Yeah, that bit about the alley with the handwritten menu is so true. I was just reading this travel blog that called it "instagrammification," where spots get ruined because everyone wants the same photo op. They mentioned how Lisbon's Miradouros are now packed with people staging shots, while the best pastel de nata comes from some unmarked bakery downstairs. Your grilled squid story reminds me of finding a tiny noodle stall in Taipei with no English menu, just pointing at what looked good. It's way better than battling crowds for a trendy rainbow bagel, lmao. The whole chase for aesthetics just drains the life out of actually experiencing a place.

A vendor once taught a kid to pick tomatoes... pretty magical.