Shocking the Old Man

Each morsel of food dances on my palate with its own unique choreography of flavors. Some dishes are unpretentious, almost ascetic in their simplicity, while others ignite a fiery spectacle of spices that leaves my tongue tingling in a pleasurable torment. Candied fruits so sweet they could be nectar plucked from some celestial garden contrast sharply with bites that are so briny, they taste like distilled essence of ocean.

And yet, I find each one fascinating. I've always been indiscriminate when it comes to food; life's hardships have fortified not just my resolve but my stomach as well. Whether sumptuous feasts or lackluster meals, my belly has proven itself a faithful ally, its only Achilles heel being the gnawing ache of emptiness when food is scarce.