Los Angeles Day One: WorldFest

“Toto, we are not in Kansas Pittsburgh anymore.”

Last week was my fourth trip to Los Angeles. Every time I go to LA I like it a little bit more. Each trip changes my opinion a bit more. You see different things. You experience the culture. You learn the language.

Los Angeles is like a different country to me. I don’t know what it is about LA, but there is something about it that feels foreign compared to all of the other places I have been in the USA. Maybe it is the culture of celebrity perfection. Perhaps it’s the free spirited way of life. I don’t know really. Whatever it is, life in LA amazes me.

I am dividing my trip into two posts, one about all the amazing restaurants and another about my first trip to WorldFest.

It is totally ironic that I ended up in LA on the same day as WorldFest, which is billed as Los Angeles’ largest Earth Day festival. Sign me up!

My trusty travel partner and I hopped into our rented Prius (so LA) and hit the freeway, venturing to Woodley Park on the outskirts of LA. Driving on the freeway is enough to make me want to take out a second life insurance policy, but nothing is going to get in my way of this festival.

Here is my Chubby Vegan recap of WorldFest …

I have never seen that much vegan food in my life.

There were at least 12-15 food stands, each serving exclusively vegan food. In fact, WorldFest requires that only vegan food is served and sold at the festival. The craziest was the line at the Southern Fried Vegan BBQ, which served made to order fried loveliness. As delicious as that sounds, I was not about to wait in the enormous line. So…

I may have had the best Indian food ever.

Now, take this statement lightly because it’s been far to long since I have had any Indian food. I love Indian food. Sadly, most of the Indian places in Pittsburgh are buffets that use dairy. Boo! This plate, which doesn’t look very appetizing, was incredible. I don’t even remember what was on it, except that one of the sections was jackfruit. Who knew jackfruit was so good?! Plus, this may have been one of the best samosas I have ever had. Makes sense since the place was called Samosa House.

I saw Nathan Runkle from Mercy for Animals and he is definitely NOT a chubby vegan.
Don’t know why this is important, but I just felt like sharing. If you don’t know who he is, visit Mercy for Animals and read about him. He is a really cool guy, but I feel like I need to invite him over for dinner. I may get Italian grandma on him… "EAT! EAT!"

The whole festival was powered from solar energy.
I don’t know about you, but I think that is pretty freaking cool.

LA vegans folks are not quite the same as Pittsburgh vegans folks.
Don’t get me wrong; I think we could be great friends. But I literally walked in and looked at Kelly (my travel buddy) and said, “Well, we certainly are not in Pittsburgh anymore.”

There is just something about life in LA that is different. Part of me loves it and part of me is horrified by it. Remember that whole East coast, West coast rap feud? I think it started for a reason.

More from WorldFest after the jump…

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Mr. Jingles & Hope Pastures

I have rescued four dogs.

When I talk to people about my dogs they go crazy... People say, “ Oh beagles!” “Show me pictures” & “Do they howl all the time?”

I love when people have questions about my dogs because I love them and I love talking about them. They changed my life. Really, they did. But, that is a whole other post.

When the Humane Society shows videos of dogs (and cats) who are abused and neglected people lose their mind. It is heartbreaking. It is sad. I am so appreciative for rescue groups like the Humane Society and all of the wonderful shelters and breed rescues around the world doing the challenging and important work of animal rescue. However, there are so many animals in the world that face the pain and sadness of abuse and neglect that don’t get a big celebrity endorsement or television ad.

A few months ago I saw a post by fellow blogger Fat Gay Vegan (FGV) about a Horse & Donkey rescue just outside of Leeds, England. He spoke passionately about Hope Pastures which is dedicated to saving horses and donkeys “deemed redundant or left for certain death.” The trust is run by a few paid staff and a team of dedicated volunteers.

I love places like this; saving horses and donkeys can’t be easy. Not only does a place like this require a tremendous amount of financial support, but even more “people time” to make sure the animals are properly cared for. People who do this work amaze me and I am so thankful for them.

FGV laid down a challenge to his readers to send some financial support to Hope Pastures. Twenty (20) dollars (12.50 pounds) “adopts” a horse or donkey for one year. Twenty bucks; I can afford that! I headed to their website and Mr. Jingles the donkey became the fifth member of my furry family!

Here is the kicker, I am currently the only American who has given them any financial support. 300 million people in the US and I am the only one! I hope one of you will change that.

We all choose charities that are important to us and with no personal connection sometimes its hard to send money to a random place. However, I hope you give Hope Pastures a chance. Take a look at their website, see what they do, and think about “adopting” your own horse or donkey. Plus, these horses and donkeys have a British accent, can you beat that?

Mr. Jingles picture is proudly displayed in my office with his four other furry family members. Thank goodness he likes dogs! They sent me his picture, a letter from him, and a lovely certificate confirming my adoption. So sweet...

What did his letter say? I thought you would never ask...!

Read my letter from Mr. Jingles after the jump...

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