What will you eat?

The first thing people ask me invariably when I say I am going to Turkey is “What will you eat! will you get anything there? Are you packing lots of ready to eats?”

A fair question to a vegan, in this very un-vegan world. Strangely though, I have neither the anxiety nor the concern that everyone else seems to have. Not after finding not one, not two but multiple vegan restaurants in Beijing, Barcelona, Berlin, London (not surprising), and pretty much anywhere I have been in the past 3–4 years.

It was a different world a few years back, but its heartening to note that its fast changing — people all over the world are becoming more aware of where their food comes from, the impact it has on the lives of animals, our health and the planet and are making more compassionate and healthy choices. Not just food wise but by cutting down on animal products in general, for veganism is not just a diet but a lifestyle that seeks to exclude all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to animals for food, clothing or any other purpose.

Of course Turkey may not be there as yet. I asked my Turkish friend if I would find vegan food in Turkey and he said people would laugh! But there would of course be plenty of accidentally vegan options like hummus, pita bread that would be available everywhere. I headed to happycow.net — such an awesome resource for global travelers — and sure enough, a new vegan restaurant Veganka just opened in December 2014 in Ankara, Turkey just about 4–5 miles from where I will be staying! That it should happen just before I am travelling!! The universe has its ways :-)

When we had our first intro session with other members on the Turkey SSC team, I assumed I would be the only vegan in the group as is usually the case. Surprisingly, there was one more! And two vegetarians! How awesome! Another first, and this to me is another indication that the world is transforming with more and more people adapting a vegan lifestyle.

I did pick up a few Dr.McDouggall soups finally after all the inquiries I got, and my office admin as thoughtful as she always is gave me a few vegan energy bars. So that’s my vegan stash, but I am largely going to trust on finding goodness wherever I go, and also pique a few people’s interest in learning about veganism which invariably happens when I go on one of these trips.

So there you go folks….on a mission….Turkey here we come!