Allergies and traveling
 

I am allergic to mollusks- clams, scallops, mussels, abalone. I need to be able to communicate this when I eat in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. A friend suggested I make a sign in each language and plasticize them to take with me. How would you all suggest I get this translated into each language and printed?

I have a problem with Gluten and I take cards with me in both English and the language of the country. It works reasonably well. I take paper copies as well so they can take one off to the kitchen and I don't have to worry about getting it back.

For the gluten there is a website with it translated into lots of languages that you can print out - I'm sure that there are similar for your allergies.

One with Thai language is http://www.learningthai.com/allergic.html which may help but I'm sure there are others.

I also have allergies to wheat, soy, peanuts and dairy and have recently been traveling in Thailand and Malaysia (and to Cambodia next month).

I notify the hotel I am staying at in advance and explain

1. What you are allergic to (give them details as well, like where you need to look out for "hidden ingredients". For example you may need to stay away from some brands of Oyster sauce that contain different types of seafood other than oysters)

2. What will happen to you if you eat these foods (ie. become very sick and may have to be hospitalised)

3. Ask that they forward this on to the chef of the hotel so that they are aware of it. In your case, it probably won't be that much of a problem for breakfast etc, but its better that they are aware of it

Then, ask them if they could translate a similar note in their language for you to use outside of the hotel. In the note, I usually say I have x allergies, if I eat these foods I will become extremely sick and will need to be hospitalised and to please ask your chef if the foods I would like to eat contain any of the foods I'm allergic to.

The hotels I have dealt with have been great and are usually happy to help. Ditto with the restaurants. In Thailand I had a couple of problems where I showed the waiters the note and asked if it was ok, and just got a nod and a smile. I had a feeling that they didn't understand, so I had to ask more questions to make sure it was ok (not rude or anything) - and a couple of times they then told me they were actually Burmese and couldn't read Thai. So, if you have a feeling that you aren't getting your message across, just ask to speak to someone else until you get somewhere - it may be more frustrating for you and the staff, but it's neccessary.

Zinfanatic - like Simone I also talk to my hotel and have good responses always - in fact they usually go out of their way to help. Most problems come in outside restaurants.

In addition to getting cards in the country's own language - for the places you are going also get French versions. Having been French colonies there are many people who speak French still. In Laos I found it particularly helpful. Many of the non- Lao restaurants are French run or have French chefs.

You are also less likely to have mollusks served in Laos and also somewhat less in Cambodia - mostly fresh water fish if thats okay. Vietnam with a long coastline is a different thing of course.

Thanks you all for the help. I am not going to Thailand, but would love some website similar to the one given. Asking the hotel is a good idea. We like to eat at outside restaurants, so , hopefully we can get a translation either before we leave or at the hotels.

if you have wording made up, i would suggest that you have it checked for correct phrasing once you get to the country by an english speaker...

the best way to avoid the types of things you are talking about is not to eat any fish, but of course fish sauce is used in many preparations, especially in thailand...

eat plain and simple...