Day 9, or "Animal Rights Activist?"

Day 9 was definitely a landmark day in my newfound veganism. Wednesdays are always difficult because of my class schedule - 12:15 until 1:45, and then 3:15 until 6. I'm never sure where lunch falls in there, so I usually just end up eating a series of snacks in between classes. Previously, these snacks involved whatever was looking good in the cafeteria (chocolate muffin, granola bar, yogurt) but now I have to think ahead and pack myself some good stuff. Today, I packed half of a veggie sandwich with cucumber, lettuce, and sun-dried tomatoes (leftover from the pasta the night before). 

On my way to class, I passed the "Saftladen" (juice stand) like I do every day. Once I bought some chocolate covered strawberries there, but other than that I usually don't pay it much attention. But today it certainly caught my eye:

The sign reads, "Fresh-Pressed Juices, Vegan Sushi, Gazpacho." I bet you can guess what got me so excited. . . Unfortunately, I didn't have any money with me, so I had to settle for my sandwich, which, also unfortunately, ended up as kind of a disaster: 

It still tasted great, but I think I'm going to have to continue the search for a better vegan sandwich bread. Something a little thicker and less crumbly, I would imagine. 

In the evening, Claudiu and I went to see a documentary [click here to learn more - you can even watch it online for free!] about animal rights called Earthlings, narrated by Joaquin Phoenix (I know him as the guy who plays Mel Gibson's brother in Signs). We had picked up a flier advertising it at the same tent I got my über-alternative Veganarchist pin at the music festival over the weekend. Though I cannot recommend the film as a great 'third-date' movie (unless you find cringing repeatedly, frequent gagging, and wanting to yell, "Make it stop!!!" at the screen a romantic experience, in which case you should potentially consider seeking professional help), I can recommend it to everyone who as ever even considered the idea of becoming vegan and needs a helpful nudge through the door, or to anyone who is simply curious as to just where, exactly, the animal products we buy in stores come from. 

Claudiu and I agree that although in and of itself, the film is not enough to "convert" someone to veganism, it is a powerful instrument in at least forcing us to think about where our food and clothing come from and the cruelty of using other living creatures as sources of entertainment or science experiments. The central idea of the documentary - that animals suffer physically and psychologically because of humans, and that this is fundamentally wrong - is extremely powerful when supported by the images of slaughterhouses, puppy mills, circuses, laboratories, and leather factories. It might just have made me into a life-long vegan. Animal rights is not something I've ever given much thought to; I've been known to use the line "Don't tell me, you'll spoil my dinner" just as much as the next person. But as the documentary explains, that's the ultimate reason why things aren't changing. We don't want to know. 

Well, now I know. And though it was hard to be hungry after the movie, it was almost nine o'clock and neither of us had eaten yet. I think I actually swooned a little bit when Claudiu suggested we go home and make a big salad for dinner. And that's exactly what we did:

And finally, a picture with something other than food in it. . . Claudiu reacting to his vegetarian dinner. Or maybe it was my hyperactive insistence on photographing everything that went on in the kitchen. Either way, he's a keeper for putting up with my utter ridiculousness. Thank you!