Africa Dreaming: Not So Common Sense Tips for Your First Trip to the Continent

 by: Nicole Maisha

I first made my way to “the Continent” while in college.  It’s been a love affair ever since.  The diversity of ethnicities, languages, landscapes and cultures is mind-blowing.  To get a taste of Africa’s sheer vastness just picture snow capped mountains in South Africa, waterfalls in Zimbabwe, high plateaus in Ethiopia, the River Nile in Sudan, ocean side cities in Senegal and Guinea, and the Sahel desert in Mali. The good news is that despite overwhelmingly negative news coverage, women of color continue to choose African destinations for adventure, volunteerism and connection of their roots and the birthplace of humanity.  They are discovering a hidden truth - travel to the continent can be some of the most fulfilling, exciting and humbling you will ever experience.

Here are some not so common sense tips for the bold and open-minded traveler headed to Africa.

Greetings are Important: In many places, it’s considered rude to start talking without a proper and formal “how are you and the family?” to initiate the discussion.  Before you travel, learn a few greetings, salutations and other key phrases in one of the local languages.  Many countries have an official “colonial” language, but people tend to use their own local ethnic languages in day-to-day life.  Pick up some key greetings in the most frequently used local language.  Along those lines, take small gifts for your hosts or other families you befriend and plan to keep in touch.

Be Prepared to Bargain and Know Your Money: Most “market” shopping involves bargaining with the seller.  You’ll be hard pressed to find standard prices marked on most items.  When you ask “how much,” it’s safe to assume that the price has been marked up by 30% or more (sometimes by %100).  Merchants expect you to negotiate with them, as the market is regulated by the bargaining dance between the merchant and customer.  Besides paying entirely too much for goods, you’ll miss out on some great shopping fun if you simply accept the first price quoted. Be prepared to do quick currency conversions in your head, especially when you’re in the middle of serious haggling.  The last thing you want is to have to interrupt intense negotiations to ask, “wait, how much is 5000 CFA in dollars?”

Understand that Social Relations are Different: Social and racial dynamics can be more nuanced and complex than many are used to or expect.  For example, domestic workers are common in many households, from those with very modest economic means to more affluent families.  Some visitors are not used to having maids, guards and other servants working for them, and may be offended or uncomfortable.  However you chose to respond, know that it’s the norm for many social groups in Africa.  Household help may range from locals trying to make a living to support their families and refugees needing financial opportunity to child laborers and what may be considered modern-day slaves.  It’s not easy to tell the difference just by looking, so don’t make assumptions right away.  Ask or do your research if you are concerned. 

Also, each country has its own history of complex social, ethnic and racial relations.  Interactions are not always so “black and white.” Your idea of who is black, who is privileged and who is oppressed may not fit neatly into the existing classifications in your host country.  For example, in Sudan I was considered “Arab” versus “Black African”.  The media portrays the conflict in Sudan and South Sudan as Arabs against Africans, while most of those who are Arab look very similar to my very brown friends and family in America. The point is there is usually more to the story than meets the eye.

Prepare for Developing Country Conditions: While conditions vary throughout the continent, for the most part standards are much different than in North America and Europe.  You may be shocked at the intensity of poverty you witness, the number of beggars or street children, poor road conditions and otherwise sub-standard infrastructure.  Modes of road transportation can range from taxis for getting around town to overcrowded buses and tightly packed cars for traveling between cities and smaller towns.  From my conversations with people, the hardest things to deal with are the poverty and wealth disparity.  Understand that this is the reality, but try not to let disillusionment about the conditions color your entire trip.  You can also use your experience to become an educated global citizen.  Learn more about the economy, politics and history of the country and get involved!

See a Travel Doctor and Purchase Travel Insurance: Instead of letting fear of malaria, traveler’s diarrhea or other infectious or communicable diseases spoil your trip, prepare and protect yourself. See a travel doctor for advice on prevention and recommended shots for the country you’re visiting. Note: A Yellow Fever vaccination card is required for entry into many West African countries, so find out if you need one.  You should also consider purchasing travel insurance which offers air evacuation in case of medical emergency.  Without it you could be paying thousands of dollars out of pocket should you need to get home due to injury or illness.  

Remain Flexible and Adaptable: Not everything will go according to plan.  Things may seem chaotic at first, but there is a rhythm and order that you will soon come to understand.  Besides its tremendous natural resources, Africa’s most significant value lies in its amazing cultures and human capital.  Learning about the strong cultural and social ties will open your eyes to how life flows in Africa.  Be prepared for a social time reference, meaning things begin when the people arrive and are ready for it to begin.  This is different from a linear time reference where events commence because a clock says it’s time.  Punctuality has a different meaning, particularly for social affairs.  Try not to get frustrated if you’re a person who tends to go by the clock.  Observe and learn. 

Identify and Let Go of Your Own Stereotypes: Africa remains an enigma in the psyche of many.  Much of what people imagine is based on extreme or one-sided depictions in the media or from romanticized historical portrayals.  Africa’s countries and people are far from one-dimensional.  Not everyone is poor.  Not everyone is a refugee.  Not everyone is a descendants of royalty.  Not everyone dances or sings.  However, most want a better life for themselves and future generations, just like everyone else on the planet.  As soon as you let go of any need to pity or hold Africans on a pedestal, you’ll be prepared for an amazing journey.  Be ready to experience beauty contrasted with despair, resilience and resourcefulness alongside sadness and joy and all other known human emotions.  Take in the colors, sounds, textures and stimulation of all that is sustaining and life-giving in Africa.   Embrace the trip of a lifetime!

Surviving Your First Overseas Flight

June, 2012

added from google images

The big day has arrived – a holiday in a far away foreign country. You are all packed and ready to go. You have your passport, plane ticket, and some way to pay for your next few weeks. You are nervous an anxious and ready to go. Here are a few pointers to make your long flight a little more pleasant.

Before you go.

Pack as light as possible. You should have no more than two suitcases and one carry-on. If you are going to a tropical climate it will be even easier packing shorts and T-shirts. And, you can always pick up some new clothes at your destination.

Ensure that you have all of your medications and copies of your prescriptions. Check on the latest rules for carrying liquids in your carry-on. The rules and regulations change with the weather – so keep current.

Re-confirm your flight. My last trip was almost delayed by a day or two as a typhoon hit Taiwan and my flight from Hawaii was going through Taipei. I scrambled and got my flight changed to one that went through Tokyo, Japan and managed to get to Thailand as scheduled. I didn’t check ahead of time and fortunately was able to get on a different flight. I learned my lesson. While re-confirming, get your seat assignment. I prefer exit rows for more legroom.

Double check that you have everything. I use a checklist and check it 2 or 3 times before I go. Really make sure that you have your passport, tickets and some way to pay – cash, ATM card, credit card or traveler’s checks. A combination is a good way to make sure that you have alternative means of paying. If you are going to a country that has its own currency, plan to exchange a day or two’s worth at the destination airport. Don’t change money in your home country – you will get a terrible rate.

At your home airport

added from google images

Plan to get to your airport about 3 hours ahead of your flight departure. Check-in and security lines can be long and slow. Have your travel documents ready to show wherever you go. Again, check on the rules for what you can bring with your on the flight – especially in your carry-on.

I always eat at the airport before I fly. Things have gotten better and cheaper at airports and I prefer to have a meal in me and not rely on the airline food. I also bring some trail mix with me to munch on during the flight.

Take advantage of the duty free shops. Get your booze, cigarettes and other goodies for tax-free prices. Check the limitations at your destination country before you buy 6 bottles of whiskey and find out you are only allowed to bring in one. Also check to see if you can carry liquids on flights that have a layover or two. You may have to make your purchase at the layover before your last leg.

You can kill time playing with any electronic toys you own. Wireless access is usually available in the airports so you can check email and surf. You can also listen to some music if you have an Ipod of something similar. Wireless can be found in most airports right outside the Airline lounges. You don’t have to be a member to sit outside and tap into their unsecured network.

On the flight

added from google images

Try to relax and sleep as much as possible. The time zone changes and jet lag will be lessened. Avoid alcohol and drink plenty of water, especially on longer flights. Dehydration comes easily on long flights in dry cabin air. You can drink booze when you arrive.

Read and watch a movie to kill time. Do some of the puzzles in the on-board magazines. Keep busy as much as possible. Have some mints and gum to alleviate the air pressure during take-off and landing.

I usually avoid the main course of the airline food. I do eat the salad, bread and dessert. The main meal is rarely edible. This is why I eat before I go and eat my own snacks.

You will have to fill out a customs declaration form on the plane to turn in to the Custom’s officer. Do this on the plane and stick it with your passport.

Arrival

Head out of the plane as quickly as possible. You and everyone else will have to go through Immigration/Customs – so the race is on. Hopefully, you were given instructions before deplaning. If not, just follow the signs. Don’t stop to smoke or use the bathroom. Get in the shortest line and have your passport ready. Keep a copy of your boarding pass with you, just in case.

Be pleasant and polite to the Custom’s officer, get your passport stamped, turn in your customs declaration, and head for the luggage carousels. Make sure you have your own luggage and find the currency exchange.

Change enough money to last you a day or two. ATMs are conveniently located around the world, so a debit card is the easiest way to get local currency. It can be a little more risky using a credit card. Get your money and head for the exit.

Find the taxi or bus line and head to your hotel. You made it! Now, enjoy your vacation.


Copied with permission from: http://plrplr.com/65473/surviving-your-first-overseas-flight/

Giving It All Up…To Get So Much More…

By: Brittany S

As a Black American, I cringe whenever I go abroad and hear other Americans and non-Americans alike describe what it is like in America.  Almost every description I have ever heard describes mainstream America, not its subcultures.  But who is at fault for this?  Is it A—the non-ethnic American that reports their culture as if it represents the (approximately) other 31.3 million of us?  Or is it B—the non-American that takes the opinions of one or a few and solidifies their perspective of the entire group?  By all standards, that is not a large enough sample size to be statistically significant.  Answer?  A, B, and C.  What’s C?  ME.  Because I let my own assumptions about going abroad keep me from going, I let A be the only representation for B, who might only know what they’ve been told.  When I sat and thought about my assumptions and realized that’s all they were, I opened my heart to new possibilities.  So here is a piece of me, from my heart to yours.  Hopefully this will help you give up your assumptions, whatever they may be.  Ultimately, my decision to go abroad stemmed from the fact that the majority of my hesitations were just assumptions and nothing more.  I shared a few of them here.

1—I’m broke and should be at home working to pay off debt, not out playing in another country.

I’m an educator by trade, an English educator at that.  What am I doing abroad right now? Teaching English.  I’m definitely not over here playing.  Also, the amount of money that I make here compared to what I would make at home is less, but so is the cost of living.  In fact, it is so much lower that I have money left over to pay off student loans, credit card bills, send money home for emergencies, AND travel to different COUNTRIES (not cities, but countries).  For those of you who are not interested in education professions, there are other options.  I know several people who are engineers, auditors, etc and they are expat women of color, too.  Don’t let this thought be a hindrance for you the way it was for me.  I could have been traveling earlier when I took a break from school to try and sort some things out.

2—I can’t pack a lot of stuff, I’m going to look sloppy the whole time I’m there. L

The biggest part of this one was my HAIR.  All of you Africana women out there know EXACTLY what I’m talking about.  For the most part, the only people who understand our hair are our people.  What in the world was I gonna do with my bra-length relaxed hair in Korea?  Also, my size 10 feet do NOT fit Korean shoes.  I had 1 suitcase filled with four seasons of clothes.  Not nearly enough to be fierce!  I will say, however, since I’ve been abroad, stuff that I usually wouldn’t wear it America I wear over here and feel a lot more carefree and confident about my fashion choices, even down to my hair length and texture.  The Koreans keep calling me a fashionista!  I even cut all my hair off a week before I came here.  My hair was longer at birth.  I’m not saying you have to 

My hair now. It survived! My friend straightens her own hair.

do a big chop and mix & match a bunch of rags, but what I am saying is being abroad makes you appreciate living in the moment, not being seen as a moment passes you by.  People remember their encounters with me for the witty/silly things I said, not the way I was dressed.  But don’t fret.  If you really feel naked without all your accessories and MUST be able to shop, trust me, there is plenty of shopping available!  You can shop til you drop almost anywhere.  All I am saying is that for me, being abroad has helped me detach myself from a lot of the materialistic things I once felt dysfunctional without.  I am glad I finally forced myself to stop thinking that way and I hope to be able to continue to develop this new outlook wherever I am.

3—If I go alone, what will I do?  I won’t be able to go anywhere/do anything, especially if English is not an official language there.

Cool things happen when you go exploring.

When I lived in America, I never went anywhere alone.  Yes I went to work/class or to run my errands, but a social event or setting, never!  If I had to arrive solo, I was soon to meet someone else.  I finally worked up the courage to go to the mall alone, but even then I texted or chatted with someone almost the entire time.  I was overly dependent on group interactions.  Being in another country can break you out of that.  There are times that I go eat, shopping, or take trips to different countries or cities with me, myself, and I.  (Don’t worry, even if English isn’t an official language, there are tons of tourist-friendly resources available that have made all my travel pretty simplistic.)

For some, it can be out of necessity, but in many cases, I have chosen to do these things alone because I wanted to.  To me, living abroad is a chance to have a clean slate if you so choose.  A lot of my assumptions extended beyond what is there for me in another country all the way to what is there for me in life.  I felt I was expected to be in a societal mold that I dare not escape.  Being over here has allowed me to not only step out of the mold, but reshape it so it is pleasing to ME first, not others.  So who cares if some people think it is socially awkward to do X,Y,Z alone?  I’m learning to think otherwise.  Why let others keep me from my happiness?

I encourage you to think about your assumptions, and if you know in the pit of your stomach that you want to go abroad, seek out concrete evidence on them.  Don’t be your own hindrance.  You could be living your dreams!  I know I am.

What's Your Footprint?

By: Brittany S

Not all prints wash away as easily as these.

Just as you get country stamps in your passport, the country will inherit your footprint.  I don’t mean this literally, although you will do your share of walking.  What impression will you leave behind?  Although you are on vacation, you are visiting someone’s home and your choices will often impact their (and your) beliefs and actions.  So here are a couple of things to consider increasing the chances of your vacation being pleasant for both you and the locals.

Respect the Culture:  Three American Girls Head to France

Girl A studied French before the visit and was able to have basic conversations and read signs in French to help her get around.  She was able to take the metro and when she was lost or needed to find the restroom, communicate her thoughts in French.  If the locals knew English, they pleasantly responded to her in English.  If not, they were patient with her French.  She found the French to be very friendly throughout Paris and hopes to return one day.

Girls B & C didn’t study French and were advised by Girl A to at least learn how to say “Hello” “Thank you.” “English?” and “Sorry.” if nothing else.  She offered to write these phrases and the translation for them but they declined and said they’ll be fine.  When they went to the metro, the attendant only spoke French and they couldn’t read the machine to buy their own ticket (even though there was a button to change it to English, they didn’t know the French word for it).  Annoyed, they walked out and headed to something American: McDonalds.  When they tried to order, the young girl didn’t understand them and they became very impatient.  Completely irritated, the girls grabbed their food and flagged down a taxi.  They instructed the driver to take them to their hotel (in English) and the driver deliberately overcharged them.  When they refused to pay they started yelling at him (in English) and he slapped one in the face and pulled the other’s hair.  Defeated, they paid, hopped out in tears, and vowed never to return to France again.  After all, they heard the French were rude anyway.

I had a BLAST! Can't wait to return...

Extreme?  Well, this actually happened.  I’m Girl A.  I studied French in school, but didn’t know much.  What I did know was French culture.  I knew a lot of French people are really annoyed with foreigners, especially Americans, expecting everyone to speak English.  Sometimes they refuse to speak English to you if they know it, and other times they are rude in return like this taxi driver.  The two girls refused my help and spoke 100% English the entire time.  Each encounter they had made the French person(s) uncomfortable to say the least.  So now those people they met may have a resonating belief that Americans are arrogant and rude and the two girls feel the same about them.  In reality, not everyone is like that, but those people will tell others of their encounters and the negative feelings toward the other group will spread and solidify.

Respect the People: Two Black Girls Go to Korea

A group goes to Korea to teach English as a second language for a month.  Koreans’ views on Black people range from them wanting us to leave their country all the way up to wanting to copy our style of art, music, and fashion.  Somewhere in the middle lies a fear and/or curiosity of the unknown (in this case, the Black person).  Both girls received a brief orientation of Korean history, culture, and customs, particularly how it pertains to foreigners.

Girl A decided she shouldn’t have to change who she is just because she’s in Korea.  Why should she have to bend to the will of the group?  Whenever an older Korean woman kindly asked her to be quiet on the bus (as most Koreans travel in silence), she rolled her eyes at the woman and continued talking, remarking that the woman only told her to be quiet because she is Black.  Whenever she would catch children staring at her, she would shoot them a mean look and they would quickly turn around and hide their faces.  About a week later, she contracted H1N1 (“swine flu”) and was quarantined.

When you're open, random (cool) stuff happens to you.

Girl B embraced the “when in Rome” mentality but acknowledged that even Rome fell.  She'd do things the Korean way, as long as it didn’t change who she was at the very core.  She understood children weren’t trying to be insulting when they called her a man (because of her short hair) or asked if she was dirty (they'd never seen someone so dark before so they thought it was unnatural).  She had fun sharing naïve moments with adults and happy that she could serve as a teacher for the curious youth.  Even though one of her roommates (and some of her friends) contracted H1N1, she didn't.  She returned to Korea years later to teach full-time.

Ok, so I know this story was a bit over the top, and no, I am not suggesting that if you are rude to elderly people on buses you will contract H1N1, I just wanted to make the story dramatic, but again, this is a true story.  I’m Girl B and I came to Korea to work for a summer camp with 69 other teachers.  We knew very little about Korean culture so they briefed us.  Some were unhappy with what we learned and deemed some things unacceptable (and as something they will completely disregard).  Others felt things may not have been ideal, but at least tried to discern why things are that way in order to best combat them.  As with any people, if you are not exposed to others, you will only know what you encounter in media.  Particularly in rural Korea, there are many people who have never left their province.  As far as foreigners are concerned, most don’t exactly fly 15+ hours to visit a Korean rice field, so these Koreans never see them.  During our orientation, we experienced an H1N1 outbreak and a lot of teachers contracted it.

Bottom Line: When you travel, please remember that YOU made the choice to visit that place.  No one is twisting your arm saying “Come to my country and force your country’s ways on it.”  History has shown us how that has go horribly wrong time and time again.  However, just because you visit another place doesn’t mean you should not be yourself.  You can still be yourself and be respectful of others.  If you feel too strongly about the host country’s requests of its visitors, please choose another country.  You’ll enjoy yourself so much more if you are somewhere you feel unrestricted.

When we go to different countries, we are a representation of our country, race, gender, and/or culture to everyone from the little girl on the bus to the government.  It works both ways.  What you see and who you meet will greatly shape your opinion of the place and its people.  These opinions that you will form of each other will shape future interactions.  So if you insist on going to a particular country, you may have to compromise a little on some things.  It’s usually nothing major, just something different.  After all, how horrible is it to be silent in a silent bus?  Tread softly. :-)

Traveling Sucks (Yeah, I Said It)

By Rukiya McNair

Photo.

I miss my husband. As I am here in Puerto Rico enjoying the sunshine (see photo), he is in a war zone everyday… working away. Having two small children does make it a bit better, as I always have company and for the most part they are a joy to be around. Missing him also makes me think about some of the things that travel has forced me to miss out on.  I mean, don’t get me wrong, travel has changed my life and opened my eyes to life in a way that I can’t describe in words but it does also have its downfalls.

For instance, friendships have been formed in every place I have  traveled to, and I mean real friendships. So, moving away is hard when you realize years down the road that the people who mean the most to you are often spread out across the globe.  On one hand, this great because you always have people to go visit, but on a day-to-day basis this can make things quite lonely.  Although, I can say that I am grateful for technology which makes it much easier to communicate now-a-days. So I suppose I should be thankful right?

Something else I have realized, as I have packed up and moved around more than most people I know, is that being attached to material possessions is a waste of energy and time. You know that lovely broach your grandmother gave you for your fifth birthday or that necklace that’s been passed down in your family for generations? Leave it with someone you trust or simply prepare yourself for the reality that it will get broken, stolen, or lost…or some combination of the three.  At this point, I have managed to program myself to not become attached to anything that can’t love me back. Be aware that luggage does get lost, delayed and stolen. Understand that when you leave items at a hotel, they typically don’t call you to say they have it, especially if it’s of value. Yes, people do pick-pocket, this is something your typical American is not accustomed to, but it happens (in some places, it happens rather often). Left your cell phone in a taxi after a fun and long night out? Kiss it goodbye.  Ipods, purses, wallets…anything you can think of can and more than likely will turn up missing if you travel enough. Just be thankful for your health and keep it moving.

A bit of advice I do have is that when you take photos, upload them to a website, internet storage, your email or somewhere you can find them in the case that your camera and/or laptop breaks or disappears. I mean, one thing you don’t want to lose is all of the beautiful photos you have taken along the way, right?

Okay, so now that I've officially scared you off (I'm joking, if you're reading this I know it can't be that easy) let it be known that traveling and living abroad is not for the faint for heart. It will, however change your life for the better and you will belong to one of the best clubs around. 

Pigeons, Puerto Rico, and Peace of Mind

By Rukiya McNair

Old San Juan

Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.  Currently, this is where my family and I reside and would not have it any other way. I could amuse you all day with delightfully nightmarish tales about my time in Jakarta -from a fist fight with a taxi-driver to the night my roommate’s drink got spiked- however, I will save those stories for later (trust me there are plenty). Right now, I want to talk about a beautiful island that compares to no other.


Let me say that, yes, I know that Puerto Rico is still technically the United States…so, for some this may not “count” as living abroad. But, as someone who has lived near and far I can say Puerto Rico can definitely fall somewhere in the abroad category.

Now, if you have never been to Puerto Rico, I suggest that you start planning your trip...like, now! I feel more at home here than I have anywhere else, from Pittsburgh to DC to Indonesia, it is here I where I truly feel like I am at home. "Why," you ask? Although I'm still struggling to pinpoint one exact reason, I'd say that it could be the pleasant disposition of most people we meet; it could also be the way people positively acknowledge and seem to enjoy seeing my children (whether they are laughing or even screaming), or the way people smile and say hello if they make eye contact, the way strangers ask where we are am from and waste no time welcoming us to Puerto Rico, it could also be how I don’t get stared (or gawked) at and how me and my family seamlessly blend in here…there is nothing quite like the peace of mind I've found here.

Old San Juan

Old San Juan in particular is quite a magical place itself. It is the oldest city in United States territory, with over 450 years under its belt and 7 square blocks of wonderfully restored buildings who wouldn’t love it? Walking down the distinctly narrow, blue cobblestone streets it’s easy to forget that you are still on U.S. territory, as it feels more like walking the streets somewhere in Spain.   

Parque de las Palomas (Pigeon Park)

I must admit, though, the love affair that Puerto Rico has with pigeons is interesting and at first, a bit uncomfortable. I would walk through Old San Juan and see people of all shapes, sizes, colors and ages feeding the pigeons. Like...on purpose. Now, I didn't grow up in a city, but I have spent the majority of my adult years living in them and typically on a stroll the last thing I'd want is a (or several) pigeons landing in my hands or on my shoulders looking for food. However, my mind was changed about a week ago while we were visiting  Parque de las Palomas, aka Pigeon Park.  A woman offered a bag of bird food to us, as she was getting ready to leave and thought we would enjoy feeding the pigeons.  We gave some seeds to our 2-year-old daughter and let her "get crazy" so-to-speak. She loved watching the pigeons crowd around her and if it makes her happy, I suppose I can live with it. We may even do it again soon.

All of this is just a brief snapshot of the time I have spent here thus far.  As, there are many more things to do and experience in Puerto Rico (and I'm sure you'll hear more about these things later). What I definitely do know is that my family and I are very happy here.

What Every Woman Should Know Before Traveling

March, 2012—Cha Jones

If you are an American and a woman, then you have most likely been WARNED about woman’s safety. I think all American women have the rape statistics ingrained in our brains. We all know that 1 out of 4 women have been raped or molested, and to be safe and cautious when in new environments. Or do we? 

How many times have you watched the news and saw a person traveling overseas on vacation featured as MISSING? You would think that anyone going to a foreign country would have some precautions, women in particular, would be very mindful of their environment. However, that is not always the case. 

Are you aware that sex trafficking is 90% women, or how about that 50,000 women are trafficked into the United States alone each year?

Government and nongovernmental experts in the field estimate that out of the 700,000 to two million4 women and children who are trafficked globally each year, 45,000 to 50,000 of those women and children are trafficked to the United States. Approximately 30,000 women and children are being trafficked annually from Southeast Asia, 10,000 from Latin America, 4,000 from the Newly Independent States and Eastern Europe, and 1,000 from other regions. (Central Intelligence Agency briefing, Global Trafficking in Women and Children: Assessing the Magnitude, April 1999.) 

https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/csi-publications/books-and-monographs/trafficking.pdf

https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/csi-publications/books-and-monographs/trafficking.pdf

Now, I know that many of you are Solo Travelers, but it is always safer to travel in a group. However, I have traveled in a small group and I felt like it would be much safer if I were alone. When traveling on my own I tend to have my guard up, but it's much easier to be comfortable when you think you have the safety of a group.

I recently went on a trip where the person I was with got invited on a date, and because I was with them, I felt obligated to go if for no other reason than to keep them safe. It was at that time, I realized how unsafe some women are. I have a photographic memory and I pay a great deal of attention to my surrounds, but I realized that some people just don’t. I witnessed firsthand a women falling asleep in a car with a stranger, I was floored. How do you know where they are taking you, and how do you trust someone that much with your life?

When traveling overseas the best part of the experience is being spontaneous and adventurous, but that doesn’t mean being unsafe or ignorant. I am the type of person who lives by my intuition, and nine out of ten times I am always correct, but if I feel anything wrong I never second guess it, I follow my feelings. I happen to love meeting new and interesting people, but I don’t care to meet anyone who will potentially take my life. In most cases you are safer than not, but here are a few things that you could do to keep yourself safe while traveling and meeting and having a wonderful time:

1. Always be aware of your environment, watch the locals and see how they respond
2. Blend into your environment, when you look like everyone else it is harder for people to single you out
3. Have a plan, when you know what  do if something were to happen before it does, then the less you have to think about and prepare  for (If you stay ready you don’t have to get ready)
4. Have some form of communication (cell phone, paper and pen, ect.)
5. Research the area you going to first and be aware of things that could occur, make sure you know the areas that are not really good for women or foreigners to be in alone
6. Leave your plans or trip itinerary with someone that you trust or that you talk to frequently
7. Check trip advisory boards to see about weather issues and possible negative tourist attacks

Do you know the top 10 countries listed for rape are

                                             (to see the complete list: click)

1. France
2. Germany
3. Russia
4. Sweden
5. Argentina
6. Belgium
7. Philippines
8. Spain
9. Chile
10. Lesotho 

Again, I am not trying to pump fear into anyone. I really want more women to travel and see the world from a place of love, but I believe that the more you know the more valuable your experiences are. It is always better to be safe than it is to be sorry. So, I hope that you find this articles helps you think about some things that you may not have thought about.  

'Till Death Do Us Part

By Rukiya McNair

Terima Kasih. Salamat Pagi.  Apa Kabar?

These are only a few the phrases that were part of my world in 2007. It was me and Jakarta, Indonesia for one year…for better or for worse. I quit my job, left the man I was dating,  voluntarily had my car repossessed, as I couldn’t find a buyer for my pride and joy, sold everything I could…old, new, cherished…it was all posted on Craigslist. I spent my last paycheck on my plane ticket, and headed to my parents’ house for a few weeks until my departure. I didn't know it then, but I officially married the travel game that year. Yes, it goes by many different names-- jet life, wanderlust, nomadic lifestyle, or even just plain ol’ traveling-- all I knew was I was o-u-t. Something was calling me…calling me to fulfill this overwhelming need to experience the beauty of the world first-hand. I left the States with an all or nothing attitude, quitting (i.e. running back home) was not an option for me, I had given up too much.  

For Better

There is so much good in Indonesia; there is even a small amount of good in Jakarta.  I met amazing people from all over world, developed a true love for teaching, ate the most delicious food I have ever tasted (well, except for my mother’s macaroni and cheese…nothing beats that), saw volcanoes, monkeys, experienced Chinese New Year and Ramadan in a Muslim country for the first time. It was beautiful.

 I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the more materialistic and consumer-oriented side of Jakarta as well.  I’m talking about a place where women dress up in heels and skirts just to go to the mall, and wear cocktail dresses and heels to go out at night. I truly loved how women in Jakarta embraced their femininity to the fullest; it was re-assuring for an independent, jean-loving American gal. The nightlife was amazing with everything from ultra-posh nightclubs to Jalan Jaksa, where you have your cheaper bars and a more backpacking and traveling crowd.

For Worse

As with most places when a newcomer arrives, people are interested. They want to know, who is this person? Where do they come from? Or sometimes people simply haven’t seen a Black person in real life until…me. Yes, for an American it’s a strange concept, that someone can go their entire life without seeing a person of African descent, like…in person. In Jakarta, Indonesia my reality was stares, some interested and some disgusted. The color of my skin seemed to be clearly offensive to some, while others seemed to embrace it just as I do. I was thrown out of a bar on Jalan Jaksa as soon as I walked in, yes it’s true, because I am Black. I have had a parent and child look at me, point and say “Orang hitam!” meaning, “Black person!” Not that it’s necessarily a bad thing, but when anyone points at you from across a room it’s a bit unnerving.

Also, how could I forget the air pollution, trash that could be found piled up just about anywhere on the streets and in parking lots, walking down the street having strangers yell,"Hello mister!" as I passed by, dishonest and untrustworthy taxi drivers, dishonest and untrustworthy police officers...

Indonesia was not the only place I had been nor was it the last stop. As a matter of fact, I’ll more than likely be going back. There is so much to see and experience in Indonesia, I feel like I need to see more, and I will.  On this journey around the world and in life I’m looking forward to experiencing everything that each new country, city and town has to offer. The good, the bad and the ugly.  All of it. There is beauty in every last bit.

‘Till death do us part…the world and I.