Living in another country. A dream for some and a reality for others. What is it like to emigrate and live as a vegetarian or vegan in a country other than the Netherlands? We go in search of the stories of entrepreneurs and women who eat vega(n) and decided to take the plunge and live abroad. What is their story?
Vegetarian Edith in Spain
The enterprising Edith: she ran a vegetarian hotel/restaurant (now known as Kop van ‘t Land), but traded Holland for Spain. Why did she do that? And what is it like to live in Spain as a vegetarian?
Who are you and how did you end up in Spain?
I am Edith van de Merwe-Klein. I was born and raised in Dordrecht in a suburb with always the desire to live in nature and/or on a farm. And my dream came true! First for 20 years in a dike house on the river next to our vegetarian hotel/restaurant and later for 10 years in the middle of the Biesbosch. I ran the hotel/restaurant for 11 years, and then for eight years as a Biesbosch guide I sailed my electric boat around small-scale groups of people and provided vegetarian catering along the way. I was so happy with my work and living place and thought I would stay there until I died. What a strange turn your life can take!
Surgery was not possible at that time because he was too young for a prosthesis.
My husband Sjako has a worn-out knee from hard work in the hospitality industry, converting a water tower into a hotel/restaurant and later shepherding sheep in the Biesbosch. As soon as the weather became damp and cold, he suffered terribly and often became depressed with pain for months. Surgery was not possible at that time because he was too young for a prosthesis.
We used to do hiking vacations and the best one was in Spain near where we live now. We returned after years and Sjako noticed that his knee was not bothered by the climate. Then the ball started rolling and we first went to Spain for four winters. Later we decided to live here for the whole year, which is almost three years now. We soon started taking Spanish lessons and are now getting along quite well.
Getting used to it
Even in winter, we often have breakfast in the early morning sun.
Sjako was like a fish out of water here right away, but I had to get used to it for a while. I mostly missed the water and the people. But there are more benefits. Namely, because we have a sea of space we can keep many animals here, such as donkeys, horses, bucks, sheep, chickens, rooster, dogs, cats. As quiet and dark as it is here, it is not even in the Biesbosch. The wonderful peace and quiet and the beautiful starry skies are far away in the Netherlands. And living outside almost all the time. Even in winter, we often have breakfast in the early morning sun.
Smart construction
Because we rent out the hotel/restaurant and our house in the Biesbosch, we don’t have to work here for money. Our work consists of taking care of the animals, almond and olive harvest, vegetable garden, maintenance of house and surroundings and now building a cottage for my in-laws. They have been living with us for seven 7 weeks now because they can no longer take care of themselves.
Why did you start eating vegetarian or vegan?
I did not understand that this was proudly shown to people, what a horror!
As a child, I was always a thinker and worried a lot, especially about animal suffering. I remember when I was about eight years old and we went on a “fun” day out to the Flevohof. I was totally upset when we were shown a chicken layer farm. I can still see those poor chickens sitting in a tiny cage. I did not understand that this was proudly shown to people, what a horror!
Also, with every piece of meat on my plate, I thought of the animal that had lived a most likely terrible life for me and had to die to feed me. So I could no longer enjoy meat and fish either.
Fish was not that hard to leave out, because the smell alone made me sick. And since I have been diving and snorkeling, I also feel how much I love the sea dwellers. So I decided on my 13th birthday that I no longer wanted to eat meat and fish. And Sjako also became a vegetarian three years after I met him. We do eat (organic) cheese and eggs from our own chickens. We buy leather as little as possible, but do occasionally buy shoes.
What is it like to live in Spain as a vegetarian?
Here in Spain it is no problem at all to eat vegetarian. All products are for sale. The vegetables have much more flavor because of the sun. Meat substitutes are also available everywhere these days. Eating out is also always delicious and no one looks weird if you order vegetarian. In our little village of Castell de Castells there are two restaurants where we can eat delicious vegetarian food and for so little money that sometimes you feel ashamed and wonder how it is possible. In fact, the cost of groceries is not that low, similar to that in the Netherlands.
Everywhere is swarming with people and cars. Everywhere there is noise from machinery leaf blowers, sawyers, mowers you name it.
Another difference from Dutch life:
You really learn to live in the now here. No worries for tomorrow. Now when I come to the Netherlands I enjoy all the visits to friends and family, the polder landscape, the Biesbosch, the water, the dikes and the beautiful old towns. But I also feel an energy in the air of stress, rush and always working, working and always going on. Everywhere is swarming with people and cars. Everywhere there is noise from machinery(leaf blowers, sawyers, mowers, you name it)
What tips do you have for other vegetarians and/or vegans when coming to Spain?
What we are trying to do is: improve the world start with yourself.
We make sure our animals have a nice life, our energy is from the sun, we drive electric, we collect as much water as possible, we purify our wastewater by water plants, etc. Spain certainly has a lot of advantages, but everywhere you go you take yourself with you and have to make something of it for yourself.
Read more about Spain
> 5 tips for feasting at vegetarian restaurants in Seville
> 9 must do’s for car rental in Spain
> Southern Spain: off the beaten track
> Vega hotspots in Madrid | Spain
> Learning Spanish: how do you do it?
> Vegetarian restaurants in Fuerteventura
> Tips for a week in Fuerteventura
> Vegetarian restaurant in Barcelona
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Emigrating abroad is not something you do lightly. There is often a story behind this. A dream, love, work or other reasons. Do you enjoy telling your story and inspiring other people with it? Or do you know someone who should tell her story? I’d love to hear about it! Send an email to: info@vegantravellife.com