Around the world in shape: Keeping fit while living and traveling abroad - Articles

Melpomene Journal, Fall-Winter, 2001 by Gretchen Bloom, Lil Pfluke

In Burundi, in July, keeping fit was also difficult for me due to the dangerous security situation. As a UN employee, I was not allowed to walk or run on the streets in Bujumbura. Hence, I ran around the tennis court at the Hotel Novotel, swam every morning before work and danced at the Havana Club and the US Embassy during the Fourth of July celebrations -- making sure to be back at the hotel at 10 p.m. to honor the curfew for UN staff. All UN travel in the country is accompanied by military escort and only between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Lil takes to the road on her bicycle when she travels throughout Europe for her job maintaining American military cemeteries. She seeks out the traffic-free country roads to see the area, and finds European drivers very accommodating of cyclists. On weekends, hundreds of riders are out in their matching club jerseys. One needs only to inquire at the local bike shop about good routes, or just buy a wonderful Michelin map and stick to the small roads.

Tips for Traveling and Living Abroad

* Go in groups -- and expect to be stared at, followed by kids and seen as odd.

* Run with the Hash. They have chapters all over the world. It makes running and walking in conservative cultures fun and safe -- and you learn about the culture at the same time.

* Stay fit while doing something culturally appropriate. Dance in Africa. Do yoga in India. Get a massage, a facial or a manicure/pedicure in Southeast Asia where it costs so much less.

* Always carry walking or running shoes and a swim suit.

* Eat vegetarian meals while flying rather than heavy airplane food.

* Do as the locals do -- walk!

Gretchen Bloom, based in Rome for the past three years, is the Senior Gender Adviser for the World Food Programme, the food aid organization of the United Nations. She became involved with Melpomene when her mother, Ruth Brandow, joined the Institute in 1991. Ruth, now 84, still does aerobics four times a week.

RELATED ARTICLE: Hash House Harriers -- The World's Most Eccentric Running Club

Lil Pfluke, based in Paris for the past six years, is a mechanical engineer who maintains overseas military cemeteries for the American Battle Monuments Commission. As a participant in the Master's World Cycling Championship, Austria, she placed third in the time trial and fourth in the road race. She is a lifetime member of Melpomene.

www.gthhh.com

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