Sunday, 16 March 2008

Finding Food...a headache for the Muslim Traveller




I have been to Thailand i.e. Bangkok , a couple of times in the past 3 years. Shopping is great at the bazaar and weekend markets. One can really get great discounts ( depending on ones bargaining abilities ! ) and this is true if you are one of those after the genuine fakes handbags, clothings etc...there are countless shopping malls and the many night markets and the weekend market in the like of Chatucak weekend market. Feeling hungry ? then the headache starts, if you are trying to locate a halal /muslim restaurant. The problem is one restaurant can claim to offer muslim food but it maybe non-halal. A simplistic view is the notion that as long as the menu contains no pork, it is good for the muslim traveller or the conference participant ( this happens to me at 2 Conference venues which I attended previously ) To muslims, a halal menu should be prepared in a certain way allowable according to Islam. It should start from the point of slaughtering an animal according to prescribed rites etc... So in all cases if ever I attended all foreign conferences or trips........the best option is to be a international vegetarian. According to fellow vegetarians, it is a healthier diet. So, what do you do if you are in Thailand or anywhere else with your family ? I solved the puzzle by getting in touch with a local travel guide who is a muslim and leave the FOOD item to him to plan....that takes care of the role of the panadol, without which, I can easily switch to the headache mode ! So, what do I think about food in Thailand ? Very good, spicy and it stings too.