GOING SOLO
I always eat where and when I want. If you’re the holiday planner, you often get to dictate the terms (sneaky!)
This week’s Friday includes a number of possibly uncomfortable challenges for you to consider. One of them I have undertaken several times – and I am still on the fence about it. The other, I frequently do without really realising it – but if you asked me to do it all the time, I’d politely ask you to leave the immediate surroundings.
‘Oh, Natalie, stop being so cryptic,’ I hear you say; ‘I haven’t had enough coffee for that yet.’
Veganism. And solo travel. Both becoming fashionable in their own way, but for me, they are only a part-time commitment. I did both Spain and Singapore on my own steam a few years ago, and have nothing but fond memories of making my own plans, eating what, when and where I wanted and browsing endlessly in the malls of Singapore without feeling the hot breath of someone uninterested in Asian fashion down my neck.
Then again I am probably spoiled by my travel partners over the years, because I’ve always been able to eat where and when I want, shop as much or as little as possible, or ditch the fifth temple in the guidebook because enough already. If you’re the planner, you often get to dictate the terms (sneaky!). Perhaps I’ve been well-matched. (One exception: Arriving jetlagged into snowy NYC, and being taken by a friend straight into a neon-lit basement discount shopping centre. You know who you are.)
Mike Peake makes a very good case for it on page 50 – although I have a suspicion this family man had a motive for suggesting people take a solo break.
On page 40, Laura Kaapro converts family favourites – spag bol, eggs – into vegan versions. I eat non-animal meals several times a week, and I’ll add some of hers to my repertoire. But while I try to source my animal eats as sustainably as possible, they will still be on the menu. However, going meat-free for even a day a week can have an impact, on both the planet, and on your wallet (check out Paul McCartney’s One Day A Week campaign to learn more).
Correction: Last week’s interview with Aisha Leitner for the My Fabulous Friday column was written by Tessy Koshy, not Shreeja Ravindranathan.
Natalie Long, editor Reachmeatnlong@gulfnews.com