Comments on: Nothing like travel—in the United States and abroad—to change a sister’s life http://urbantravelgirl.com/2009/09/05/nothing-like-travel%e2%80%94in-the-united-states-and-abroad%e2%80%94to-change-a-sister%e2%80%99s-life/ thoughts on black women living globally through international travel Fri, 10 Sep 2010 04:51:06 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: urbantravelgirl http://urbantravelgirl.com/2009/09/05/nothing-like-travel%e2%80%94in-the-united-states-and-abroad%e2%80%94to-change-a-sister%e2%80%99s-life/comment-page-1/#comment-171 urbantravelgirl Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:37:52 +0000 http://urbantravelgirl.com/?p=377#comment-171 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 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

]]> By: Renee http://urbantravelgirl.com/2009/09/05/nothing-like-travel%e2%80%94in-the-united-states-and-abroad%e2%80%94to-change-a-sister%e2%80%99s-life/comment-page-1/#comment-172 Renee Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:17:53 +0000 http://urbantravelgirl.com/?p=377#comment-172 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.... 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….

]]> By: urbantravelgirl http://urbantravelgirl.com/2009/09/05/nothing-like-travel%e2%80%94in-the-united-states-and-abroad%e2%80%94to-change-a-sister%e2%80%99s-life/comment-page-1/#comment-173 urbantravelgirl Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:31:06 +0000 http://urbantravelgirl.com/?p=377#comment-173 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 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

]]> By: urbantravelgirl http://urbantravelgirl.com/2009/09/05/nothing-like-travel%e2%80%94in-the-united-states-and-abroad%e2%80%94to-change-a-sister%e2%80%99s-life/comment-page-1/#comment-174 urbantravelgirl Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:27:39 +0000 http://urbantravelgirl.com/?p=377#comment-174 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 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

]]> By: thistimenow http://urbantravelgirl.com/2009/09/05/nothing-like-travel%e2%80%94in-the-united-states-and-abroad%e2%80%94to-change-a-sister%e2%80%99s-life/comment-page-1/#comment-175 thistimenow Thu, 10 Sep 2009 04:55:31 +0000 http://urbantravelgirl.com/?p=377#comment-175 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 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

]]> By: Shirl http://urbantravelgirl.com/2009/09/05/nothing-like-travel%e2%80%94in-the-united-states-and-abroad%e2%80%94to-change-a-sister%e2%80%99s-life/comment-page-1/#comment-176 Shirl Thu, 10 Sep 2009 02:32:11 +0000 http://urbantravelgirl.com/?p=377#comment-176 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! 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!

]]> By: urbantravelgirl http://urbantravelgirl.com/2009/09/05/nothing-like-travel%e2%80%94in-the-united-states-and-abroad%e2%80%94to-change-a-sister%e2%80%99s-life/comment-page-1/#comment-177 urbantravelgirl Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:59:44 +0000 http://urbantravelgirl.com/?p=377#comment-177 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 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

]]> By: Carolyn van Es http://urbantravelgirl.com/2009/09/05/nothing-like-travel%e2%80%94in-the-united-states-and-abroad%e2%80%94to-change-a-sister%e2%80%99s-life/comment-page-1/#comment-178 Carolyn van Es Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:44:21 +0000 http://urbantravelgirl.com/?p=377#comment-178 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! 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!

]]> By: urbantravelgirl http://urbantravelgirl.com/2009/09/05/nothing-like-travel%e2%80%94in-the-united-states-and-abroad%e2%80%94to-change-a-sister%e2%80%99s-life/comment-page-1/#comment-179 urbantravelgirl Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:53:20 +0000 http://urbantravelgirl.com/?p=377#comment-179 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 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

]]> By: Cynthia http://urbantravelgirl.com/2009/09/05/nothing-like-travel%e2%80%94in-the-united-states-and-abroad%e2%80%94to-change-a-sister%e2%80%99s-life/comment-page-1/#comment-181 Cynthia Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:27:05 +0000 http://urbantravelgirl.com/?p=377#comment-181 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. 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.

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