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Eating and Drinking One of the marvelous things about international travel is the experiences one has with food. Travelers are treated to new tastes and textures everywhere they go, and there are indulgences aplenty. Going back to thematic travel as a way to plan an RTW trip, there are travelers who base their entire RTW journeys around food.
Unfortunately, for most RTW travelers indulgence eventually has a price - in the form of an upset stomach or outright illness. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize any such inconveniences or ill health.
The key is to gradually acclimate one’s self to the local food in a given place. The natural bacteria found in foods will differ from location to location, and the body needs time to adjust. Food processing techniques will also differ - methods of processing milk vary around the world, even between places with similar health standards, such as between North America and the U.K. And lastly, food preparation techniques can vary widely - the way meat is handled in some countries could make a European traveler want to run for the next flight out of town; similarly, many Asians travelers find European cheeses to be nothing less than revolting.
Start slowly with local cuisine prepared local ways, but by all means try some. If your body handles some of the basic local delicacies well, then you may consider gradually increasing the risk you are willing to take (if any).
Water Water in many major urban areas is treated and filtered for consumption, which should be safe, but there is very little way of confirming that the water you are about to drink has gone through normal processing methods. Check your travel guides for any specific advice about where you are.
In rural settings, or in urban settings where you are unsure about the water quality, you should always take precautions:
- Always drink bottled water or other bottled beverages. Never drink from taps, public fountains, rivers, or lakes. - Always check the seals on the bottles before opening them and consuming anything - at times some locals have been known to find old bottles, refill them with tap or river water, and then sell them to you with a smile. - In restaurant settings, be sure waiters open any beverage bottles in front of you. Only you can be responsible for ensuring you are not going to fall ill; do not let others assume the responsibility for you. - Do not take ice in your drink unless you have assurance it has been made from filtered or purified water - otherwise you may as well drink out of the tap! - Try to confirm that teas and coffees have been made with filtered water or that the water has been boiled before serving it to you. - Never drink water out of a pitcher unless you are sure it is filtered.
Food When it comes to food, use the following guidelines plus any which your local travel guides suggest:
- Avoid fruits and vegetables containing a lot of water or those growing close to but above the ground (for example, tomatoes, melons, strawberries, and onions should be avoided, whereas potatoes are a somewhat safer bet). The land where such things are grown may be contaminated with manure, sewage, or dirty river water. For example, in Ha Noi, much of the local produce is grown in the dirty river water. - Avoid raw or undercooked meats, poultry, and seafood. - No matter what you are eating, try to find well-cooked, hot dishes. - Avoid unsanitary-looking food outlets or those with little or no business. The busier the food vendor, the less time the food has to sit around, thereby lowering the chance of contamination. - Look for well-washed produce, and always wash produce again using filtered or bottled water before eating it. - Canned, vacuum sealed, and other processed foods are generally safe to eat. - Thoroughly wash your hands and ensure you have clean silverware (if silverware is offered at all) before consuming any food.
Eventually good eating and drinking habits to ensure your health will come naturally to you. Now, go ahead and enjoy some of those delicious local dishes! |
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Accommodation in Tibet
© Stephen Braun |
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