My “Sauce” of Comfort
The end of February is looming, which means I’ve been living in a small Italian town in Tuscany for almost two months now. I’ve finally developed some sort of routine and am slowly making this place my home.
I found a bakery in my new hometown that makes a decent flat white, and when paired with an amazing Italian-style cornetto filled with pistachio cream, it's absolutely worth the high-calorie intake!
I also have my favorite supermarket that has everything I love: fresh fruit and veggies, tasty cheese, and a big bag of chips/crisps that only costs €2 to €3.
I even discovered a Sri Lankan bazaar for my essential Southeast Asian sauces! Soy sauce, chili sauce, miso paste, roasted sesame oil, and a standard 10kg bag of rice (not the 500g bag of jasmine rice I normally find in typical supermarkets!).
Yep, you read that right. My fellow Sri Lankan migrants are importing all the necessities—and more—that a Hong Konger-Kiwi like me needs.
Go multiculturalism!!
Pic: My illustration of my essential condiments in my pantry. Can you see what I have got there?
In conclusion, I’ve found my source of comfort, the sauces!!
The biggest insight from traveling nonstop around the world for three years is that I’ve learned what I can live without.
I’ve discovered how to lower my coffee standards after being spoiled by many incredible flat whites in Melbourne (What is a Flat White?), how to get my Asian flavour fix when I miss the taste of home, how to feel stylish without a big wardrobe, and how to stay creative without much space or many art supplies.
As I’m writing this, I realise that having limited resources (and sauces!! Pun intended ;P) might be the reason I feel more creative now than ever—because I have to find new ways to manage my daily activities.
Also, focusing on being rich in time rather than stuff rich has felt really freeing. I’ve cut out TV and radio, skipped the convenience of having a car or Uber, and mostly stick to walking, public transport, and cycling [1]. Limiting social media has also added to that feeling of freedom.
Some people might say it’s a form of escapism, but with the world order changing so much right now, it’s important for me to keep my mind clear and my taste buds happy for my sanity and comfort.
By the way, I have updated this website and have added a section for my artwork, let me know if you like it :)
Alla prossima!
With Love, Vienna
[1] Disclaimer: It’s not easy to live in Italy without a car, so I might give in at some point, but I’ll stick it out for as long as my mental health allows!