I recently had the profound pleasure of going to experience - once again, a “fondue” outing with my friends and co-workers. This was my 2nd time and whenever I come to NY, we’ve now made it sort of a tradition. I have to say that I’m still buzzed from the aliveness and authenticity of that dinner.
Fondue fell out fashion after its nadir in the 70s. As if such an ancient dish could be felled by mere fashion. Truth will out and so will quality - and though the Swiss claim inventing it, some on the other side of the Alps would vigorously contest. And since am not a fondue expert, I’ll skip the history lesson and leave it to you to Wikipedia it! Off course bread and cheese is nothing new, but as usual we do things with a bit more panache and a lot more alcohol!! The thing about fondue is community; eating fondue is the communal meal par excellence because the solo fondue eater is a truly sad thing. In fact, restaurants should make it a “party of 2 or more” requirement for fondue experience. The word derives from the French word “fondre” which means melt or blend, and it’s unlikely you can melt or blend with yourself successfully! Off course, there are rules and protocols on how to eat fondue one of which I learned after being up all hours of the night, was to never drink cold fizzy drinks, they have terrible effect on the cheese in your stomach - thank God for Pepto Bismol! The other, is that it is one thing to lose your bread/veggie or risk a forfeit but another to double dip! So for those of you suffering from OCD, you are in the clear, phew.....
Anyway, the experience of fondue has become just that, an experience because its not about the food itself which is quite amazing but a gateway for reflecting on communal eating (which is common in how I grew up eating Ethiopian food). Communal eating reflects the ancient belief that sharing food and drinks and/or eating out of the same dish, will produce an intrinsic relationship among those participating. Maybe the French were onto something after all. You really have to go the whole way, veggie/bread with the cheese dipping sauces and of course the white chocolate/dark chocolate for desert! It has become a way to reflect on the company you keep and if it isn’t it should be because you can’t just have fondue with anyone! I mean you’ve got to either be on a hot date (a meaningful one at that), with family and/or people whose company you actually really like! My fondue experience luckily has made me appreciate the amazing beautiful women I’m friends with and am surrounded by. An infectiously wise, mega-successful, boisterous and makes no apologies for their full-on engagement and sharing of life (yes Sarah, I’m talking about you!). She reminded me to never ever apologize for being passionate, using juicy colorful language, living my sensual life unfettered, and heartily laughing out loud.
There are moments of sharing stories, and plain on silliness that can sometimes, get you to check in on what you’re up to on all levels of your life and say to yourself, “enough tepid, watered down living and loving just so you can be part of a club or tribal collective that clearly supports you compromising your love, truth creativity and well being”. Check in and ask yourself how am I doing, being, enjoying in this aspect of my life?. Do yourself a huge favor, and be honest with your answers though or engage a trusted soul friend over fondue - who will gently (or firmly) call you on your bullshit.....because in this one and only life, there is no escape, no way out, but in. My soul sis-STAR, self care is a required skill-set in embodying your sensual life, do not put yourself last on that “to do list”. You know who you are.....
Sometimes fondue is just another way to dissolve karmic ribbons still active in your emotional energetic blueprint that binds you to your collective past, so go on and get yourself down to your local Brassierie, spare a couple of hours and slowly savor a fondue meal and most of all the company you keep!
No comments:
Post a Comment