Ok, so traveling and trying to eat the way I want is hard. It just is. Airports and hotels are not set up to serve you non-fast-foods. Work-place provided breakfasts are danishes and bagels, lunches are some kind of sandwich. It’s a gluten minefield, and it sucks. (Slight aside: did you know that IHOP puts pancake batter in their omelets? So much for eating primally there!)
I wandered off a flight on Saturday morning with about 20 minutes to get to my connecting flight (no direct ticketing: total rookie move). I was tired, I was hungry, I was convinced I was coming down with some kind of flu that specializes in striking JUST when you’re getting really really really busy and have no time to deal with it. And I was certain that the only thing that would make me feel better was a slice of cheese pizza from Sabarro, available right across from my gate.
Ok, now, before you judge me: It was the ONLY food option within walking distance of my gate. And I was grumpy. And I was hungry. And it’s pizza, for fucks sake, and I like pizza. Anyway, so I stumbled up to the counter, ordered, and the guy at the counter looked at me and said “Oh, we don’t serve pizza here”
In my grumpy/tired/sure to be sick state, I just stared at him. “Huh?” I asked. And he laughed and said “Ha ha, I make a joke. Smile, lady! Joke!” But I was so annoyed at a) caving to pizza, b)stupid jokes when I’m clearly tired and hungry and just want my stupid guilty pleasure so shut up already and hand me the goddamn pizza, damnit, and c)the fact that the guy told me to smile (MEN OF THE WORLD: DO NOT TELL ME TO ‘SMILE’ IT’S ANNOYING AND MAKES YOU SOUND LIKE A DOUCHE) that I just walked away, and onto my flight. Hungry, grumpy, and tired, but pizza-less, and I suppose that’s a good thing overall.
(It’s possible I’m not the best version of myself when I’m tired and hungry. Sorry, random pizza man. In the light of a fresh day, I agree that I probably could have given you a half hearted smile.)
My point is: it’s hard when you need to eat and you have no options, but it’s not impossible. I’m not starving, the extra two hours of no food didn’t kill me (though I’m sure my attitude didn’t make for a fun time for those surrounding me! I’m working on it), and was able to get to my hotel and get some food that was good and good for me. It’s hard, but it’s not impossible, and it’s worth it, right?
Speaking of my hotel: I wandered into the Marriot hotel lounge yesterday afternoon, and saw a display of food that was.. well, perfect. Unsalted almonds and pistachios, olives, petite carrots and celery, fresh berries… the exact perfect amount of noshing food, and I didn’t have to feel guilty about it in the slightest. A very far cry from the endless displays of danishes and bagels that seem ever-present in my life these days. It’s the first time on travel I’ve felt like it was easy to make a good eating decision.
Baby steps to a healthier life, people. We’re getting there, slowly.