AT HOME IN THE WORLD

By Dan Miller
October 9, 2007

Familiar territory -- whether it be a place or a meal -- seems to make people comfortable.
So I found it quite comfortable -- other than the unusual October heat -- when I got to "experience the world" without leaving Nashville.

I admit, I'm not always perfectly relaxed when I step outside my own culture, but -- when I do -- it's always fascinating and stimulating.
Karen and I took our 8-year old daughter McKensie to the Celebration of Cultures Festival in Centennial Park over the weekend.
What a delightful event it was.
Nashville has become a culturally enriched "mini-United Nations" in recent years.

The park was lined with an exotic mix of music, dance, languages, colorful clothing, art and food.

We got to see the authentic customs and traditions of such places as Burundi, Ethiopia, Laos, Bolivia, Mexico, the Philippines, China, Ghana and many others.
McKensie (and her mother) even joined a large group of drummers, pounding out a continuing rhythm that, quite visibly, got right inside the feet of everyone participating or just standing around.

And there was the food.
Lots of it.
Asian, Ethiopian, Italian, Greek, Caribbean, Thai, Cajun, Hispanic, Native American Indian, Scottish and so many others.
And the three of us were hungry.

We walked along the rows of food vendors trying to decide.
What would it be?

Along the way we sampled a few pastries from outside our usual sphere of choices.
Finally, with stomachs growling, the time had come to choose.
But what?

So much food, and it all looked scrumptious and inviting.

Then suddenly, shining like a beacon in the distance, we saw one particular food booth.
We made our decision.
Fried chicken, turnip greens, corn, macaroni & cheese, strawberries, fudge pie and sweet tea!

If you were raised in the south, and you've ever traveled abroad -- even figuratively -- you'll understand that craving for the "comfort food" back home.

We just couldn't resist.

___________________________________________