“Which Country Tonight?”

“Which country are we going to tonight, Grandma?”

I heard that question every day recently when I stayed with my grandchildren while their parents were away. Why? Because during my six-day visit, the children and I took a culinary and cultural journey through six countries.

Each night, we ate an ethnic specialty from a different nation. Since the children are young—ages three to twelve—I kept the foods basic. For instance, when we “visited” Mexico we had tostadas; England, fish and chips; and Italy, spaghetti. Desserts, too, followed the pattern: we enjoyed Neapolitan ice cream on our Italian evening, sherbet with our French quiche, and fortune cookies with our Chinese chicken and rice.

During dinner, the children provided information about each country we “visited.” My five-year-old granddaughter pointed out the country on a map, and the seven-year-old identified its capital. We looked at its flag—drawn and colored earlier by the seven- or nine-year-old. (After dinner we taped the flag to the oven door, where it remained for the rest of the week.) The older children researched each country and shared facts such as its type of government, monetary system, and official language. We also discussed each country’s history, culture, and traditions.

The children thought our week-long “journey” was interesting and fun. I found that it encouraged learning, good table conversation, and peaceful meals.—Emily L. Morden, Woodland Hills, California