Almost a month ago now, I made the transition from ovo-lacto to vegan. So far, it's been a breeze- I'm eating better than ever, I have loads of energy, and I feel great!

However.

Next week is our annual band trip. It's my senior year, so we're away for 6 days. During that time, our meals are as follows: breakfast is provided, buffet-style, by the hotel (the Mariott [sp?] in Ottawa, ON); lunch money is provided and we fend for ourselves in the fast-food world; and supper is provided by the tour. I'm more than a little concerned that I'm going to get down there and have nothing but the odd veggie or bit of rice to survive on. At home, I cook all of my own meals... eating out is very rare and so I'm completely inexperienced with dealing with non-vegan-friendly establishments. Bringing my own food (aside from some bars or nuts, perhaps) is pretty much out of the question, since we're flying down. (What can you get away with bringing on a plane?)

Aside from that, I hardly know the 3 girls I'm rooming with. They definitely aren'ts aware that I'm vegan. I don't want to be a huge pain in insisting we look around for someplace to eat, but 6 days without eating doesn't exactly sound like a treat! Does anyone have any survival advice?

Thank you!

You can call the Marriott and find out what they plan on serving, then proceed to tell them what you need them to serve for your special dietary needs. Be polite, but strong. Most big name places like that will be more than accomodating. They don't want the bad publicity and they want your return business.

People in Canada are going to have to chime in here though... since I am clueless as to the local restaurant scene up there.
Worst case: Taco Bell is vegan friendly, Subway is vegan friendly.

At a sit down restaurant... I'd go for the pasta with marinara sauce (again, politely ask if the sauce contains any meat, dairy or beef / chicken stock) or baked potato with steamed broccoli (ask if the potato is rolled in butter, grease, bacon, etc..) and say No butter please.

Get online and look for any health food stores in the area of which you will be...look thru their vegan convience foods...most big name hotels like that have microwaves and a little frig in the room...if they don't they would probably at the very least give you access to a microwave...

Bring some food in your suitcase in case of emergencies, too - Luna Bars, or some nuts, a trail mix, granola bars, or those individual serving size applesauce cups (don't forget the spoon). Also, let the band leaders know that you're a vegan - just in case they've forgotten that there might be people in the band who have different dietary needs.

Buffet breakfasts usually aren't too bad - there's usually fruit at least, and bagels (ask for peanut butter for your bagel).

One of the biggest challenges of travel is the hidden ingredients. I know everyone has their own way of dealing with them. For me, I just do my best and try to ignore the hidden ingredients and just deal with the obvious ones. (For example, I'd get a cheeseless pizza, but not worry about whether there is dairy in the crust.) I am a lot more picky at home than I am when I travel.

As the others said,
call and see what they serve before you go so you aren't too worried.
Don't forget to bring some vegan snacks like ctwo said.
anything that comes in bars and small packages I think should be alright.
You can see what Fast food places have.
This might kill your energy blast, but once you return home, you can return to Healthy Vegan living