International Travel

March 16, 2009

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone here has any tips for international travel on a vegan

and GF diet.

In 6 months my husband and I are being sent on an around the world trip by the

company we work for. It will be partially business, going to vegetable seed

company field days. We will probably be travelling for 3 to 4 weeks.

At this stage we are going from Australia to France, Holland, England, possibly

Germany, and to the US - the Salinas Valley in California, Houston to visit our

daughter and possibly a few other cities.

I've never been overseas and don't speak any foreign languages, so if anyone has

any tips they would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Kim

March 16, 2009

If it were me, I'd get the iphone if you don't have it already and download the

application about celiac that has many different languages on it so when you're

bouncing from language to language you'll have it all right there for peace of

mind! Obviously the internet capabilities of this little gem will come in handy

too to look things up constantly!

Karen

Kim

Monday, March 16, 2009 12:43 AM

International Travel

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone here has any tips for international travel on a vegan

and GF diet.

In 6 months my husband and I are being sent on an around the world trip by the

company we work for. It will be partially business, going to vegetable seed

company field days. We will probably be travelling for 3 to 4 weeks.

At this stage we are going from Australia to France, Holland, England, possibly

Germany, and to the US - the Salinas Valley in California, Houston to visit our

daughter and possibly a few other cities.

I've never been overseas and don't speak any foreign languages, so if anyone has

any tips they would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Kim

March 16, 2009

Kim---In places where English is spoken by nearly everyone as a first or

second language (and I include the Netherlands in that), I think you'll be

okay with just conversations. When I traveled in Japan, before I left for

the trip, I had a Japanese person translate an explanation and written list

of the foods I couldn't eat, and I laminated the card he wrote them on. I

gave it to the server at every restaurant, and it was a huge help for me. I

would suggest that route for France and Germany. (There are, of course,

cards you can buy to that effect, but there are none that cover my range of

allergies that I have seen.) A vegan friend I met on that trip had done the

same thing (it was very funny when we both pulled out our laminated cards at

our first meal), and he found it very useful.

In general, when my husband and I travel, we try to rent places with

kitchenettes and eat most of our meals there. The cost of a more expensive

room usually balances out with fewer restaurant meals. Doing that reduces

the number of fancy meals we get to experience in a culture, but it

increases the likelihood that I won't get sick on the trip, and it decreases

my what-if-there's-nothing-I-can-eat fear. I pack a cutting board (plastic,

just because it's more portable, even though I use bamboo ones at home) to

avoid cross-contamination and a good chopping knife, well wrapped-up, in my

luggage. We wash all the pots and pans before we use them, to minimize the

chance of cross-contamination. And when we do that, if possible, I try to

have a shopping adventure of sorts---visiting local specialty shops and

farmer's markets to make our homemade meals more authentic to the location.

If we can't get a place with a kitchenette for some reason, I take a hot

plate (is that phrase the same throughout English-speaking countries? It's a

single burner that plugs into an outlet) and several cans of Sally-friendly

soup, gluten-free crackers, and granola bars. That way, I know I will have

something to eat if I get in a pinch, which eases my mind enormously.

For flights, I always make sure to pack a bunch of trail mix of nuts, dried

fruit, chocolate chips, and sometimes gluten-free pretzels. You never know

when you'll get stuck on a runway for hours, or get stuck in a crappy

airport, or whatever, so I try to make sure I won't go hungry if I am

delayed in reaching my destination.

I hope your trip is fabulous.

Sally

On Mon, Mar 16, 2009 at 12:43 AM, Kim <bearhouse5 wrote:

> Hi everyone,

>

> I was wondering if anyone here has any tips for international travel on a

> vegan and GF diet.

>

> In 6 months my husband and I are being sent on an around the world trip by

> the company we work for. It will be partially business, going to vegetable

> seed company field days. We will probably be travelling for 3 to 4 weeks.

>

> At this stage we are going from Australia to France, Holland, England,

> possibly Germany, and to the US - the Salinas Valley in California, Houston

> to visit our daughter and possibly a few other cities.

>

> I've never been overseas and don't speak any foreign languages, so if

> anyone has any tips they would be greatly appreciated.

>

> Thanks,

> Kim

>

--

" This isn't a matter of Republican and Democrat. It's not liberal. It's not

conservative. It's simply common sense. This is a national emergency. . . .

You have to be honest about the way the biosphere works, and we have to move

this country very rapidly in a different direction. " --John Orr

March 16, 2009

Kim,

I have the Triumph Gluten free dining cards that work really well in

foreign countries. Would you like me to send you a set?

I find that gluten free, vegan food is as difficult/easy as it is

here. I live on a lot of salads and I buy fresh produce from the

grocery stores/stands.

I always try to stay somewhere with a fridge and microwave or better

still, a full kitchen.

You might want to join the ICORS celiac list at enabling.org once you

know where you'll be and post asking for suggestions. I do this

whenever I travel and get great restaurant suggestions.

I gather there is a great new organic restaurant in Houston called,

Ruggles Green. they are not vegan but apparently happily give you

vegan food. They do have a gf menu.

don't stress about not speaking any of the other languages. you can

get by with English everywhere except Paris. The Parisians hate the

English. I generally start off conversations in Afrikaans and then we

switch to English. LOL. It's sneaky but improves my success rate in

France.

I am so jealous. All expenses paid foreign travel. How exciting.

Sherene

On Mar 16, 2009, at 12:43 AM, Kim wrote:

> Hi everyone,

>

> I was wondering if anyone here has any tips for international travel

> on a vegan and GF diet.

>

> In 6 months my husband and I are being sent on an around the world

> trip by the company we work for. It will be partially business,

> going to vegetable seed company field days. We will probably be

> travelling for 3 to 4 weeks.

>

> At this stage we are going from Australia to France, Holland,

> England, possibly Germany, and to the US - the Salinas Valley in

> California, Houston to visit our daughter and possibly a few other

> cities.

>

> I've never been overseas and don't speak any foreign languages, so

> if anyone has any tips they would be greatly appreciated.

>

> Thanks,

> Kim

>

> ---

>

> Our vegan and gluten free recipes are available in the

> archives for this group or at the following URL (***Recipes Posted

> to VGF***):

>

> Check out these affiliated vegan lists ~

>

> http://www.Christian-Vegan-Cooking

>

March 17, 2009

Thanks Sherene,

Those cards would be great, if it's not too much trouble - I am in Australia.

I think we will be set up hotels for most of the trip, at least at the major

business stops. Language shouldn't be a problem as I know there will be other

Aussies at those stops. We do plan to take the train and see a little more of

the countryside too.

I Googled that restaurant too, and it's only 11 miles from my daughters

apartment so that will be great too - Thanks.

I have heard that the French do like to at least try to speak their language,

maybe I can remember a little from my high school days (that was quite some time

ago though).

I am excited and a little nervous, but I do hate the thought of being away from

kids for that long even though they are all grown up.

Kim:)

, Sherene Silverberg <sherene

wrote:

>

> Kim,

>

> I have the Triumph Gluten free dining cards that work really well in

> foreign countries. Would you like me to send you a set?

>

> I find that gluten free, vegan food is as difficult/easy as it is

> here. I live on a lot of salads and I buy fresh produce from the

> grocery stores/stands.

>

> I always try to stay somewhere with a fridge and microwave or better

> still, a full kitchen.

>

> You might want to join the ICORS celiac list at enabling.org once you

> know where you'll be and post asking for suggestions. I do this

> whenever I travel and get great restaurant suggestions.

>

> I gather there is a great new organic restaurant in Houston called,

> Ruggles Green. they are not vegan but apparently happily give you

> vegan food. They do have a gf menu.

>

> don't stress about not speaking any of the other languages. you can

> get by with English everywhere except Paris. The Parisians hate the

> English. I generally start off conversations in Afrikaans and then we

> switch to English. LOL. It's sneaky but improves my success rate in

> France.

>

> I am so jealous. All expenses paid foreign travel. How exciting.

>

> Sherene

>

March 17, 2009

Hi Sally,

I love your " Sally friendly " comment. In our house It's " Kim-friendly food " or

" Dana-friendly " (our youngest son GFCF, additive-free, chocolate-free due to,

now in the past, PDD-NOS).

I'll check with the travel agent about some self-contained accommodation,

particularly for some of in-between stops.

My dietary restrictions are only vegan and GF. I'm glad I don't have to deal

with any other restrictions (except for under-cooked onion). I am not diagnosed

as coeliac but do feel and function much better without gluten (and most other

starches, particularly during the day). Thankfully, cross-contamination won't

really be a huge problem.

The idea of some trail mix and chocolate (mmm chocolate ) is a good idea too.

I just recently read a story about a man travelling, with the same airline as we

will be with, not getting their GF meal as ordered. To the airlines credit they

did manage to find a meal from 1st class and give that to him.

Thanks for you suggestions,

Kim

PS. It's called a hot-plate here in Australia too. I am constantly surprised by

the differences in the English language between countries. My daughter has

adopted much of the American terminology (she's been in Houston for 3 years) and

I often tease her about it.

, Sally Parrott Ashbrook

<sally.parrott wrote:

>

> Kim---In places where English is spoken by nearly everyone as a first or

> second language (and I include the Netherlands in that), I think you'll be

> okay with just conversations. When I traveled in Japan, before I left for

> the trip, I had a Japanese person translate an explanation and written list

> of the foods I couldn't eat, and I laminated the card he wrote them on. I

> gave it to the server at every restaurant, and it was a huge help for me. I

> would suggest that route for France and Germany. (There are, of course,

> cards you can buy to that effect, but there are none that cover my range of

> allergies that I have seen.) A vegan friend I met on that trip had done the

> same thing (it was very funny when we both pulled out our laminated cards at

> our first meal), and he found it very useful.

>

> In general, when my husband and I travel, we try to rent places with

> kitchenettes and eat most of our meals there. The cost of a more expensive

> room usually balances out with fewer restaurant meals. Doing that reduces

> the number of fancy meals we get to experience in a culture, but it

> increases the likelihood that I won't get sick on the trip, and it decreases

> my what-if-there's-nothing-I-can-eat fear. I pack a cutting board (plastic,

> just because it's more portable, even though I use bamboo ones at home) to

> avoid cross-contamination and a good chopping knife, well wrapped-up, in my

> luggage. We wash all the pots and pans before we use them, to minimize the

> chance of cross-contamination. And when we do that, if possible, I try to

> have a shopping adventure of sorts---visiting local specialty shops and

> farmer's markets to make our homemade meals more authentic to the location.

>

> If we can't get a place with a kitchenette for some reason, I take a hot

> plate (is that phrase the same throughout English-speaking countries? It's a

> single burner that plugs into an outlet) and several cans of Sally-friendly

> soup, gluten-free crackers, and granola bars. That way, I know I will have

> something to eat if I get in a pinch, which eases my mind enormously.

>

> For flights, I always make sure to pack a bunch of trail mix of nuts, dried

> fruit, chocolate chips, and sometimes gluten-free pretzels. You never know

> when you'll get stuck on a runway for hours, or get stuck in a crappy

> airport, or whatever, so I try to make sure I won't go hungry if I am

> delayed in reaching my destination.

>

> I hope your trip is fabulous.

>

> Sally

March 17, 2009

Wow, there's an application about celiac disease ?

I don't have an iPhone at this stage, but my son does. I'll get him to check it

it for me.

Thanks,

Kim

, " Karen Fielder "

<karenandbrandon wrote:

>

> If it were me, I'd get the iphone if you don't have it already and download

the application about celiac that has many different languages on it so when

you're bouncing from language to language you'll have it all right there for

peace of mind! Obviously the internet capabilities of this little gem will come

in handy too to look things up constantly!

>

> Karen

>

March 17, 2009

Enjoy your trip and be safe!

--- On Tue, 3/17/09, Kim <bearhouse5 wrote:

Kim <bearhouse5

Re: International Travel

Tuesday, March 17, 2009, 6:19 AM

Thanks Sherene,

Those cards would be great, if it's not too much trouble - I am in Australia.

I think we will be set up hotels for most of the trip, at least at the major

business stops. Language shouldn't be a problem as I know there will be other

Aussies at those stops. We do plan to take the train and see a little more of

the countryside too.

I Googled that restaurant too, and it's only 11 miles from my daughters

apartment so that will be great too - Thanks.

I have heard that the French do like to at least try to speak their language,

maybe I can remember a little from my high school days (that was quite some time

ago though).

I am excited and a little nervous, but I do hate the thought of being away from

kids for that long even though they are all grown up.

Kim:)

Vegan-and-Gluten- Free@ .com, Sherene Silverberg <sherene

> wrote:

>

> Kim,

>

> I have the Triumph Gluten free dining cards that work really well in

> foreign countries. Would you like me to send you a set?

>

> I find that gluten free, vegan food is as difficult/easy as it is

> here. I live on a lot of salads and I buy fresh produce from the

> grocery stores/stands.

>

> I always try to stay somewhere with a fridge and microwave or better

> still, a full kitchen.

>

> You might want to join the ICORS celiac list at enabling.org once you

> know where you'll be and post asking for suggestions. I do this

> whenever I travel and get great restaurant suggestions.

>

> I gather there is a great new organic restaurant in Houston called,

> Ruggles Green. they are not vegan but apparently happily give you

> vegan food. They do have a gf menu.

>

> don't stress about not speaking any of the other languages. you can

> get by with English everywhere except Paris. The Parisians hate the

> English. I generally start off conversations in Afrikaans and then we

> switch to English. LOL. It's sneaky but improves my success rate in

> France.

>

> I am so jealous. All expenses paid foreign travel. How exciting.

>

> Sherene

>

March 17, 2009

On Mar 17, 2009, at 2:45 AM, Kim wrote:

> I just recently read a story about a man travelling, with the same

> airline as we will be with, not getting their GF meal as ordered. To

> the airlines credit they did manage to find a meal from 1st class

> and give that to him.

=========

I refuse to travel on United Airlines because they did not have my

special meal on a flight to China (16 hours) and refused to find me

safe food, not even an apple, from first class because I was traveling

cattle. I was livid.

Sherene

March 17, 2009

On Mar 17, 2009, at 2:45 AM, Kim wrote:

> PS. It's called a hot-plate here in Australia too. I am constantly

> surprised by the differences in the English language between

> countries. My daughter has adopted much of the American terminology

> (she's been in Houston for 3 years) and I often tease her about it.

=====

I've lived in the US for 9 years and am totally confused about which

terms to use. I will often use the incorrect term for the culture and

be met with blank stares

Sherene

March 17, 2009

On Mar 17, 2009, at 2:19 AM, Kim wrote:

> Those cards would be great, if it's not too much trouble - I am in

> Australia.

=====

no problem at all. i send care packages to my friend in Melbourne all

the time. She sends me tea and chocs and I end her clothing.

send me your addy off list and I'll order some cards from Triumph. I

need a spare set anyway so there is no extra work involved in it for me.

Sherene

March 17, 2009

http://www.worldlingo.com/en/products_services/worldlingo_translator.html

You can make up your own restaurant cards for free (link) and print out

extras in case you loose one (it's not returned!) and it you have a personal

laminator you can laminate them. It would be expensive to have a lot of

cards laminated. If you have a laptop and portable printer, your set because

you can then print out what you need when you need it!

Take plenty of shelf stable food with you! Even when I go on a day trip I

take enough food for 3 days just in case! Nobody likes to survive on trail

mix and cereal for any length of time but it's better than going hungry!

Also, with salads, I take my own dressing, which may be difficult traveling

for a month, but I would specify no croutons, bread, or cheese on the salad.

Many places serve bread on the side and even when you tell them no croutons

and explain your situation, you still get the bread on the side! I once got

two beautiful slices of garlic toast eligantly placed across the top center

of my food so that it was all nicely contaminated! I wish I could pass out

stupidity awards to wait staff! It should be a requirement when working with

food to any capasity to know about the most common food allergies and have a

basic understanding of it means and how to accomidate an allergic custumer.

Unfortunately we need to educate the staff before we can order a meal! State

all the specifics you can not have in hopefully common sence terms on your

cards. " *CAN NOT HAVE: *Wheat/Gluten, Bread of any kind, croutons, Dairy,

milk, butter, cheese, yogurt, eggs including egg whites,... " This way they

are not as easily confused. I'd say bread of any kind because the odds of a

place actually having a bread you could eat is very slim and even if they

had gf bread, there's a good chance it has eggs in it or possibly even

dairy! If you stay in places with mini fridges, you could take condiments

and carry a lunch box with an ice pack when you go out.I have a black soft

luch box from old navy that looks kind of like a purse. It has a pocket on

the front too, so it could easily double as a purse too. Everybody just

assumes it's a purse until I start pulling out my " butter " and salad

dressing! lol They have a purple on on ebay right now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Old-Navy-Lunch-Box-Purple-GREAT-USED-CONDITION_W0QQitemZ2503\

90957635QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item250390957635 & _trksid=p328\

6.c0.m14 & _trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|29\

4%3A50

I've seen other purse like lunch boxes too if your interested, and some that

look like tote bags. They are great just in general because you don't stand

out in public!

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod59480148 & ecid=NM\

CIBizrateFeed & srccode=cii_10043468 & cpncode=24-28268945-2

http://www.ebags.com/kipling/lunch_box_discontinued_colors/product_detail/index.\

cfm?modelid=126557 & productid=1319373 & sourceID=COMJLIKE01 & PID=2119485 & SID=f170518\

785894b964240cb09ce9d995304067dc0

http://www.ebags.com/koko/holly_lunch_bag_green_floral/product_detail/index.cfm?\

modelid=132493 & rlid=detail & rcode=423490829963000

Enjoy your trip!

On Mon, Mar 16, 2009 at 12:43 AM, Kim <bearhouse5 wrote:

> Hi everyone,

>

> I was wondering if anyone here has any tips for international travel on a

> vegan and GF diet.

>

> In 6 months my husband and I are being sent on an around the world trip by

> the company we work for. It will be partially business, going to vegetable

> seed company field days. We will probably be travelling for 3 to 4 weeks.

>

> At this stage we are going from Australia to France, Holland, England,

> possibly Germany, and to the US - the Salinas Valley in California, Houston

> to visit our daughter and possibly a few other cities.

>

> I've never been overseas and don't speak any foreign languages, so if

> anyone has any tips they would be greatly appreciated.

>

> Thanks,

> Kim

>

March 17, 2009

I've only ever lived in Canada, my grandparents are Australian, then

throw in reading British classics, corresponding in American internet

groups, and living and working in a very multicultural area (Indian,

African, Asian, etc.), I often " think " the wrong term and freeze up

before I can get the right word out of my mouth . . .

Pam

On Tue, Mar 17, 2009 at 9:35 AM, Sherene Silverberg <sherene wrote:

>

> On Mar 17, 2009, at 2:45 AM, Kim wrote:

>

>> PS. It's called a hot-plate here in Australia too. I am constantly

>> surprised by the differences in the English language between

>> countries. My daughter has adopted much of the American terminology

>> (she's been in Houston for 3 years) and I often tease her about it.

> =====

>

> I've lived in the US for 9 years and am totally confused about which

> terms to use. I will often use the incorrect term for the culture and

> be met with blank stares

>

> Sherene

>

March 18, 2009

Thanks for those links.

I do have a laminator so can make up as many cards as I like - should be very

handy, particularly for the vegan items as they aren't usually on the GF cards.

And some of those lunch boxes/basgs are so cute. I have never seen any that look

that good and normally stuff my food into my handbag or carry a not-so-pretty

cooler bag. One of those would be great even if I weren't going OS.

Kim

recyclednew

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 14:15:51 -0400