I guess that's a good enough reason

Headed to Foreign Lands next week.
In getting my stuff together for the trip (read: thinking about getting my stuff together) I was reminded that the original impetus was when I sent Boston Zach a list of the fifty best places to eat (and where to eat them) and said, "let's go". He suggested Spain, because we could leverage our limited knowledge of Spanish and also two of the fifty were in Barcelona. And Spain is cool and neither of us had ever been there. So that's fun. 

After reviewing the list I realize that I still haven't made it to Fosselmans, an issue I aim to rectify this weekend, and also that the world's best BBQ is available via mail order. Something to look forward to when I get back.

My bbq taste, like my taste in music, is unsophisticated. But the experts agree [ed: article worth the read, so click through if you have time], so at least I know it'll be good.

Long-time readers will wonder what I'm doing eating Texas BBQ when I generally don't eat red meat or pork. I'm making an exception, because if you're only going to eat it once in a while it should be worth it.

I love maps*

Loved this map of Paris from a Slate editor contributor article something or other. I'm not sure it gives you all the information you need, but it definitely makes an effort at communicating the information that you want, which is the most important thing about any map.

Side note: When I went to Paris with my friend Jeff he was in charge of finding us a place to stay. One night only, should be easy, right? He ended up doing some social networking and finding a friend of a friend who was, and I am not kidding, a North African drug dealer that lived in Montmartre. (Thus attesting to this maps accuracy, then and now.) As it happens the N. African D. Dealer was too busy to host us so we had to go with Plan B: a different socially-networked med school student who was a pleasant combination of 1. not a drug dealer, and 2. ridiculously good looking. So that worked out.


*Actually true.

The best thing someone else ever ate (map)

This comes from a guy that decided to map all the places featured in "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" from the food network.

Something to remember the next time you're thinking about trying a new restaurant, or maybe taking a trip somewhere new and want to know of a good place to eat.

Link to the blog, and link to the full-page map.

Way to plus it, internet!