Guest guest Posted October 6, 2002 Report Share Posted October 6, 2002 Hi Dom, I am new to this board today, so hello everyone! I went to Russia a few years ago (March and April 1999). I have been a vegetarian on and off throughout my teenage years and at the point I went to Russia I wasn't strict but I avoided meat products. I have been a strict vegetarian since summer 99 and vegan since the start of this year. This is all by the by, but I thought I would say it anyway. The point I am coming to is it was very difficult for me to get meat free food in Russia, nevermind vegan food. I went on an overnight train from Moscow to St Petersburg and all they really gave us to eat was salami, bread and yoghurt. When eating out in Russia, there are several choices you can have. The bigger restaurants (frequented by 'businessmen', rich Russians and foreigners are expensive but there is a good choice, although not much, if any, vegan stuff. The more traditional Russian places serve either non-descript 3 course dinners that are much cheaper (we paid about 3 US dollars at one we went to, and they just served a set menu of salads, lump of non- descript meat and vegetables and then a cake). There are also canteen type places which are really cheap, where I ate alot of cabbage rolls (which are delicious) and beetroot soup and stuff. Finally there are Russian fastfood restaurants - one called Russian Kitchen or something was everywhere, and the had these really nice mushroom pasty type things. You will really have to plan your food. I am not sure they will know what vegan means, and you must remember that the majority of russians are very poor and that they eat a primarily meat based diet, so the concept will probably be alien to them. If you get a vegan passport (from the vegan society) it has the definition of veganism in it in hundreds of languages so that might make it easier. Although on the train, you might want to try and take at least some of your own food. I believe Russia has changed greatly in even the last couple of years, so I am unsure what the situation is like now. Contact the Russian embassy. I went there to get my visa and they were so helpful. Russians in general are really nice, but if you can't already, try and learn the alphabet and a few phrases to make things easier. Once you have learned the alphabet, deciphering signs is easier than you would imagine - I found some of the words very similar to French (!) and I didn't get lost once. Here is a link to 2 veg*an restaurants in St Petersburg and one in Vladivostock http://www.happycow.net/europe/russia/index.html. Have a fantastic trip! I loved it there! Zoë x , " Dominic " <henryscat2000> wrote: > Evening! > > First of all apologies for being one of the many members who just > sits there without really ever posting anything....! > > Anyway, I'm planning a bit of a trip to Vladivostok (and back) on the > train (Trans-Siberian etc) next year. Not having travelled that > widely I'm wibbling a bit about the vegan-ness in Russia scenario. > From what I can gather (maybe generalising a bit), Russia doesn't > seem to be a nation big on veganism (come to that, is any nation?). > Anyone got any advice / actually sampled the said train? I'm not > going to be put off going whatever...! > > Cheers! > > Dom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 6, 2002 Report Share Posted October 6, 2002 Hi Zoe Welcome to the list. Did you have a good trip to Russia? Jo --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.394 / Virus Database: 224 - Release 03/10/02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 6, 2002 Report Share Posted October 6, 2002 Cheers for that! I didn't think that it was going to be easy....but at least I've got 11 months to plan it all. Think its going to be a case of taking as much food as I can get into me rucksack. It would be a shame not to go purely because eating over there might be a bit difficult! The Trans-Siberian takes a total of 153 hours (over 6 days...) to do its journey so thats going to be a lot of self- sufficiency to sort out. Dom , " bewilder beast " <zoe_bond> wrote: > Hi Dom, > > I am new to this board today, so hello everyone! I went to Russia a > few years ago (March and April 1999). I have been a vegetarian on > and off throughout my teenage years and at the point I went to > Russia I wasn't strict but I avoided meat products. I have been a > strict vegetarian since summer 99 and vegan since the start of this > year. This is all by the by, but I thought I would say it anyway. > The point I am coming to is it was very difficult for me to get meat > free food in Russia, nevermind vegan food. I went on an overnight > train from Moscow to St Petersburg and all they really gave us to > eat was salami, bread and yoghurt. When eating out in Russia, there > are several choices you can have. The bigger restaurants (frequented > by 'businessmen', rich Russians and foreigners are expensive but > there is a good choice, although not much, if any, vegan stuff. The > more traditional Russian places serve either non-descript 3 course > dinners that are much cheaper (we paid about 3 US dollars at one we > went to, and they just served a set menu of salads, lump of non- > descript meat and vegetables and then a cake). There are also > canteen type places which are really cheap, where I ate alot of > cabbage rolls (which are delicious) and beetroot soup and stuff. > Finally there are Russian fastfood restaurants - one called Russian > Kitchen or something was everywhere, and the had these really nice > mushroom pasty type things. You will really have to plan your food. > I am not sure they will know what vegan means, and you must remember > that the majority of russians are very poor and that they eat a > primarily meat based diet, so the concept will probably be alien to > them. If you get a vegan passport (from the vegan society) it has > the definition of veganism in it in hundreds of languages so that > might make it easier. Although on the train, you might want to try > and take at least some of your own food. I believe Russia has > changed greatly in even the last couple of years, so I am unsure > what the situation is like now. Contact the Russian embassy. I went > there to get my visa and they were so helpful. Russians in general > are really nice, but if you can't already, try and learn the > alphabet and a few phrases to make things easier. Once you have > learned the alphabet, deciphering signs is easier than you would > imagine - I found some of the words very similar to French (!) and I > didn't get lost once. Here is a link to 2 veg*an restaurants in St > Petersburg and one in Vladivostock > http://www.happycow.net/europe/russia/index.html. Have a fantastic > trip! I loved it there! > > Zoë x > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 7, 2002 Report Share Posted October 7, 2002 Hi Zoe! Wow! Sounds like you had an interesting trip to say the least. Have you been to other countries as a veggie/vegan and how did they compare? Thx fer sharing all the info. Definately fun to read! nikki Sometimes, simply by sitting, the soul collects wisdom. Zen proverb , " bewilder beast " <zoe_bond> wrote: > Hi Dom, > > I am new to this board today, so hello everyone! I went to Russia a > few years ago (March and April 1999). I have been a vegetarian on > and off throughout my teenage years and at the point I went to > Russia I wasn't strict but I avoided meat products. I have been a > strict vegetarian since summer 99 and vegan since the start of this > year. This is all by the by, but I thought I would say it anyway. > The point I am coming to is it was very difficult for me to get meat > free food in Russia, nevermind vegan food. <<SNIP>> > > Zoë x > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 11, 2002 Report Share Posted October 11, 2002 Hi Nikki, Sorry I haven't replied earlier. I sort of forgot I joined this group! I have only been on holiday in England since becoming a vegan but that is easy because I know what to look for, where to eat etc. As a vegetarian I have visited France, the US, Germany and Austria. America was pretty easy as a veggie. France was OK, I mainly ate alot of cheese and bread and pizza in the evening. I also went to an Indian restaurant, but that was just like being at home. The worst places for me were Germany and Austria. I went there on a trip and we were staying in a little town near the border of Germany. The only food we could get was pure pork meals, breakfast, dinner and tea! It wasn't pleasent! By the sixth day of eating bread, chips and cheese I thought it would be a really good idea to eat a sausage. I managed about three bites and then had an upset stomach for the rest of the time! (sorry, probably too much info!). It also confirmed the fact that meat is pure gross and that I dont ever, ever want to eat it again. I have been told that Germany actually has good vegan stuff. I obviously just didn't find it! I think the best option is to go self-catering and go to a large city because there are often choices in supermarkets and health food shops. The you can just hunt out maybe a couple of veggie restaurant and go there in the evenings. I think next year I am going to go to Amsterdam for a week or two. If anyone has any experiences of it, I would love to hear about them! It will be my first trip abroad since going vegan and it would really help to hear from experienced vegan travellers. Take care, Zoë x , " nikki_mackovitch " <nikkimack@m...> wrote: > Hi Zoe! > > Wow! Sounds like you had an interesting trip to say the least. Have > you been to other countries as a veggie/vegan and how did they > compare? > > Thx fer sharing all the info. Definately fun to read! > > nikki > Sometimes, simply by sitting, the soul collects wisdom. > Zen proverb > > > , " bewilder beast " <zoe_bond> wrote: > > Hi Dom, > > > > I am new to this board today, so hello everyone! I went to Russia a > > few years ago (March and April 1999). I have been a vegetarian on > > and off throughout my teenage years and at the point I went to > > Russia I wasn't strict but I avoided meat products. I have been a > > strict vegetarian since summer 99 and vegan since the start of this > > year. This is all by the by, but I thought I would say it anyway. > > The point I am coming to is it was very difficult for me to get > meat > > free food in Russia, nevermind vegan food. > > <<SNIP>> > > > > Zoë x > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 12, 2002 Report Share Posted October 12, 2002 , " bewilder beast " <zoe_bond> wrote: > Hi Nikki, > > Sorry I haven't replied earlier. I sort of forgot I joined this > group! > > I have only been on holiday in England since becoming a vegan but > that is easy because I know what to look for, where to eat etc. As a > vegetarian I have visited France, the US, Germany and Austria. > America was pretty easy as a veggie. France was OK, I mainly ate > alot of cheese and bread and pizza in the evening. I also went to an > Indian restaurant, but that was just like being at home. The worst > places for me were Germany and Austria. I went there on a trip and > we were staying in a little town near the border of Germany. The > only food we could get was pure pork meals, breakfast, dinner and > tea! It wasn't pleasent! By the sixth day of eating bread, chips and > cheese I thought it would be a really good idea to eat a sausage. I > managed about three bites and then had an upset stomach for the rest > of the time! (sorry, probably too much info!). It also confirmed the > fact that meat is pure gross and that I dont ever, ever want to eat > it again. I have been told that Germany actually has good vegan > stuff. I obviously just didn't find it! I think the best option is > to go self-catering and go to a large city because there are often > choices in supermarkets and health food shops. The you can just hunt > out maybe a couple of veggie restaurant and go there in the > evenings. I think next year I am going to go to Amsterdam for a week > or two. If anyone has any experiences of it, I would love to hear > about them! It will be my first trip abroad since going vegan and it > would really help to hear from experienced vegan travellers. > > Take care, > > Zoë x > > , " nikki_mackovitch " <nikkimack@m...> wrote: > > Hi Zoe! > > > > Wow! Sounds like you had an interesting trip to say the least. > Have > > you been to other countries as a veggie/vegan and how did they > > compare? > > > > Thx fer sharing all the info. Definately fun to read! > > > > nikki > > Sometimes, simply by sitting, the soul collects wisdom. > > Zen proverb > > > > > > , " bewilder beast " <zoe_bond> wrote: > > > Hi Dom, > > > > > > I am new to this board today, so hello everyone! I went to > Russia a > > > few years ago (March and April 1999). I have been a vegetarian > on > > > and off throughout my teenage years and at the point I went to > > > Russia I wasn't strict but I avoided meat products. I have been > a > > > strict vegetarian since summer 99 and vegan since the start of > this > > > year. This is all by the by, but I thought I would say it > anyway. > > > The point I am coming to is it was very difficult for me to get > > meat > > > free food in Russia, nevermind vegan food. > > > > <<SNIP>> > > > > > > Zoë x > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 12, 2002 Report Share Posted October 12, 2002 hey zoe weird... i found germany to be really vegan friendly....i guess it where ya go, and luck!! belgium was hard, but mostly cuz of language and we didn't eat cheese...at a hostle we were at, they asked if we wanted salad...how was i to know that they meant tomatoes covered in cheese...!!!???!!! netherlands had lots of veggies and such wot we learned in 2 months in europe a. go slow, read everything, and ask questions... b. markets, especially turkish markets, rock...you can always subsist on flat bread and tomatoes.... c. head to asian resturants, as they often have veggie selections, but, be warned...we went to a chinese resturant in marburg germany (they had fresh veggies!!! and tofu!!! and soy milk!!! heaven!), and, our german was kinda maxed out at " eine bier biter! " , and they were chinese, so, german was a second language to em already....it was slow going, but, we got a huge meal really cheap, and was nummy i'd luv to travel to southern italy... *sigh* anyone wanna take me??? cheers fraggle , " bewilder beast " <zoe_bond> wrote: > Hi Nikki, > > Sorry I haven't replied earlier. I sort of forgot I joined this > group! > > I have only been on holiday in England since becoming a vegan but > that is easy because I know what to look for, where to eat etc. As a > vegetarian I have visited France, the US, Germany and Austria. > America was pretty easy as a veggie. France was OK, I mainly ate > alot of cheese and bread and pizza in the evening. I also went to an > Indian restaurant, but that was just like being at home. The worst > places for me were Germany and Austria. I went there on a trip and > we were staying in a little town near the border of Germany. The > only food we could get was pure pork meals, breakfast, dinner and > tea! It wasn't pleasent! By the sixth day of eating bread, chips and > cheese I thought it would be a really good idea to eat a sausage. I > managed about three bites and then had an upset stomach for the rest > of the time! (sorry, probably too much info!). It also confirmed the > fact that meat is pure gross and that I dont ever, ever want to eat > it again. I have been told that Germany actually has good vegan > stuff. I obviously just didn't find it! I think the best option is > to go self-catering and go to a large city because there are often > choices in supermarkets and health food shops. The you can just hunt > out maybe a couple of veggie restaurant and go there in the > evenings. I think next year I am going to go to Amsterdam for a week > or two. If anyone has any experiences of it, I would love to hear > about them! It will be my first trip abroad since going vegan and it > would really help to hear from experienced vegan travellers. > > Take care, > > Zoë x > > , " nikki_mackovitch " <nikkimack@m...> wrote: > > Hi Zoe! > > > > Wow! Sounds like you had an interesting trip to say the least. > Have > > you been to other countries as a veggie/vegan and how did they > > compare? > > > > Thx fer sharing all the info. Definately fun to read! > > > > nikki > > Sometimes, simply by sitting, the soul collects wisdom. > > Zen proverb > > > > > > , " bewilder beast " <zoe_bond> wrote: > > > Hi Dom, > > > > > > I am new to this board today, so hello everyone! I went to > Russia a > > > few years ago (March and April 1999). I have been a vegetarian > on > > > and off throughout my teenage years and at the point I went to > > > Russia I wasn't strict but I avoided meat products. I have been > a > > > strict vegetarian since summer 99 and vegan since the start of > this > > > year. This is all by the by, but I thought I would say it > anyway. > > > The point I am coming to is it was very difficult for me to get > > meat > > > free food in Russia, nevermind vegan food. > > > > <<SNIP>> > > > > > > Zoë x > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 15, 2002 Report Share Posted October 15, 2002 Hi Zoe! And here I am just trying to surviveas a Vegan in one place. Tho sometimes frustrating, must be an adventure traveling abroad trying to find food you can eat. nikki , " bewilder beast " <zoe_bond> wrote: > Hi Nikki, > > Sorry I haven't replied earlier. I sort of forgot I joined this > group! > > I have only been on holiday in England since becoming a vegan but > that is easy because I know what to look for, where to eat etc. As a > vegetarian I have visited France, the US, Germany and Austria. > America was pretty easy as a veggie. France was OK, I mainly ate > alot of cheese and bread and pizza in the evening. I also went to an > Indian restaurant, but that was just like being at home. The worst > places for me were Germany and Austria. I went there on a trip and > we were staying in a little town near the border of Germany. The > only food we could get was pure pork meals, breakfast, dinner and > tea! It wasn't pleasent! By the sixth day of eating bread, chips and > cheese I thought it would be a really good idea to eat a sausage. I > managed about three bites and then had an upset stomach for the rest > of the time! (sorry, probably too much info!). It also confirmed the > fact that meat is pure gross and that I dont ever, ever want to eat > it again. I have been told that Germany actually has good vegan > stuff. I obviously just didn't find it! I think the best option is > to go self-catering and go to a large city because there are often > choices in supermarkets and health food shops. The you can just hunt > out maybe a couple of veggie restaurant and go there in the > evenings. I think next year I am going to go to Amsterdam for a week > or two. If anyone has any experiences of it, I would love to hear > about them! It will be my first trip abroad since going vegan and it > would really help to hear from experienced vegan travellers. > > Take care, > > Zoë x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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