During orientation at university it was compulsory for all first years in my hostel to eat the meals created by the catering company – yes, en masse.  After that one week I had had my fill of Res food for life, instead I took over our fridge in the room I share… our fridge featuring salad leaves, steam-in-the-bag butternut, sprouts, goats cheese, the occasional smoked salmon and cherry tomatoes for Africa, and chickpeas, tuna, balsamic, olive oil and onions in the koskas (food cupboard).  I am quite proud of holding my record for a neat two terms without needing to swipe my student card to stand in the food queue.   I admit missing out on the social aspect of eating downstairs, thus my peers do sometimes witness my crazy concoctions while we chat away.

Here, documented in surreal photos, is one of the expeditions Irene and I made (all the way to the coolest grocery store) with the purpose of attempting one of those idyllic-baguette-and-brie-pique-nique-along-the-Seine vibes, except with cars flowing past us in the street instead, in mind. It was seriously magnificent, and I cannot wait until our next teddy-bear expedition, maybe a picnic in the mountain next time. It took us no time to get together, if you consider the satisfaction thereof.  I challenge students to shy away from the gruel downstairs for a while and try this.

This calls for a join-the-club-t-shirt- your turn!  How to go about it:

Step 1: Call someone you love or haven’t seen in a while and tell him/her you are going on an secret mission together.

Step 2: Run (well, if you have the luxury of a car or scooter…  reconsider running) and go to your nearest cool grocery store and buy the essentials: good, fresh bread (baguette, ciabatta, farm loaf is good), good cheese (think brie, camembert, goats -, cottage cheese, or whatever you like), olive oil and balsamic vinegar, tomatoes, rocket/salad leaves, some salmon, pate or ready-grilled chicken strips if you have the cash and source, avo, ect.

Step 3: Run home and get together a chopping board, three knives, one for cutting and two for spreading, as well as a dishcloth

Step 4: Meet the person at your favourite spot, or alternatively in your room at res for an unforgettable meal, some catching up and a good laugh.  Worth the running, isn’t it?