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Chantal posted an update in the group Introductions 7 years, 8 months ago
Greetings, everyone!
I’m Chantal and I’m from NYC. I was first introduced to the word “vegan” by my college dorm neighbor as a freshman. After she shared PETA literature with me, I tried a meatless meal but felt unsated, so determined I couldn’t be vegan. Thankfully, the social justice community around me gave me many reasons to reconsider my diet and I eventually became vegetarian and then vegan. When I met my future husband, he was already a veteran vegan. We got married in 2005 and have been raising our two children (ages 5 and 1) as vegans too.Though my academic and professional background is in environmental engineering (sustainable water treatment), I devote most of my time to my unschooling family, writing, and travel. I archive most of my professional writing at http://www.wayfaringgreensoul.com and blog personally at http://www.raggamuslims.wordpress.com
For the last eight years, I’ve primarily lived in the Middle East and North Africa and have lots of vegan tips for those regions if you’re interested. Our nomadic family is currently on holiday and in between locations but planning to move abroad again next month. Hope to cross paths with some of you in our travels!
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Thank you for sharing more about you and your nomadic vegan family, Chantal! I’m really glad you’re part of the VeganTravel community, and I can’t wait to see more of what you’ll share throughout your travels. Any locations picked out for your upcoming move abroad again?
Back to Oman, the Jewel of Arabia! 🙂
It’s really one of the safest places I’ve ever lived. Aside from the heat, our family is looking forward to returning.
Oman: The Greenest Gem in Arabia
It gives me so much hope for the future to see kids being raised vegan. Keep doing what you’re doing!!
I read some of your posts on your websites, you have a really captivating voice, it really made me feel like I was there with you.
I know the Middle East has a lot to offer vegan-wise, but how have you found North Africa? I’ve only been to Morocco, and I was getting a bit bored of having couscous almost every day. However, that is a very Moroccan dish, so I’d be interested to know about vegan food in the other countries as well.
Thanks so much, Michelle! 🙂
I lived in Algeria and Morocco and ate a lot of lentils and couscous and bread when eating out. Not great for gluten-free diners. :/
Here are some of my tips for vegan dining in the Middle East and North Africa:
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/2011/06/guest-post-herbivores-of-arabia-vegan-tips-for-travel-in-the-middle-east-and-north-africa/
Hi, I will view your website, Chantal. It is very promising to hear that the middle east has an abundance of vegan places. Well, I’m not surprised, with the delicious Middle Eastern cuisine, it’s no doubt that vegan food would be quite yummy.
I might need some of your tips! My company is trying to entice me to move to Dubai… Also very interested
Ooh…Dubai has great vegan options due to the large expat community. It’s not my favorite city but you’ll eat well there.
I am so happy that you are a member and active blogger on the site. My father was from North Africa, so I have especially enjoyed the blogs you wrote about your time there.
Thank you, Alan! I really appreciate your acknowledgement. 🙂
Which country, if you don’t mind my asking?
I’m happy to talk about my father. He was from Morocco and grew up in the Medina in Rabat. His mother tongue was Arabic, and loved spending time with our extended Moroccan family with whom he frequently switched languages between Arabic, French, and English. He immigrated to New York in his mid-twenties, where he met my mom.
I had a great experience living in Rabat two years ago. Have you been, @alan? Thanks for sharing!
I’m glad to hear that you had such a good experience in Rabat. Yes, I’ve been to Rabat 3 times. My parents took us to Morocco in 1959 – I had my first birthday onboard the ship we took there. I spent a couple of months visiting family & touring around Morocco on my own back in 1982. And my father, kids, and I spent a few weeks visiting family and touring around Morocco in 2011. 🙂
WOW, Chantal that’s a beautiful and inspiring story…..it is so wonderful to read about people like you who have made the connection and spreading the word to others…..
Thank you for your kind words. Have fun in Berlin with your family and new friends! 🙂