Flatiron

I have always been fascinated with the Flatiron Building in New York City.

I can remember seeing it in books as a child and thinking how incredible it must be. And after seeing it, I am just as amazed as I was when I was a child. At the time of its building, many people thought it was simply fall over at some point. And I can see why. It's just a really interesting building.

I had no idea that a Flatiron Building also existed in Chicago until reading a travel guide book before going there. Sure, it's nothing like the one in NYC. But it's still an interesting building.

And I'm not really sure if this qualifies for a Flatiron Building. But it does sort of come together in a similar fashion. I came across this while walking along Magazine Street in New Orleans. Nothing like NYC . . . or Chicago . . . but still interesting.

Balance

The best travelling experiences are often a mixes of what you anticipated and surprises, of kitschy, touristy things and things you had no idea existed. I have found that it's okay to pop into the really popular, touristy sites, as long as you balance that out with getting off the beaten path, taking side streets, doing some exploring on your own.

If all you do is go where the big crowds are, you will likely spend most of your time waiting in a line and wind up with few memorable experiences. You'll also be robbed of conversations with and experiences with locals. You won't find that coffee shop that no other tourists know about because you will have missed out on the conversation with the local who has lived there all their life . . . or the really, really good pizza place that is right around the corner, right off of the main road that no one else seems to venture down.

All of that being said, you should still indulge yourself on the things you really want to do, no matter how touristy or kitschy they may seem. While in New York City, I really wanted to go up to the top of the Empire State Building. I had read and heard a number of people talk about the incredibly long lines to get to the top. I knew that I might very well be disappointed when I got to the top.

So I wanted until late in the afternoon. I still dealt with some fairly long lines and all the hassle of going through lots of security and lots of people trying to sell you photos and other annoying things. But I got to the top at just the right moment; and I am very glad I followed my instinct and went on up anyway . . .

When in NYC

New York City is an incredible place. So much to do, so much to see, so many places to go. Where does one begin? . . .

With food. Some of the most incredible experiences in places we go have to do with eating the food, or drinking the drink, of that place, of that region.

I saw some really incredible things in NYC: Empire State Building, 9/11 Memorial, Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square, the restaurant with a marquee in Seinfeld . . . the list can go on and on.

But the memories that probably cross my mind more than any other breathtaking sight or beautifully-designed building or famous site is the food I ate while I was there. The same goes for the other trips I have made, all around. Savoring and enjoying the food of the places we go can tell us more about a place than any building or sight, if we listen. Food gets us closer to knowing the people of a place. We interact with the waitstaff or vendor. We discuss where the food or drink came from, how it's made, how people of that area prepare it differently, why they do what they do. We talk with people sitting around us, how they like the food, where they come from, what they do for a living, how they are enjoying the same experience you are having.

Guess what the food is in the above picture? Nah, you're probably wrong. If you guessed ham, like I imagine I probably would, that's not it. It's bacon. Yep, that's a piece of bacon. The most unique piece of bacon I have ever had, at Peter Luger Steak House in Brooklyn. Describing the meal itself could fill three or four blog posts. Suffice it to say, wow. Before we went, we were encouraged by friends to try a piece of bacon or two as an appetizer. We were not disappointed.

While there, we talked to the waiter about the bacon and why it, well, doesn't look like bacon. That discussion opened up all kinds of avenues: where we are all from, what we are doing, why we are in that particular location at that particular time.

A wonderful experience . . . centered around bacon (eat your heart out, Jim Gaffigan).