Nick Delmacy13 Black Men Who Travel The World (And Look Really Good Doing It)
@Jefftribblejr
Name: Jeffery Tribble Jr. (@jefftribblejr)
Age: 31(Lawd)
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois (Southside!)
Relationship Status (optional): Married
Your travel happy place (favorite destination to visit): Cape Town, South Africa!
Places to visit left on your bucket list: There is no bucket list, per se. The bar keeps moving, but if I had to choose, (right now) I’d say Bali, Kenya, and Israel.
Favorite international dish: Singapore’s Chili Crab dish!
Best place to travel on a budget: Thailand, Mexico, and South Africa!
Most inspiring travel experience/moment: My first time to Australia was probably the most inspired I’ve ever been while abroad. The Great Ocean Road tour, featuring the Twelve Apostles, made me say “Only God could have created something this beautiful.”
Most romantic place you ever traveled: I don’t know that I’ve ever thought about that. If I had to choose, I’d say Barcelona, Spain where I proposed to my now fiancee.
Your best travel secret: Solo travel over everything.
What do you love most about traveling? It’s hard to pinpoint what I love most because there’s so much to love, from things as simple as clearing your head, to embracing culturally immersive moments that leave you inspired, enriched, and educated. If I had to narrow it down to one thing, it would be gaining a better understanding of different countries’ lifestyles, through an American lens. Doing so will have you saying two things: 1) "Life wouldn’t be so bad over here. I could see myself moving.”, or 2) “We are extremely blessed.”
What was your first trip? You guessed it. Canada!
Quote to live by: Stay woke.
@MarcMadilson
Name: Marc Madilson (@marcmadilson)
Age: 34
Hometown: Toronto
Relationship Status: Engaged
Your travel happy place (favourite destination to visit): Bali, Indonesia
Places to visit left on bucket list: Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Eritrea, Cook Islands, Mauritius...
Favorite International Dish: Trinidadian Doubles
Best place to travel on a budget: Dominican
Most inspiring travel experience/moment: Dubai
Most romantic place you ever traveled: Praslin, Seychelles
Your best travel secret: Live THE moment. Don't get caught up trying to capture things for social media. Go everywhere.
What do you love most about traveling? Diving head first into new and exciting cultures. You grow so much as a human being.
What was your first trip? Caracas, Venezuela
Quote to live by: "We do not remember days, we remember moments!" -Cesare Pavese
@TimmyGotSoul
Name: Timothy Hunt (@TimmyGotSoul)
Age: 36
Hometown: Detroit, but I live in New York City.
Relationship Status (optional): in a relationship
Your travel happy place (favorite destination to visit): Brazil so far is my favorite place in the world. I've been several times, three times to Rio de Janeiro and once to Salvador. I love both cities in Brazil, but to experience the Black culture and environment is overwhelming in a good way.
Also, Cuba is amazing and gives me a surreal feel each time I'm there. I've been twice, and think what draws me in is the niceness, resilience and strength of the people. To have so many obstacles stacked against them, they seem to make anything out of nothing despite any situation.
Places to visit left on your bucket list: I think there are 196 countries, and I've been to 29, so my guess would be all 167 that I haven't been to. However, to narrow it down a little more, I want to visit Tanzania, Lebanon, Vietnam, Iran, St. Lucia, and Sierra Leone.
Favorite international dish: When I was in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil, I saw this woman cooking food on the street. I was so hesitant to eat street food, but it was amazing. The dish consisted of steak, rice, cilantro, tomatoes, onions, and some magic marinated sauce.
Best place to travel on a budget: Colombia was extremely affordable and full of culture. I actually feel it is one of the hidden gems of South America that is starting to become popular with American tourist.
Most inspiring travel experience/moment: When I realized that I didn’t need a travel companion to see the world. I would not go on a trip unless I had a friend with me. In 2012, I was supposed to take a trip to Montreal, Canada with some friends, and everyone backed out at the last minute. At first, I wasn’t going to go, but then I went, and had an amazing time by myself. That trip inspired me to travel more alone. Since then, I went to South Africa, Mozambique, Spain, Germany, China, Mexico, and the United Kingdom alone.
Most romantic place you ever traveled: Paris! One year I decided to visit a childhood friend who lived in Germany at time. However, a couple of days before my trip I couldn't get in touch with this friend, and I had to navigate my way alone in Germany. Someone I was seeing at the time knew of my situation, and bought a flight on the spot to meet me out in Germany to keep me company. We caught the train to Paris and spent the entire day touring, going to museums, eating and just taking in France.
Your best travel secret: My best travel secret would be stop listening to people who say "don't go there" for whatever reason, if they never been there. I think the media put perceptions of certain places in people mind, and they believe it. In my experience those places were some of the best experiences of my traveling.
Also, stop waiting on other people when planning trips, because I can guarantee you will never see the world waiting on the next man/woman to book their ticket. I want to put out there though that I am aware of my male privilege of being able to travel to certain countries alone, and not have to worry compared to my female counterparts.
What do you love most about traveling? I love meeting new people, seeing places I thought would never be possible, and that traveling helps check my privilege constantly.
What was your first trip?: My first adult trip was to London in 2011, but I had been to The Bahamas and Canada as a child.
Quote to live by: “If I didn’t define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people’s fantasies for me and eaten alive.” Audre Lorde
@EltonAndersonJr
Name: Elton Anderson, Jr. (@eltonandersonjr)
Age: 35
Hometown: Detroit, MI (currently living in Los Angeles)
Relationship Status (optional): Single
Your travel happy place (favorite destination to visit): Tie -- Bali and Salvador de Bahia
Places to visit left on your bucket list: Everywhere is pretty much on my bucketlist but the top 5 are Nepal, Madagascar, Turkey, Fiji and Liberia (my mother's home country)
Favorite international dish: I don't know if I can pick one single dish but every single meal I had in Dakar, Senegal was amazing!
Best place to travel on a budget: Vietnam for sure...I went on a solo trip earlier this year and hotels, food and excursions are super cheap. And I got the best massage of my life for less than $20
Most inspiring travel experience/moment: Hiking the mountains of Landmannalaugar in Iceland...the best part was the hot springs that awaited us at the end of the hike.
Most romantic place you ever traveled: This may sound weird but I think St. Lucia is the most romantic place I've traveled. They have a ton hidden beaches which I think would be perfect for a romantic getaway.
Your best travel secret: Travel solo! Every year I do at least one solo trip and it is always the most therapeutic (and fun) adventure. Traveling solo makes you a better traveler overall because it forces you to step out of a lot of comfort zones.
What do you love most about traveling?: Travel feeds my need for adventure in a way that I could never imagine. I love the idea of exploring an entirely new culture, new foods and meeting new people who have even become lifelong friends.
What was your first trip?: My first international trip was Jamaica when I was 26 years old. I used to live in Miami and it was a quick trip from there... so yeah, I ended up going 8 times.
Quote to live by: First you jump off the cliff and you build your wings on the way down
@TokitoNegrito
Name: Olatokunbo Okuwobi (@TokitoNegrito)
Age: 26
Hometown: Houston
Relationship Status (optional): single
Your travel happy place (favorite destination to visit): This is so hard! But if I can pick one it would be Philippines!!
Places to visit left on your bucket list: French Polynesia, Maldives Egypt, Brazil and basically the 156 countries I have left to see in the world
Favorite international dish: Pad Thai because it's full of so much flavor.
Best place to travel on a budget: Anywhere in Southeast Asia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam or Cambodia!! I could be comfortable on so little. No missing meals and eating and living like a king!
Most inspiring travel experience/moment: Swimming with the whale sharks in Oslob, Cebu in the Philippines!! This by far is my favorite animal encounter that really took my breath away. Being surrounded by massive creatures that I only seen on tv! I'll never forget the experience, even when I look at the photos I'm still in shock that's really me like "I did that !"
Most romantic place you ever traveled: Borcay, Phillipines beautiful beaches even more gorgeous sunsets. Everybody was holding hands caked up and I'm single splashing water on myself. It even got so bad that a couple asked me, "are you ok?!"
Your best travel secret: Join a lot of travel groups on social media becaue they are your biggest friends when it comes to grabbing unbelievable nice flight deal. They always keep you updated on cheap flights and travel hotspots even may inspire you to go to new places!
What do you love about traveling? I love making unforgettable memories in unfamiliar places. Travel for me is growth. You are constantly learning about new countries, cultures and the ignorance that you had for the country is getting replaced with the knowledge and facts from what you expereinced first hand. I also love that I have the power to bring so much awareness to a country. I believe that every single country is beautiful and every single country you can have fun in.
What was your first trip? My first trip abroad was to Dominican Republic in '97. This trip opened my eyes to how other people are living in the world and it was also my first cold water with a bucket shower.
Quote to live by: I haven't been everywhere but it's on my list!!!
@BeyondBmore
Name: Brian Oliver (@Beyondbmore)
Age: 32
Hometown: Baltimore,Maryland
Relationship Status (optional): Single
Your travel happy place (favorite destination to visit): London, England
Places to visit left on your bucket list: Greece, Germany,China, Brazil, Ghana as well as plenty of others. The list goes on and on.
Favorite international dish: I love Asian cuisine
Best place to travel on a budget: I would say two of the best places to travel on a budget are Thailand and South Africa once you get there. Low cost/glitch fares to both locations have been popping up frequently.
Most inspiring travel experience/moment: My most inspiring travel experience as volunteering at a school while in Nairobi, Kenya. We visited a school in the Kibera Slums which is one of the largest slums in the world. I have never encountered children so eager to learn and grateful for the smallest things. Ever since I left, there is something that is calling me to return and I look forward to going back for a much longer stay in the future.
Most romantic place you ever traveled: Rome, Italy
Your best travel secret: Always pay in the local currency when asked during credit card transactions. I'd also recommend that others never exchange money at currency exchanges if possible. Always withdraw from an ATM or use a credit card with no foreign purchase fees.
What do you love most about traveling?: The thing I love most about traveling is constantly experiencing and learning the ways of other people/cultures. It is very easy to become closed minded and judgmental based on the way things are at home. I cannot recall a trip that I have taken where I came home feeling as though I didn't learn anything valuable that I hadn't previously known.
What was your first trip? As a kid I took many trips in the car with my granddad. My first flight was to Cleveland, Ohio with my Dad. My first international trip was to Bermuda and my first solo trip was to London. I believe that is the reason London is still one of my favorite places.
Quote to live by: “IN THE END…we only regret the chances we didn’t take, the relationships we were afraid to have,and the decisions we waited too long to make.”- Lewis Carroll
@RobertEctor
Name: Robert Ector (@robertector)
Age: 30
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Relationship Status (optional): Single
Your travel happy place (favorite destination to visit): Bali
Places to visit left on your bucket list: Greece, Egypt, Bhutan
Favorite international dish: Nasi Goreng
Best place to travel on a budget: Antigua, Guatemala
Most inspiring travel experience/moment: Shooting street style photography during Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks. The adrenaline rush you get from the non stop, back to back shows come with a thrill like nothing else.
Most romantic place you ever traveled: Anguilla
Your best travel secret: I always tell friends to wait until they get back from their vacations before they share their photos on social media. Sharing photos while vacationing can be a huge distraction and doesn’t come with the same reflection and memories that you gain while doing it after the entire experience is over.
What do you love most about traveling? What I like most about traveling is the chance to see how other cultures live their life. More often than not, I come back even more grateful and thankful to live in the US.
What was your first trip? My first trip was to Mexico.
Quote to live by: “The best thing about a picture is that is never changes. Even when the people in it do.” -Andy Warhol
@kjohn_lasoul
Name: Kadeem J. (@kjohn_lasoul)
Age: 27
Hometown: New York City
Relationship Status (optional): Single
Your travel happy place (favorite destination to visit): Brazil
Places to visit left on your bucket list: Thailand
Favorite international dish: Roti
Best place to travel on a budget: Guatemala
Most inspiring travel experience/moment: Zip lining at the Mombacho Volcano Nature Reserve in Nicaragua.
Most romantic place you ever traveled: Malta
Your best travel secret: Air bnb is cheaper than hotels most of the time. So look into them before you book a hotel.
What do you love most about traveling? Seeing the world! Traveling makes me appreciate our world and the many walks of life that lives in it.
What was your first trip? My first trip was to Guatemala.
Quote to live by: "See the world."
@WhereInTheWorldIsB
Name: Brian McIntosh (@WhereInTheWorldIsB)
Age: 31
Hometown: Toronto, Canada
Fave Destination: La Digue, Seychelles
Places left on my bucketlist: Antartica, Peru, Ghana, Nigeria, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Costa Rica, Belize, Honduras, St. Lucia, Hawaii, Solomon Islands
Fave International Dish: Chicken Tikka Masala
Best Place to Travel on Budget: Thailand
Most Inspiring Moment: It was the time that I went to Istanbul and got lost on the way to my hotel from the airport. A random man from a restaurant offered to drive my friend and I to the hotel that was 30 minutes away in thick traffic. At the end of it all, I offered to tip him for his troubles and he refused to take it. He took out our suitcases, welcomed us to Turkey and drove off. It was at that moment that I realized that not everyone is out to do good work just for money. I am still shocked until this day when I think about it!
Most Romantic Place: Bali, Indonesia
Best Travel Secret: Collecting miles from credit card sign-ups
What I love most about traveling: It allows me to distance myself (mentally and physically) from my stresses back home. For the time that I am away, I am able to forget about all issues and challenges. It's highly therapeutic for me. I believe it keeps me feeling and looking young!
My first trip: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Quote to live by: "Born alone, die alone. So live for yourself!"
@chaemichael_
Name: Chae Michael
Hometown: Detroit, Michigan
Your travel happy place (favorite destination to visit): I embrace the above sea level element of any destination. The higher the climb, the happier I am.
Places to visit left on your bucket list: I intend to summit Mount Kilimanjaro – Tanzania and trek to Son Doong Cave – Central Vietnam.
Favorite international dish: Unfortunately, I consistently eat the same foods when traveling. Most of my meals are made up of a chicken dish. I am going to make an effort to expand my international palate by visiting ethnic restaurants and trying new foods daily.
Best place to travel on a budget: South East Asia is where I go when on a budget – Thailand. Thailand has great food, beautiful beaches, resonates with culture and has some great opportunities for urban exploration. If addition to it’s in country offerings, Bangkok is a hub for several low cost carriers so it makes the capital city a great springboard to the rest of South East Asia.
Most inspiring travel experience/moment: I truly believe traveling is a journey into yourself and that glory lies in that journey. A few weeks ago I ventured to Scandinavia – Stavanger Region of Norway. I hiked Preikestolen, which was a 5-hour trek covering 8 km with a final elevation of 607 meters. Two days later I hiked Kjerag, which was a 6-hour trek over 12 km with a final elevation of 1084 meters. Summiting both mountains was a testament to my preparedness and raw commitment to the hikes themselves. Despite unkind elements, fatigue and muscle soreness I kept going and I will continue to ‘keep going’.
Most romantic place you have ever traveled: Bali Indonesia – luxury villas complimented by picturesque green backdrops, along with some of the most sublime stretches of coast I have seen and the intangible Balinese warmth creates a certain je ne sais quoi that screams romance.
What do you love most about traveling? The aspect of continuous learning drives me to keep exploring. I have a genuine affinity for history, geography and sociology. I believe that seeing the world first-hand is a source of learning that no institution can parallel.
What was your first trip? The United Mexican States presented me with my 1st passport stamp. My journey however began in Cape Town – South Africa.
Quote to live by: “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” – Neale Walsch
@WorldWideNate
Name: Nathan Fluellen (@WorldWideNate)
Age: 36
Hometown: Calumet City, IL
Relationship Status (optional): Single
Your travel happy place (favorite destination to visit): Rio de Janeiro. I love the energy when I’m in Rio. The weather is amazing and the topography of the city is beautiful. The people known as Cariocas are extremely friendly and welcoming. They love going to the beach and partying. The party can be on the beach, outside on the street or in a club, regardless Cariocas will be dancing, singing and having a fun time.
Places to visit left on your bucket list: My bucket list has about 100 countries on it but here are a few at the top of my list: Madagascar to see the Lemurs, Zambia swim in the Devil’s Pool, Kenya to learn Swahili and jump with the Maasai, Lesotho to rappel down Maletsunyane Falls, Mauritius for the beaches, Papua New Guinea meet the cannibal tribes, Cook Islands because its paradise, Sri Lanka for the culture and Antarctica because it’s the final frontier.
Favorite international dish: Moqueca is a fish stew served in Bahia, Brazil. If I could compare it to another dish I would say it reminds me of gumbo.
Best place to travel on a budget: Cuba, the cost of traveling on the ground is very inexpensive, however beware, U.S. bank credit and debit cards don’t work on the island. When planning a trip to Cuba over budget (i.e. bring more than enough cash) and remember you can always exchange the Cuban pesos you don’t spend before you return to the States.
Most inspiring travel experience/moment: Taking a global road trip with my mother through the South Island of New Zealand and Sydney, Australia. I took my mom down under for her 70th birthday. We flew first class, which was right up her alley, but the rest of the trip was a World Wide Nate adventure. LOL. In New Zealand, we stayed at a different Airbnb every night before settling into Queenstown. My mother and I hiked to the top of a Mount John, which was her first time ever hiking. She toughed it out and I was extremely proud of her. Next up, we took a helicopter ride to an amazing glacier and landed on a lake hidden in the middle of a vast mountain range, where we met up with one of my global travel buddies (a Virginia expat that I originally met in Jordan.) After New Zealand, we flew over to Sydney and explored the city. It was my second time in Sydney and my mom met my friends. They took us around the North Beaches and we had a great time. Even though it was my second time in Sydney, I saw & enjoyed a lot more of the city with my mom along for the ride. I believe traveling the world with friends and/or your significant other is awesome, but traveling the world with your parents is a priceless experience. I look forward to seeing many more countries with mom dukes.
Most romantic place you ever traveled: Palau, is an archipelago of over 500 islands located in the Pacific Ocean. The white sand beaches are idyllic and you can easily have a boat owner take you to a deserted island to frolic around with no one in sight. The food is fresh and if you like seafood your options are endless. Palau is also home of Jeyllyfish Lake, where I enjoy one of my favorite activities -- swimming with jellyfish without getting stung. That’s right. Sting-free jellyfish! It doesn’t get more romantic than that!
Your best travel secret: When going to a new destination where I don’t know anyone I log onto Couchsufring.com and a set-up coffee meet up. When I was younger and I used the website to stay with people to save money. I’ve slept on many couches and sometimes a mat on the floor. Nowadays meeting up for coffee allows me to make a local connection and discover the goodies I might have missed trying to figure it out on my own.
What do you love most about traveling? I’m actually developing a new show about my travels through Africa with UMC and The Africa Channel, which is set to air later this year on UMC.TV. I love the infinite possibilities of travel -- experiencing new exhilarating things and meeting new people. Being able to bring those unique experiences to the masses makes it even that much better. Like the great poet, Bonecrusher once said, “I ain’t never scared.” My life is a global adventure and the world is my candy store.
What was your first trip? One summer I went to Barcelona and San Sebastian, Spain. In Barcelona, I visited a friend from high school who was studying abroad for his masters; and in San Sebastian, I joined my pro-basketball playing cousin’s entourage. Had a blast!
Quote to live by: “A wise man is a traveling man,” Rza – Wu-Tang Clan
@Jefro5
Name: Jeffery Smith Jr. (@jefro5)
Age: 31
Hometown: Chicago Heights, IL
Relationship Status (Optional): Single
Your travel happy place (favorite destination to visit): I’d have to say Brazil. It’s the only country I’ve had a repeat visit to
Places to visit left on your bucket list: I’ve always said I don’t have a “list” of where I want to go, I just want to go everywhere.
Favorite international dish: I had this AH-MAY-ZHING whole fried snapper dish on a beach in the Phi Phi Island that I can still taste to this day.
Best place to travel on a budget: Cambodia, you can live like a King (or Queen) off of $20 USD and still have some change.
Most inspiring travel experience/moment: I went to SE Asia for a my first ever solo travel experience. Throughout the entire trip I was reading the book “The Alchemist.” I put aside all fear and doubt of being able to get away and move around myself and it turned out to be one the most amazing experiences of my life. I navigated my way thru Thailand, Cambodia, & Singapore and met some really amazing people along the way.
Most romantic place you ever traveled: Most romantic place I have visited is St. Lucia. There is nothing more romantic than a beautiful beach with the perfect water to match. Everything about the island is perfect for a getaway with that special someone…even the fruit taste sexier in the Caribbean. Lol!
Your best travel secret: Keep your eye on the deal! While most people have a list of must go places, I think travel is better when you’re open to going everywhere. You may want to go to Paris but a flight deal to Dubai might be what’s available at the moment, Go with the deal! Paris will always be there.
What do you love most about traveling?: Seeing different cultures, trying the food, connecting with people and making a memory in a foreign land fills me in a way that I couldn’t get from never stepping outside my comfort zone.
What was your first trip?: St. Lucia was my first trip outside of the US
Quote to live by: “If it were all about stability, you wouldn’t need faith.”
@kjmase
Name: K. Jordan Mason (@kjmase)
Age: 30
Hometown: Miami, FL
Your Favourite Travel Place: Jamaica….just because that’s my second home.
Places to Visit on your bucket list: I would have to say the remaining world wonders I have yet to visit. I was hoping to have them completed this year, but you see the way my account is set up! If I could visit any places right now, those three places would be the Great Wall of China (China), Machu Picchu (Peru) and Taj Majal (Agra, India)
Favorite International Dish: Besides the obvious Jamaican national dishes, I would have to say I really enjoyed Mansaf. This is the is a traditional dish in Jordan, and is made of lamb cooked in a sauce of fermented dried yogurt called Jameed and served with rice or bulgur.
Best Place to Travel on a Budget: Haiti….flights and hotel accommodations are usually very cheap.
Most Inspiring Travel Experience/Moment: Traveling to Haiti and seeing people who lived in tents as a result of the earthquake, which had hit the island nearly 6 years before my visit. These people lived in the worst conditions I had ever seen, yet they were so full of happiness and joy. Makes one really appreciate all we have here in the states.
Most romantic place you have ever travelled: Paris….the city of love.
Best travel secret: Mobile Passport: International travellers can skip the line at U.S. customs lines thanks to the official app from U.S. Customs and Border Protection called Mobile Passport. Being that not many people know about the app, the lines are usually even shorted than those for global entry.
What do you most love about traveling: I love to travel because it gives a sense of adventure and freedom. It allows us to get away from “normal” life, experience other cultures, to get to know places we see in magazines and the internet. Trying new food and meet new people.
What was your first trip: I want to say Jamaica, when I was two or three years old.
Quote to live by: “Dress Well…Take Trips…Post Pics…Stay out the mix”
Best Posts in Forum: Travel and Vacation Destinations
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Austin MD, Krimsonic_, Infinite_loop and 5 others dapped this. -
![[IMG]](http://cypheravenue.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/London1.png)
I'm writing this in response to few posts I have seen on this site and in response to Cypher Avenue Podcast #53. There seems to be a notion that travelling, domestically and internationally in not affordable. That is not always true, especially if you plan accordingly. A recent TIME article How Black Millennials Are Changing the Face of Travel offered some insight that much to be learned from this.
Step One:
For starters, obtaining a passport is time consuming and cost some money, so I would recommend starting the passport process early. 65% of Americans do not have a passport. That means even if they had the ability to leave or if they had an all expense paid trip somewhere they wouldn't be able to immediately get up and go. That's insane. Contrasting that to Europe, 71% of Europeans have a passport (particularly those in the European Union). That may be a little unfair because Europe is geographically connected. The United States is only connected to Canada and Mexico (which you now need passports to travel to).
![[IMG]](https://media.giphy.com/media/3o6UB0XBB7elaDL4Nq/giphy.gif)
Step Two:
Do your Research. There are thousands of cheap locations you can travel to around the world. I always look at exchange rates. It is an awesome driver of affordability. For example, the exchange rate (right now) between the US and Turkey is $1 = $3 Turkish Lira or $1 = $18.51 Mexican Pesos or $1 = $14.15 Argentine Pesos. The dollar goes a long way in Mexico and Argentina and to some extent Turkey. Find a place where the dollar goes a long way. For example, a $100 USD hotel stay in Argentina could land you at a 5 star hotel or if you staying for two weeks could land you in a really nice rental house. Doing your research is essential to international travel. Go to places where your hard earned dollars can take you far. (See South America, See Thailand, See Vietnam).
![[IMG]](http://www.currencychange.com/images/andorid2.jpg)
Step Three:
Often the most expensive part of traveling is securing that round trip plane ticket. There is no getting around this but with proper research and securing a good time of year to travel, this cost can be low as well. Travelling internationally is good when you leave on a Tuesday. Sometimes this is where I begin. Finding a cheap flight determines where I go. Therefore a good start would be searching for flights to locations with a good exchange rates. With that being said, I would look for locations that have robust public transit systems (see Europe) or are extremely walkable and search for locations where security safety are not an issue. The US State Department and the CIA websites both offer travel status report and guidance to Americans. Alerts and Warnings and The World Factbook
![[IMG]](http://i1.wp.com/etch-production.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/posts/8e/18/10/8e18100000000000.gif)
Step Four:
Set a budget. If you only can afford to spend $1500 dollars find an area that $1500 can take you far. This is where most people have to make hard choices. Should you go out and have $60 worth of drinks tonight or should you stay home have a beer and call it a night. It is about priorities. But imagine eating a grass-feed steak and drinking perfect Argentine wine in Argentina overlooking mountains versus getting faded in the same gay bar you go to every week and spend $60.
Just some other notes. Travelling in groups can significantly bring down costs for everyone. If you have close friends that could make good travel companions y'all should start early and plan an international trip a year out. That gives everyone plenty of time to get all of their affairs in order.
These are a just a few ideas I have used in the past before I became a professional traveller. And in that unfortunate instances that you get too crazy abroad and get locked up or if shyt goes down, it will be foreign service officers who come to your rescue. So read up on how diplomats change the world. Fill those passports with STAMPS!!
![[IMG]](https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/c5/8e/30/c58e30b1a852a8194598567377860ae9.jpg)
Read the whole post here.acessential, Nick Delmacy, BrentForays and 5 others dapped this. -
i would pick Tokyo i really dig Japanese culture. my runners up would be London or
scotland.
![[IMG]](https://www.travelnation.co.uk/sites/default/files/styles/tn_gallery_large_900x600/public/japan_tokyo_shinjuku_nightlife_900.jpg?itok=5pNDDxfu)
ControlledXaos, BlackguyExecutive, cypher21 and 4 others dapped this. -
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If it's all expenses were paid, but I only had 24 hours, it would have to be someplace that's exciting, but otherwise difficult to get to, and small enough where I feel like I wouldn't have missed too much. I'd say Easter Island in the Pacific with all those big heads.
Jdudre, Fanon, Infinite_loop and 2 others dapped this. -
I'd have to go with Egypt first. I really dig their history and mythology.
Then I'd have to go with South Africa.
Then, of course, Paris.
Honorable Mention: Dubai lolNigerian Prince, BlackguyExecutive, cypher21 and 2 others dapped this. -
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Maybe I just do not understand why Black Americans have to make leaving America such a big deal and then add 'Black' to it. I mean 'Black and Abroad'?
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Growing up in Nigeria I always wanted to see the word. It had nothing to do with being a Black man or escaping, yes living conditions are very bad, but I never put such deep thought into it. Even when I did start travelling, I did it with a sense of individual self not 'Black African travelling'. Where ever I stayed, the strangers I talked to, the all night parties I went to, the cruises to explore different islands, my Blackness never occurred to me, only this one time on a flight to Stockholm that i realized from the Airport Check-in to the person I was seating next to on the plane ALL Beach Blonde or Dirty blonde, Blue eyes, tall and pale. Even then I thought do these people have darker hues, not 'oh I am black man navigating a white space'.
From what I have noticed being Black in America is draining. Chimamanda Adichie even said of all the counties she has traveled her blackness is MOST known to her whenever she is in America.
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Jdudre, BlackguyExecutive, Nick Delmacy and 2 others dapped this. -
Eh...did they really think sh!t was gonna be different just because they traveled to the other side of the world? lol I hate to sound cynical but...
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I think everyone should know at least two languages.
Looking back, I wish I would have been forced to learn a second language while I was learning English. Regardless, I'm enjoying the process of learning Spanish in my adulthood. It exposes you to an entire new world and culture--especially when you travel.
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The most difficult thing about learning a new language is not having anyone to practice with. Also, not living in an environment that forces me to speak Spanish is what works against me.
If anyone else is learning Spanish (or fluid), feel free to reach out to me if you want someone to practice with (or to help, if fluid). Hell, if enough people are interested maybe I'll start a new thread dedicated to sharing Spanish learning resources.
What language are you learning and what methods have helped you most in your journey to learning a 2nd language?Winston Smith, Lancer, mojoreece and 2 others dapped this. -
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Fun question I thought of while playing some would you rather earlier...
If your partner/boyfriend could be from a foreign country, where in the world would he be from and why? What aspect of his culture would you be the most exciting or interested in learning about? No picking guys from countries you're parents are from either they have to come from a place that's relatively foreign to you!
I pick Brazil!
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It's seems like such a vibrant country with a lot of interesting and fun culture, food, music I love the possibility of visiting there and meeting family...I don't know how gay people are normally treated but I can assume it's not the best like most of the world. That's ok though we would deal with like we would anywhere else I don't know much about it so learning about it from my partner would be a excellent way for us to get closer! I'm also completely unfamiliar with Portugese so learning that would be the most interesting thing! I definitely would take the time to learn it especially if we got
married..plus Brazilian men are fiiiinnnneee!!!
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French Polynesia/ Tahiti
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or If I feel more adventurous that day , Rio De Janeiro
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United Kingdom England i love the way they talk there accents. and they have there own kind of style or swag
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Infinite_loop, Cyrus-Brooks, grownman and 1 other person dapped this. -
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Bora Bora
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Nigerian Prince, BlackguyExecutive, cypher21 and 1 other person dapped this. -
This is not a piece about how foreign women will be docile and treat you like a king, sorry bruh. This is about preservation of self. This is about saving your sanity. This is about living. You need to leave the United States for a couple of days (or weeks, or years), and you need to do it alone.
Let’s be honest, there are often times where you feel like a foreigner in your own home. No matter how accomplished you’ve become, your own country still looks at you like an anomaly, a glitch, an insult to the system designed to defeat me and you, your momma and your cousin too. As black men, we are constantly subjected to the idea of who we are, instead of our truths.
As lucky as I’ve been to travel the world pretty frequently, many would be surprised to learn my first international solo trip was this year. I’ve flown solo to destinations and met up with friends in different cities, but a trip where I was my only ally in another country hadn’t happened just yet. Now that I’ve done it, I’m pissed I didn’t take a solo journey earlier. I didn’t know how badly I needed to be away. I didn’t know how much I would gain from going alone. I didn’t know until I came back. I needed a break from America.
The last few years have been a unique kind of purgatory for me as a black man, and I’m sure this is the truth for countless other black and brown men existing in America. Daily we are force fed examples of ourselves being taunted, harassed, and murdered, to the point where we too, experience a death of sorts. You slowly spiral downward, finding yourself in this twisted waiting room, counting the days until you become the hashtag. Every week you learn of a new way to die (playing your music loud, doing your job, asking for help when your car has stalled on the road, or reading a book in your car) with no new details on how to live. This dark space we're in right now, isn’t living. This isn’t supposed to be your black existence.
By this point, they’ve won. They've made you believe that this black hole of despair belongs to you. You've got to save yourself. It is because of this, that your next (or even your first) trip out of the country needs to be a solo trip. You, my friend, need a break. You need a moment away to recharge, reflect, and realign. You need to call out sick from America.
“And they say by 21 I was supposed to die, so I’m out here celebrating my post-demise.
— Jay Z
Here’s some reasons why you’re in need of a solo trip abroad.
1. Because it will build your confidence.
Few things test your confidence like being in a place where you barely speak the language, have limited access to the internet, and no one to rely upon but yourself. Traveling alone forces you to tap into these abilities and actually use skills you rarely get to flex when at home, such as being a social being and talking to strangers, accepting the challenge of critical thinking and problem solving to get where you want to go.
More importantly, it gives you the chance to be a carefree black man. Do things you wouldn’t think of doing with your crew around because your boys might look at you funny. The only person you have to worry about making a fool of yourself in front of, is people you’re likely to never see again, and if you do, they’ll know you as that ridiculously confident guy who didn’t care about what others thought. These are the kind of moments you need to realize that being you is the most lit thing you can do, a direct hit to the notion that being you is reason enough for death.
“When I discover who I am, I’ll be free.
— Ralph Ellison
There’s also the opportunities for these really dope moments of clarity that you just can’t get while being surrounded by your normal atmosphere. Some of my best moments of reflection and healing (because yes, we as black men need space to heal from the litany of attacks upon our being) came from being away from all of the static of my day-to-day. You’d be surprised by how clear the mind becomes when it’s away from home.
“All we wanna do is be free.
— J. Cole
2. Because you need to stop waiting on someone to validate your decision to travel somewhere.
Bruh, just go. Stop waiting on your frat brothers to find the time off, stop waiting on someone to say your dream trip to Antartica is a dope idea, stop waiting for others to validate your decision to go somewhere. Just go. I’ve missed out on really great trips waiting for others to come to their senses. I decided that “they,” whoever “they” may be, won’t prevent me from seeing the world. If I want to see the pyramids, I’m going, with or without you. Be your own man and see the world.
Break barriers for others by going it alone. Someone’s solo trip is waiting on yours to inspire them. So do it.
The other great part to a solo trip is creating a part of your life that is closed off to your friends, family, and colleagues. We as black men often keep the things to ourselves that we need to share most; our pain, our cries for help. Very rarely do we get to make and maintain positive moments that are ours, and ours only. That’s exactly what these kinds of trips are for.
“You have the right to every end of your exploration and no motherfucker anywhere can tell you otherwise . . .
— Ta-Nehisi Coates
3. Because frankly, you deserve it.
Your current space in the world can kill you, in more ways than one. The 24 hour news cycle constantly plastering images of men who look like you being killed simply. for. being. The reminders that no matter how successful you are, a substantial portion of the “fellow” countrymen still look at you as less than. The space in your brain occupied by constant rage, fear, confusion, and racial fatigue, it’s all slowly stealing your life. Brother, you need a moment away. This is not to say that everywhere outside of the United States is a black man’s paradise, that’s far from the truth, but there is an opportunity to turn the volume down on the negativity, if only for a few days.
“Men can starve from a lack of self-realization as much as they can from a lack of bread.
— Richard Wright
4. Because you need to realize that some of your “Western” sensibilities, make no sense at all.
America often becomes the default answer for “all things great,” but you, as a black man, are one of the first to know it’s not always true. Yet somehow, we still cling onto these westernized ideas as gospel. Remember, these same “western” ideals are often used as confirmation to view and treat you in a certain way. Taking a chance to see how other cultures view the world, experience life, and view manhood is key to understanding that most of what you thought you knew, was BS. Especially when it comes to how we as Americans view the safety of the rest of the world. I’ve had friends and family tell me, “I want to travel, but the lack of safety in some of these countries concerns me…” I can’t subscribe to that way of thinking, especially when my safety in my own country is questionable at best. I challenge those concerned about their safety to really compare your fears of making it home without a police encounter to the “safety” concerns you have about visiting other countries. And honestly, most of the people telling you a place isn’t safe, haven't been anywhere near the place in question. Ask somebody how safe they think Cuba is, and it’s likely they won’t tell you it's labeled one of the safest countries in Latin America, let alone the world. What they will tell you is “Be safe,” implying some notion that your life is more at risk there than where you currently are. You also can’t rely upon online reviews from others to gauge how safe YOU will feel in another country. Because of our daily interactions as black men, our thresholds of fear, for better or worse, usually rest higher on the scale than others, since we live with a daily cloud of threat over our heads on our home turf.
5. Because it may be your last time to do it.
Before you get married, before the kids, before you take that new job, before the ills of old age or those student loan payments kick in, and before you can make excuses for yourself, go. Life comes at you fast, and you don’t want to be in a position where you long for moments you missed out on. And because it’s just you, it doesn’t have to be this grand, luxurious getaway (unless that’s your thing, then by all means…). The beauty of traveling alone, is that the only person you’re accountable for, is you. If you’re a morning person, you’re not waiting for the rest of your crew to get up to enjoy a day in a new place. If you want to come back to the hotel in the middle of the day to catch a nap, do it. If you want to go to that spot in the seedy part of Shanghai, do it….just don’t get arrested.
“Now watch that black boy fly…
— Kendrick Lamar
Stop waiting for #yourname to happen.
Get out of here and live for the brothers and sisters who didn’t get a chance to. I know what you’re thinking, and no, this isn’t selfish. You are not abandoning your community by taking time for you to rebuild. The salve of self-care is more important than ever, and getting away, alone, gives you the opportunity to just be, an identity we tend to lose. Your greatest asset in this fight to stay alive is your black joy.
BLACK MEN: We Need To Leave AmericaJdudre, Fanon, Nigerian Prince and 1 other person dapped this. -
The Complete List of All Things Named Brooklyn (Updated)
BK Shout to my fellow Brooklyn Cypher Brothers @SB3 @alton
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Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Heights and Brooklyn Bridge Park
As everyone in Brooklyn knows, “Brooklyn” has become far more than just a borough — it’s beer, coffee, jeans, bikes, markets, culture and so much more. As we’ve been hearing for several years now, Brooklyn is a brand.
Which is why Brownstoner is listing every Brooklyn-branded thing on earth (plus a few other iconic bits of Brooklyn culture). We’ve got the list going below. But we need your help to make it truly comprehensive.
What obscure or classic Brooklyn brands do we need to add? Leave a comment, email tips@brownstoner.com, or tweet to @brownstoner with your suggestions and we’ll add them here.
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Williamsburg and Bushwick
Brands Named Brooklyn
Alcohol – Brooklyn Brewery
Alcohol – Brooklyn Gin
Alcohol – Jack From Brooklyn
Alcohol – Brooklyn Brewshop
Alcohol – Kings County Distillery
Alcohol – Brooklyn Spirits
Alcohol – Brooklyn Winery
Bicycles – Brooklyn Bicycle Co
Cartoons – Brooklyn Cartoons
Clothing – Brooklyn Industries
Clothing – Planet Brooklyn Academy
Clothing – My Brooklyn Baby
Clothing – Brooklyn Denim Co
Coffee – Brooklyn Roasting
Coffee – Brooklyn Beans
Community – Brooklyn Neighbors Allied for Good Growth
Community – Brooklyn Nanny Company
Community – Brooklyn Community Foundation
Culture – Brooklyn Academy of Music
Culture – Brooklyn Library
Culture – Brooklyn Museum
Culture – Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Culture – Brooklyn Ballet
Culture – Brooklyn Historical Society
Culture – Brooklyn Arts Council
Culture – Brooklyn Night Bazaar
Culture – Brooklyn Film Festival
Culture – String Orchestra of Brooklyn
Culture – Brooklyn Super Hero Supply Co.
Culture – BKLYN Designs
Education – Brooklyn Brainery
Education – Brooklyn College
Education – Brooklyn Law School
Education – Brooklyn School of Inquiry
Education – Brooklyn Kindergarten Society
Entertainment – Brooklyn Bowl
Farming – Brooklyn Grange Farm
Food – The Brooklyn Kitchen
Food – Brooklyn Dehli
Food – Brooklyn Soda Works
Food – Brooklyn Bell
Food – Brooklyn Hemispherical Bitters
Food – Brooklyn Brine
Food – Brooklyn Cupcake
Food – Brooklyn Wok Shop
Food – Michael’s of Brooklyn
Food – Jack from Brooklyn
Food – The Brooklyn Biscuit Company
Food – Brooklyn Crab
Food – Brooklyn Premium
Food – Brooklyn Bouillon
Food – Bklyn Larder
Food – The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Co.
Food – Brookly Ice Cream Factory
Food – Brooklyn Sodaworks
Food – Brooklyn Brine
Food – Brooklyn Dark
Landmarks – Brooklyn Bridge
Marketing – Brooklyn Strategies
Markets – Brooklyn Flea
Markets – Bk Bazaar
Media – Brooklyn Magazine
Media – Brooklyn Based
Media – Brooklyn Eagle
Media – The Brooklyn Paper
Media – Brooklyn Vegan
Media – Brooklyn Spaces
Running – Brooklyn Half Marathon
Movies – Brooklyn
Parks – Brooklyn Bridge Park
Parks – Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Shopping – Brooklyn Slate Co.
Sports – Brooklyn Nets
Sports – Brooklyn Islanders
Sports – Brooklyn Boulders
Sports – Brooklyn Cyclones
Sports – Brooklyn Dodgers
Sports – Brooklyn Running Company
Sports – Brooklyn Bridge Fencing Club
Sports – Brooklyn Strength
Sports – Brooklyn Fishing Club
Sports – Brooklyn Bolts
Sports – Brooklyn Royal Giants
Sports – Brooklyn Americans
Tattoo – Brooklyn Tattoo
Tourism – Explore Brooklyn
Trade – Brooklyn Made
Trade – Brooklyn Eats
Trade – Brooklyn Slate Co.
Transportation – Brooklyn Shuttle
VC – Brooklyn Bridge Ventures
Watches – Brooklyn Watch Co
Iconic Brooklyn Brands Not Named Brooklyn
Pizza – Grimaldi’s
Cheesecake – Junior’s Cheesecake
Franks – Nathan’s Famous
Trade – Etsy
Brooklyn Culture
Art – Brooklyn Street Art
Books – A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
Books – The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman
Cartoons – Bar Scrawl
Photography – Brooklyn Changing by Kristy Chatelain
Music – Jay Z
Music – Beastie Boys
Music – Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
Music – Barbra Streisand
Music – Neil Diamond
Music – Neil Sedaka
Music – Aaron Copland
Music – Max Roach
Movies – Saturday Night Fever
Movies – The Lords of Flatbush
Movies – Dog Day Afternoon
Movies – Once Upon a Time in America
Movies – Do the Right Thing
Movies – The Angriest Man in Brooklyn
Movies – Crooklyn
Movies – She’s Gotta Have It
Movies – Mo’ Better Blues
Movies – The Squid and the Whale
Movies – Moonstruck
Movies – Smoke
Movies – Blue in the Face
Movies – Arsenic and Old Lace
Movies – Sophie’s Choice
Plays – Arsenic and Old Lace
Plays – Brighton Beach Memoirs
Plays – Death of a Salesman
TV – Honeymooners
TV – Welcome Back Kotter
TV – The Cosby Show
TV – Girls
TV – Brooklyn 99
TV – Broad City
TV – The Patty Duke Show
TV – The Honeymooners
Media Coverage
Brooklyn – Wikipedia
The Brooklyn Brand Goes Global – NY Times
Brooklyn Billion Dollar Brand- CNBC
Brooklyn the Brand – Wall Street Journal
The 25 Coolest New Business in Brooklyn – Business Insider
Brooklyn Becoming Popular Baby Name (Outside New York) – Slate
The Brooklynization of the World – Conde Nast Traveler
Made in Brooklyn: the New York Borough That Became a Global Brand – The Guardian
The Doors of Brooklyn – Brownstoner
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Brooklyn Museum, Pitkin Theater, Brownsville
Media Companies Based in Brooklyn
Vice
Thought Catalog
Northside
BlankSlate
Brownstoner
Brokelyn
Brooklyn Daily Eagle
mindbodygreen
Things named Brooklyn that are NOT in Brooklyn
Food – Brooklyn Taco
Food – Brooklyn Chewing Gum
Food – Brooklyn Diner
Food – Brooklyn Bagel and Coffee Company
Food – The Brooklyneer
People – Brooklyn Decker
People – Brooklyn Beckham
Places – Brooklyn, Mississippi
Places – Brooklyn, Portland
Places – Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
Places – Brooklin, Maine
Places – Brooklyn, Maryland
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Coney Island, Brighton Beach, Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn College
[Images: Details from Brooklyn Poster]
Related Stories
Longtime Brooklynites Reflect on a Changing Brooklyn
What I Miss About Brooklyn: Thoughts From an Ex-Brooklynite
Brooklyn Branding: How Far Can It Go?BlackguyExecutive, SB3, ColumbusGuy and 1 other person dapped this. -
With all of the acquaintances I've had over the years that regularly go there to "interact" with the local populace it's always funny to realize that homophobia is still the norm.
Still it's encouraging to see some slight change.
Personally, I've never not met someone from DR that didn't dabble in at least the bi side of life and if anyone has the chance to check out, do so.
Beautiful place, beautiful people that counts among them
Zoe Saldana
Juan Luis Guerra
Fabolous
Alex Rodriguez
Dania Ramirez and
Hosea Chanchez
Editorial Observer
By ERNESTO LONDOÑO APRIL 4, 2016
Shortly after taking up his post as American ambassador to the Dominican Republic in November 2013, Wally Brewster got a bit of unsolicited advice from the Vatican’s envoy to the Caribbean nation.
“If you keep your private life behind the walls of your embassy, you’ll be O.K. here,” Nuncio Jude Thaddeus Okolo told Mr. Brewster. He meant that Mr. Brewster, to be an effective diplomat, would be wise to keep his husband, Bob Satawake, out of sight in a country where prejudice against gay people remains widespread.
The advice went unheeded. Mr. Brewster and Mr. Satawake, who have been together for nearly 28 years, have been out and proud in Santo Domingo, sparking a spirited debate that has galvanized the nation’s fledgling gay rights movement and outraged local leaders of the Catholic Church.
The attacks against Mr. Brewster, a Chicago businessman who raised money for President Obama’s re-election campaign, began just days after the White House nominated him for the post. During a news conference in June 2013, Cardinal Nicolás de Jesús López Rodríguez, the archbishop of Santo Domingo, said he was appalled that Washington would be represented by a “maricón,” a slur term for gay men. Monsignor Pablo Cedano, another senior church leader, predicted that Dominicans would make Mr. Brewster so miserable, he wouldn’t last long.
- It was an odd time for the Catholic Church in the Dominican Republic to be attacking anyone. Just weeks after that news conference, the Vatican’s ambassador to Santo Domingo was quietly recalled after superiors learned that he had been paying poor underage boys for sex. And allegations of child abuse have been made against other priests.
Mr. Brewster never contemplated backing out of the job. “We knew the warmth of the people,” he said in an interview. “We also knew this was a place where there was a lot of opportunity to make progress on human rights.”
Soon after arriving, Mr. Brewster and Mr. Satawake, who had been active in the gay rights movement in the United States, hosted a small group of Dominican activists at their residence. At the time, the very few resources gay rights groups on the island had came from H.I.V. prevention initiatives, and they didn’t have a strategy to press for legal or societal reforms.
The embassy began providing money for gay rights groups as part of the State Department’s initiative to advance equality for gay and transgender people around the world. “The arrival of this ambassador is the biggest thing that could have happened to us,” said Marlenne Bennedeck Dumont, a transgender rights activist in Santo Domingo. “We’ve seen that change is possible and have begun to find allies.”
This year, for the first time, openly gay people in the Dominican Republic are running for local office. Last month, the American Embassy helped start a L.G.B.T. chamber of commerce. Mr. Brewster’s presence has brought about a national conversation about prejudice and tolerance, said Pablo McKinney, a Dominican newspaper columnist.
“In the Dominican Republic, it’s fine to be gay as long as you don’t acknowledge it and lead a double life,” said Mr. McKinney. “I think it’s wonderful that by coming here, this man has brought this reality to the fore.”
Discordant, mojoreece, OckyDub and 1 other person dapped this. - It was an odd time for the Catholic Church in the Dominican Republic to be attacking anyone. Just weeks after that news conference, the Vatican’s ambassador to Santo Domingo was quietly recalled after superiors learned that he had been paying poor underage boys for sex. And allegations of child abuse have been made against other priests.
Winston Smith
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