Curiosities, Quirky Tidbits, Travel Hacks

BON APPÉTIT

Instead of Sunday Brunch, Opt for a Roast

Fish ‘n’ chips and Cornish pasties aside, nothing quite encapsulates British cuisine like the Sunday roast dinner.

Think a heaping plate of juicy, roasted meat, accompanied by a hearty serving of creamy mashed potato, and an assortment of tender cabbage, carrots, and parsnip… all smothered in a velvety blanket of gravy.

The humble Sunday roast has served as a reliable comfort food for centuries. Its origin allegedly dates back to the table of King Henry VII, when royal guards were granted a bounty of roast beef each Sunday… earning themselves the moniker of “Beefeaters.”

If you come to Britain, it’s something to experience. A gathering on the scale of Thanksgiving is a regular Sunday here.

Vegetarians can also partake in the tradition with nut roasts, vegetarian pies, or soufflés. If you’re still hungry, you can select from sides of extra veggies, like the popular cauliflower drenched in cheese. Don’t forget the Yorkshire pudding—this Sunday roast staple is a flaky, savory pastry, best enjoyed with gravy.

The Black Friar in Manchester is one of the most popular places for a Sunday Roast in the Salford neighborhood, and is available every Sunday from 12pm until they run out. You can choose from lamb, cod, roast beef, dry aged beef, chicken, a burger or pie, or the vegan roast. Two courses will run you £30 ($37), while three courses ring in for £37 ($46).

Or head to Leeds an hour away, where you can enjoy the Ox Club’s Sunday roast (prices vary but expect to spend £30–£40, or $37–$50) as featured in the Michelin Guide.

Or check out one of London’s oldest restaurants, Rules in Covent Garden. Founded in 1798, this establishment has hosted some of the world’s most prestigious names: Charles Dickens, Laurence Olivier, Charlie Chaplin… Rules offers a delectable roast rib of beef for two, served with buttered greens, Yorkshire pudding, and a red wine jus for £50 ($62). Be sure to book in advance. —Kristin Wilson

CURIOSITIES

The Dos and Don’ts of French Manners

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. A great proverb… but not easy to apply to France, where centuries of subtleties and nuances make things trés compliquées. Though I’ve lived in France for decades—and married a Frenchman—I still commit the occasional faux pas.

Here are a few dos and don’ts that I’ve learned over the years…

• DON’T talk about money.
• DON’T arrive at the announced time. (15 minutes later is okay. Any earlier? Oh là là!)
• DON’T bring chrysanthemums (reserved for cemeteries) or carnations (bad luck) to a dinner party.
• DO put your hands on the table, not under it (to avoid accusations of hanky panky).
• DO be aware that les bises (air kisses on the cheek) vary wildly depending on the region and the relationship. Men can give les bises to women, but generally don’t to other men. Women often give unfamiliar men a handshake. In short: it’s complicated. So do your research ahead of time!
• DO play it safe when deciding whether to use vous (the formal “you”) or tu (the informal “you”). Start with vous and only go to tu if asked.
• DO smile. And don’t be surprised if no one smiles back. Remember: the artist Jean Cocteau called his compatriots “Italians in a bad mood.”

You may never master all the rules of etiquette that have been refined since the French kings pitched camp in Versailles… but here’s a real no-no. Never ask a question such as “Où est la Tour Eiffel?” without the indispensable, non-negotiable, “Bonjour, Monsieur” or “Bonjour, Madame.”

Not too long ago, I unwittingly made this fatal error. The scene of the crime: a newspaper kiosk. Not seeing a soul, I was leaving when the owner appeared out of nowhere and hailed me with an outraged “On dit bonjour!” You must say hello!

If this “bonjour” rule is the only one you get straight, don’t worry about the others. Should you move here as I did, you’ll learn the hard way. If not… relax. Being a foreigner is your best excuse. —Harriet Welty Rochefort

NAB MEXICO’S LATEST RESIDENT VISA

Mexico is one of the most popular destinations for Americans looking for a life abroad… since there’s an easy way to live in the US’s southern neighbor.

The Mexican government offers the Temporary Resident Visa, which allows you to remain in the country for one year and can be renewed for up to three additional years. It’s been called a digital nomad visa for its popularity among those travelers, but it isn’t specifically geared to that. In fact, it’s well-suited for those looking to retire abroad, since you’re eligible to apply for permanent residency after four years.

You just have to have enough income—from outside of Mexico—to pay your own way. Think a salary, pension, or Social Security.

There are three different ways you can qualify for the temporary resident visa:

1) Maintain an average balance of $43,000 in your bank for a year prior to your visa application.

2) Own a property in Mexico worth at least $346,000.

3) Prove that you’ve earned a minimum of $2,595 a month for the six months prior to your visa application.

If you meet one—or all—of these qualifications, you’ll be required to visit a Mexican embassy or consulate and pay a $48 fee. Then, once you’ve submitted your documents and undergone a brief interview, you’ll get your visa within a few short weeks. (Some report receiving the visa at the interview itself.)

If you’re in Mexico on the temporary resident visa, you can enter and exit the country as you wish.

Plus, you can bring a U.S.-licensed car with you and import personal and household belongings without any import duty. You’ll even be eligible for Mexico’s public health system.—Ted Baumann

UNIQUE STAYS

Enjoy Creature Comforts… in Ecuador’s Jungle

If you’ve ever thought about visiting a rainforest, but the idea of bushwhacking in the jungle seems overly ambitious, Ecuador’s luxurious Mashpi Lodge, billed a “rainforest hotel in the clouds,” might be your ticket… especially if you prefer a bed to a bivouac and haute cuisine to hot dogs. It isn’t cheap… but I think it’s worth the cost.

I grew wary during the four-hour journey from the bustle of Quito, Ecuador to highways, then local roads, then dirt roads… then jungle paths. But then up rose Mashpi Lodge, a wood, steel, and glass eco-lodge… that includes creature comforts like a spa, wellness center, and restaurant.

The deal was sealed once we reached our hotel room: floor-to-ceiling windows provide views of species found nowhere else, including 400 species of birds, 4,000 varieties of orchids, 30 species of hummingbirds, a “walking” palm tree, and the Jesus Spider (so called because it walks on water).

Our first guided jaunt into the rainforest turned up bright-billed toucans, tayras (think weasels), a tarantula, a giant snail, and hundreds of exotic butterflies, fluttering in a kaleidoscope of colors. We were encouraged to hold the butterflies (amazing) and the tarantula (no takers).

All this hiking built an appetite. No worries—Mashpi’s chefs are standing by. Can you order a burger? Sí, but why would you, when you have Ecuadorian dishes like locro de papa (traditional creamy soup) or maito de pescado (fish cooked in banana leaf) on offer?

Our next day started with a Sky Bike ride. Sky Bike is your average bike built for two—if you’re a member of the Flying Wallendas. Dangling high above the jungle canopy, the front passenger sits back and enjoys the treetop views; the back person is the engine. (Choose your seat wisely.) Below: a beautiful river gorge.

Mashpi Lodge is for hikers, foodies, adventurers, and nature lovers. You don’t have to be in Olympic shape… but it helps if you can hike up a hill. Prices start at $1,465 a night for two and include meals, activities, and transfer to and from Quito.—Paul Partridge