The Travelling Vegetarian
I’ve been a vegetarian my entire life. I grew up in a mixed household (my parents ate poultry and fish – now only fish – and my sister and I did not), and in a time when vegetarianism was less common, so I’ve always learned to “eat around.” At the same time, growing up in the Pacific Northwest made it a little more normal than vegetarianism was in many other locations.
As I’ve traveled, I’ve discovered that some cities and countries are easier than others for me. Not always the ones you would expect. I went to college in Chicago in the late ‘90s, when many restaurants even had meat on the salads (it has improved since then), and ate like a queen in Austria. In Israel, where kosher restaurants are classified as “meat” or “dairy,” I had an easy time eating – unless my party took me to a meat restaurant where I had limited options. And in Italy, where pasta and pizza made eating a simple endeavor, I learned that there may be hidden surprises where you least expect them.
What have I learned? Research is key. Speak up and ask questions if you aren’t sure about something. Learn to say “vegetarian” and “no meat or fish” in multiple languages. Be willing to try something new or unexpected. Sometimes ice cream is a meal.
Enjoy your food.
*note: I classify as a lacto-ovo vegetarian, meaning I eat both eggs and dairy. I also know that I occasionally eat things that not all vegetarians will accept, such as non-vegetarian certified cheese. I’m not looking for judgement in my choices.