How I travel the world with PKU
Every family has its own passions. Some families are sporty, others like to go out in nature. For my family, traveling was second nature. Thankfully, my PKU has never stopped us from exploring the world.
How did your love for travel start?
Elea: My parents gave me the travel bug. They decided early on that my PKU wouldn't be a barrier to our adventures. And so I grew up with a suitcase within reach and a curiosity about new destinations.
What was your first PKU travel experience?
Elea: My first trip was to the Caribbean when I was only six months old. Of course I don't remember anything about it, but my parents like to talk about it. My next big trip was to Kenya, when I was two years old. I was playing on the grass of our hotel and burst out laughing when a cheeky monkey took one of my toys.
Because my father often had to go to Kenya for work, we went there regularly. That meant that my mother always had to prepare everything down to the last detail, especially when it came to my diet.
Have you ever had a challenging moment with PKU during a trip?
Elea: Absolutely! I will never forget one trip to Kenya. I was six years old and we were about to leave, when my mother suddenly shouted: "The bag! The bag with the food!". We had a beautiful leather bag that contained all my PKU products: my medical food, low-protein noodles and even a scale to weigh my food. And he was still at home!
It was too late to get off the plane, so we had to spend our holiday without my familiar food. My parents immediately called for help and a few days later the bag was brought to our hotel. However, I soon suffered from fatigue because I missed my medical nutrition. When my medical nutrition finally arrived, I felt better in no time. Since then, I have NEVER forgotten my PKU products.
What was it like to study in Bangkok?
Elea: In 2014 I made one of the most special trips of my life. For my studies in Cologne, I had to spend a semester abroad. After much deliberation, I chose Bangkok, Thailand.
When I looked out the window during my layover in Dubai, I thought, "Have I gone crazy? What am I actually doing here?" My whole life took place in Cologne and now I would spend four months alone in a foreign country. But looking back, it was the best decision ever. The first week took some getting used to: Bangkok is loud, lively, busy and completely different from Germany. But surprisingly, food was the least difficult aspect of my stay.
How did you arrange your low-protein diet in Thailand?
Elea: Many Thai dishes are naturally PKU-friendly! Everywhere I found fried rice with vegetables and delicious fruit juices or smoothies. Of course, everyone has a different phenylalanine tolerance level, but I found that Oriental cuisines often cater well to my dietary needs.
What does Bangkok mean to you?
Elea: One day I decided to explore the center of Bangkok and I instantly fell in love with the city. I knew: this is a place I will return to again and again. Just as my father had a special connection to Kenya, Bangkok felt like my spiritual home.
In 2016 I even moved to Thailand for an indefinite period of time. I took 14 kilos of amino preparations with me in my suitcase and had family and friends send extra supplies. With a little planning, it turned out to be perfectly possible to live abroad and follow my PKU diet. Next year I will take my daughter to Thailand for the first time – I can't wait to let her discover this special country.
What is your advice for other PKU people who want to travel?
Elea: A little preparation goes a long way. Be flexible, open to new experiences, and enjoy every adventure. Yes, travelling with PKU requires a little extra organisation, but it is absolutely possible. Don't let your diet stop you from exploring the world!
