Introduction

Travel with me, and I’m likely to make you walk through the farmers’ market, not once but twice—okay, maybe three times. We may get a little lost, because at some point, I’ll put my phone in my pocket and start following my gut. We may also sit down a good bit. I can spend hours observing the scene from a sidewalk café or a park bench. Some food-oriented travelers are like trophy hunters, investing their energies in pouncing on the latest, hottest restaurants. That’s not exactly my style. My own approach is slower paced, driven by curiosity and a purposeful patience. I don’t want to lose myself in the rush to see everything in one visit; I take my time and try to observe the details—in art, style, food, and personal interactions—that come together to create a culture.