Over the past decade, traveling has become the new black. You see much more people catching flights, especially black people. Many are still discouraged from traveling though. Iāve heard everything from: āI donāt have anyone to go with,ā āthat seem like a place you go with your boo-and I donāt have oneā āI donāt have any moneyā āIām trying to stack my paper, before I start to travelā āblack people donāt travelā āWhat? What? What? And Whet? As someone who is black, single, and broke, I canāt see how anyone can travel any other way! This is not a guide or āhow to travel on a budgetā kind of post. Traveling not only relieves me of everyday stresses, but it opens my mind to so many possibilities. Instead of my blackness, relationship status, or bank account being an excuse, itās the very reason why I HAVE to get away. That might sound crazy, but let me explain.
Iāve been blessed to visit many places, however, people I know growing up, or even in my family has never left the country. I truly believe if we were meant to stay put, we would have roots for feet, and remain idol as a tree does! HavingĀ a companion whether itās close friends or āBaeā, brings comfort in the idea of having someone to talk to, relate to, and share the same experience with you. However, that should not stop you from going somewhere if nobody wants to go. Thereās so many people in the world; traveling alone brings so much opportunity to meet people. Plus if YOU want to do something, you donāt have to take a āconsensus of the groupā you can just do it! Iām definitely not opposed to traveling alone, and being without a man.Ā
Hand up to receive, Hand down to give back. Mural De La Prehistoria
Iām very friendly, approachable, hell Iām also very pretty. I attract men(and women) EVERYwhere I go. I donāt say that to sound cocky, but itās the truth. Iām a natural flirt, but because my relationship status has not changed for a while now, I take full advantage (in a safe, non-hoeish kinda way). Men and women love the company of other women and men. Itās less inviting with a group full of people who are in relationships. Sure couples can meet people too, unless thereās other couples in the group, in my personal travels most people Iāve met has been other singles especially if they were men. I just think itās better that way. If a man asks me to dance and Ā the vibes call for itā¦Iām going to dance, and not feel guilty about it. If he buys me a drinkā¦Iām going to drink it! And if heās been to other places I havenāt explored in this new city, Iām going to be open to check it out. Now, Iām not saying go out and get yourself kidnapped, letās be smart. But I Ā do think my singleness allows me more freedom to meet much more people than I probably would, if I had a boyfriend.Ā
street vendor, Old Havana
Iām an educator. The beuracracy in public higher education alone is enough to want to get away! But my pay check certainly doesnāt reflect the places Iāve been. Money does not influence whether Iām going somewhere or not! The experiences I receive from traveling, trumps the experience I receive from getting paid-ANY DAY. Donāt get me wrong, securing my financial future is a priority, but securing my youth, peace of mind, sense of adventure, is also a priority. I donāt want to be that rich person on my death bed with regrets of places I should have went, or things I should have done because I was too busy working and āstacking my bread.ā With a spreadsheet, airline subscriptions, and some faith, you can go anywhere!! Iāve been to Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, many places in the states with next to nothing. When thereās no money thereās faith, and faith would get you more places than money. Iām not saying faith alone is the cure, but my faith allows me to always find work, or earn money to fund everyplace Iāve been and that Iām going.Ā
Many of us are privileged and donāt even realize it. Being black in America is totally different than being black any where else. In many places the people have either never seen a black person, or have ever talked to a black person. Being black in Cyprus is totally different than being black in Cuba, however Iāve experiencedĀ culture shock from both places because Iām also American, and to the people there that stands out the most. Iām so NY in any city in the states, but being āso NYā is synonymous with being very American. The way we approach food, connect with people, dress, style our hair, is a big signifier of my Americanness. When some places becomes overwhelming, thereās comfort in knowing my home is in America. Traveling gives me the wisdom to check my privilege. In this current political climate, many joked around saying they were moving to another country, I found that hilarious because the people who were saying that donāt even have a passport, or even begin to know how to get one! Many of us also expressed moving to Africa, but yet many of us had yet to travel there. Itās certainly not possible to move to place youāve never been, but a benefit of traveling allowed me, to learn different cultures, and customs, and talk to diverse groups of people.Ā
On top of the antelope canyon, with native-Aaron
Iām black, single, and broke, but it doesnāt define who I am, or where Iām going. Get that passport, book that trip, and no matter your circumstances-GET OUT of New York. GET OUT of America. Youād find yourself blown away.Ā
Ā Ā black, single, and broke, but i still love toĀ travel Over the past decade, traveling has become the new black. You see much more people catching flights, especially black people.
