NEW ADVENTURES OF AN ARMCHAIR TRAVELER

Bobby Wesley

We shall not cease from exploring. And the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.

— T.S. ELIOT

I don’t know about you, but I’m getting sick of hanging out at home.

Travel is, in a word, great. It broadens you. It’s fulfilling. It’s inspiring. To see and do (and eat and drink) things out of your routine and comfort zone is good for you. It’s good for your mind. Heck, as a writer, I’m just more creative when I travel, filling my ever-present, pocket-size notepad with details and observations that I might do something with one day. (Note: I won’t.)

But we’ve been staying home a lot.

It’s been a change for all of us, whether you’re used to traveling the world or just jetting down to a local shop.

I like to get out. I aim for a “big trip” each year – two if I can manage it — to some long-desired location, but I love the quick trip just as much. Whether it’s a weekender to the Big City, a beachside brewery or a walk through the historic streets of St. Augustine, it’s good to get out there. See the things. Do some living.

But lately, I’ve been baking a lot of sourdough. OK, not really; but it seems like everyone else has, right? Sure, I’ve tried new recipes, read books, binged a few shows. If you’re looking, I highly recommend “Nailed It” on Netflix for laughable baking fails that remind you that even if you don’t succeed, hey, at least you tried. And two years after his passing, I was finally able to start watching “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown” reruns again – RIP, Tony. You’re still missed.

Actually, a “Parts Unknown” episode recently gave me a little global inspiration, if from my living room couch. Bourdain traveled to the north of Spain with his friend and genuine gem of a human being, Chef José Andrés. It was Andrés’ homecoming of sorts; and the episode was full of laughter, rich foods and the sharp conversation that made the show so popular.

It made me a bit sad. And hungry. My lady friend felt the same. And then an idea hit me.

I quickly masked up and slipped down to our local “nice grocery store.” There I gathered an array of pre-cut Spanish meats from the deli section, weighty chunks of cheese ranging from Basque Country to Andalusia and enough wine to keep even Chef Andrés in good spirits.

It was a small thing. And our afternoon charcuterie and Rioja weren’t exactly the trip to the Spanish coast I had been dreaming about. But it was a beautiful day filled with good food and good company. And that’s something you can take with you wherever you go.