Have you ever been out of your home country for an extended period of time? I’m not talking about a 3 or 4 months adventure backpacking through south east Asia or Latin America, I’m talking about those trips where you have to pack your life into 2 suitcases -Okay that was a little bit dramatic- because you know you won’t be back home for a while.
I moved from Nicaragua to Taiwan in 2015 to get a master’s degree in International Business and Trade, at first it was all fun and excitement, my first time in Asia, so much to see and do, but after 4 or 5 months, BOOM HOMESICKNESS.
That feeling that makes you want to stop everything you’re doing, forget about your goals and dreams, pack your bags and go home.
So how did I cope with this? Well I turned to food for it, not in an unhealthy way though, if you just pictured a Latino guy siting on a couch eating fried chicken and brownies, well that’s not what happened.
I turned to Google maps to look for Latin restaurants, I did find some Taco (“Mexican”) restaurants, but after trying some out I really didn’t enjoy the quality of the food, but I didn’t give up looking.
One day as I was scrolling through Google maps looking for restaurants I ran into a Spanish one, and that’s how my love story with Spanish food started in Taipei.
Photo: Paella at La Caja de Musica, Taipei, Taiwan
I remember the first Spanish restaurant Google maps took me to was La Querida, I have so many good memories in that place, unfortunately it closed, so I had to use Google maps again to find other Spanish restaurants.
Google showed me many options, Ole, Yasaiya, La Caja de Musica, Ps tapas, these are some of the ones I love the most, I also ran into some Spanish restaurants I did not like that much, but don’t worry I gave them the review they deserve.
So how did these Spanish restaurants exactly help me cope with my Homesickness???
First thing is the language, most of the Spanish restaurants in Taipei are owned by Spaniards, the chefs are from Spain and even the members of the staff are from Spain, so being among Spanish speakers, in a restaurant that plays music in Spanish, and with food that does have similarities to Latino food, well that helped a lot, food can really cheer you up you know, give me some Jamon, Chorizo and Paella and I’m happy!!!
Photo: Tapas at Ole Tapas Bar, Taipei, Taiwan
And talking about food, I have to admit that’s what I contribute to the most in my Google maps account, I think reviewing and sharing pics of restaurants and bars is fun and interesting, and since restaurants and bars are made for tons of different people to visit, the reviews and pics have a high value both for restaurant owners and possible customers.
Maybe is where reviews and photos matter the most, no one likes to go out on Friday night, to unwind with friends or a significant other and then en up in a restaurant with crappy food and service right?
And If I were the owner of a restaurant I would 100% like to know what people think of my service and food.
I really love Sharing pictures and reviews of these places I visit, and on a more personal level, I love sharing reviews and pics of Spanish restaurants, because that’s where I go whenever I feel like I need a little bit of home so far away from home.
Like seriously far, My home country is 3 flights -of a total of 36 hours- away from Taiwan where I currently live.
If you happen to be in Taipei, here’s a list of 5 Spanish restaurants I recommend https://goo.gl/maps/1t1G58mHyGE2