Falafel at Balboa Park

My friend Matt and I hopped on and off the 5 freeway and pulled into the heavy line of traffic heading into the parking lot at San Diego City College. After regretfully passing two questionable parking spots, we waited as patiently as we could until we safely swung into a spot in the structure behind the college. As we walked toward the line for the tram to carry us to Balboa Park for December Nights, a young kid spit the words, "I hope you have a fun next hour." My step stopped immediately, and I calmly and quietly nudged the words, "Matt, I think we might want to walk or grab a cab." Eleven cab dollars later, and a few blocks of traffic jams, Matt and I hopped out of the car and crossed over to the decadent tents and lights filling the view before us. Smells of sausage, funnel cakes and kettle corn flurried through the cool breeze. Our hunger led us toward the small white tents with a great selection of foods. Although experience told me to get in the longest line to get the best food, I opted for a shorter one. Matt grabbed Filipino food, some chicken and steak with rice, and I found my place in line at the falafel stand. Gyro and chicken sizzled on the flat sheet grill in front of me, and the flavors wafted through the heat, warming me from the cold. I smiled big when I said, "One falafel sandwich, please!" I paid my 8 dollars, and the busy woman held out a cone-shaped sandwich drizzled with tzatziki sauce. I grabbed it with both hands, and Matt helped to shove my wallet back in my purse and zip it shut (I've had a lot of lost keys incidents...) We hovered through the crowd and found a curb where we could sit and eat, hiding from the spectacle of kids falling on everything in sight. The vendors' , children's and parents' voices faded out, as I slowly bit into my sandwich, taking two bites and then chewing--the first bite for the tomatoes, sizzling onions, peppers, and pita bread; the second bite for some of the falafel. The falafel had a light crunchy coating with a soft and dense bread-like texture inside. The aroma of the cumin and coriander had melted into the chickpea flour as it was fried, and the flavor was smooth and well-combined in every bite. The tzatziki sauce had a bit of a peanut-flavored kick to it, and its creaminess melded all of the flavors and textures together. After wolfing it down and waiting a reasonable amount of time for a lady, I hunted down the kettle corn. We stood in line for 20 minutes and were rewarded with a bag of salty and sweet buttered popcorn that warmed our hands. We munched on this until it hurt-in both stomach and mind. I ALWAYS get a headache after taking in so much sugar, and yet I ALWAYS decide to do it anyhow. With our bellies aching, Matt and I trudged from the park to downtown, occasionally hesitating at the crosswalks because of the fear of being too full to run fast enough to NOT get hit by a car. In the end, we made it. It was a fun night of frolicking about, visiting free museums, watching irritated yet loving families, seeing familiar faces and getting my fill of flavorful foods.