wanderlust

Celebrating mothers and travel…Happy Mother’s Day

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I’m not a mom and at this stage in my life, I doubt I will ever wear the title.  As an outsider, motherhood seems like one of the most challenging yet rewarding roles that a woman could ever take on in their lifetime.  It’s a gift and a blessing to ever be entrusted with such a role.  I admire mothers.  I admire their strength, courage, resilience, selflessness, and unconditional love.  I was lucky enough to have a mother that exemplified those qualities and more.  She loved her family without limits and no sacrifice was ever too great.  Growing up, she was always the first to wake up and the last to go bed making sure every need was met.  I miss her dearly.  If this blog seems like I’m rambling, it’s because I am.  My words aren’t very fluid today, as this is my first Mother’s Day without her in the “physical” sense.  I miss her presence.  I miss her making me laugh.  But, instead of being sad today, I wanted to immerse myself in things and memories that bring me joy.  And one of the things that brings me joy and seeing photographs of moms introducing their children to travel. Leading by example, mothers show their children that all goals are attainable and nothing is impossible. This blog entry is a dedication to mothers around the world, including my very own watching over me.  Here’s to mothers giving the world and showing their children world all at the same time.  N’joy!

IG: @_froreal (Lani Kai Beach, Hawaii)
IG: @cjettfly (Civitanova Marche, Italy)
IG: @tenickab (Santorini, Greece)
IG: @sofysofi (Old San Juan, Puerto Rico)
IG: @james.blackyc (Jamaica)
IG: @brandichantelle (Costa Rica)
IG: @kiathenialdiva (Utanoi, Vietnam)
IG: @alohagenna (Bali, Indonesia)
IG: @jasminealston (Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah)
IG: @melrwhite (Zemi Beach House, Anguilla)
IG: @larissalmorgan (King Memorial, DC)
IG: @belleandlori (Ghana and Amsterdam)
IG: @thetravellingchild (Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy)

 

A dedication to my Sorors and Sistergreeks…yes, We TRAVEL!

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Last week, my intention was to post this blog as a dedication to my beloved sorority’s Founders’ Day.  But this adulting thing just won’t let me be great.  With most black Greek sorority’s celebrating Founders’ Day last week (the founding anniversary date of our respective sororities), I wanted to recognize my beautiful sorors and fellow sistergreeks making strides and globetrotting all over the world. We’ve come a long way in opportunities since our founders set the path for us over a century ago. I’m sure they never fathomed that sisterhood, service, and excellence would be reflected all over the world today. Actually, I take that back.  Of course they knew.  Our founders were pioneers and visionaries. They dreamed big without limits.  They saw beyond the mental walls and ceilings of defeat and “it can’t be done”.  And not only am I happy to be part of such a glorious legacy, but I’m happy their legacy can be seen around the world today. So, without further ado, I bring you the ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Zeta Phi Beta, and Sigma Gamma Rho. Young, black, educated, and TRAVELED.  Note: If one sorority seems more represented than others, it wasn’t intentional.  I “pinky” swear LOL.

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@passportprissy at Big Red Sand Dunes, Dubai (Alpha Kappa Alpha)

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@tanzamerican1920 at the Colosseum in Rome (Zeta Phi Beta)

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@starrdevereaux at the Chichen Itza in Mexico (Alpha Kappa Alpha)

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@esha_diva10 at the Eiffel Tower in Paris (Delta Sigma Theta)

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@ms_nicky at Los Cabo Mountain Top (Alpha Kappa Alpha)

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@raegaddy in Pont de l’Alma (Sigma Gamma Rho)

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@sassybebe30 at The Hamptons, New York (Alpha Kappa Alpha)

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@alexisaifa13 at Koh Phi Phi Beach, Thailand (Alpha Kappa Alpha)

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@jasheceo in Costa Rica (Delta Sigma Theta)

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@viva.la.vina at Christ de Redeemer in Rio, Brazil (Alpha Kappa Alpha)

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@blktraveladdict at the Taj Mahal (Alpha Kappa Alpha)

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@chakalate_mamihlapinatapai at Copocabana Beach in Rio during the 2016 Summer Olympics (Alpha Kappa Alpha)

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@curlsandcouture in Indonesia (Delta Sigma Theta)

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@poshandpumps, Chacchoben Mayan Ruins (Delta Sigma Theta)

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@jorilacour at the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Rome, Italy

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@queennadiaa in Capetown, South Africa (Alpha Kappa Alpha)

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@pearlsofarabia, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, UAE (Alpha Kappa Alpha)

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@tydomo_45 at the Royal Palace in Seoul, Korea (Alpha Kappa Alpha)

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@i_carlii at Skogafoss Waterfall in Iceland (Sigma Gamma Rho)

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@encassilating at the Cathedral-Basilica de Nuestra in Spain (Zeta Phi Beta)

@urbantravelista 

What is the cure for wanderlust…when you can’t “wander”?

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Last week, as a favor, I picked up a friend from the airport. As I made my exit to O’hare, I couldn’t help but feel kind of sad. The last time I stepped foot on a plane was in June when I went to Dallas for my birthday. My last international trip was back in April when I went to Iceland. Outside of that, I haven’t traveled anywhere. And while I realize life is all about perspective (some people haven’t traveled beyond their zip code…not travel shaming, just stating fact), I had higher expectations for myself this year.  I mean, I launched a brand and blog this year dedicated to travel. How can I promote travel, if I’m not…well…traveling?  But hey, it happens to the best of us.  One minute you’re on a traveling roll then boom…life happens.  Meanwhile, in the midst of sulking and feeling sorry for myself, my social media outlets have been LIT with friends globetrotting this year. Thailand, Dubai, Greece, Colombia, Brazil, Paris…they’re doing it this year. And I’m happy for them. It makes me happy to see others winning, even when I feel like I’m losing at the moment.  My life’s motto is this: If I eat steak and lobster, I want everyone to eat steak and lobster.  If I have to eat Spam, I still want everyone else to eat steak and lobster.  I want us all to win. But in the meantime, how does one cope with wanderlust when they can’t “wander”..at the moment?

Be a tourist in your town

A few months ago, I wrote a piece about being a tourist in your town (you can read it here: #TouristInMyTown) for the summer. Well, this applies year round.  There is so much culture right in our backyard that we seldom take the time to appreciate.  Spend a day being a tourist and checking out the landmarks, museums, and festivals in your city. I’ve come to learn that we usually abandon these outings after departing our school years, only to return when we’re under “obligation” to do so. I haven’t been to the Museum of Science and Industry since I was 17. I lived just a few blocks away for 13 years, but never visited. I should really go. (<=see what I just did there).

Do a local “staycation”

Treat yourself to a hotel deal on Groupon or Living Social. This gives you the opportunity to rack up hotel rewards to use for your next BIG vacation. It also allows you to check out different hotel chains without spending a fortune. You can make a full weekend out of it. Book a room, go see a play/concert, have a spa day, try a new restaurant. You can also use Groupon and Living Social to find deals on the activities I just mentioned.

Plan a day trip

Are there any nice attractions that are within 2 to 4 hours proximity to where you live? For example, if you live in Chicago, the wineries in Galena and Michigan are a great option for a day trip. Or, maybe you want to try something more adventurous like hiking?  Starved Rock is a great option for my Chicago people.

 Buy a cheap flight to a domestic city

Take advantage of flash flight sales and try visiting a domestic city you’ve never been to before. Every once in a while, a friend of mine will check Google ITA and buy the lowest ticket regardless of the destination. Contrary to popular belief, there’s so much to see and experience within our borders. Again, this allows you to rack up miles to use for future travel.

Stay inspired/Stay encouraged

Comparison is the thief of joy. Don’t kill your joy by comparing your travel adventures (or lack thereof) to other people. Life happens. Whether it be work, school, finances, or illness, life challenges and obligations sometimes have to take priority over collecting the next passport stamp.  But remember this: change is constant and it’s all temporary.  Just because you’re not traveling as much as you’d like at the present moment, doesn’t mean you have to stop dreaming or lose your will. Keep adding destinations to your travel bucket list. Keep planning your next BIG getaway. Stay connected to your passion and be grateful for all of your travel experiences, big and small. This too shall pass…

 

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Aruba 2013 “Believe in Yourself”

@urbantravelista