gillespie spoke more of one solution, and not enough about the root problems. We indulge in carbon rich activities every day without even knowing. I believe a greater understanding and effort in the little things can still leave room for the joys and education that exposure to different cultures will provide.

Eat local. 95% of the fruit in your grocery store has been on a plane this week. If our food doesn’t fly, we can fly.

Buy less. I posted a few weeks ago the impact that our clothing has on the environment.

Wash your clothes less! We aren’t that dirty! Detergent is a huge polluter, washers use way too much water, and dryers suck energy. Do your jeans smell funky? Throw them in the freezer for two days, same effect, far less resources.

And as always, avoid plastic bottles and plastic bags.

Next Solar Eclipse – 2026

I was really excited for todays solar eclipse, like, really really excited.

I set my alarm super early to be sure I was up and running on the Thames to witness the crashing of our favourite two every day sky ornaments. You can imagine my disappointment when neither the sun nor it’s intersection with the moon made an appearance. Regardless, with a gaggle of diehard spectators I sat there on the river bank and imagined what was going on behind all that smog and cloud cover.

Solar selfie at 9:31 am, the peak of the eclipse. Nothing to see here…

The most interesting part of the experience was how cold it got at 9:36am, minutes after the peak of the eclipse, the chill was undeniable.

The sea birds called out to each other restlessly and refused to land.

Although it was not seen, the eclipse was definately felt.

In that moment I said thank you to that ball of burning gas for all it offers us; direction, food, life, warmth and energy.

I spent the rest of my run with a smile on my face, meditating on the significance of our sun and the first law of thermodynamics.

Evil and Delicious

Three years ago I discovered a deep interest in Geography, and this fall have been granted an opportunity to study Risk Analysis at Kings College, located in the heart of London, England. This is exciting to me in two ways, first, I get to study alongside an international crew of exceptional peers and mentors. Second, I get to discover all the culinary delights that London, and the rest of Europe, have to offer.

Food is my first passion. This passion expands my waistline more than it does my mind, however, as many times as I have tried to turn my back on it, food is necessary, evil and delicious. I am of the thinking that one should never deprive themselves of the things they love, and with that being said, I am exceptionally happy with who I am and what I do.

The goal of this blog is to not only document my epicurean finds and adventures, but as I eat my way through the travels to come, comment on the Geography of Food. Human migration, soil structure, fluvial processes, climate and altitude all have primitive influences on local fare, and I plan to explore all these facets of the dishes I happen to stumble upon.

Feel free to comment, disagree and recommend.