In a recent article posted on MSN’s Lifestyle column the amount of trash in the Pacific Ocean was the topic of conversation. According to the article “scientists believe the world’s largest garbage dump isn’t on land…it’s in the Pacific Ocean” and that the world’s largest garbage dump is “twice the size of Texas and 90 feet deep in some places”.

Disturbing but true. Most of the garbage is plastic and it come directly off land. It is dangerous to sea life including sea birds, turtles and beluga whales. Not only is garbage in the ocean irresponsible and unsightly it is posing a real threat to the sea life. Not only does the garbage pose a physical threat, the risk of chemical dangers the chemicals in the plastic pose to the sea life is even more dramatic. Marine animals are being diagnosed with cancers associate with these chemicals.

Marine life expert and grandson of Jacque Cousteau, Fabien Cousteau, says “If you don’t care, you should…This pollution will eventually come back to haunt humans and find its way onto our dinner plates.”

It is continually evident that reducing our reliance on non-sustainable products. Reusing products and then recycling what we cannot reduce or reuse is important as it affects every aspect of our environment.

Original Content: http://budurl.com/rdd3

Pho=Gluten Free Heaven

I have to admit, the Pho inVietnam was even better than I expected. Remarkable becasue I thought the stuff I was getting in the Bay Area was pretty authentic.

Pho Tai is my favoite and at 33,000 dong (about 2 US dollars) how can you complain? Fresh Herbs, light noodles and tender beef in a full bodied master stock. Accompanied by basil and small chilies for even more flavor and bean sprouts for texture.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVIDlndAWhw

4. Bring Snacks/Meal Replacements that are Gluten Free.

3. Do your Research. Going to another place is fun. Make an effort to learn a little about the local cuisine and what they have to offer that is Gluten Free.

2. Ask Questions Before and During your travels. It is a good idea to call airlines, travel agents, cruise lines etc. first and ask them what they have to offer that is Gluten Free. The chances are better that they will be able to help you if you ask in advance.

1. “Go Native”. It doesn’t take long to learn or write down a few key phrases in a foreign language. These phrases that can save you if you are traveling to a foreign country. A few things are memorize are “Does it have flour?” & “I do not like flour or bread”. These are usually enough to get your point across.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTUXqitI3sg

let me know what you think…Add comments or Request for other Videos

Let’s back up for a second. Normally I do not go on organized adventures, I like to venture out on my own. I made an exception, however, mainly because I wanted to go into this travel agency and play with the cutest (and laziest) brown toy poodle a dog lover has ever seen. So I go in the agency, play with the dog (and by play I mean she lay in her favorite spot right on the desk and licked my hands the second I stopped petting her) then I got sucked into the brightly colored brochures of excursions they offered. I signed up for an “Island Safari” and at 8:00 the next morning I was in a jeep with the wind blowing in my hair, excited to see the animals.

I was admittedly disappointed. It was not a bad excursion. The program they had arranged was lovely really. The tour guide was exceptionally kind and accommodating & the the group I was put in was a fun bunch. The problem I have with this excursion is something I saw that opened my eyes to what it really takes to have a “safari” like this one.

Here is the scene:

While riding an elephant, I happily trotted along with a big bag of bananas handing bunches of them to the elephant every few minutes. It was exciting, I felt as though I really connected with the flora and fauna of the region I was visiting. Many people were asking questions about the wildlife and I casually asked the elephant guide how long Asian Elephants live for. He answered 60-80 years. (I later checked and this is true. We will come back to this fact.)

As the tour came to a close I saw something terrible. One of those terrible things that makes your stomach do a back flip that ends in your throat.  An elephant caretaker striking an elephant on the head as the elephant resisted exiting the water he was drinking. I just saw an animal abused. Some people may say “O, they cant really feel it”. To that I say “Did the elephant tell you that? How can you be sure?”

As I had enjoyed the animals, I did not once stop and think. “These animals are not really ‘wildlife’ “. After all they are not really living in the wild they are living in a kind of zoo for tourists. And the elephants who are born here will live their entire 60-80 years being struck by impatient caretakers. It was sad to say the least. I like animals, but I would not call myself a bleeding heart advocate. Anyone could see that behind the friendly tour, there was a very ugly side. I had patronized this establishment and I had just supported the abuse of animals.

I was expecting an adventure not a lesson on how the tour industry profits from abuse of wild animals. I experienced it first hand and, yes, it did open my eyes. So “they” are right. Traveling does open your eyes.

Is using wild animals for tourist attractions right?

Facts About Asian Elephants:

- Reduction of its habitat has caused its population to decline.

- African & Asian Elephants are in danger of extinction.

- The remaining populations are mostly small, isolated, and fragmented because their ancient migratory routes and habitat have been disrupted by expanding human encroachment.

- Poaching for ivory, meat and hides is still a widespread problem.

- Animals used in tourist attractions and with street beggars are commonly injured as a result of the abuse from owners and caretakers when they do not “perform”.

Facts From:

http://www.earthsendangered.com/profile.asp?ID=3&sp=143

http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/finder/asianelephants/asianelephant.html