60 Before 60 Project: #32 - Try a New Food

I’ll be honest, after my Alaskan Cruise and having crossed the half way point of my 60 Before 60 Project, I’m finding it more difficult to fill up my list with experiences. I’m not sure if it’s because other activities don’t seem to measure up to the intensity of that adventure or if I’m just in a bit of a lull. 

But I have also started to notice that by not booking my calendar with things to do, I’m finding myself becoming a little bored without anything to look forward to. 

But maybe that is the point of this exercise.  

To recognize that all activities we are involved in are not necessarily “bucket list worthy” but should be something that will help us to stay active, engaged and interested. 

With that in mind, I happened to discover there was a Vietnamese Street Food Festival going on for the first time in our city. I love Asian food and thought that this might be something interesting to spark my interest and get me moving again. 

It did! I got out of my funk and got moving again. By heading off to this festival; 

• I saw a different part of the city that I rarely go to 

• Got some exercise in walking to the event and wandering around 

• Tried some different foods that I had never had before

I tried Bánh Xèo for the first time. It was a delicious type of pancake made from a blend of rice flour, turmeric, and coconut cream and was served with shrimp, ground pork, bean sprouts, mint and some other vegetables. I also had some Vietnamese dumplings. Both were fabulous! 

The only downside was the weather was really bad!

When we left for the festival, it was only overcast with some light drizzle but by the time we ordered our food, the rain was pelting down so hard we got completely soaked. As a result, the entertainment was also cancelled and we only got to enjoy the food. 

But there was one very bright light at this outing.  

As we hovered under a makeshift tent eating our food and trying to stay dry, a father rushed in with his two young children. All three of them were soaking wet. He was wondering aloud how they were ever going to get to the car and what to do about their clothes as they were heading to a birthday party after this event.  

A couple who were standing beside us, told the father to take their umbrella. The father asked, “aren’t you going to need it?”. They told him he could have it as his family needed it more than they did.  

That single kind gesture just reminded me that even when things can look dreary or uncertain, there is always something or someone who can help cover you.  

So even though trying a new food was my intent of this experience, I discovered another life lesson emerged.

Maybe that is where the adventure lives. We never know what may happen.

My 60 Before 60 Lesson: Even in a major downpour, kindness can always help keep everyone dry. 

Interested in seeing all my 60 Before 60 experiences? Click here.