I try hard not to be negative on The Travelling Chopsticks, as I don’t want this to be the forum where I vent. Nobody likes a whiner…least of all me! This probably explains my lack of blogging activity the last few months, as getting back into the hum drum life of Brasilia has been tough!
However, I have to say this: I am far from impressed with the restaurant scene here in Brasilia! There, I have said it – this will be my only complaint…..
Life has been pretty hectic over here for the last few months! When I haven’t been accompanying C on his business travels, I have been focusing on trying to set up a meaningful life for myself in Brasilia! Getting involved in different activities, trying to make new friends, looking for work, studying Portuguese – the list seems to be ever growing, along with my guilt – as The Travelling Chopsticks has fallen slightly by the wayside!
However to kick-start my blogging escapades again, I thought I would start May with this incredibly easy and delicious Mediterranean muffin recipe! I just love the fact that they are savoury and I wonder why there is not more of a demand for savoury muffins in the world!
When I left Singapore in 2010 to move to Mexico (to literally move in with this boy I had been having a long distance relationship with for the past year or so), I moved with a suitcase. I sold or gave away most of my furniture and packed down a few boxes of personal possessions that meant something to me and stored them at my parents. This was my exit strategy. The less things I brought with me to Mexico, the easier it would be to pack-up and leave if things did not work out.
Luckily for me they worked out perfectly, unluckily for my parents, they where lumbered with these boxes for the last few years. So when I was finally back in Singapore over Christmas, I went through them and come accross all my old cookbooks which I was planning on giving away, but just couldn’t bare to do it – so brought them all back to Brazil with me!
I have come to the realisation during my few months in Brasilia, that things I had taken for granted as staple produce, can be really hard to get a hold of here. Everytime you move to a new country, you expect there to be differences and you may not always be able to get hold of that specific brand or that seasonal vegetable- but I naively thought when it came to fresh produce it was pretty much standard across the board in all developed society – I was wrong!
Over the last few years, I have been incredibly lucky that I have been able to travel as much as I have, and have had the opportunity to eat at some absolutely wonderful places. So when I was approached by my good friend Andrea who works at The HUNT to write a guest post for them in regards to food and travel, I jumped at the opportunity. Keep Reading
Hello there Dear Readers, I am back! After a wonderful self-imposed break from blogging, I am now recharged and inspired with lots of wonderful stories to tell you and recipes to share.
In order to kick-off The Travelling Chopsticks for 2014, I have the perfect post to share with you- the Hindu festival of Thaipusam! I have to admit, I am really excited about putting this post together as I feel it is not only an interesting topic but a unique festival which can only be experienced in a few countries around the world! Keep Reading
I was really hoping that I would be able to publish another post before I left for the holidays, but it seems as though I am running out of time! Does anyone else feel as though time seems to speed up just before Christmas?!
Tonight my Peruvian and I will start our long trek home from Brazil to Singapore! Although, its not as bad as it sounds as we are stopping off in Abu Dhabi for a few days to break up the journey. Hence it may be slightly quite here on The Travelling Chopsticks.
However, if you would like have mini updates on what I am up to and what I’m eating in Abu Dhabi and Singapore you can always follow The Travelling Chopsticks Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Travelling-Chopsticks/424827514288003 where I will be no doubt keeping you all up to date on my adventures!
I also wanted to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of you who is following The Travelling Chopsticks. All your kind comments and your support over the last year truly inspires me to keep on blogging and to continuously improve myself! I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and I hope you too will be able to spend this holiday season with friends and loved ones!
Merry Christmas!
I recently returned from a wonderful weekend stay at the Sheraton in Rio de Janeiro. Nestled in a little cove off Leblon beach, the hotel offers an oasis compared to the hustle and bustle of Ipanema and Copacabana beach, not to mention that the view is breath taking.
A tip that I have picked up over time when looking for good places to eat, is I think a universal one. If the restaurant is busy, you know you are on to something good, but, if the restaurant is busy AND is filled with locals – you know you have hit the jackpot!
One of the things I love the most in any country is going to markets. I feel that markets represent the heart and soul of a country or city, and it offers you a glimpse into the everyday lives of the people living there.
As much as I enjoy visiting markets, I also enjoy shopping at them. Not only do I feel that I get a better understanding of where my food comes from, but I feel as though my money is going directly to the local community and not to big corporations like Walmart. This may be a far cry from the actual truth and a naive thought at that, but ultimately it makes me feel good!
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