Last week was my birthday, which in my opinion is a perfect time to eat interesting and tasty food. There are a few things I tried out for the first time.

First off, I tried to take part in an amusing Dutch habit: buy inexpensive cake at the supermarket, bring it in to your place of work or study, and invite everybody whose around to eat it with you! So this is exactly what I did. It didn't go off without a hitch, since there were no clean forks and a big group of people was just heading into a lecture. But all in all, very nice. I can't help thinking though that since it's your birthday, somebody else should be buying the cake for you! I'm told that is the wrong way to think about it.


Dutch habits are all well and good, but what about Danish birthday habits? I was treated to some of those as well, thanks to Anna Juulsgaard Breum. Below you'll see photos of us posing with an authentic Danish birthday cake, with some ingredients brought all the way from Denmark! A big success with lots of layers and fruit, and only the Albert Heijn whipped cream unable to hold its own.






Last but not least, Maoz falafel by the Albert Cuypmarkt. I'm can't claim that it is associated with any birthday habits, but it is really, really good. The falafel is fried right before your eyes, and you can keep on going back to the salad bar to load up your pita with goodies. And it's all vegetarian. This was not my first time to Maoz, so I can give you a word of advice: if you're not sure which of the green sauces is the hot one, ask someone. The hot sauce is incredibly hot, and a large accidental dose once left me unable to move for 15 minutes.



It was nice to hear from so many of you!