this post was submitted on 25 May 2024
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Yes, I pretty much exclusively travel abroad. I really don't find it difficult anymore. Maybe early on, it was annoying, but now I don't even think much about it.
I don't regret missing out on the aspect of cultures where people abuse those less fortunate. There are many aspects of peoples lives and cultures that I don't take part in, but I still have a rich experience when visiting them. I don't intimidate women into being uneducated, or try to take child brides, or mutilate the genitals of babies, or get blackout drunk and provoke fights, or many other things that are a part of various cultures that are just not for me.
I understand that different people are in different economic situations, and for some people, they have no choice but to eat processed factory farm products to be more healthy than without. It is a shame that that is the case, but I don't see people in that situation as being immoral. They just have their own situation to weigh.
On the practical side of things, it is easy to refuse food, I am fine just saying that I can't take it for health reasons if I dont want to get into it with someone. If I want restaurant food, it is generally easy to find Thai, Indian, or to eat a simple salad. Honestly, almost all decent sized cities have specifically vegan restaurants these days, and even more have restaurants with some vegan options. On top of that, I try to do a few week long water fasts each year, so If I ever do find myself in a situation where I absolutely can't eat a meal or something, it really doesn't bother me much.
I do eat food from locals. Even the most meat obsessed cultures still have plenty of traditional foods that don't include animal products. If I am around locals who want to make food for me, then I often get to have a wide range of dishes because they want to make sure I am full. I am very fortunate to be able to travel like I do, so not squeezing every ounce of pleasure out of the misery of others is a small price for me to pay.