A Hankering For Some Bacon

There are a lot of things I miss from home. I miss my family and friends. I miss using an electrical appliance without having to use an adapter. I miss turning on a television and understanding every channel. But most of all, I miss bacon. I really love bacon.

I grew up in a very strictly nutritious family: whole wheat was improved on by baking oats into the dough. Liver was a frequent dish. Red meat was banished. And the wine was always red. Meals consisted of salad/soup, main course and then fruit. And the fruit part was obligatory. In fact, you couldn’t move onto the dessert unless you had consumed at least one piece of fruit—extra points for two or three pieces (NOTE: The points are meaningless). Do not pass GO, do not collect $100. And so in this temple of the body, bacon was a four letter word.

In my youth, naturally, I rebelled. Some smoke, others drink while others drop out of school. I did neither. Mine was a dietary rebellion. I am a chocoholic. I have literal, physical chocolate cravings that are vicious and all consuming. Similar to a mother bear protecting her cub, I scour and forage for sugar, throwing whatever objects are in my way aside in my single-minded search. I love Coco-Cola Classic (one of the only concessions to my health is drinking Coke Zero) and will not hesitate to drink it at 7am (I had it before my cereal once). And I love bacon.

So that’s why being here is so tough. It’s never expressly said, but I get the feeling that Europeans aren’t really great fans of pigs. Bacon isn't on any menus I’ve seen and I rarely see BLT sandwiches anywhere. This has been really difficult for someone who loves a nice, honking slice of bacon.

That’s why today was so special. My roommate Cassandra—saint that she is and a cook of substantially more skill than I—made us a lovely North American breakfast: bacon, scrambled eggs, toast and juice. It was so homey, it almost brought a tear to my eye. Then, shaking off any emotions, I inhaled it and any remnants of the bacon and it was all over.