Going to Guatemala!!

Hey Everyone!!

From March 22nd to April 15th I am going to Guatemala! I'm going to travel throughout Guatemala as well as do a yoga retreat. I promise to write about as soon as I get back. Also I'll try, TRY, to do some videos but I won't promise anything.

How to be Vegan in Joshua Tree... SPOILER!!! IT'S FUCKING EASY

The inspiration to go to Joshua Tree for a short weekend was commanded by my dad. My friend had come to visit from Massachusetts, and originally we were planning on having a calm relaxing day. Once dad came in the room, he ordered us to go to Joshua Tree for the weekend, "RIGHT NOW!"

So we got up and left. 

Going up the ten on a friday morning is R.E.L.A.X.I.N.G! It is such an easy drive and we managed to stop and see the Cabazon dinosaurs.

Now, referring to the title, I have to admit that Joshua Tree is quite an easy place to be vegan in. Joshua Tree is a refuge for hippy westerners and new age couples alike. I found that there were a surplus of healthy food markets as well as restaurants all throughout the town, and a lot of flowing hippy dresses wherever you looked. I think I'll write about a couple of activities we did in Joshua Tree another post to strengthen my claim, but for right now, I'll talk about the food.  

Cabazon Dinosaur 

My friend and I had bought some snacks for the ride so we weren't hungry until we reached Pappy + Harriets. 

Pappy + Harriets is a restaurant/bar in Pioneertown right next to Joshua Tree. It is known to be a hidden gem of one of the best music venues in California. Inside you can see a whole 1970s western motif with homage to those that had played their before, as well as the icons, Pappy and Harriet. While it seems like this place would be terrible for a vegan, mostly because of the "macho" image, there are some options you can go with.

Outside Pappy and Harriets

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Pappy + Harriets offers a couple of vegetarian/ vegan options. As we all know there is always the standard salad, but after a two hour car ride I wanted something a bit more substantial. I asked for the veggie burger but that wasn't vegan so I went with the vegetarian tacos.

As much as I like the atmosphere of Pappy + Harriets, and believe me I will go back when I am able to, the truth is I didn't really like those tacos. Even though they were vegan and I am thankful there was something on that menu for me to eat, the tacos were just so-so. I didn't really feel like there was a lot of flavor, and I felt like I was focusing more on the smooth sensation in the avocado in the taco more than the unami experience in the meal. However truth be told, I believe that my food didn't really matter that much about the review of the restaurant. This is a place you have to go whether you like the food or not. Pappy + Harriets is a Californian experience, not simply just a restaurant/ bar. The one drawback about Pappy + Harriets is that I didn't get to see the live show that night. I really wish I did, but I'll do it next time.

Pappy and Harriets

• 53688 Pioneertown Rd
  Pioneertown, CA 92268

Right next to Pappy + Harriets was Pioneertown. Pioneertown was once a 1940s movie set that was abandoned after the movie was shot. Now it is a string of stores and activities all connected in the western style theme. We managed to walk around there for a hot minute however it was getting dark so we went straight to our Super 8.

Pioneertown

We didn't have anything for dinner since we had a late lunch at Pappy + Harriets, and for breakfast we had the complimentary breakfast food at the Super 8, so before we left Joshua Tree we decided to eat at one more place. We ate at Natural Sisters Cafe.

The Natural Sisters Cafe is one of your perfect vegan brunch places to eat at. It is a non-processed natural foodery that tastes quite clean and happy. I had created my own sandwich with hummus and onion and on the side I had a quinoa salad. It was good, easy as that. Even though it is a bit expensive, their portions are LARGE. I mean I couldn't even finish my sandwich. I actually had the rest of it for dinner later that night. 

Natural Sisters Cafe

• 61695 29 Palms Hwy
  Ste B
  Joshua Tree, CA 92252

Joshua Tree is a hippy "new-age" mecca for vegans so there is really nothing to fear about taking a trip here. While it might be because of the cosmic energy of the land, the truth is Joshua Tree offers happy healthy vegan food wherever you go. 

Going to England for Christmas!

Hey everyone!

So around the Christmas time I am going to go to England and see family and friends. I've decided to do vlog videos for the trip. So I think I'll create more of a video presence. 

STAY TUNED!

My Trip To San Francisco and The Vegan Meals I Had

Last week I went to San Francisco for a work related trip. I managed to travel a bit on my free time, and I also was able to try a few vegan eateries.

In San Francisco I stayed in the East Bay in a hotel called Hyatt House. The hotel is a adequate hotel located in Emreyville, California, right next door (literally) to the train station. The premise of the hotel is to be your home away from home with a kitchen and everything which meant that there wasn't a need for room service. What they had however, was the "H Bar Sip + Savor".

In the "H Bar Sip + Savor" there was a wide selection of comfort foods. Vegan wise, there was sort of one item.

What they offer vegan wise is the "H Bar Fries". The "H Bar Fries" is a chipotle seasoned french fry that came with a mayo chipotle "ketchup". 

On one brutal night when I came home at 9:30 pm and crumbled at the idea of going out again for dinner, I ordered this as my meal. The french fries were good, I was just disappointed that the ketchup was a joke.

The first vegan meal was a failure.

           

I was feeling a bit down about not getting what I thought I was getting. Northern California was always considered to be the haven for vegan health. It was the hippy nation, so why wasn't I able to get a dish? I had began working for a couple of days having to omit lunch and breakfast, and having catered plain salads for dinner. My goal of finding Northern Californian vegan meals were not happening.

That was the case until I got to have Shangri-La Vegan.

After one night of my jobs I was allowed to go home early. Since I was staying in Emreyville I looked up vegan foods on yelp. About six or so miles away from the hotel there was a place called Shangri-La Vegan.

Shangri-La Vegan is a organic vegan only hideaway located at 4001 Linden St, Oakland, CA 94608. It is a relatively big building situated in a residential district of Oakland.

Inside, the decor has a semi-Asian esthetic. The chairs and tables are plain, but there are some tapestries on the door and some pictures of Asia. There is a big counter in the front where you can order your food, and a nice little man waiting for your order.

Truth be told I can't tell you what I ordered. There seems to have had a massive communication error between us because by the time I came to order, the man already did it for me. The only thing I can tell you is there are two size options, medium (which is massive) and large (which could probably feed a family of six).

The meal is what I believe vegan meals should be however. As much as I love comfort food I have a hard time seeing the point of eating fake meat. If you want to be a advocate for animals, why subjugate yourself into eating fake meat? Doesn't that defeat the purpose?

This meal is a concoction of vegetables to create an erotic surge of health and flavor in your mouth. The meal is that sort of meal where you feel satisfied with your life right after. It has the feeling of a salad without having to EXPERIENCE a salad. 

So far I was successful with one meal.

There was a place I went to which I never took a picture of. It was a great example though of the level of vegan acceptance San Francisco has. 

At the Westfield Mall on Market Street there is a Loving Hut. Loving Hut is a vegan franchised fast food industry all over the world. I have been to a couple when I used to live in Korea, so I was excited to see one in San Francisco. 

The Loving Hut is not a fancy place, but not a lot of the places I've went to were fancy either. However, Loving Hut is a place to go to when you want cheap, easy, comfort food. For the size of a small child you pay around $8.00 for food. 

I enjoyed Loving Hut so much that I had it twice. It really offered a substantial amount of food for a reasonable price.

I should mention that throughout this whole trip I had to rely on one major company as a large provider of food source for me...

That's right. Trader Joe's was right next door to the Emeryville Hyatt House. As much as I have a hard time with Trader Joe's I had to put my prejudices aside and accept that I had a place that could provide me vegan options.

What I relied a lot on was the Trader Joe's Veggie Wrap. Even though earlier this year Trader Joe's had a massive hummus recall, the wrap was good. I also had almond milk, onion ring chips, guacamole, and vegan cookies. When I needed something, I had trader Joe's to rely on.

While Trader Joe's might have a hypocritical premise, it does provide cheap options for food diets and health. While in Emeryville I have to say that Trader Joe's was my go to place. 

                                                                                 

Near the end of my trip I managed to make it to one place that was a normal/vegan hybrid. 

Super Duper seems to be on Mission and Market. It seems to be a comfortable burger/sandwich joint. 

I ordered their veggie burger and it was ok, just ok. It was a rice-ish burger with bits of corn and onion inside. I omitted the thousand island dressing and cheese and put in a mashed avocado. The flavor was alright, but not powerful. I feel like at home I can make a better burger. New article perhaps?

However the atmosphere was great. It had a real bustling crowd with a soft sound of music. It was a good place to kill time and people watch.

Food wise I have to say I wasn't astonished with the grub but I think I have come to a conclusion. There is no denying that San Francisco/ East Bay is a very liberal area. It has been since it was established. While in Los Angeles the vegan diet has been glamorized to a beautiful delicacy, in San Francisco/ East Bay it is as average as white bread. The vegan lifestyle has been in the San Francisco/ East Bay life forever so it isn't as magical as it is in Los Angeles. They have elite vegan, fast food vegan, good vegan, and crap vegan. While I wasn't impressed by the food here, I have to say that coming here I never dealt with any major issues with my lifestyle.

Trip wise, my experience in San Francisco/ East Bay was different than what I expected. Truth be told I wasn't on vacation so I feel like I can't be so critical. However I did have some moments that I felt I should address.

One of the major things I think you should not bring or rent is a car. If you are planning to do both San Francisco/ East Bay then you will probably need the car for the East Bay, but in San Francisco cars are so pointless they should be banned. 

Most of the people in San Francisco are so (I assume) tired that they should not drive. In one day I witnessed five people drive through red lights. I saw one man cut off me and another man just to block us. Driving is insane and is nearly impossible for a town like this.

Even my Siri was going insane...

San Francisco seems to have changed a lot since its flower power persona in the 1960s. Hippies as well as the homeless (which in truth is basically the same thing) are mean and aggressive. I've seen several homeless people get into fights with others, including me, on the street, and I had one hippy try to shoot me, while I was driving, with a Nerf gun. Maybe because the weather is so cold, but the people here are mean. 

However in the end I got to go home. I had dealt with a week of San Francisco/ East Bay. Even though I it wasn't so bad, I felt had conquered a big hurdle.

Going to San Francisco Next Week!

From August 21-31 I will be in San Francisco. I will be mostly working but I'll try to snap some quick pictures, some reviews of some restaurants, and some observations about San Francisco. Stay tuned!

Places I Want to See in the next Two Years

I want to do a list of places I would like to see in the next two years. I don't plan on seeing all of them, but I think it would be good to have a little list to get my hopes up, or even yet, to encourage me to be and look my best for when I go.

  1. Brazil

Brazil is a tropical paradise that has food that I have never seen. I mostly want to come here for two reasons; one is the food, and the other reason are the beaches. I think the people here must be friendly and nice, and overall I think Brazil would be amazing to go to. 

Plus I am aiming to see all of the current seven wonders so I think seeing the Christ is the Redeemer statue is a must. Also, the Amazon Rainforest would be fantastic.

  2. Cuba

If there is a country that I want to see, Cuba would be it. Because I'm American and Cuba is "the sworn enemy" from 1950s, I can't go legally. However I have been hearing rumors on how friends have cheated the system and gotten in. I would be so happy if I can get in. I promise I wouldn't even buy anything. I just want to see it.

  3. Aurora Borealis 

I had only one transcendental experience which was at Macchu Picchu. In one short moment I felt so small yet so important to life, the world, and human existence. I felt so special and that I was in the center of all that is "now". I nearly cried realizing how beautiful the world was and how I was wasting it away. I feel like the Aurora Borealis would give me a chance to have that feeling again. 

Now there are 10 places where I can see it, and generally the borealis comes out around the fall equinox (September 23).

                *. Alaska

                *. Denmark

                *. Scotland

                *. Canada

                *. Greenland

                *. Finland

                *. Iceland

                *. Norway

                *. Russia

                *. Sweden

  4. Statues of Easter Island (Chile)

Who wouldn't want to see mysterious massive statues?

  5. Galapagos Islands (Ecuador)

It would truly be amazing to see some rare animals as well as to see Darwin's inspiration and realization of evolution. It was the start of it all, and it would be wonderful to see that. 

  6. Venice (Italy)

I've been reading that the city is slowing sinking and will be lost forever. I need to see it before that does happen.

   7. Oaxaca (Mexico)

I really would love to see Mexico. From all the rumors I heard, and from my parent's hesitation, I never got a chance to see my next door neighbor. I think I would have to go with someone in order for this to happen but I would love to go and see what Mexico has to offer.

There are also two other countries I would like to see but because of their political issues I don't think I can.

* Egypt

I can't go there right now until their government gets fixed.

*Jordan

I wouldn't go to Petra by myself as a young single female. 

So these are the places. All I have to do is get some money and get crackin'.

My Trip to Massachusetts

The previous week I went to Massachusetts. Yep, I went to Massachusetts. I wanted to what it had to offer, and if I could still be a vegan.

I did, and I could.

This is what happened.

Massachusetts is one of our oldest states. Growing from a land connected strongly with the harbor, Massachusetts seems to be evolving into a state that is a cross hybrid of two extremes. A relatively democratic state it seems to be a clusterfuck of extremely new aged liberal interests mixed in with 'Merica stereotypes.

My first meal was something I made myself however I think it demonstrates how being vegan is quite easy in the bay state. It was a vegan bagel sandwich. With a mixture of hummus, avocado, kale, and tomatoes I managed to enjoy my day with a healthy vegan meal. 

I had previously bought these items at the store quite easily. There wasn't any trouble buying organic, nor were any of the items scarce. What makes the states so unbelievably easy being a vegan is the powerful magnitude of American supermarkets. While you might not be able to get vegan only products (except in this case you can) you are easily able to devise a happy healthy meal. 

Cous cous salad with a side salad

Salad mixture from Whole Foods

Vegan shortbread with organic strawberries

While I did go to two restaurants, I found them both to be quite bland. I went to a thai restaurant in Plimouth and had the standard Pad Thai, and I went to a Indian Restaurant in Cambridge that was, in kinder words, mediocre. Both had labels that promoted their vegan knowledge about their meals, but both were not as good compared to my own cooking.

However traveling as a vegan in Massachusetts would be simple. If buying food at the supermarkets are impossible, going around to different restaurants would be easy. The new age thinking of vegan liberal thought seems to be quite possible here, and to step away from the American stereotype of obesity allows a lot natives to ask for the impossible, making it possible for you. 

While there seems to be a shift towards a more liberal thought, Massachusetts is also contains the stench of conservative 'Mericanism. 

I am proud to be an American. It is where I was born and it is my automated response of what my nationality is. (To those that didn't know, I am American and English. I have dual nationalities.) However my American nature was raised in a freakish environment compared to everyone else. I come from the land of misfits and rejects. My moral compass leans more on the side of liberalism, and overall I cringe seeing conservative aggression. 

Massachusetts, despite being new aged, still contains a strong conservative prejudice. In Massachusetts, people go "huntin'", people project their views on pro life wherever you go, and people saying "that's so gay" and the "N word" seems to be ok to them. 

But this state is friendly. Which is why this becomes a complex series of emotions for me. How do I judge a group of people who at one hand completely disgust me, and on the other, win over my heart? What seems to be the issue for MA is that you have to come here open, and you have to refresh yourself every day. Don't allow yourself to latch on the immoral aggression of the area, it is their thought, not yours. This is also the state that killed a bunch of people who they thought were witches. So it seems quite difficult to assume they are just like you.

Massachusetts is archaic and young. It shows you how this country came to be, but also where it is going. Coming to Massachusetts as a vegan is easy so don't worry. Just sit back and enjoy yourself, and experience the weirdness that is the bay state.  

Going to Massachusetts Tomorrow

So tomorrow I'm going to Massachusetts to see a friend! 


I'll write about what it is to be a traveling vegan in massachusetts!

Yay!

For now, I'm on hiatus

Hello

As much as the title screams horror to you readers it is true; for now, I'm on hiatus. There is no traveling with me because right now I have finished my contract in Korea and returned home. So I will not write stories and observations of the world because right now, I have none. 

However I did create a blog that talks about home.

So for right now I will be focusing on the blog, Living with Woffke, or http://woffkeinla.blogspot.com/. This will incorporate reviews, historical stories, and observations about liking in Los Angeles, but mainly Hollywood.

When I go on a trip, I promise I will come back to this blog.

However check out my other one 

http://woffkeinla.blogspot.com/

Cambodian pictures of Siem Reap and more!

warning: this is a bit miscellaneous. I have no idea how to put pictures in order

I'm sorry :)

enjoy!

A sleeping buddha

a vegan meal at Bodhi Tree

A meal at Peace Cafe!

a vegan breakfast at Bodhi Tree

a vegan breakfast at Bodhi Tree

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Mystery Tour!

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Siem Reap

Bodhi Tree!

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Peace Cafe

Bodhi Tree Buddhist Blessing

Bodhi Tree Breakfast adventure

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Bodhi Tree Buddhist Blessing

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