Ep 109 Coeliac Australia

Let’s start the blog with the show notes for this Episode –

This is the first in a series of discussions with different celiac organizations around the world.  On this episode I speak with Michelle Laforest, the CEO of Coeliac Australia about their organization, their members, what resources they provide as well as their current challenges and goals.  On their website you can find a great resource is you are travelling to Australia.   

Coeliac Australia website – coeliac.org.au

Travel Fact Sheet link – https://www.coeliac.org.au/uploads/65701/ufiles/Travel/Travelling_to_Australia.pdf

I have many different interviews scheduled for the first couple of months of 2020, and if there is anything you’d like me to cover, please email me at acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com.

Sue’s Websites and Social Media –

Podcast https://acanadianceliacpodcast.libsyn.com

Podcast Blog – https://www.acanadianceliacblog.com

Facebook – @acanadianceliacpodcast

Twitter – CeliacPodcastCA

Email – acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com

Baking Website – https://www.suesglutenfreebaking.com

Instagram – @suesgfbaking

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUVGfpD4eJwwSc_YjkGagza06yYe3ApzL

     (search Sues Gluten Free Baking)

Email – sue@suesglutenfreebaking.com

Other Podcast – Gluten Free Weigh In – https://glutenfreeweighin.libsyn.com

My Thoughts –

I have always considered myself a brave traveller.  I’m not sure I’m living up to my self-expectations as I’m getting older.  Recently, my husband and I were talking about where we’d like to travel to, maybe later this year.  He came up with some exotic locations, and before I knew it I said “why would I go there, when I can’t speak the language and might get sick”.  To be fair, I was having a trying day, but in reflection this isn’t my normal attitude.

Maybe it’s a function of age, I don’t want to waste any of my precious vacation time trying to navigate a special diet in a foreign language, or worse, spending my vacation looking for the nearest restroom.  

I like to research, and maybe this could be the key for me.  Normally people study up on a location to find out which is the best museum to see, or how the public transit is laid out, or where the best restaurants are.  My research would mostly consist of memorizing the words for gluten, gluten free and wheat.  As well, I know being able to recognize these words, especially “gluten free” in another language will be most helpful, should we decide to go that route.

Recently, my celiac daughter was planning a quick getaway to New York City.  I realized I was following quite a few accounts on Instagram that mentioned New York City and suggested she look them up.  Her search was plentiful.  Not only do you get pictures of great desserts and must-haves, but you also get reviews and comments.  She was excited to walk in the footsteps of these Instagramers and visit the places they recommended.  She was not disappointed.

Nowadays, with apps for our phones showing gluten free locations, and giving us immediate translation, it shouldn’t be scary to travel, but if I remember back to the conclusion of my discussion with my husband, I was able to identify many places I’d like to visit that speak English and wouldn’t require that extra effort (maybe I’m just tired today).  I think I’ll exhaust those countries first, before I start learning a new language.