Pre-Departure Preparations

I leave for Prague Saturday morning. I am so incredulous and excited that every once in a while I'll burst into fits of giggling. I actually whistled in the shower this morning. That's excitement.

Something I have thought a lot about is eating meat in Europe. I have not eaten meat in six years. At first, I was certain that while in Europe I would just figure out a way to stay a Vegetarian in central Europe. However, the more and more I thought about it, the more I worried that I would one day regret not trying the Czech national dish veproknedlozelo which contains pork. I also felt like I was going to be disgracing the very German blood that runs through my veins if I did not have a Bratwurst when I go to Berlin. So, the decision is made. Yes, I will eat meat in Europe. BUT, this does not mean

a.) I am no longer a Vegetarian. Upon my return to America, I fully anticipate returning to a completely meat-free diet. In contemplating the whole meat-eating decision, I've discovered I love being a Vegetarian. I love tofu, veggie burgers, and I was never a big meat-eater anyways. The meat industry is something to be despised.

b.) Meat will become a large part of my diet over the next few months. Again, I don't like meat. I've decided to try some of the local dishes and have an occasional Frankfurter on a Prague corner. But, blech, I will for the most part still avoid meat.

So, yeah, be happy, be mad, be condescending, be ambivalent. Tomorrow night is my big meat debut. I am going to test drive some pork in my stomach and see if I barf! I'd rather barf in Seattle than in Prague. I do believe the big event will take place at a Greenlake eatery known as Diggety Dog. How appropriate. I would rather not have pictures taken, though. I don't want to document infamy.