2010 has been an interesting year. So much has happened this year in my personal life, in my Animal Rights Activism, and in the world. I think the biggest lesson for me this year is that I have finally learned to trust my heart and intuition when it comes to fellow human beings. If my heart tells me someone is scum, fake, and not worth it, I now listen. If my husband backs up this opinion, than I don't want to waste my time on people. Often we can tell if a person is a backstabber by the company they keep, or what they value in life. I value nature, the simple life, amazing food, great wine, my family and friends and I don't value boob jobs, vanity, name dropping or social climbing. I want my life to be guided by good deeds and good people with true hearts. I guess it just takes awhile. I jump into my 7th year of life in Italy with better prospectives, better language, and better friends...out with the old, in with the new. This year has taught me I can be a gourmand without exploiting animals. When people ask, "What do you eat?" I have to laugh.
In Rome, the Animal Rights community lost a true Angel, Miss Maya. She was a colleague of mine, and whenever we saw each other we only spoke about animals. She would always talk about her dogs and cats and we would complain about how violent humans are as corpse eaters. She always said, "They are better than us." She gave her life for a fellow sentient being, trying to save a cat from a train. She taught me a lot about how to care for a feral cat community, and I will really miss our random meetings at the pizza spot near the Vatican. Her death is a true loss, because we need more veg people and people who respect the lives of other sentient beings. It is sad for those she leaves behind and a real loss for non human animals. Maya was a glittery eyed firework. I remember the first time I saw her at the Vatican she was putting her clients in a Taxi at a Taxi stand where there was a long line, and some priests just cut the line and got into the Taxi. She had none of it. She practically pulled them out of the Taxi so her clients could have it, after all why shouldn't they wait in line like the rest of us? Maya lived her life to the fullest, and I want to as well. I can no longer waste my energies where they are not needed, and I need to have a louder voice for all sentient beings. I am dedicating my year of animal rights activism in 2011 to Maya. I hope she works through me.
To honor her, I am going to do more for animals this year. My activism is going to be peaceful. I know that the only way to have peace on earth is to go vegan. Veganism is the only way to love yourself, fellow sentient beings, and the earth. If you love animals, and you still consume their bodies and products, please stop. Get informed on why animal agriculture is violent, polluting and unhealthy. Animal products are killing us and the earth. If you support meat and dairy you support exploitation of both animals and humans. The workers in these industries are exploited. The industry is the most polluting of any on earth and produces more pollution than all transportation(cars, trucks, trains, boats and planes) worldwide. Do it for the animals, the planet, and for fellow human beings. If you believe in peace and a non violent future, GO VEGAN in 2011!!!!!!
Number of animals killed in the world by the meat, dairy and egg industries, since you opened this webpage. This does not include the billions of fish and other aquatic animals killed annually.
I am a certified Sommelier through AIS. I offer guided wine tours in Rome and the wine country around Rome. When I am not working, I like to hang out with my dogs, read, taste wine, liberate animals, do vegan outreach with amazing food, and visit exhibits. Art reminds me of the potential beauty and compassion we all posses inside, but that the majority in this world have failed to find.
Contact me for cultural and enogastronomic tours in Rome and beyond at www.antiquatours.com
info@antiquatours.com
