what I see is what you get...

It's a common food encounter as you roam the streets under a warm evening in Riyadh or Dubai, two cities dear to my heart. As soon as you see this rolled-up savory ensemble, you'll immediately recognize it's Arabic authenticity. To miss eating this is like saying you missed seeing the desert when you're in a Middle-Eastern country. The Shawarma, an easy assembly of rolled-up kubus and meat, is my local encounter that became my steady companion in a region that welcomed and molded me to be who I am today.

To clear things out, I'm Filipino. So why Shawarma? Simple really. Just thinking of having one now reminds me of my experiences as a foreign kid in the Arab region. Born in the Philippines, we then migrated to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and then to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Again, why shawarma? It was the very first meal I remember having as soon as I arrived in both hot-weathered, culturally-grounded cities. I reminisce smiling right away, weirdly erasing the fact that I'm in a strange new world. From that first encounter of the char-grilled strips of chicken accompanied by fries, pickles and garlic-mayo sauce, all hugged by a warm, simple puffy kubus bread, this "meat roll" has become a chart-topper in my list of comfort foods. Eating one is like a hug of warmness from those who put so much care in creating such a simple delight, so much like how I treat my family. Whether chicken, beef or lamb, it's mix of creamy, savory and tangy relates to me. With the different yet cohesive tastes it gives, I immediately go back to the diverse cultures I lived in, mingled with, and loved so much: Muslim, Christian, Asian, Arab, so on.

A simple bread roll perhaps, but to truly enjoy it, it should be prepared with sincerity and respect. A metaphor to how my life has turned out. The Shawarma and I originate from "opposite" regions, but having to cross paths, made me realize that cultures are just simple interesting facts that spice up life. It just makes you want to live more.