T
raveling as a vegan for the first
time can be incredibly daunting,
but if you start with some simple
knowledge, it can be a very
rewarding and eye-opening experience.
Here are some top tips to get you started!Research local cuisines before you
leave
Some places are incredibly vegan-
friendly and require little to no research or
forward planning, while others can prove
to be frustratingly difficult in finding even
the most simple vegan meal.
In some cultures, religion and spiritual
beliefs can have a huge influence on the
types of food available and how they are
prepared. For example, if you plan to visit
areas where Buddhism or Hinduism are
one of the main beliefs - like in many
parts of Asia and India - it can be incredibly
easy to find cruelty-free options that need
little to no modification and are true to
what the locals eat.
On the contrary, there are also many
countries that can be more difficult for
vegans such as China or Russia, who rely
heavily on animal products, and may not
always be able to cater to vegans due to
language barriers or a lack of resources.
In these instances, try and stack up on
loads of snacks, or, if possible, source
fruit and vegetables from local markets
and cook yourself. Know before you go
so that you’re not caught completely
out-of-the-blue when you arrive.Be aware of cruel customs involving
animals, and know to avoid them
Another thing to note is that vegan
travel is not only just about being able to
find a decent meal - some customs and
traditions in countries overseas can also
be quite confronting. This includes popular
festivals such as the Running of the
Bulls in Spain, or China’s Yulin Dog Meat
Festival. Knowing about these practices in
advance can be useful so that you know
to avoid these areas or events if you feel
that you will be upset by these customs.
Aside from staying away, you can often
help by signing online petitions calling
to remove animal cruelty from these
events. Many of these types of events
have become so controversial in recent
years with such significant backlash that
they have been cancelled. An examplewas the Gadhimai Festival in Nepal - the
world’s largest animal sacrificing event -
which the Gadhimai Temple Trust decided
to end in February 2017, showing that
enough public pressure can often make a
difference.
Another useful thing to do before
you leave is to thoroughly research any
popular tourist attractions that involve
animals - they may seem harmless at
first, but can be very cruel for the animals
involved. A few examples are ‘Pig Island’
in the Bahamas, elephant rides in
Thailand, and owl cafés in Japan.
While these are seemingly harmless
and appear to be amazing experiences
(especially for animal lovers), there
can be a lot of issues with this type of
tourism.
‘Pig Island’ is actually a managed tourist
attraction, where the pigs are killed so
that they don’t overpopulate and become
aggressive to tourists, and they often
suffer severe burns from the harsh sun.
The good news is, there are many pig
sanctuaries out there where the pigs are
loved and you can hang out with them
until your heart's content.
Elephants are trained with extremely
cruel methods to keep them placid and
obedient for elephant rides and circus
shows, but there are also a number of
amazing elephant sanctuaries that exist
around the world where you can get up
close and personal with these beautiful
animals, without causing them any harm- all while supporting their rehabilitation.
Owl cafés keep wild, nocturnal animals
unnaturally awake during daylight hours
and restrict their movement by keeping
them chained up in captivity. But with so
many great and unique cafés, restaurants
and bars in Japan, who needs to see an
owl in a café anyway? The point is, try
not be disheartened by attractions like
these; for every animal attraction, there is
always a cruelty-free alternative, so you
will never miss out.
The internet is your friend
In recent years, resources for vegans
such as websites, apps and blogs have
increased by a phenomenal amount,
making it easier to find a vegan meal
than ever before. Of course, the best way
to find a vegan restaurant is to stumble
across one by accident on your adventures,
but when this seems impossible and allseems lost, a bit of research is the next
best thing.
Without a doubt, Happy Cow is among
one of the most widely used and effective
apps/websites out there for finding vegan
food - sometimes even in the most remote
places. It can also be handy if you are
travelling vegan on a budget, as it will
specify the cheapest and most expensive
options, and also includes reviews, maps,
and even vegan supermarkets and local
vegan groups.
A quick google search will also produce
an endless number of blogs and websites
on the best vegan eats in different cities,
with many focusing on one particular
location or popular travel route. Apps like
Vegan Passport and Vegan a Go Go are
also very handy for translating phrases
when you’re out to eat.Learn some key phrases in the local
language
Learning some key phrases in the
local language will not only help you to
immerse yourself in the local culture, but
it will also help locals understand you
better in areas where little to no English
is spoken, even in busy tourist spots.
Rather than learning just the word 'vegan',
you could also learn phrases such as 'no
egg', 'no dairy', 'no fish sauce', 'no ghee',
etc, depending on the country, region or
popular types of cuisine.
If you're unable to remember or
pronounce these phrases, another handy
tip is to have some written translations
or a translating app, ready to show wait
staff. This won't guarantee a completely
vegan meal every time, but it certainly
helps.Stay humble
Remember, that while animal rights
and welfare are important, it is equally
as important to respect the people in
the places you are visiting, particularly
in areas where they may have limited
resources. Kindness doesn’t cost a cent.
Veganism is about showing compassion
to all living beings; practising patience
when speaking to people who may not
fully understand what you are saying or
the concept of veganism goes a long way.
Finally, as tempting as it seems - don’t
pat the stray dogs, no matter how
adorable they are!Before you travel....
By Pasqualina Perone travel writertravelOLIHVW\OH