I am no scientist and/or don’t have any doctorate. I am a simple guy with some hopes and dreams.
I love to question. And love being questioned as much. As questions were being asked in the Nat Geo Traveler meetup, I too kept answering them inside my head. Cause I can. 😀
I love traveling. There are reasons to it, but we can talk about them later.
To be honest, I have not traveled much. When it comes to experience in traveling, if there’s a scale from 0 to infinity , I am on two.
But since I have traveled solo in Russia, and have done long solo rides inside of India, I think I do have little idea here and there about the questions in question, and could try a hand at answering some of them for my friends 🙂
And so, here are my two scents. Because I smell so good.
Q: What do vegetarians eat in other countries?
Food. Vegetarians eat food. 😀
I have been in Russia. And we all know how much Russia is big on meat, and how little number of vegetables grow there.
Some people make such a big deal out of vegetarianism. And it probably should be.
Killing to eat, in my opinion is not appropriate. But then Fundamental Right #76 – Right to Freedom to Eating Whatever Animal!
But I’m no one to say. Because though I’m a vegetarian, I ate all the animals possible for 3 years of my life.
But I didn’t in Russia. As the saying goes – When in Rome, do as you normally would.
This was Rome with some spelling mistakes.
Even though it is true, still it never used to run across my mind that it is very difficult to find vegetarian food in Russia.
It’s certainly not like that I get tempted when I see non veg food, or I get disgusted on seeing it. It’s just nothing of my interest.
When my Russian friends used to eat food, it used to be mostly non veg. But watching them eat never made me feel like I would lose the battle against temptation or hunger. I would patiently wait for when I could find food.
But of course, all we vegetarians at some point have resorted to the old tricks of ordering the side dish or ordering a non veg burger but eating it without the patty.
I mostly used to visit schools, colleges, government houses in Russia where there used to be canteens which used to have Veg options. For example plain boiled macaroni, or porridge.
If I go out to eat in the malls, there’s a good 70% that I won’t find anything (veg) to eat.
The answer:
- At a Local’s Place
The most where I had veg food, and amazingly delicious veg food was when I would get invited over by locals.
If you want to have the most delicious of food in a new place, just don’t miss out on the opportunity of eating at a local’s.
Even if they don’t eat much veg food otherwise, they’ll make something amazing for you straight out of their creativity.
And of course if they do so much for you, they like you enough. And food tastes best when cooked and eaten with love. 🙂 - Hunt the Supermarket
Don’t be lazy! Or too demanding!
You know that you can always rely on supermarkets for sasta and tikau and often interesting alternatives.
Take bread, interesting bread-spreads, puffs, cakes, read to eat stuff. I know you get the drift.
[And about drinking, a post about local drinks in Local Drinks in Russia :D]
As a traveler, you have to learn to be less fussy and be more of a problem solver. If you are unable to find a solution, then just learn to accept the situation.
Q: How to mingle with the locals if there is a language barrier?
First step: Take your phone.
Second step: Go to Google Translate
Third Step: Click Uninstall.
That’s correct.
There are two things which can make any task in the world so much simpler – confidence and humour.
If there are two foreigners who you ask a simple question – “how are you?”
The first one smiles and says – “I’m fine, thank you.”
The other one smiles and says – “Badass.”
Now imagine they both gave the said answers in your native language.
Try to catch their phrases, and cultures.
If someone sneezes, then saying “god bless you” in their language will always work in your favour.
Try to catch funny things, traditions or something rhyming in their language. Always be eager to learn.
The key is that – if the locals see you trying to learn their language and culture, then they will appreciate your effort and respect you more for respecting their culture.
They will for sure try to teach you more fun things, and isn’t this what it’s all about? Respecting, loving and growing with each other? 🙂
Q: While traveling you faced some threatening situations. Are you not scared of death/Does traveling make you not fear death so much?
(I didn’t hear this question properly, but I’ll answer as to what I heard 😀 )
I already rode 1500 km in 21 hours. It was being a great rann run. And then – the accident.
I was thrown in the air.
Even though I probably was thrown in the air for some 20 meters in 3 seconds, but still the feeling was like I flew for some kilometers in some minutes.
Full Story – Talking Helmet
Flying, eating air at the spend of 120 km per hour. It was an amazing feeling. I could see the flashback of my whole life beautifully in slow mo like a quick movie.
It felt trippy as hell. Or heaven. Debatable.
And then it stopped. I was thrown into the ground. I couldn’t move. I thought I died. It was all over. For some seconds.
Then I got up and saw my right arm was completely twisted. I used my right arm to untwist it back to its normal, and then checked if everything else was alright. Funnily, later on a fracture was found on my left hand.
I have been so close to death. It was not scary. It was painful little. And trippy. But not bad.
But that’s when it all will have to end. When you die, you become a memory, and stop being a person.
I’m not scared, but for now I have to make more stories before I become a memory.
Looks like, I put in more than just 2 cents there. But who would’t like an extra cent?
I would love yours too in return.
If you want to express your answers on these questions, or if you want to fire more questions at me, just shoot in the comments and I’m in the grid 🙂
I genuinely enjoyed reading this, such a nice compilation Mukul! 🙂
LikeLike
Hey thank you a lot Akriti 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would love to contact you with a collaboration question, but can’s seem to find your email/twitter/facebook. Please send me and email at roxana.f.oliver@gmail.com
Cheers,
Love the blog!
LikeLike
Hey thanks for that Roxana! Have sent you a mail 🙂
LikeLike
That’s scary that you crashed your bike. Glad you’re okay. I agree that people should try to interact with locals without the use of their phones, its amazing how people can communicate non verbally or with grunts and hand gestures. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
That was scary, but I’ve learnt my lessons.
And yes, it is indeed amazing how much we can learn and grow as individuals when there is no common language between two people.
Thank you so much for reading and sharing your feedback 🙂
LikeLike
it is always good to know how to say “Where is the bathroom” and “Can I have another beer/vodka” in another language! 🙂 lol – thanks for sharing 🙂
LikeLike
Haha yeah! Usually I’m too late to ask about the bathroom though 😛
Thanks for reading, and giving feedback 🙂
LikeLike
Nice to hear genuine answers from first hand experience!
LikeLike
Thanks Amy 🙂
LikeLike
I was intrigued by your affirmation saying that you were close to death and it was not scary. Was it the shock, did you think you were going to die?
LikeLike
Haha yeah I was clear in my head that I’m approaching death, and I accepted the fact too as I kept flying. It was a very trippy and numbing feeling.
LikeLike
really enjoyed reading the vegetarian part of the blog to be specific
LikeLike
Thank you Gav, hope it helps 🙂
LikeLike
I am a vegetarian too, how long have you been a vegetarian for? That was wonderfully poignant and it is true when we die we become a memory and glad that you survived to tell the tale.
LikeLike
That’s nice to know Ana 🙂 I’ve been a vegetarian since I was in 3rd grade. Also I’m the only vegetarian in my family.
And thank you sso much. My point was that death is not something to be afraid so much of, we should just focus on doing good while we are alive 🙂
And thank you so much for feeling it 🙂
LikeLike
It is important to be open minded and be open to making language mistakes when trying to make friends in a foreign country! I recently moved to Paris and am still trying to make French friends >.<
LikeLike
Absolutely true! I’ve heard French can be really tough in the beginning. Both, the language and the people 😀 All the best 🙂
LikeLike
I would love to travel when the toddlers are older. Great tips.
LikeLike
Never too late Jenn.
Thanks and all the best 🙂
LikeLike
I might travel to a foreign country soon and will keep these things in mind. Thank you for an insightful post!
LikeLike
You’re welcome Rej! And all the best for your travel 🙂
LikeLike
Wow. Traveling abroad is a roll of the dice. A lot of fun though. You learn a lot too! Where have you been if you don’t mind me asking?
LikeLike
It truly is! I haven’t been to many countries yet, but been to one of the most extreme countries – Russia 🙂
Where all have you been though?
LikeLike
I’m a vegetarian too! I always use trip advisor to look up the list with places where I can find some vegetarian food 🙂
LikeLike
Ah, yes that is one good way too 🙂 That still wouldn’t bring me a lot of options in Russia still 😛
LikeLike
I love when Bloggers share real life experiences.
LikeLike
Thank you 🙂 I love to share my experiences too
LikeLike