“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of [wo]men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” -Mark Twain

As I walked in front of the historical Spanish Steps just taking in the beauty of Rome while being just a drop in the pond of 1000s of other travelers surrounding me, I never felt like I was that black girl, even though in hindsight now that I think back to that moment I donâ€t recall seeing any other black faces within close proximity to me. Although there was no one else who looked like me, I wish there was. Not because I felt alone, but because one of my biggest hopes is that more black people take the time to explore the world and realize there is more out there than the city theyâ€re from.

Despite having grown up in predominantly white areas my entire life, I never really felt the pressure of being the only black person in any setting whether it be academia, professional, or personal. I honestly never really thought about race until I was well into my teenage years. When I discovered my love for international travel I was simultaneously finding my love for black people. Attending Spelman College, which is a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) there was a huge focus on learning more in-depth knowledge on the African Diaspora. The president at the time, Dr. Beverley Daniel Tatum, also had an initiative with a strong focus on international exploration. With those two ideas being taught to me on a daily basis, I quickly started to explore who I was within my race, while simultaneously wanting to know who I was not only in America, but in other countries as well. I wanted to see others who looked like me, yet werenâ€t from where I was from.

Throughout my childhood the only large interactions with black people I had, were with my family; which is why I couldnâ€t wait to discover all types of black people i.e. the African Diaspora and what all it entails. My first international experience was to the Dominican Republic and I absolutely loved it. As soon as I walked off the plane I was greeted by locals who looked just like me. What do I mean? They were brown skin with curly, kinky hair and they could honestly be my cousin. What separated us? Besides the fact we were obviously from 2 different countries? Language. I was in complete awe that someone who looked just like me didnâ€t speak any English. From that moment on I became greatly interested in where other black people resided within the world. Having this experience of seeing other black people opened the door to self-exploration.

Depending on who you ask, others have had “negative” encounters being black while traveling abroad, however I have had the complete opposite experience. I have heard stories from different friends telling me how they are stared and pointed at when they go out, have been asked to touch or pull on their hair, or asked to have pictures taken with them. I do understand how those experiences can make someone feel uncomfortable; however I wouldnâ€t deem them as “negative” per se. I would classify them as teachable moments. The reason people are reacting as such is because 9 times out of 10 they genuinely probably have never seen a black person up close in person and admittedly want to learn and see more. This is the time we [black people] can help dismiss any stereotypes that they may have. I personally know when I travel I try to meet as many locals as possible just because I want to pick their brain and learn more about them, their country, their lifestyle, etc. So doesnâ€t it make a little sense that they too are just doing the same thing? One thing I say all the time to myself is: cultural differences and I keep it pushing. What do I mean when I say that? I live in New York City, aka the mecca of diversity and different cultures; it’s just one big melting pot. All the time I encounter people from all over the world and they may do something and I immediately think ‘wow that was so rude,’ but then I have to check myself and remind myself that they may not be from here and maybe where theyâ€re from, what they just did isnâ€t considered rude. They too could just be a jerk, but Iâ€m going to go with the former lol.

As a self-proclaimed avid traveler, the sole purpose of my travel endeavors are to break stereotypes and to open other peopleâ€s minds while simultaneously opening my own. Throughout the world black culture is often imitated, however people who have never interacted with black people before only know what they see on TV, sports, and in music. In my native country of the United States, about 36% of Americans have a valid passport and of that number about 3% are black. Over the past few years there has been a huge influx of black travelers which has been very exciting; however we have a ways to go.

Living in a country where you are naturally the minority in many aspects of your life, African/Black Americans have the upper hand when traveling internationally because we already know what it feels like to not fit in with the majority. So when we travel to places such as Asia where there is not a strong black presence or to Eastern Europe and everywhere in between, this isnâ€t the time for us to retreat into our shells, but to help break stereotypes that many people have about us because the only exposure they have to our culture is through what they see in the media. At the end of the day stereotypes, prejudices, and racism all have strong roots in beliefs that are largely perpetuated by the media, however usually have no bases in fact. The unfortunate truth of the matter is that these beliefs will maintain their stronghold until presented with a reason to believe otherwise. For example, a local may believe the stereotype that all black people are mean, violent, or loud until they meet the outspoken friendly black girl with wild curls who genuinely just wants to pick their brain and build a relationship and offer them the opportunity to do the same. And once that connection is made, the stereotype then has to be reassessed in lieu of this new interaction.

When I was traveling through Europe with my friends, I went out one night in London and went to the club. Me being the gregarious person I am I ended up speaking to several people in line. Of course as soon as I opened my mouth I was asked about my accent and if I was American. Once we got past the “where are you from” part of the conversation it quickly turned to what was happening in America. Every person I spoke to knew in-depth what was happening in America. Our media is one of the strongest in the world, so when someoneâ€s only outlet to black people is via media then I cannot blame them for the misconceptions they have. However, I will to the best of my ability try to course correct what they believe to a more honest reality.

In a world where black travel is on the up rise, itâ€s our time to get out and see the world. Donâ€t go just for the stamp in your passport, but so you find a piece of yourself along the way and most importantly go set the path ablaze for others to follow in your footsteps. In the words of one my favorites Maya Angelou, “When you learn, teach. When you get, give.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goa travel tips: experience Goa through your 5 senses

 

Goa is the perfect holiday destination for sun-seekers and adventurers alike. It serves as a gentle introduction to India or a great spot to end a holiday in India by beautiful gold beaches. Goa will awake all of your senses with its palm-tree fringed beaches, flavourful food and colourful markets.

As a person of colour, visiting India for the first time reminded me of the motherland with its strong sense of culture, the hustle and bustle of the streets, eclectic clothing and food being an all important part of my time there. However, what particularly stood out for me was being asked to take pictures on a regular basis due to the colour of my skin. Whilst I sometimes politely declined, I did accept on some occasions and this somehow led to me appearing in a local newspaper, in an article about a cake mixing celebration I attended. I guess this can count as my claim to fame!

 

That aside, Goa has a unique charm, filled with beauty in the dynamic pulse of India. The South of Goa is extremely peaceful and perfect for a quiet getaway whilst the North is much livelier and best suited for those who love parties and don’t mind touristy destinations.

 

Here are my top tips on a sensory experience through Goa

 

Touch – flea markets

Goa is perfect for shopping and buying strikingly beautiful items for yourself, friends or family. From scarves to jewellery, tea to spices, sarees, handmade boxes, lanterns or bags; there are great options to suit all tastes.

 

 

A must is the Anjuna flea market opened on Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm during the tourist season which is from November to March/April.

There is also a Saturday night market in Arpora opened from 6pm to 2am also during the tourist season.

 

Negotiating is a skill, so be prepared to haggle for every item you wish to purchase.

If you are unable to head to the markets, shops in Panjim, the capital of Goa, offer similar items though prices are fixed and there is a lot less variety.

 

For more information on the markets check:

 

https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g306992-d319879-Reviews-Anjuna_Market-Anjuna_Bardez_North_Goa_District_Goa.html

 

http://www.india.com/travel/goa/things-to-do/shopping-saturday-night-market/

 

See – sunsets and temples

 

Goa is known for its bright red sunsets. Finding a bar or a beach where you can hang out will give you the chance to see spectacular sunsets – nature’s best movies.

 

 

 

Goa is also unique for having many Hindus, Muslims and Christians who all form part of regional communities. It’s therefore worth visiting a temple and other religious sites if you have an interest in these or are simply curious. A few hours will be more than enough for you to get a good sense of these.

 

Personally I visited:

Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa

Mahalaxmi Temple in Ponda

Safa Masjid mosque in Ponda

 

 

 

 

Smell – food markets and cookery

 

A trip to India is not complete without experiencing the food and smelling the beautiful spices.

If you donâ€t mind getting your hands dirty, I strongly recommend taking a cookery class.

I joined a half day cooking class which included breakfast, a trip to a local food market, cooking, eating lunch and having food to take away.

The cookery class I took was as follows and was definitely worth every penny: http://ritasgourmetgoa.com

 

Sound – beaches and waves

 

Goa, as you may already know is world famous for its beautiful beaches and this is why it is a popular destination from November to April as it provides a great sun break for those living in colder climates having to face the winter.

 

Staying at a hotel by the beach is the best way to maximise your experience.

But the truth is, with over 35 beaches to choose from, you’re never far from one. Some worth exploring include:

Patnem beach

Agonda beach

Candolim

Palolem – a hippy beach which can be touristy but is nice to experience

 

Taste – finger licking restaurants and delicacies

 

Whilst we talked about cooking, eating out deserves its own mention as there is an infinite number of dishes worth trying.

 

The restaurants I particularly enjoyed were:

 

Breakfast or lunch buffet at hotel Cidade de Goa in Panjim

Sher-e-Punjab in Panjim

Ritz classic in Panjim

Casa Bhonsle in Panjim

 

And some of my favourite dishes included:

 

Dosa – a savoury pancake filled with spiced potatoes

Masala kingfisher with Naan – a gorgeous fish curry

Butter chicken with Naan

Lamb biryiani – A rice dish cooked with spices and meat

Masal Chai – A fantastic hot drink with just the right notes of sweet spices and intrigue

 

 

Now the practical bits to get you planning:

 

How to get there: Most flight into Goa come from one of the larger airports in India so check your preferred airlines and how best to connect to Goa

Visa: You will need an e-visa which will cost approx £40 and can be obtained from https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html

Where to stay: If you can afford it, a nice 4 or 5 star hotel will give you good facilities, food, a safe place to stay and will cater to foreigners†needs. I stayed at Cidade de Goa which wasn’t the cheapest but was very nice

What to wear: People were laid back with clothing but if visiting religious sites, I’d recommend wearing modest clothes out of respect

Affordability: Food out there is extremely cheap equally, if you stick to fancy hotels and restaurants, it can get pricey. However, I would still stay that Goa is very affordable especially for those traveling from Western countries

Getting around: You will need a taxi to move around. Many hotels provide this service and you can have a taxi with you for just a few hours or a full day

When to go: October to April are popular tourist seasons which means more markets and activities available to cater for those traveling

What to expect: As a black person, people will be intrigued by you but this should not put you off especially if you are traveling with other people

 

Goa is a beautiful destination if you love to explore, relax, eat or party, it will ignite all of your senses and will make a lasting impression. Have you been to India and if so, what did you like the most?

 

“You have to learn to be comfortable with being uncomfortable; itâ€s the only way to grow…” -Jeroson Williams

In May 2014, Taylor Harris and Jeroson Williams stepped off the commencement stage of Morehouse College onto a one-way flight to Peru. Leaving their degrees and luxuries behind, the pair set out for what would soon become a trip of a lifetime. They were headed to the World Cup.

Birth of a book

The former biology majors loosely planned for South America before graduation. Their only mission then was to catch a few games and take a few cool pictures along the way. During the six hour flight from Atlanta to Lima, though, the expedition took on a new goal, or gól. Photographer Taylor Harris thought stadium games would be a bit cliché, so he set out to discover alternative locations to experience the excitement of the World Cup.   He wanted to fully capture the passion, people and pride.

“There are unforeseen moments that show both pride for oneâ€s country and for futbol that are incomparable to anything else in the world,” said Harris. These moments ranged from taxi drivers honking horns when the team scored to little kids wearing their superhero futbol playerâ€s jersey.

These same moments inspired the photography book Orgólho.  The title was conceived using a clever spin on the Portuguese word for pride, “orgulho,” and the Spanish word for goal, “gól”.  Creating the book was a minor task compared to the adventure at hand.

Backpacking through South America

In 53 days, the Atlanta natives traveled to six South American countries by plane, bus and train with one backpack each. From frigid outdoor hostels in Chile to hippy surf towns in Ecuador, the young travelers encountered several obstacles, including sickness, danger and financial setbacks. They also encountered several opportunities to help reshape foreigners†perception of Black Americans and to take amazing photographs.

The new documentarians returned to the U.S. with priceless memories, unique photographs and a few tips on making the most out of a backpacking experience.

• Use Common Cents. Always over budget, even if you plan down to the cents; there will always be an unexpected curve ball. Have an emergency stash ready in addition to extra spending money.
• Sleep Cheap. Hostels may seem a bit tacky to some, but it is one of the best ways to get teh center-city experience and meet other frugal, young travelers.
• Stay Away from the Cliché. Open up your pallet, and take a bite of the unexplored. Be prepared to try new things.
• Google. Read. Repeat. Although the limitless agenda is dreamy, more planning equals a smoother trip. Use sites like Travel Noire, Yelp and Hostel-World to get a feel for whatâ€s available in your surroundings.
• Be Creative. Be Strategic. Look up events happening across the country, like soccer games or carnivals, to experience local culture and to get the most out of your trip.

Williams and Harris are now transitioning into the world of medicine and technology but hope the Orgólho story will live on.

Visit www.orgolho.com to see images from the young travelers†adventure.  www.orgolho.com.

Photo credit: Taylor Harris

 

We all dream of that moment: the day when you gracefully hand in your two weeks notice and decide youâ€re going to quit your job, follow your dreams and move abroad. Shortly after graduating from college I was living in New York City, working with a company that I loved and making over 55K a year. Some would say thatâ€s a dream but I wanted more.

Although I was extremely content with life, I still felt that something was missing. Fast forward a year and a half later and Iâ€m sitting on my balcony in the south of Spain, drinking coffee and enjoying the sunshine and cool breeze. Since my move abroad, thereâ€s been no looking back.

Spain has always been close to my heart and after living in the country for six months in 2012; I knew that I had to find a way back. Being a calculated risk-taker, I figured out the pros and cons (hint: there were very few cons) and then started making moves. Iâ€ve decided to share some important things to keep in mind when making the decision for yourself, whether you want to move abroad for a year or for the rest of your life.

Find Community

When I was preparing to move to Spain, finding a community of women of color was one of the most important things on my list. I began Google searching and nothing really came up, there was a helpful Facebook group and a few outdated blog posts but that was about it.

Instead of being discouraged, I decided to create the space I was looking for. Before the move, I started the groundwork to launch Las Morenas de España, the first exclusive website catering to women of color living in Spain. During months before my journey and once I arrived, I already felt like I had a community of like-minded people I could connect with, in a country that I was so excited to start a life in. Since itâ€s launch, Las Morenas has brought together hundreds of women of color who are living, moving or interested in Spain, igniting an extremely welcoming community to those who might not already have one.

Take the time to do the research and find the people you want to be surrounded with when you move abroad. Donâ€t be afraid to take the extra steps to reach out and make connections.

Use Your Skills to Earn Extra Income

Moving to a different country where English isnâ€t the predominant language, you have a skill set that many residents donâ€t. Use being a native English speaker to your advantage.

I moved to Spain as a part-time English teacher but Iâ€ve also been able to use my language skills to bring in multiple streams of income. Whether itâ€s through private English lessons or freelancing with different small businesses in the area, Iâ€ve capitalized on the fact that English is currently the “most influential language” in the world.

Some people view moving abroad as a way to take a break, but donâ€t let that mindset take over. Since moving abroad, Iâ€ve encountered so many professional opportunities that werenâ€t available to me in the past. There are endless ways to have your lifestyle abroad accommodate your professional career. It might just be the smartest career move youâ€ll ever make.

Push fear aside… the time is now

Before making a major life change, of course there will be a few hesitations but I encourage you to push your fear aside. You donâ€t have to be “young” to make the move or “well-off” or any other stigma thatâ€s society pushes us to believe. If this is something youâ€re passionate about, itâ€s worth it. Of course there will be good days and there will be bad, but moving abroad will be a life-changing experience that will teach you so much.

Yes, it might mean being away from friends, family, potential business partners, lovers… the list goes on. While that might be a great excuse to not go, remember how beautiful the Internet can be. Managing two international teams and having close relationships with my family and friends Google Hangouts, Facetime and Skype have become close companions. Youâ€ll not only be able to maintain your old relationships, but youâ€ll also gain so many new ones, sharing experiences of a lifetime with people you wouldâ€ve never imagined.

Push fear aside, keep an open mind and realize that this is a journey that shouldnâ€t be put off any longer. If youâ€re being drawn to move abroad, take the leap. And know that Iâ€m here if you have any questions!