Travel ProTip #1: Local Cuisine

My name is Kate Smith...and I'm a foodie and I need your help. Not to stop - but I need your expertise of the West Chester area so be sure to check out the questions in the last paragraph. According to one of the most credible sources on the interwebs, Wikipedia, a foodie can be defined as someone who seeks new food experiences as a hobby rather than simply eating out of convenience or hunger. I think my identity as a foodie stems from a rule that we had on family vacations: eat locally. This meant skipping national chains and opting for "mom and pop" hole in the walls, greasy spoons, and establishments that were unique to that area.  This guideline for harmonious travel has translated into my everyday life, my mentality when I travel or visit new places, and even ministry.

Considering myself an adventurous type, I always like to explore what makes each place I live or visit unique. I actually get really excited finding stores, restaurants, and things to do that are distinctive to that area. It's taking the "back door" local approach rather than having the tourist mentality that has resulted in countless adventures and stories to share. 

This guideline for harmonious travel has translated into ministry because it is a rule that we have followed and have even nicknamed it "local cuisine". My favorite story of implementing this local cuisine rule in ministry was this past December with junior high students in Columbus. They didn't have the years of #localcuisine experience my high school students did so they begged to go McDonald's or Penn Station. I had to assure them that where we were going for dinner that night would be better than their wildest dreams and certainly superior to McDonald's or Penn Station. After learning about responsible gift giving and fair trade products at the Global Village in Delaware, Ohio we ate at Amato's Woodfired Pizza. After dinner one of the junior high boys came up to me afterward sheepishly and said that it was the best pizza he had ever had (a local cuisine convert!). The next morning, we walked to Buckeye Donuts, a regular haunt of OSU football coach Jim Tressel. We passed by McDonald's and again I was asked to go there for breakfast rather than this "lame surprise place". It only took two meals, but I finally won them over, they agreed that eating at the local hole in the wall, greasy spoon places while somewhere new was the way to go. 

So being new to the West Chester area, I'm interested in seeing what the people of Faith Community have to say about what makes their town unique and distinctive. Feel free to comment below or catch me at church to share! What are some of the favorite activities that you enjoy doing? What local shops and restaurants should I check out? Also, what guidelines for harmonious travel does your family have? I'll be happy to return the favor by telling you some of my favorite places in the Dayton area.