Bon Voyage!

Jul 10, 2011

Tomorrow is the big day…

(source)

I off to Europe for 5 weeks!

I’m all packed and ready to go.

The duffel bag turns into a backpack! Neat, huh? It will be great when I’m roaming the streets, reading signs in a foreign language and trying to find a hostel.


Power adaptors…check.

Laundry rope…check.

The Seville Communion by Autro Perez-Reverte (a murder mystery novel set in Spain)…check.

Walking shoes…check.

Running Shoes…check.

A few outfits…check.

Food for the 23 hours I will be spending in the airport and on planes…check.

Food is no longer served on airplanes and it’s hard to know if there will be healthy vegetarian/vegan options at the airport terminals. I always pack food because it’s cheaper, healthier and quicker than standing in line when you’re rushing from gate to gate. Through trial and error I’ve found that pita pockets, fruit, veggies and trail mix are the best for traveling. I’ve had my favorite Morning Star Spicy Black Bean Burger make planes smell like Mexican restaurants, had hummus escape the bread and get all over my bag and have eaten multiple soggy tomato sandwiches. I think I finally got it right for this trip.

The pita’s are filled with faux turkey meat, spinach and veggie cheese. I typically have aversions towards faux meat products, but have to admit that they work well for traveling. Slice, stuff and go. Easy. Here is a list of the foods that work best for me when traveling.

What a Vegan Packs for a Day at the Airport

1. Sweet peas
2. Carrots
3. Celery
4. Fruit and nut trail mix*
5. Almond butter
6. Apple and Grapes
7. Granola bar
8. Pita pockets with faux turkey meat**

* Easy to make at home with nuts, seeds and dry fruit you have in the pantry.
** You can grab condiments, such as ketchup and mustard, at any airport restaurant.

The almond butter tastes like heaven on an apple.

Hopefully this list will be beneficial next time your packing for a long day at the airport!

****

Here is my agenda for the 5 weeks:

1. France
2. The Netherlands
3. Portugal
4. Spain

I’m all set and so excited I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep an ounce. I feel like a 5-year-old waiting for Christmas morning. Good thing I packed a sleeping mask and earplugs so I can get some shut-eye on the plane.

My backpack is big, but not big enough for a computer. I will only have access to the internet via Internet Cafe’s, so it might be a while before I send a (virtual) postcard. Until then…

Au revior. Je vais vous voir bientot!

 

 

Related Posts

Tags

Share This

Vegas Baby!

Jul 8, 2011

In keeping with this summers traveling theme, my family and I went to Las Vegas to celebrate my sisters 21st birthday!

Las Vegas is an adult playground where prostitution and gambling are legal, clubs and bars are open all night and where water is more expensive than liquor. We were there for 3 days and 2 nights. The perfect amount of time to spend in a city that never sleeps. Ok, I know that New York is technically the “city that never sleeps,” but I would beg to differ after going to Vegas. There is, however, something for everyone to do in Vegas, whether it’s gambling, eating, shopping, dancing or seeing a show. We did it all.

“If you want to win a small fortune in Vegas, start with a large one.” -Unknown

I’m not much of a gambler, but I really enjoyed playing Roulette. I lost $40, or 100% of the money I started with.

We also saw Cirque du Soleil – The Beatles Love show. It was, in one word, INCREDIBLE. It was a songbook of the Beatles mixed with the story of their lives portrayed using amazing acrobats. There was amazing roller skating to flipping 50 feet above our heads on a trapeze. My mouth was open in awe the entire time. Words can not explain how good the show was.

We are not as talented as the Cirque du Soleil team:

We stayed at the Venetian and found Zine, a gem of a restaurant, only by chance. We were starving, had a coupon and found it conveniently located on the Casino level of our hotel. I did not realize this before I went to Vegas, but there are famous chefs with their own namesake restaurants lurking around every corner. Emeril, Wolfgang Puck, Spago…take your pick.

Zine Noodles Dim Sum, I found out after we ate there, is host to chef Simon To and voted a “Top 10″ chinese restaurant in the U.S. I ordered the Clay Pot Brazed Eggplant with Tofu (instead of Duck) and it was, by far, the best tofu/eggplant dish I have ever had! The eggplant was perfectly caramelized and the sweet glaze balanced well with the peppers. The tofu was also delightful; not too oily or tough. DELICIOUS! I would recommend this to everyone.

We ate and drank our way through Vegas, so on the last morning I went for a 3-mile run down the strip. As I ran, I saw men walking home with their shirt-tails untucked and women with their heels off and hair array. Like I said…the city that never sleeps.

Speaking of running and Vegas, I’m excited to announce that I signed up for the VEGAS ROCK N’ ROLL MARATHON!!! I’ve run two half marathons and am stepping up to the plate to run my first marathon!!

(source)

They are closing down the strip at night on December 4th for the marathon. Check out the race website for more information. I am so excited and nervous all at the same time.

I will start training when I return from Europe at the end of August. I leave to Paris next Monday and am currently unpacking, repacking, doing laundry and need to make sure my passport is up-to-date.

*****

Would you like to do a guest post on the blog while I’m in Europe? Do you want to share your story, favorite recipe or your most recent adventure? Send me an email (anotherhealthyhabit@gmail.com) ASAP!

 

 

Related Posts

Tags

Share This