Author: planetlippstone – United-Nations « WordPress.com Tag Feed
Who would fly 3,000 miles for dinner? With a drink that tastes like burned rice? And a dressed-up banana leaf for dessert?
I would. And did.
It’s what they eat in Madagascar, that island nation off Africa, better known as the locale for those animated movies with Ben Stiller and Chris Rock. But I didn’t need a passport because the meal was in Portland, Oregon.
It was something I’d heard about on NPR. A couple is in the process of hosting 194 dinner parties, one for every member of the United Nations, in alphabetical order. They call it United Noshes. They do this mostly at home in Portland and sometimes take it on the road. Anyone can show up, so long as they make a donation to help fight world hunger.
I like the catchy title. And that whole United Nations thing. I’ve always been a geography geek. And because I can’t cook, I’m in awe of anyone who can. Let alone anyone confident enough to experiment with fare from far-flung places. Plus, I’m an NPR junkie. I love that I might be able to experience something I heard about from Scott Simon.
I sign up. When the Madagascar dinner opens up on a Saturday night, I book my flight from Philadelphia. I’ll be in Portland for less than 48 hours. But I’ve been there before and don’t mind revisiting. And I’m really curious to meet my hosts and see who shows up.
I stay at an airport hotel to be able to get in and out quickly, and use public transportation.
I start that Saturday shopping, and and score some sweet plastic rose earrings (Portland’s known for its roses).
Matzo ball soup and onion-potato knish, Portland-style.
Lunch is at a reliable Jewish deli I’d tried before that’s so Portland: Outdoorsy Pacific Northwest types especially appreciate a hearty bowl of matzo ball soup on a raw day.
Then Powell’s, the Taj Mahal of bookstores. An entire city block of people actually buying actual books. It’s a beautiful thing.
I find the perfect dinner contribution: Local chocolate, made with Madagascar cocoa beans. It comes highly recommended.