I’ve now left the snow of Scotland and travelled over to windy and wet Galway and the Atlantic ocean. I spent most of yesterday in quiet contemplative thought; and had a number of shifts about who I am and where I’m going which I’ll talk about in a few days time, once the pieces have landed a little more deeply.

I love travelling on my own as it allows me to step more fully into the observer role and watch everyone around me. At the airport, in the restaurant, going through security, in the lounge, boarding the plane, taking off/landing; people interest me.
I love watching their behaviour, mood, relationships
I love watching what they eat and buy
I notice how they react to a delay, all the while noticing my own reply to the stresses of everyday life.

On arrival into Galway, Dara our QS Irish Guide met me and we went for a delicious vegan Mexican in town. The excitement between us around tonights event in her hometown was palpable and she showed me the venue from the outside, seeing as it had already closed for the night.

I’d booked my hotel under Dara’s recommendation and she was interested to have a look at my room, seeing as she’d never been in one before. One of the first things she asked me when we walked in was,

“What Do You Eat When You’re On The Road?”

I get asked this all of the time, and there is just one word that you have to fully take on board if you are to remain healthy when travelling:

PREPARATION

1. I bring certain foods/items with me from home = tea, cacao, flask, mug (I hate the teeny tiny cups they offer you to use in hotel rooms!)
2. And buy stuff on the way = right now as I write this I have humous, crackers, 2 avocados, bananas, apples, coconut pieces, and a big bowl of salad stored in my room

I have flown twice and been on the road for many hours since Monday, and not once eaten rubbish as a quick hungry ‘fix’. No airport food, no plane food, no crisps, no chocolate, no biscuits etc…

As soon as Dara had asked me the question she pulled out a package from her bag and declared,

“Here is your breakfast!”

And a chocolatey, fudgey, flapjacky slice was presented
She knows me so well!
And here I am this morning in bed writing this blog (sorry it’s late), drinking high mountain oolong tea from my tea master in Taiwan and eating my gift from Dara which she’d purchased from a Galway health food shop.
Bliss

I had looked last night, out of interest, at the breakfast selection listed in the menu in the room guide. This clean eating vegan could have had:

• Full Irish Breakfast: (E, D, G)
  bacon, sausages, egg, black pudding, tomato, beans, mushrooms, hash brown
• Vegetarian Breakfast: (E, D, G)
  eggs, beans, mushrooms, tomato, hash brown
• Eggs: (E)
  cooked to your liking
• Homemade Pancakes: (E, D, G)
• Cereals: (G, SS)
  Cornflakes, Rice Krispies, Weetabix, Branflakes, Granola
• Fruit
• Pastry: (G, D)
• Cheese and Ham
• Homemade Brown Bread (D)

I do not eat any of the above, other than fruit, so Dara’s flapjack has gone down a treat
I’ll snack on the humous, crackers and salad I have for lunch
Dara and I are having dinner before the event
Sorted!

And later, whilst I’m in town, I’ll purchase some more salad (and fancy some olives and sun-dried tomatoes to go with it) for the journey to Sheffield tomorrow….

It’s easy once you get into the swing of it
My tip is to not opt for the hotel room with breakfast, bring your own, and get into the swing of being in control of what you eat.
YOU decide; don’t be a victim to what seems to be the ‘easy’ option

The picture is of this mornings breakfast
It was delicious!
All set up now for tonights Galway QS Workshop….