Where in the world? Scent-sational shawarma
BONUS: Top travel tips for Ciudad de México (CDMX) or Mexico City, Mexico
Dear community,
This past week saw the first ever post-partum depression treatment in pill form gain approval by the Food and Drug Administration in the US, from which a lot of families stand to benefit. This is huge — it works relatively quickly (within two weeks) and means that new parents no longer need to be wrested from their families to receive an IV medication in a hospital (the current alternative), but can stay home and continue to bond with their babies and benefit from their usual supports while getting better.
This week, on a personal level, we've crossed the inflection point from effortful to an existence of more ease in our new home in Oaxaca, Mexico.
With each nomadic move, there's a heavy period of setup work, ranging from unpacking to figuring out where to get essentials to where to work to integrating new caregivers and child-oriented systems into our routines. Though we often find conquering these challenges satisfying, I'm thrilled to report that this week, it feels like we're on the other side of it.
Our toddler Rumi, instead of crying at dropoff, now excitedly chatters away about how much fun his new daycare is and marches in confidently and happily. We've got our day-to-day systems in place, from knowing where to get drinking water to a cute little library on our street where we can always escape the heat and continue our workdays.
And today marks the third time I've been stopped by locals for directions in the non-touristy neighborhood where our daycare is, as though my newfound ease with my surroundings somehow oozes from my pores and now marks me as a near-local (ha!).
As I write this with the day’s warmth lifted by a light breeze on our rooftop, I’m looking upon some majestic mountains on three sides and some equally majestic clouds — reader, you’ll recall how much I love my clouds. So, all in all, things are looking up.
Today’s Where in the world? brings you the context for a mouth-watering bite popular across many countries — followed by my top tips for travel to Mexico City for paid subscribers.
🌏Where in the world? An original photo or video from somewhere in the world — to unite us across borders — and open to your guesses as to where it might be.
Scent-sational shawarma
The scene is an airport: my husband and I are in the check-in line. We’d grabbed wraps from our favorite shawarma place just before heading to the airport and had them ready and waiting for when we were on the other side of security.
A man about our age tapped my husband and said with the most sheepish grin, “I’m so sorry to bother you. Where did you happen to get those wraps?” My husband told him. The man looked even more uncomfortable and said, “Listen, I know this is a bizarre request, but my wife is pregnant and she has these strong cravings… look, I’m so sorry to ask — but could she have just one bite from your sandwich?”
What a standup partner! We ended up giving them a whole uneaten wrap, much to their great surprise and deep gratitude. In return, they shared a packet of delicious homemade cookies.
This was far before I ever became pregnant myself. But I want to say: cravings in pregnancy — like much of what happens only in women’s bodies, are not well understood — but they are real and deep. And shawarma is certainly worthy of them.
Shawarma originated in the 19th century at the hands of a Turkish butcher named İskender, in the city of Bursa, as doner kebab (rolled kebab). The word shawarma is the Arabic version of the Turkish word çevirme — which means ‘turning.’ And physically, it consists of spiced meat layered circumferentially in thin slices, roasting on a slowly turning vertical spit. As the top layers cook, slices are shaved off the cooked surface and added with other ingredients like hummus, tahini, tzatziki, herbs, and French fries, to a pita wrap or plate. Shawarma is traditionally made with lamb or mutton, but can also feature chicken, turkey, beef, or veal. It’s popular in Turkey, Greece (gyros), Egypt, Palestine, Tunisia, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia, among other places.
Interestingly, Lebanese immigrants brought the concept to Mexico in the early 20th century — and it was adapted into what is now considered a quintessentially Mexican food, tacos al pastor — wrapped in corn tortillas and cooked with pork.
I think it’s fascinating and says a lot about the world’s relationship with the Middle East that shawarma, while enjoyed in many places in the world now, has never made it to being a table food — regardless of where you are, it is always sold as a street food, relegated to the pricing associated with street food. I’ve consumed it in places like Denmark and Spain — but despite being uniquely flavored, difficult to make, and completely unlike the local cuisines, it’s always among the cheapest foods to be had. It’s as though any food created for and by Black and Brown people will never be worthy of top dollar in majority-White countries. Contrast this to how French restaurants are among the most expensive in any country they’re found.
Regardless, I recall many a summer evening enjoying this succulent, richly layered food — often accompanied by live music and unhurried conversation in a town square. And even when I have it now, it’s these memories and associations that come rushing back and make the flavors even more potent.
In the words of Mexican chef, Olga Cabrera:
It’s the flavors that evoke memories that give us life.
Biologically, our smell and taste pathways are closely tied to our emotions and memories via the limbic system. This is why scents and flavors immediately evoke so many memories lurking just below the surface — and are so close to our hearts.
In which airport do you think the above story took place?
And most importantly: What scents and flavors do you most savor? What memories are tucked away with them? Let us know below.
Wishing you light,
Dr Devika Bhushan
Last time…
We featured a cartoon-like video of deer frolicking — and why playfulness matters to our health. That video was taken by my father in Mathura, India, where my father’s family lives. Despite my frequent trips, I’ve never seen these remarkably joyful beings there, but I long to see them in real life one day.
You can find that article below:
Where in the world is our community?
How diverse is our community here at Ask Dr Devika B? So far, we are in 42 countries.
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Travel tips: Ciudad de México or CDMX
As some of you know, a little over 2 months ago, our family went nomadic.
From San Francisco, Mexico City or Ciudad de México (CDMX) was our first destination — and it was truly the perfect place in which to restart nomadic life again (we were privileged to get to live this way pre-parenthood full-time from 2016-2018, and in short stints since).
CDMX has it all: A thronging, bustling metropolis — but with ample greenery and birds chirping (loudly! insistently!) everywhere we went. An incredible food scene. Tons of playgrounds and family-friendly spaces — and a remarkable embracing of children in adult spaces, where even at fancy restaurants, waiters would come over with crayons and toys for Rumi.
So many firsts here: We tried raw tamarind, worm and grasshopper salt, and pulque for the first time — each amazing.