Readers’ Notes
Foodie Goes Travel begins with one person’s observations, but the stories do not end with me.
Readers’ Notes is a place to leave a thought, a memory or a response to something you have read here.
Selected notes may be shared exactly as written, together with only the name and location each reader chooses to provide.
THE CURRENT QUESTION
Which place do you see differently now from when you first arrived?
You can respond to this question, write about an FGT story or simply leave a note.
Notes from the readers
Guido Minciotti · Italy
“An insightful, captivating and deeply relatable reading. A point of view, that of FGT, which I relate and embrace very much wholeheartedly.
Far away from the crowded social media posts, these journal entries, reviews and pieces feel intimate, involving and with a pleasant cadence.
Looking forward to reading more!”
21 August 2026
Iain MacVay · France
“Slow social settings are indeed a wonderful part of life in rural France as in rural Italy. They are moments about enjoying the company of others, feeling connected. In the Brionnais, France, it is a bistro or cafe or a friend’s house. There is coffee, wine, pastis, water, brandy, maybe beer or cider. Maybe fresh bread, charcuterie, cheese, veggie bits and dips. Maybe something else, definitely a social pause. The market is the other great social tradition in this area. Good for getting supplies from local producers, some not so local, but mostly about seeing friends and acquaintances. You describe very well the humanity of these moments, recognising their very ordinary, casual nature. Great stuff.”
14 September 2026
Adam Hawkshaw · Singapore
“A magical few days discovering hidden gems of Umbria around Spoleto. Eating and walking and drinking and living!”
21 August 2026
Gioia Lee · Italy
“I’ve been living in Italy all my life and only last year I got to visit Umbria thoroughly for the first time. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough time to visit too many places, but what I saw was simply amazing!”
21 August 2026
Sara Fang Horton · USA
“What a beautiful piece. Your words and photos made reading such a pleasure.
I’ve often tnought about my roots too and I’m glad you also did a bit on your paternal grandmother’s part in China. My ancestors are Hokkien from the Fujian province. We are from the Engwa clan if I’m not mistaken. My cousins have been to our ancestral home and photos show there was no more structure. Just an abandoned jungle site.
I wish we could have done more search on my beloved grandma’s side of ancestral history. I’m sure it was hard life. She came over with my grandpa so that their sons (my father and uncle) can have better lives.
Your blog has restarted a desire for me to visit an abandoned site in China. Was there in China for 17 years and all that time we didn’t. However on Charles’ side, his mom’s Chinese roots at GuLangYu, Xiamen has his photo of a young boy in USA and also his name! They held our hands like we’re zì jǐ rén!”
11 September 2026