I went to Xi’an (西安), China for four and a half weeks. I taught in the English program for Xi’an Jiaotong University, one of the top ten universities in China. They specialize in science programs. I taught first year students (between 18-20 years old). There were two sessions, each 2 weeks long. Classes were from 9-11:30 a.m., and from 1-3:30 p.m. Each class had about 35-39 students, so in total I taught about 155 Chinese students.

Xi’an is located in the middle of China, and was the capital for over 3,100 years. Xi’an is one of the great capital cities of the world, like Athens, Cairo, and Rome. Xi’an was the capital for over 13 Chinese dynasties, and is a great place to learn about the history of China. There are beautiful museums, temples, shrines, mosques, and parks. Xi’an was also the starting point of the Silk Road, and there are still people selling and buying silk, spices, and other fun things. There is lots of modern shopping too; it is a very multi-cultural and bustling city of over 8 million people!

The most famous thing there is the Terracotta Warriors. A group of farmers who were digging a well found them in 1973. I met one of the farmers at the museum, and shook his hand! That is a definite must-see if you go there. I also saw the Wild Goose Pagoda, Imperial Park, History Museum, Huaqing Hot Springs, went hiking at Huashan mountain, and more. It was a great trip, and I learned so much.

Linguistically, I thought the differences between simplified and traditional characters were interesting. For example, yán 言 means speech. But, it was reduced to two strokes. So, now huà (language) changed from 語 to 语, dìng (to agree, order) changed from訂 to 订, and so on. Some characters were completely changed, like dōng (east) changed from 東 to 东, mén (gate) changed from 門 to 门, and so on. It was sometimes hard to read a menu or a map!
Besides the history and language, the food was very good and cheap. I ate lots of tropical fruit, like mango, papaya, dragonfruit, and many more. The streets and air were clean, and I often used public transportation safely. I hope you have an opportunity to visit Xi’an in the future; it was an exciting, interesting, and fun trip that I will never forget.

Becoming a pescetarian was one of the best decisions that I’ve ever made at age 20. I have not eaten meat since then except for fish, and I don’t plan to for the rest of my life. You might be wondering, “What is a pescetarian?” Pescetarianism, or pesco-vegetarianism, means being vegetarian while still including seafood in your diet. We cut out (don’t eat) red meat, pork, poultry, etc. from our diet like a vegetarian, but do not cut out fish and other seafood. Some pescetarians continue eating milk and eggs, and some choose not to. It is a personal choice, and each person is different.

Many people ask me “How did you do that? I could never give up meat!” The switch to a pescetarianism diet was actually easy for me. I feel a lot healthier eating this way, have a lot more energy, better skin, and it is easy to maintain a healthy weight. A lot of people don’t realize that over time, your body’s craving for meat disappears, and you will feel sick if you eat meat again.

So here are my top five reasons why many people become pescetarian.

1) Pescetarianism will improve your health.

A pescetarian diet reduces your risk for heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases, stroke, osteoporosis, obesity, diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure and some types of cancer. According to the Yale College Vegetarian Society, experts say that up to 80 percent of cancer cases are preventable through healthy diets that contain low amounts of fats and oils, and high amounts of fiber ― the typical pescetarian diet.

Processed meat is often covered in pesticides and chemicals that are harmful, and after extended consumption, can be very dangerous, to humans. Every bite of processed meat contains seven cancer-causing pesticides. And here’s a shocking fact, brought to light by David Steinman’s “Living Healthy in a Toxic World“: The primary source of nuclear radiation contamination in humans is from beef and dairy products.

Many people ask me about protein. All of the protein you need can come from fish, many fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. Vegetarian diets supply more than adequate amounts of protein. Also, fish is very low in saturated fat and contains very large quantities of polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, which have been connected to treatments for heart disease, depression, ADD, cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Another benefit is the healthy amount of iron in fish and seafood. Pescetarians have a lower risk of developing iron deficiency anemia ― a common condition among vegans and vegetarians.

2) Becoming a pescetarian is good for our planet.

The Vegetarian Resource Group reports that one pound of beef requires 2,500 gallons of water, but a pound of soy requires only 250 gallons of water and a pound of wheat requires only 25 gallons. Also, deforestation caused by the need to create space for livestock is tremendous. Every year 20,000 square miles of Amazon rainforest disappear, and 80 percent of that is because of livestock.

The livestock and the fertilizers create waste and toxic emissions. Livestock raised for slaughter produce 130 times the excrement (waste) of the entire human population. Many fertilizers and waster also run into rivers and oceans, and create “dead zones” where sea animals or plants cannot live. The grains and corn that livestock usually eat, could feed the 60 million human beings who die of starvation every year. Nutritionist Jean Mayer says if we reduced our meat consumption by just 10 percent, we could feed another 60 million hungry people.

3) To be against animal cruelty.

Most people know some of what is going on in slaughterhouses and livestock farms. They know that animals are bred and be killed and eaten by humans. But people may not know about the disgusting conditions and inhumane treatment of these animals. Animals are subjected to some pretty terrible living conditions, full of excrement and flies, packed into crates so crowded that they can’t move. They don’t live in natural habits.

Chickens for example are kept in big warehouses in tiny wire cages as big as file cabinets ― packed with about 10 or more chickens. The chickens peck at each other, so their beaks are removed. This is called de-beaking. This is done to each chicken with no painkillers. Their breasts are so heavy from injected growth hormones that they sometimes can’t fly or stand, and their legs are often broken. Many cages have chickens that die from a disease, and other chickens eat the dead body, spreading disease. The treatment of hogs and cows are just as terrible.

“If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be vegetarian.”
- Paul McCartney

4) We aren’t natural carnivores (meat eaters).

Natural carnivores have claws, pointed front teeth to tear raw flesh, and they sweat through their tongues. Herbivores (plant eaters) and omnivores (meat and plant eaters) don’t have claws, have dull teeth, and sweat through the skin. Carnivores also have short intestines, but herbivores and omnivores have intestines that are several times their body length. Human intestines are about 25 feet long.

Fish are digested much, much quicker than red meat. Fish and seafood have omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, which are necessary in the diet of a human being. However I still recommend you avoid fish that come from fish farms, and try to consume only wild fish from the sea or rivers. Then, you get omega-3 acids in the purest and healthiest form, and also reduce your risk of consuming sick fish that may be packed with chemicals from fish farms.

5) Vegetarian and pescetarian diets are easier to follow than a vegan diet.

There are many types of vegetarians, and they all are trying to improve their health, be anti-animal cruelty, and take care of our planet. Some types of vegetarians, called vegans, are very strict. Vegans cut out all animal products from their diet and lifestyle, including leather, honey, gelatin, white sugar, and so on. Even though vegan diets might be the best for health and Earth, they take a lot of planning and time, and can be difficult at social events. Vegan diets are very difficult and strict, so many people choose to be vegetarian or pescetarian instead. It is easy to find vegetable and seafood options in most restaurants!

Hello everyone, my name is Nicky and I’m from New York City, just like Chris! New York City has five boroughs, he is from Brooklyn borough and I am from Queens borough. It is a very interesting, diverse, expensive place to grow up. If you have any questions about NYC, please ask!

I came to Japan in 2005, and lived in Osaka for two years, Kyoto for two years, then back to Osaka where I live now. Osaka is a great place to live, and Ashiya seems very interesting too!

In my free time, I enjoy reading, watching movies, doing yoga, and traveling. Besides Japan, I have been to over 11 countries. But, Japan is by far my favorite. I love Japanese art, books, fashion, food, sake, craft beer, technology, and lifestyle. My second favorite country is Cambodia, the people, food, historical buildings, and nature are spectacular. I volunteered there for two weeks, and I will never forget it.

I’m looking forward to meeting and chatting with you at imagine*!