Comments on: Eating right while traveling internationally . . . part 1

By: catholic

catholic — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 06:23:54 +0000

The Pope might live in something people might call a palace but he’s still a man without possessions. What amazes me the most is how people tend to judge the poor as being incredibly miserable. Some of the most amazing people are poor. They create the most amazing food, have the tightest sense of community (survival), and they SHARE. How many of you have even an ounce of courage, dignity and love that these humble people have? They do not deserve YOUR pity.

By: tiabear

tiabear — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 05:05:29 +0000

Yikes…. well, Robyn I can take your word for it, because even on our own continent you see those things-in central and south america people and children spend their entire lives living at city dumps-not visiting, not scavenging-LIVING in the dump-tiny toddlers like my own, surrounded by filth, broken glass and deadly chemicals every.single.day.

Where does the Pope live?

How many homes does the average American politician own?

What are the lifestyles of the leaders in Mexico, Iran, Chile? What do they eat everyday? Where do they shop for clothes for their babies? How much money comes into those countries from exported slave labor and support from richer countries–and exactly how much actually GOES into those countries?

To argue about geographical points when it comes to poverty/corruption-ridden countries and the third-class citizens that suffer from it is, to be blunt, completely pointless and disgusting.

By: Robyn

Robyn — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:57:23 +0000

Those examples aren’t all from the same country. We were chased by t-shirt peddlers in Vietnam, not Brunei. In Brunei, the sultan was the richest man in the world for 3 years in the 1990′s. His palace is the most amazing thing I have ever seen, the largest residence in the world with over 1700 rooms (13 people live there, including two wives). The country produces 300,000 barrels of oil DAILY (x $138/barrel right now!), and only 380,000 people live in the country. But fewer than 5 percent of them work for the oil/gas industry. A very interesting place, much less poor than Vietnam, and the Phillipines, but still many people living in squalor in metal shacks over the water.

By: sijoy

sijoy — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:43:54 +0000

“The Sultan of Brunei living in obscene opulence while his people go without. A young couple who chased our bus for 2 hours hoping to sell us a t-shirt, just because I smiled at them as they sped along next to us holding up the shirts and signaling the price.”

Don’t make things up. If you haven’t been to Brunei just say so. What you wrote is so full of shyt. There are poor ppl in Brunei but no one chasing buses to sell t-shirts to tourists. Tell me where this happened in Brunei and I will confirm it to your readers if its true.

By: Ocean Skater

Ocean Skater — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:09:12 +0000

Thanks for sharing about your trip. I hope to hear more.

By: Laura

Laura — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 05:07:21 +0000

Welcome back Robyn. I understand how you feel, I always have to give money to the people in our downtown area who are homeless. I would fall apart seeing what you did.

By: Isle Dance

Isle Dance — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 04:37:04 +0000

That stuff breaks my heart, too. What a terrific thing, to use it as incentive for a renewed purpose. I look forward to hearing how you survived the cruise ship food…which is something I never thought I could do, hence why I’ve never gone. I’m guessing organic is non-existent?

By: Denise

Denise — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 03:58:51 +0000

I can’t wait to hear more about ideal nutrition on a cruise ship.
Denise