The reputation of Cajun food far precedes New Orleans, so you can understand my excitement to eat when I first arrived in the Big Easy. As a person who loved sushi and guacamole and spinach the first time I tried them all, I always considered myself a born foodie whose very nature guaranteed instant appreciation of any exotic type of food without "acquiring" the taste.
So, I never expected my first mouthful of my first Nawlins eatery's jambalaya to cause my throat to snap shut as though it were expecting its 5th double shot of Bacardi 151. Something about having alligator, sausage and rabbit in my mouth all at once just caused my body to say NO!, and since that first night in NOLA, I've said no to all meat.
Since becoming vegetarian and recently venturing into Veganism, I've become dauntingly aware of how hard it is to eat outside one's own kitchen-my very own beloved TGI Friday's doesn't even offer one single entree that doesn't come with meat. But just because I've had to say no to Friday's, it doesn't mean that I must say no to travel. The choice to consume another culture's food is a very personal one and though I'm clearly aware of the universal praise of Cajun food, I can't change the fact that it just isn't for me.
You may be wondering about the days I spent in NOLA following
the incident and my new lease on life. Was I any less consumed by the music which filled the streets from all directions? No. Was I any less moved by the southern hospitality exuded by every person I met? No! Was I any more sober than the rest after a hand grenade (one of New Orleans' native liquor concoctions, served in an elongated plastic hand grenade) or a daiquiri? Absolutely not!
Though interesting facets of a culture may be revealed through its food, those who are uncomfortable deviating from their diet for the purpose of cultural immersion should remember that while we maybe traveling in order to consume another's culture, we are also bringing our own cultures to others. Perhaps the more vegetarians and vegans New Orleans has passing through, the more likely it will become that those French Quarter chefs begin creating all-veggie Cajun dishes.
Whether it be meat or dairy or Bacardi 151 that we've sworn off for life, we needn't be backed into the corner of changing our diets simply because it seems difficult to follow them in exotic locales...though I do wonder how often people have either avoided traveling or abandoned their diets while venturing into different cultures.
Have you had to change your diet because of travel? Do you think it's possible to have a well-rounded travel experience without eating your destination's local cuisine?
Comments (9)
Changing my diet for travel includes this new rule I made tonight: No eating Mexican and Indian the same day. I will admit it was a relief to get out of the car.
On a more serious note, I am lactose intolerant and there is always the possibility somewhere I'm visiting will have dairy-heavy foods. I have accommodated myself for this by carrying lots of dairy digestive supplements in my purse and backpack. This way I always have some pills handy if I need 'em.
ya its hard to travel if you choose a vegan lifestyle..most of the world's food always has animal products in it.
It sucked trying to be vegetarian in Japan. So, I had to give up my vegetarianism for 6 whole weeks. As guilty as I felt, it was the six most delicious weeks of my life.
- Kunoichi
yeahh its hard, i can totally understand but like @KrazeeKunoichi009@xanga said, other foods can be sooo goood
@joyouswind@xanga - i am lactose intolerant too, but there is almost always the option of getting a salad or wrap with just chicken and lettuce or just a pasta w/marinara.
I think Germany was the worst for finding meat free dishes, especially because I didn't speak any German. Thankfully, I found great smoked fish in the victualmarket. I don't think there is a word for vegan in German
.
I've been thinking about this for some time now. I'm vegetarian.
I'm going to Spain for a month in June, but I don't think that it will be an issue there any more than it is here.
However, I am also doing a semester abroad next fall, hopefully in the rural parts of Thailand. I don't know what they eat on a regular basis, but I wouldn't want my host family to have to go out of their way just to feed me. So yes, I might be willing to change my diet for travel.
:)
Of course!!! I grew in Vietnam, then grew up here, then spent 4 months in France. The biggest adjustment would have to be adjusting to dairy products... still struggling a bit actually. Even though it's been 15 years.