Oh the places I went!
My trip to Tanzania, and food of course
Jambo everyone!
It has been a few months since my last newsletter and I have been busy with travel and work…in that order. My big news is that this last January my wife and I took our covid delayed 10 year anniversary trip (supposed to happen in 2021) and went on a safari in Tanzania. I can’t describe how amazing the experience was, but I do hope you all get to go on one some day. What I can tell you is that it felt like an actual adventure right from the start. Our group of nine got on a twelve seat prop plane, flew over some mountains and landed on a dirt airstrip. We met our guides, loaded the land rovers, and in moments were driving through rivers, bouncing on dirt roads and seeing giraffes, baboons, and other wildlife. At night in our tents we could hear animals outside, but not recognizing the noises. After a few nights when you recognize a lion voice you are filled with exhilaration and nervousness. At the same time I always felt safe in the tent (It was glamping at it’s finest). In the morning, finding hyena tracks in the mud outside just added to the adventure of it all.
If you know me personally or just through this newsletter, my philosophy is to try and get as many bites of the apple as I can. This trip was definitely a bigger bite than I normally get to take.
Let’s see some images:
If you would like to see more, or actually purchase any prints you can do so via the link below (the watermark does not show up on prints). Any email will gain access to the gallery.
Now on to some food!
3 by Me (three local spots I have tried, so you should try, cause I said so)
1. Pho Pasteur (682 Washington St Boston, 1462 Hancock St Qincy)
Hot, steaming, delicious pho. This place uses a recipe for the broth that is 35 years old and a closely guarded secret. The no frills location in downtown Boston, serves up bowl after bowl after bowl for super affordable prices. You will not leave hungry, or broke...just dreaming of when you can return.
2. Pink Carrot (115 Salem St, Boston)
If you have ever visited Boston you have probably gone to the North End. Not only is it the oldest part of Boston (in north square you can actually see buildings from five different centuries starting with Paul Revere’s House built in the 1600’s) but it is also filled with amazing Italian restaurants. Larger than NYC’s Little Italy, and much more authentic….Strega, Giacommos, Momma Maria’s, the list goes on. If you say North End, you think Italian. That is why Pink Carrot stands out as an oasis of non Italian food. In fact it is food that is delicious and healthy for you. From smoothies, to avocado toast, to wraps….everything is super fresh and tasty.
The interior has an updated 50’s dinner vibe and the tables up front have huge windows with natural light. I could just sit there with a smoothie and watch the world go by. I don’t have a photo of it, but they also offer a mushroom coffee. I had to try it, rich, umami, deliciousness. A hot mug of it, will warm you up and get your day going.
3. Flora’s Wine Bar (1284 Washington St, West Newton)
Honestly, I thought twice about sharing this with you all. I kind of wanted to keep it to myself. Small, quaint, wine bar, playing updated jazz, serving great wines and special cocktails. The food menu is small, but they put so much thought into it. Various tacos, and charcuterie plates. I just want to get lost inside this tiny space and lose an evening to drinks and laughter.
Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoy my photos and updates. A like or response is always appreciated. I put these things out there with the anticipation that no one is going to actually take time to read them, so if you got this far you are probably in the top 1% of people who dig my work. Can’t say thank you enough.
Cheers,
Mark