In a surprising turn of events, 32-year-old Susan Johnson embarked on a year-long ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ journey only to realize that she simply enjoys eating. Inspired by Elizabeth Gilbert’s bestselling memoir, Johnson decided to leave her corporate job and venture out to explore her spirituality, love, and, of course, food.
Susan’s journey began in Italy, where she intended to spend a month learning the language, attending cooking classes, and indulging in the local cuisine. However, Johnson soon discovered that her passion for pasta outweighed her interest in self-discovery.
“I thought I’d be inspired by the beautiful landscapes and historic architecture,” Johnson admitted. “But the truth is, I spent more time daydreaming about my next meal than pondering the meaning of life.”
Her adventures in Italy were just the beginning, as Johnson continued to follow Gilbert’s footsteps to India and Indonesia. But rather than focusing on meditation and finding inner peace, she found herself obsessing over the local food scenes.
“India was supposed to be my spiritual awakening,” said Johnson. “Instead, I discovered that I have a deep spiritual connection with curry and naan bread.”
By the time she reached Indonesia, Johnson realized that her year-long journey was less about personal growth and more about her love affair with food. While she did attend a few yoga classes, her main focus remained on sampling local dishes, from savory satay to mouthwatering nasi goreng.
“I thought I was searching for love and spiritual fulfillment, but it turns out I was just really hungry,” she confessed.
Despite her newfound self-awareness, Johnson has no regrets about her culinary-centered journey. In fact, she has embraced her love for food and plans to start a food blog to document her gastronomic adventures.
“I may not have experienced the spiritual transformation I initially sought,” Johnson mused, “but I’ve discovered a new passion that nourishes my soul – and my stomach.”
As Johnson returns home from her ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ journey, she’s excited to share her experiences with friends and family. And while she may not have all the answers to life’s big questions, she can certainly recommend the best gelato in Rome.
