Getting food poisoning on a trip can completely ruin it!
How to Choose Safe Restaurants Abroad
Over the weekend, it was my birthday, so I had fun celebrating. Even on my birthday, I stayed busy, going to concerts, eating, etc.
Despite being occupied with other tasks, I'm proud of how productive I was...
I finished this newsletter much earlier than usual!
Am I really weird for being happy that I worked on my birthday? 🤔
Getting food poisoning on a trip can completely ruin it! The worst part about food poisoning is that you can be perfectly healthy one second and
then sick the next from just one bad dish.
I don't mean to be negative. But here's the thing, If you eat three times a day, that's three chances in that day to get food poisoning. If you're on a trip for a week, that's 21 different chances!
So, the whole point is that you want to be sure that
where you're eating is safe.
Before I dive in, I want to clarify that this has nothing to do with how cheap or expensive a restaurant is. There are reasonably priced restaurants that are super clean, while some expensive ones are downright unclean.
Here’s a true story that
illustrates what I am trying to get across...
I was speaking with a health inspector in Philadelphia who relayed an incident from an upscale restaurant (which shall remain unnamed). Apparently, a rat jumped onto the cooking board while the chef was cooking. Unfazed, the chef sliced the rat in half with his cleaver and continued preparing the food on the same cutting board. 🤢
Moral of the story: Don’t let the type of venue fool you about its cleanliness.
So, here are a few tips I use to evaluate if a restaurant is safe to eat at when traveling.
Check the
Bathroom
I also always check the bathroom, a tip I received from someone in the restaurant industry. Attention to detail is important, and if the staff allows one of the potentially dirtiest places in the restaurant to remain unclean, it could suggest other overlooked issues.
Smell the
Restaurant
I also avoid restaurants with any odd smells, and I'm not talking about food smells. I can’t describe it, I'm referring to that funky type of smell. An unpleasant odor could indicate that there are many things wrong with the hygiene of the restaurant.
Skip the Ice
When traveling to countries with uncertain water
quality and safety, avoid consuming tap water or beverages containing ice made from it. To safeguard your health and prevent potential waterborne diseases, stick to bottled drinks. These are generally safer as they are less likely to be contaminated.
Avoid Empty Restaurants
I'm always cautious about empty restaurants.
The food might not be good, or perhaps the locals might know something I don't. I also wonder about the freshness of the food, particularly if the restaurant doesn't get a lot of customers. Either way, I'm not taking any chances. Someone else can give that restaurant the benefit of the doubt.
Trust Your Gut
Your
subconscious is constantly absorbing information. If something doesn't feel right, it's better not to eat at that place. Experiencing food poisoning while traveling is not fun, and it's much easier to find another restaurant. Therefore, if you're feeling uneasy, it's best to leave. It's not worth the risk.
Keep traveling,
Andrew
What would make you decide to leave a restaurant?
Cocktail of the Week
The Paper Plane cocktail was created in the United States, specifically in New York City by bartender Sam Ross in 2007. This modern cocktail quickly gained popularity for its balanced and bold flavors, making it a favorite among cocktail enthusiasts.
Recipe:
3/4 oz bourbon
3/4 oz Aperol
3/4 oz Amaro Nonino
3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
Directions:
Fill a shaker with ice.
Add bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, and fresh lemon juice to the
shaker.
Shake well until chilled.
Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
Random Travel Thought
My love languages are acts of service, quality time, and flight deals.
Follow me on Instagram.
The Plug
Cheap flights:
Going.com: This might be the only discounted flights website you need.It’s a paid service that sends you notifications when deals become available, but they expire in a couple of days so Act Fast!!
Secret Flying 🤫: This website emails you about free flight opportunities and even better… it doesn’t cost a thing!!
Skyscanner: An older, but still reliable website that’s also *FREE* so there’s no reason not to use it. Use the "Explore the World" feature and set your departure date to "Whole Month" to find the cheapest deals.
Insurance:
Safety Wing: I use Safety Wing as my travel insurance because the plans are flexible. You can easily insure a 1-week trip for like $11 dollars which is less than the cost of a cocktail at the bar.
Travel Gear
Compression socks: Sitting for extended periods of time is not good for the body, so keep
yourself healthy enough to go on more trips.Link
Apple AirTags: Consider getting Apple AirTags for the peace of mind of always knowing where your luggage is. Link
Smart Phone holder: It's a foldable sheet that can be used as a stand for your iPhone or iPad.Link
Packing cubes: Having a separate container works wonders for keeping clothes wrinkle-free. It also makes packing/unpacking much easier.Link
Donut Power Strip: Power outlets are always in demand, but sometimes they're in weird spots. I use this bagel because it's lightweight, and I don't have to think about it.Link
Travel Case Organizer: Cable organizers can be a pain, but this is what I use to keep my cables organized. Link
Backup batteries: I like these backup batteries because they have three important components for me: 1. They have enough power to recharge my phone multiple times at
once, 2. Are small enough to put in my pocket, and 3. Are sturdy enough to survive a fall. Link
Yoga Mat: I use this thin mat to get my stretching in even when I'm traveling. Link
Jump Rope: It's so easy to bring a jump rope with you for exercise because it weighs almost nothing and takes up no space. Link
Liquid IV: Great for hydration to keep you from dying. When you're traveling,
it's time to live it up! Link
*Above are Affiliate links at no additional cost to you.
