One distinct memory I have from China is of the early evening gathering places, people stopping after school or work, resting on benches, talking with friends, playing with children. Some are quiet; some are happy to see friends after a long day. Some are eating noodles from a small cart outside the gate of the nearby college. Some are listening to strange singing in a foreign language.
Our friends and guides helped us understand that this is normal for these city-dwellers, to gather between work and home, to stop and be together. People didn't seem to be in a hurry. And when there's strange white people there with a guitar and balloons, of course you'll stay longer!
We've just been watching a show about this "food truck revolution" happening in cities all over the U.S., and it's pretty exciting. Jeff and I have had a few opportunities - in Denver and Nashville - to visit some of these trucks. Their owners have been eager to share their stories and their food creations and seem to love what they do.
These food trucks, especially when congregated together in parking lots, city parks, etc. are creating new places for people to come together. Businessmen are buying gourmet hot dogs; bikers are buying crepes; college students are buying sushi.
While in Nashville, our friend Michelle took us to a row of food trucks, including Jonbalaya, specializing in BBQ and Cajun-flair food. I can't really do it justice except to show you these:
{Cajun Bayou Tacos: pork, ginger, cilantro, and other ingredients I'm forgetting,
but that were like "spring in your mouth," as I remember the food truck owner describing this. Delish.}
{Pork Parfait: no yogurt here! Simply layers of BBQ pork and mashed potatoes.
Ridiculous. And tasty.}
We're so excited to see the future of food trucks, especially in our own Memphis. Will there be a good truck near us? Will it help us meet our neighbors, both nearby and in other parts of the city? Will we be a part of this "revolution" in a new way?
