Nothing like travel—in the United States and abroad—to change a sister’s life
September 5, 2009
Moving to Florence, Italy, was a life-changing experience -- one that both U.S. and overseas trips helped inspire. When in Florence, I lived in an apartment not far from here, across the tranquil Arno River.
Here's the view down Vicolo del Canneto, the tiny street where I lived in Florence. Although I stayed less than a year, the time spent in lovely Firenze has shaped my life in ways I'm still discovering.
A slightly younger (and more serene) me, standing outside the historic Basilica di Santa Croce in Florence.
Think back: Have you ever taken a trip that literally changed the trajectory of your life? Or even one that permanently altered the way you think about yourself as an African-American, as a woman—or about the world?
Besides UrbanTravelGirl, I also write a blog for Today’s Chicago Woman, a monthly magazine for smart, professional women that’s very well-known to those of us living in the Windy City. In my most recent “TCW Travel Connection” post, I write about “Travel as a life-changer,” or the ways in which trips—both here in the United States and abroad—led me to make self-affirming and enriching choices. As I say in the post, “Far from being a ‘luxury,’ travel is often what we need to become more of who we really are.”
I’d love to hear from you: How has travel inspired you to make big or small changes that you know will last a lifetime?
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12 Comments Leave a Comment
1.
Fly Girl | September 6, 2009 at 11:51 pm
Hmmm. That’s a loaded question. Travel has been a part of me for so long it’s hard to pinpoint one life-changing trip because they all change me on some level. I guess the trip that actually altered me to the point where others noticed was my first trip to Jamaica. Jamaica is beautiful and hectic and complex on many levels. On one hand, it was paradise, on the other, I had to hire a local rude bwoy to escort me through the streets because the men were that aggressive. I visited a Maroon village, which fought off the British during slavery and remains an independent state within Jamaica. Jamaica filled me with pride and aggravation. I think it was my first tangible experience of being a part of the Diaspora.
2.
urbantravelgirl | September 7, 2009 at 10:28 am
Fly Girl,
I’m not surprised that it was a trip to a Caribbean country that set your life on its current trajectory (since I know you!). Obviously, other factors have helped shape who you are, but when I think of you and your professional “brand,” that connection with the African Diaspora is one of the main aspects that comes to mind. It’s cool to look back and reminisce about those experiences that have made us who we are today — especially those that involve travel, which is such an important part of our personal and professional lives.
Maureen
3.
Cynthia | September 8, 2009 at 9:27 am
For me. I think it was traveling to Rio de Janeiro by myself. Granted it was for work but I had to go alone. I didn’t know anyone and I surely didn’t know portuguese but I think that is why I wanted to go. I love not being in familiar territories – I forgot how much I liked that, actually.
I felt alive and in the moment and that I was on top of the world. It was amazing not to mention, I got to Christo Redeemer which is what I’ve wanted to see since I was little.
I want to travel so much more and live in places but figuring out the HOW is my only issue, right now.
4.
urbantravelgirl | September 8, 2009 at 9:53 am
Ciao, Cynthia –
There’s nothing like a solo trip to an unfamiliar place to help reshape your life, is there? There truly is something special about having to draw on all your internal resources, all your past experiences and current wisdom, when you’re in an environment like that. Makes you believe you can do anything! Here’s wishing you–and all those other UrbanTravelGirls like us who long to live our global dreams — the resources and the courage to JUST DO IT! Amazingly enough, the HOW somehow manages to take care of itself if the longing and passion is there.
BTW… just checked out your blog and LOVED it!
Maureen
5.
Carolyn van Es | September 9, 2009 at 12:44 pm
Hello there!
Even traveling within one’s own city can be enlightening. I grew up in Indianapolis in a section 8 apartment complex. I was bussed out of my mostly black and lower income neighborhood to a more affluent, white area of the city when I began junior high school. Of course I was apprehensive at first – for obvious reasons. But during the three years I attended Northview Jr. High (and the 3 at a nearby college prep high school) I saw with my own two eyes that another way of life was possible. I never knew for sure that I’d be able to afford designer clothes, carry trendy handbags or belong to the most popular social clubs. But, just knowing that the possibilities existed motivated me to study hard and strive for something more than getting on welfare and becoming a teen mother. I also learned that white people weren’t out to get me just because I was black. In fact, several (white) teachers believed in my potential, which was just what I needed to succeed. Intracity travel changed my life forever. Great topic!
6.
urbantravelgirl | September 9, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Ciao, Carolyn –
What a great story, and it proves the fact that “travel” doesn’t have to be far away from home to affect our lives forever. Thanks so much for sharing — and I’m STILL looking forward to meeting you when I finally get to Amsterdam!
Maureen
7.
Shirl | September 9, 2009 at 9:32 pm
I use to need people to do things with me because I was too scared to do them on my own , especially travel, until I read a quote that stated something like other people won’t always be ready to do things when you are ready to do them and that resonated with me. I would miss out on a lot if I waited for other people to make the time, find the money, make the choice about going places and doig things, so I decided to just go on my own. I flew out to Reno and then Vegas as my first solo trips to see the male revue The Thunder From Downunder!. That went so well I decided to travel out of the country solo. My solo trip to Dublin, Ireland for St Patricks day two years ago was the most liberating thing I have done in my life! Every time I think about it I get excited and overwhelmed with emotion! It was after that trip that I decided to go somewhere every year(finances permitting) and get a stamp in my passport. I’m more than willing to go alone!
8.
thistimenow | September 9, 2009 at 11:55 pm
Great topic!
I’ve been traveling abroad since I turned 20 years, that was 20 years ago. Wow! My first trip was to Sweden where I lived for almost 5 years, next it was Paris, France (also 5 years) and now Seoul (going on two years). As I child I traveled through books (thanks Mom!). Every sojourn changes you. It certainly makes me a stronger, more patient and culturally aware individual. I like who I’ve become and a huge part of that is due to traveling and living in other countries.
Travel Forth!
Felicia, This Time in Seoul
http://nearandfar.wordpress.com
9.
urbantravelgirl | September 10, 2009 at 8:27 am
Hey there, Felicia! I’m so impressed — 20 years of life-changing travel for you! I wish I’d gotten started 20 years earlier… who knows literally where in the world I would be now. So glad to know about sisters like you who have been “global” for a long time — may more of us become like you! (BTW… love your blog!)
Maureen
10.
urbantravelgirl | September 10, 2009 at 8:31 am
Ciao, Shirl — thanks for visiting! So many times, the change we want comes from taking one step, like your trips to Vegas and Reno. That fires you up, and then you’re willing to stretch more and travel solo overseas. GREAT that you found traveling alone it the wonderful, liberating experience I always have. You’re right — wait around for other folks and you’ll be waiting your whole life. Let’s all get out there and take in as much of this big world as we can, with others or flying solo!
Maureen
11.
Renee | November 25, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Hi,
I just found your blog via travel blog exchange. I’m really enjoying reading the articles and many resonate with me. For twenty odd years, I had the ridiculous idea of traveling to another country….France, to be exact. I’d always been told what I couldn’t do that I’d believed it for quite some time. One day, I decided that Paris wasn’t going to come to me, so I had to bend and decide that if I wanted it….I had to go after it.
Since then, I’ve traveled a bit, but never as much as I would like. I’m still encouraged and I try to inspire others to live their dreams too. I find there are quite a few black people who always say (like I used to) that they want to travel but for some reason, they never bite the bullet. I think some of them see it as something that WE just don’t do. Sometimes, we are our own biggest obstacle. Keep up the good fight and I look forward to reading more. Feel free to visit my travel blog when you get a chance: http://aviewtoathrill.net.
Regards….
12.
urbantravelgirl | November 25, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Salut, Renee — so nice meeting you (virtually!)! I’m thrilled to hear you found me via Travel Blog Exchange — what a cool Web site, no? I don’t usually see a lot of black folks prowling around that site, which is too bad. And the TBEX daylong conference here in Chicago this summer was GREAT! Hope you’ll be able to make it if the organizers host it again in 2010.
MERCI for sending the link to your own blog — HOW COOL!! Yes, I need to learn how to stretch my meager dollars better so I can stay on the road longer, and travel more frequently. But someday….
So glad we’re sisters in the struggle of getting more of US to travel the world, and more often. You’re SO right that it’s often tough to convince us to pack our passports and head abroad — even when money is no obstacle. I really do think it’s fear of the unknown: “How will I be treated?” “Will there be any other black folks there?” “What if I don’t speak the language?”
The way I see it, travel is all ABOUT the unknown. If we knew all the answers, we could save ourselves the trouble and stay home. But the more we see the world and the more the world sees US, the better off we’ll all be!
Thanks again for checking in — and I’ll do the same with you!
Maureen
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