Two-thirds of the year, home is in the very center of “the city that never sleeps.” I love living in Manhattan, even when I’m only home days at a time between food trips. Every night before I go to sleep I say “goodnight” out loud to the Empire State Buliding. I can’t help it; the view from my bedroom window never gets old.
One-third of the year, I’m based out of a small farmhouse on a hill, overlooking a tiny Tuscan hill town. My neighbors are olive farmers who raise their own food. I make a habit of inviting myself to lunch several times a week for fire-toasted bruschetta with home-harvested oil, handmade pasta and farm-raised sausage.
Meet Elyse Pasquale!
She’s a 001 Country Per Year challenge taker, traveler, writer, and foodie who’s currently in New York, New York. Today she’s posting her favorite photos from traveling to 56 countries!
2011 DESTINATIONS: India, Italy, United States, Honduras, Mali, Senegal, Gambia, Western Sahara, Cape Verde, Canary Islands, Ethiopia, Turkey, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Ukraine, Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, United Kingdom
TRAVEL TIPS FOR DENMARK: Don’t miss an afternoon Smørrebrød feast! This Danish staple consists of buttered rye bread with a wide range of delicious toppings like smoked salmon, herring, roast beef and crispy bacon-topped pate. These toppings are served with a selection of homemade sauces and remoulades. I sampled the open face sandwiches at Copenhagen’s Puk restaurant, where I quickly learned that Smørrebrød is best washed down with a strong glass of aquavit.
TRAVEL GOALS: I’m currently on an extreme culinary adventure with a goal to fly 100,000 miles in 1 year for 100 amazing meals around the world. I severely injured my knee ligament while skiing and eating my way through Italy’s Dolomites. I had to put my travel goals on hold for reconstructive knee surgery during the first week of January 2012. The Foodie International adventure will resume in early March 2012 with trips to Costa Rica, Spain, Ethiopia (volunteering in Addis Ababa), Italy, Georgia, Croatia, Chile, Finland and New Zealand!
COUNTRIES VISITED: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Belize, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, Cape Verde, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Gambia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Mali, Madagascar, Mexico, Monaco, Mozambique, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Senegal, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City, Western Sahara, Canary Islands, Mayotte, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands.
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Tokyo (and Japan) was at the top of my foodie bucket list. I immediately fell in love with the city’s vibrancy. It was one incredible adventure after another, from late night izakaya-hopping to secret coffee bars and mind-blowing sushi.
This UNESCO Heritage site is located in the middle of a remote flood plain in Mali. It is also the largest mud-brick structure in the world, built in 1907. Because of natural deterioration, the giant mosque is re-plastered annually by hand. I was blown away by the sheer size and beauty of this architectural wonder.
This beach is actually known as “the most beautiful beach in the world.” Though I am an avid SCUBA diver, I’d rather be running though a jungle than lying on a sandy beach. Anse Source d’Argent is an exception. La Digue has a great laid-back attitude and the island’s white sands, granite outcroppings and crystal clear waters are stunning.
During my journey, I connected with the Fresh and Green Academy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This amazing, not-for-profit school provides an education and three meals a day to some of the city’s most impoverished children. I’ve helped to raise funds for the school and participated in bringing supplies from the States.
Home cooking is always the best cooking, and nothing is better than being invited to break bread with a local family in a new country. In Senegal, I was fortunate to experience the country’s most traditional dish, Ceebu Jën, which literally translates to “fish rice.”
Antigua, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of those magical places that gets under your skin. Between incredible local meals, I spent my days wandering the colorful maze of streets, stopping for coffee, photos and the occasional snack from a street vendor.
Ibo Island, population 3500, doesn’t get many visitors. This former Portuguese colony is one of the most beautiful, friendly and remote places I’ve ever been. During low tide, groups of children play in the bay and it looks as if they’re running on water.
