Linksy Bits: Points Out, et al.
Come to Laos! Or go to London on your own, or find your post-menopausal purpose, apparently.
In the life I live where I write about food, I am lucky enough to meet beautiful humans who happen to be deft with knives and skilled at spice. And boy, do they have stories.
Chef Ann Ahmed, who has been a long-standing champion for the foods of her Southeast Asian heritage, takes not a word, not an ingredient, not a day on this planet for granted which is why, in my opinion, her cooking at her restaurants (Gai Noi, Khaluna, and Lat14) has a softly elegant way of communicating.
It’s both so personal, and so selfless.
When I mentioned to her that I wanted to see more corners of the world, she jumped in with: Let’s go to Laos!! Damn skippy, you know I’m not going to pass that up! Seeing that distant lush land through the eyes of a James Beard nominated chef who ALSO happens to weave a great tale and love a killer outfit? IN.
So Ann has worked with my friends at Pique Travel to create one helluva trip, and you should come too! Ann has been to Laos many times and she’s connecting this trip to some of her past experiences, so we know that it’s going to be amazing.
In January of 2025, right when you’ll want to be out of the cold darkness, we’ll be jetting around the globe for fresh perspective over 10 days. This is obviously a culinary trip, we’ll be eating our way through night markets of Luang Prabang, learning skills from Ann during cooking classes, sitting for feasts with local restaurant owners and chefs.
But make no mistake, this trip is for the curious.
It goes beyond the plate. We’ll be venturing to small villages and finding waterfalls in the jungle, we’ll be trying local ingredients such as hummingbird flowers (Dok Kar) from remote hill tribes in northern Laos, we’ll learn about rich traditions in textile making, and we’ll all get to have our quiet times to explore on our own.
Through Ann’s already established connections in the country, we’ve found amazing hotels and accommodations for our home base as we set out to explore. We are not roughing it! We are hoping this will be a mind-expanding trip for everyone, so we’re keeping the numbers small.
If you are at all excited by the possibility to escape January with us and head to Laos, dream scroll this itinerary, and don’t hesitate to sign up. Some spots are already filled, and again, we are keeping the numbers limited so that we can make the trip as personal and meaningful as possible. Promise I’ll help make this a once-in-a-lifetime trip!
London: You Should Go!
Honestly, London was not on my bucket list. But when Giant Baby scored an internship/study abroad program there this summer, I felt like it was an opportunity to hop across the pond for five days and see what was what.
Bloody brilliant! London is like a more walkable and personable New York, I am smitten! I walked and walked swiveling my head to shops and pubs thinking, I HAVE to come back here with the ladies. It’s going to happen.
I scored a cute apartment steps from the Covent Garden underground, basically in the middle of the city, and we just lit out on foot, by train, via bus whatever made sense. I loved that we could get on the underground without figuring out metrocards or tickets, you just have to tap your phone wallet or a chip card on the turn-style and you’re in! You also have to tap to get out, remember. But, so easy.
One of my favorite things is how, after work, everyone just spills out of the pubs, standing with pints on the streets, having a chat, leaving the work day behind. And that there are so many twisty alleyways and walkable cobblestone streets with no cars.
Best Dinner: Dishoom // Several foodists pointed me to this Indian restaurant group that did not disappoint. I waited in a line for 40 minutes in Covent Garden, which is not a thing I would normally do, but it was so worth it. The large two-floor restaurant clicked like a well-cared for machine, but was never was it inhospitable, nor did we feel rushed. We ordered enough food that the server was worried about our table, but we assured him that we had an apartment fridge that was feeling lonely. I think we ate the Chicken Ruby before we could take a pic of it, the Chicken Berry Britannia Biryani (above) was effortlessly gingery and garlicky, it healed from the first bite.
Best Walk: Highgate Cemetery // If you’re walking on the lands of kings and poets, you best pay homage. After you manage the hustle and bustle of the many markets or stuff yourself into the tube day after day, a stroll through this quiet green space is good for the soul. There are famous people to find (I planted a pen for Douglas Adams and bowed my head for George Michael), but the fun is in finding the people you don’t know. There’s something comforting about the overgrowth, the way time is allowed to cradle the stones lovingly with leaves and vines. I love a good vanishing.
Best Shop: Snooper’s Paradise in Brighton // We did light out one morning, in search of a sea cure and some Sunday roast. There’s an area of Brighton which feels so Bohemian, you’re almost drawn to just sit at someone’s table. There’s plenty of thrifting to be done, but none like this two-level shop. It’s a habit I have, finding vintage shops while traveling, which let’s you sort of browse through the lives of people who lived there in a more deeply truthful way than any museum or souvenir shop would.
If you’re interested in MORE of the details (about the AirBnB, some high points of Covent Garden and SOHO, etc.) paid subscribers can scroll down to the end of this newsletter and score some further trips and tricks!
WHAT TO READ/WATCH/LISTEN/COOK FOR WHEN you are either itching to slay the patriarchy, or just inexplicably itching as a women of a certain age.
Hey, Threads is fun, yeah? I’m having a blast on there, it seems so much more intuitive than Twitter. Yes, I know the algorithm is serving me what I’m looking for, but for now that’s cool with me. I find all my alt/news/opinions in many places, so I hope this one stays fun.
» Speaking of our little friend, JD Vance, and his idea of any woman’s “whole purpose” (let alone the post-menopausal ones who are giving him the hard slap version of a pat on the head), the talented has more brilliant words than me on this.
» Meanwhile are you going to watch or hate-watch the new Emily in Paris?
» The ChatGBT boyfriend: are we in danger of becoming addicted to AI in an emotional way? A fascinating read from MIT.
» For some reason I can’t get enough about petty ridiculous rich people fighting about waterfront property.
» I love that since we’re releasing the hilarious idea of anti-aging (now you’re getting older, and now you’re getting older, and now you’re getting older still) that will we refocus on how to become a SuperAger?
» Agree: anything is better with this Any-Pickle Dressing.
Below the paywall: More London intel!
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