Integritus Prime

I travel often to facilitate retreats for clients. Resorts, views, intense days and nights, good food, right?

Wrong.

Often, the food compromises my health, and makes it harder to deliver my work.

I have been made to feel like there’s something wrong with me, for having food allergies, sensitivities, and preferences. Some past posts have explored how this attitude, combined with racism can make for a horrendous experience, notably my piece on microaggressions.

So, when I go on retreats anywhere in the world, including right here at home in Fiji, about a quarter of my suitcase is filled with snacks I can eat. Then, I hope. I hope someone at the resort will read my summary of what I need food wise, and deliver.

How hard can it be, right? Read, prepare, and deliver.

But, it’s often so bad, I get sick every time.

So this time, I was prepared. I had breakfast food, snacks, dried fruit, you name it. I didn’t have far to go. I was traveling to the Novotel Suva Lami Bay.

I was also nurturing a secret dream that one day, somewhere in the world, I would be safe eating not just sides, but full and nutritious and delicious meals that would help me do my best work.

It’s important to have dreams, right? I am an eternal optimist, after all.

Anyhow, on Day 1, I met with the manager and one of the chefs. He recognized me from a past workshop I’d done here. Importantly, he was holding a printout of my dietary needs summary. Both assured me they would deliver what I needed.

I felt a little better.

Then, they set up a WhatsApp group containing every staff member who was going to be involved with my food needs, and me. That felt really good.

Then, the meals started coming: veggie sautees with kumala and dalo and gluten-free bread, fresh fruits, veggie fritters with salad, Thai curry, tofu stir fry, Cauliflower Steak, Hasselback Eggplant. I was floored.

Suddenly, my long days of facilitation and long nights of debrief and preparation were being supplemented by not just food I could eat, but beautiful gourmet food that nourished my body and brought my mind peace.

I was cared for. I could stop fretting about food allergies and focus on work.

I started to feel a joy that I’ve not felt for a while. The joy of being seen, heard, and affirmed.

I want to thank these two chefs, Abhishek and Ashneel, who made my dream come true right here in my own country. I feel proud. Thanks for listening and delivering. It’s what I do, for my work, and it feels so good to receive it. A huge thanks to Helen, Stacy and Mela too, for your wonderful support.

This time, I got the resort, view, intense days and nights, AND the good food. I feel like a human being, not some alien whose needs cannot be understood or met.

Oh, and not even a hint of racism. That is priceless. Hopeful, and commendable.

Now, let’s make it a norm.