Genevieve n Stefanie's Guestbook

thanks!

Hi Alan!
Don't be silly Alan, of course we will post your comment! Everyone's opinion is as important as the next and you make a valid point. As a westerner that hasn't grown up near a farm, I take for granted what goes into getting my meat to the pan. Rarely have I been confronted with the whole carcus - more so now though. Hong Kong was our first stop in asia, and I had never seen a goat being butchered before. If you asked me as a kid where beef or pork came from, I probably would have said, "the meat section at my local grocery store." Having said that, I personally don't feel it was more or less cruel than what happens to the meat I eat everyday, it was just in front of my face for the first time and was a bit of a shock. The heat, the smell, the flys and bugs on it - I can't lie that it did gross me out a bit. In regards to the dogs, this is somthing that we encountered in Vietnam and Cambodia not HK. Sorry if there was any confusion. Stef and I have had the 'dog' conversation with a lot of people while travelling. The history behind why people eat dog in certain countries is completely valid. Starving people + cities overrun with stray dogs + no meat or food available = dinner. It's not hard to understand easting them in a culture where they are not pets. After eating something for so long, you become acustom to a taste and start enjoying it. This is hard for Stef bc she has 2 beautiful labs that she loves dearly - so it hits home for her. But as I have said from the beginning - Hindus think cows are sacred but that doesn't keep most westerners from chowing down on a big juicy hamburger. But just like your opinion about meat, my cousin Tara is a vegan and is offended by any animal death. This extends into every aspect of her life as she is a big activist for animal rights, and even though I may have differnt opinions, she is completely intitled to hers - as you are yours. I really do appriciate your comment Alan - and I'm glad you posted it. We are trying - as travellers - to respect other cultures and accept them as we hope they are excepting us.