Did you think I meant packing clothes and shoes? Nope. For our upcoming trip to Japan and places beyond, we spent many weeks figuring out how other celiacs had managed food in Japan, learning where to eat, and then deciding what food to tote along.
Apparently, Japan is a difficult place to eat safely for anyone with celiac disease, mostly because of hidden gluten and that gluten sensitivities are not commonly understood. However as any celiac who travels by plane knows, food safety starts with the flight. Before we arrive in Japan, we’ll fly for 12 hours on Japan Airlines. While we’ve pre-ordered gluten free, veganish meals from JAL, I just never know what might happen, so I tote food. Once on an overseas flight from London to NYC, a flight attendant gave my pre-ordered meal to a passenger who randomly wanted something gluten free, leaving me without a meal. Another time, though we’d ordered a gluten free meal for a flight to Peru, the gate agent so kindly screamed at R, telling him to buy me some food for the flight because I was “entitled to a seat on the plane and nothing else.” Everyone else on the flight was served a meal, however. Not surprisingly, these experiences occurred on American Airlines. In contrast, I’ve had excellent food experiences on Qantas, Cathay Pacific, and Virgin Atlantic.
For our days in Tokyo prior to boarding a cruise ship, we’ll carry with us a very detailed celiac card written in Japanese. Weeks ago, R sent a copy to the Tokyo Hilton where we are staying as he arranged meals for me. The chef there has promised safe meals at breakfast and dinner.
So although we have good plans in place, I’m toting some food cause I’ve learned I can’t be too careful. I’ll be back with notes on Tokyo.
RetireTravelCeliacGo 