For My Fromage du Jour...

Unie Kaas Gouda from Whole Foods, Raisin and Rosemary Crackers from Trader Joe's

Ah, sweet Unie Kaas, what crumbly and butter-nutty delight will you promise for the world today?

I first stumbled upon Unie Kaas cheese when my sister randomly chose it out of the slightly intimidating selection spread out in our giant neighborhood Whole Foods. At first bite, the shock your mouth experiences from the flavors and textures of the cheese is very similar to the shock of walking into an oversized, slightly ostentatious organic and gourmet foods mecca like the Wilshire and 23rd Whole Foods in Santa Monica.

The first punch of the cheese is a zinger, kind of like a really sharp Cheddar, waking up the feelers on your tongue, making your brain sit up and say, "What the heck was that?" After that first wake up call, your taste buds start to become more acquainted with this newcomer, finding that past the initial loudness, there is a creamy gooeyness to the toasted almost nutty center of the cheese.

And don't even get me started on the texture of this mellow yellow, but firm to the touch fromage extraordinaire. When your teeth first sink into the hard but smooth exterior, some softening within the warm and moist confines of your mouth is to be expected. All of a sudden, your teeth encounter something surprisingly gritty, with the dimensions of something like rough large sea salt granules and similar to them in taste. The contrast between the creaminess of the first bite, the luscious luxury of the cheese just beginning to melt in your mouth, and the occasional hard bite of crystalized saltiness forms a kind of organized cacophany of a symphony within your mouth that echoes the organized chaos found at the cheese counter at Whole Foods.

This cheese is the perfect little snack when I'm craving something salty in between meals; I just break off a Hershey nugget sized piece, and I'm good to go for a few hours. The bold salinity of the flavor satisfies my umami craving so well, that even one small bite makes me feel like I'm biting into a full-flavored turkey sandwich. It is also the perfect cheese to jazz up a boring, tasteless cracker. My sister, once again going out on a limb, tried buying a very healthy, very dry, very Swedish cracker, that all exaggerations aside, looked, smelled, felt, and tasted like cardboard. However, by pairing the cheese with the horror of this Swiss monstrosity, the cracker itself seemed to change personality, and moved from a sterile, staid piece of everyday, to a bohemian hippie-cookie with character.

Now, the possibilities are endless as to what this cool cat of a cheese can do for the most boring of foods, and possibly the most bored of palates.

A Golden Afternoon Stroll

Rome, Italy

There are moments in time when I wish I could capture the beauty of the scene my eye perceives at that exact moment in a photo; but rarely does the actual picture accurately depict the subtle nuances and lighting of the moment. The above photo is one of those rare instances when vision and depiction are represented nearly equally.

Walking from the Trevi Fountain to Campo dei Fiori, with the late afternoon sun filtering through the dusky alleyways of ancient Rome, you can't help but be lifted into a golden romantic mood. Meandering through the crooked cobblestoned streets, tiny cafes and artisanal boutiques beckoning right and left, brightly painted buildings  mingle with sagging doorways and window boxes filled with flowers and herbs.

Lively shadows bounce across the pathways, relieving the harsh glare of the sun that creates sentimental patterns with lamps, benches, and signs announcing the plato di giorno, fresh market offerings, and gelato flavors.

Ancient structures house modern appliances, when a pizza shop displays its wares through clean glass panes, drink coolers, and fluorescent lit entryways.

Mounds of creamy, neon-colored ice cream await the weary traveler in need of refreshment; a quick perusal reveals classic flavors sharing space with unconventional pairings. My sister chooses her favorite:  mixed berry with chocolate. The miniature spoon scoops up a blob of rich, deep chocolate taste cutting through the sweet tartness of the berry flavor. It is the perfect snack for a perfect afternoon stroll through an ancient Roman village.

Ultimate Travel Partner Compatibility Needs

"Welcome to my home", said the queen.

Ah, maman, the joy and bane of my existence. I partially knew what I was getting into, when it was decided that she would be along for my dream European tour. Yet, there were still things I was going to discover along this trip that I had not foreseen.

There are a few things I have learned in my travels that traveling partners must share for the most optimal journeying experience. One, all partners should have similar spending habits, and spending habits on similar things. Two, expectations should be shared, and voiced previous to the outset, even planning stages, of the trip. Three, planning styles should coincide: minute-by-minute planning, completely spontaneous, or a mix.

You would think, that as family members it would be a given that my mom, sister, and I would be compatible at least moderately in all of these areas; that is what I thought too. Unfortunately, not only was this not the case, I discovered a few more items to add to my "Ultimate Travel Partner Compatibility Needs" list.

First, all travelers should have similar energy levels (which indirectly corresponds to similar sleeping and waking times). Second, spending time away from each other along the trip is not only helpful, but I am increasingly coming to believe that it is necessary. Third, though complaining is not welcomed or appreciated, all voices in the group should be held with regard and respect.

Traveling with my mom was not easy. I might go so far as to say that my "Dream European Vacation" was not so much a dream because of her, carrying the burden of catering to her energy levels and needs all along the way. However, I must be appreciative to her financial and emotional support throughout the trip, and her diligence in keeping complaints and criticisms to a minimum (which was probably the most difficult part of the trip for her).

Je t'aime maman... even though at times she can turn a dream into a living nightmare.

Hedonistic Heddon Street

More often than not, the best travel experiences are found not in the planned moments, but in the accidental discoveries.

Walking down Regent Street in London (which had not been planned, but happened upon while visiting Piccadilly Circus, also not planned), my family and I fell across a charming, unobtrusive entryway to a side alley off the main street. Curious (as the best open-minded tourists are), wide-eyed, and observant, we meandered down the well-lighted, inviting cobblestonewalk, and stumbled upon one of the most delightful foodie-appealing areas of our entire European tour.

Filled with culinary delights, including the infamous Absolut Ice Bar, the pedestrianized small side street is lined with cozy outdoor seating (think couches and semi-concealing greenery), twinkling indigo LED lights overhead, and trendy gorgeous Londoners and tourists alike.

We contemplated our choices, ultimately narrowed down to a homey family-style bistro and the tall inviting windows perfectly framing enthusiastic diners and to-die-for dishes in a vegetarian enclave across the way. We ultimately chose the gorgeous layout of the veggies-only extravaganza known as "Tidbits".

The whole experience can be summarized in two words: welcoming and fresh. The decor was modern but comfortable, the vegetables tasted like they'd been plucked off the vine and trimmed from their roots a mere hours before, and service was prompt and eagerly friendly. The variety at the bar was pleasantly surprising as well (this is a serve-yourself, pay-the-cashier type of place). Perky vegetable salads shared equal space with warm curries, fluffy couscous, and stuffed fried jalapenos, and a classic Pimm's and Lemonade was a perfect complement to the relatively light menu. The menu wasn't the only thing that left me feeling giddily effervescent: the check was surprisingly light as well. The entire meal for three women, including a typically overpriced drink (6 pounds), was about 20 pounds, extremely cheap compared to London (and I'm guessing Heddon Street) standards.

My sister said it best on Facebook: "A pay-by-weight vegetarian restaurant that we weren't expecting to find in London! Would def go back". Visitors and natives alike, here is a refreshing break from the fish'n'chips, bangers and mash, and shepherd's pie fare that comforts, but does not satisfy the farmer's-market-cultivated-palate.

If ever on an extended trip in London again, I also "would def go back".