I began last year with Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and the US Virgin Islands at the top of my travel wish list, but for various reasons ranging from passport delays to hurricane devastation, I didn’t get to visit ANY of those places. Despite the setbacks, I’ll borrow a phrase from The Travelocity Gnome and say I’m grateful I still managed to ‘wander wisely’.
In 2017, I visited three new countries (Mexico, Belgium and Greece), one new city (Montreal), and made new discoveries in old favorites (The Dominican Republic, and my homeland of Jamaica). Not too shabby considering these destinations weren’t on my initial radar, eh? According to the popular #2017BestNine site, these were my nine most liked IG snaps.
I’m totally stoked that Jamaica made three out of the nine images in this compilation, because as Tinga Stewart so famously said, “when yuh check it out lawd, no weh no betta dan yaad, oh no.”
What would YOU (my blog readers) like to see, or see more of, in 2018?
As much as I love to travel, even I have to admit some aspects of it have become a bit of a hassle. You know, hurdles like the necessary but slightly annoying security check points, and the long lines to get through customs and immigration. Let’s not forget about gates that change at the last minute, which is always a frustrating experience. Who else recalls being forced to hike to another section of the airport or sprint there in Olympic 100 meter style fashion when you’re running out of time? But I digress. I’m sure one or more of you can relate to the growing inconveniences related to travel. Imagine then how daunting it must be for our seniors!
Dad and Mom getting ready to make new memories in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico
When I was born, my mom was 34 and my dad was 40. Of course, now that I’m in the ‘grown woman’ category, they’ve moved into the elderly bracket. However, even though they’re not as energetic as they once were, they still like to travel. As they’ve grown older, my sister and I have had to develop our own little system to make things easier for them on the road. A few of our top tips are below:
Reserve wheelchair service with the airline
When you’re traveling with seniors, wheelchair service is always a good idea. It alleviates the need for them to walk long distances, and the special assistance they get helps them navigate the airport with ease. The added bonus is that they get to join the shortest lines in the immigration and customs halls, so if you’re along for the ride as their travel companion, you get cleared quickly too.
Several passengers take advantage of airport wheelchair assistance annually. (Photo courtesy of CBC.ca)
Book aisle seats for long flights
My mom likes looking out the window, but if the flying time is more than three hours, we usually book our parents in adjoining aisle seats. That allows them to get up to use the bathroom, stretch their legs, and walk around with the fewest restrictions.
Pack medication in convenient travel sizes, and keep them handy
If your parents are taking a combination of different medicines, it might be a challenge keeping all the tablets in order, so a pill organizer should become their new best friend. The cases come in convenient travel sizes, which makes it easy to stick them in a purse or a carry-on. The idea is to have them nearby if you happen to have flight delays or issues with lost luggage.
Pillboxes come in several different shapes and sizes. (Photo courtesy of www.tokopedia.com)
Check on health insurance coverage
For overseas trips, it is extremely important to know what services are and are not covered in their existing health insurance plan. No one plans to get sick or hurt on vacation, but it’s always better to be prepared if there is an emergency. Don’t hesitate to purchase additional travel insurance that includes quality medical coverage if their current health plans aren’t robust enough.
Be thorough in your hotel research
My dad can no longer walk long distances, so we now make sure to check if the property has staircases or elevators. If the accommodation only has stairs, we request a room for my parents on the ground floor.
Keeping an eye on Mr. Mischief as he chilled outside his front door.
I’ve also found that having breakfast included in the rate has been a bonus because that’s the most critical meal of the day for them.
Plan day trips carefully
Try to pace excursions to allow for rest time in between activities, and check on seating and mobility options at attractions or venues.
Dad resting his legs after navigating the staircases in Hemmingway House, Key West, Florida.
Additionally, be sure to pack healthy snacks as pick-me-uppers between meals, and have water handy to keep everyone hydrated. We also encourage Dad to pack a blazer and hat, and Mom to carry a light sweater and scarf in order to help them weather the cold air conditioning on tour buses and at restaurants or other indoor locations.
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What other tips do you use when traveling with your parents?
Those of us who live in America are reminded of simmering and overt racial tensions far too often. We see it in news images of black effigies being hung from a tree in a front yard while the homeowner goes on record saying that the world shouldn’t be ignorant; he just wanted to make his place scary for Halloween.
We also hear it in the quivering voices of grieving family members who, having lost loved ones under questionable circumstances, have had to face intruding cameras to try and make coherent and dignified statements when the justice system sets the aggressors free. And many of us can’t help but connect with the raw emotion of kids like the courageous nine-year-old Zianna Oliphant, who felt compelled to make a desperate plea to her city council to “stop killing our fathers and brothers”.
Image source: Affinity Magazine
Since I write about travel, I couldn’t help but ponder how narrow-mindedness and bigotry affect people who go on vacation in this country and abroad. Make no mistake my fellow globetrotters, this sort of incendiary behavior isn’t limited to the United States alone. If a billionaire like Oprah Winfreycan have a retail sales assistant in Switzerland refuse to show her a handbag because she felt she couldn’t afford it, and Solange Knowles (Beyoncé’s sister) and mother can get screamed at on a train from Milan to Baselwhen no one else is being treated that way, you’ve got to wake up and smell the coffee. The intersection of race and travel could converge around you!
I wrote about my first encounter with racism here, and I encourage you to read that story when you finish this post. Below, I share a few other incidents that resulted in valuable insights along the way. My experiences may be different from yours, but the lessons are universal.
Lesson #1: In-your-face racism can happen when you least expect it. If you are not in physical danger, stay calm and try not to let it get to you.
I remember once when I was a kid, my family and I went for a dip in a pool at a time-share in Daytona Beach, Florida, and everybody inside suddenly remembered they had someplace else to be – at the exact same time. We simply splashed around for a short while after the mass exodus, then left with our heads held high.
Also, on another occasion when I was on a business trip to West Palm Beach, I went to exercise at the ritzy hotel gym that doubled as a private club. Almost immediately, I felt daggers shooting from the eyes of a few older patrons who appeared startled when I displayed a legitimate room key that guaranteed my entry. One gentleman was so put out, he left. With the palpable rancor in the room, I was tempted to leave myself, but I remembered Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, and other civil rights activists who risked their lives and limbs so that I could be free to go wherever I pleased. That knowledge kept me rooted in place. Facing the staring squad, I raised eight-pound dumbbells in quiet and dignified defiance.
Lesson #2: Sometimes the encounters are more subtle, which makes it difficult to tell if you’re being profiled because of your race, your accent, or your nationality. It will irk you, but don’t do anything to give the individuals justification to take the harassment to another level.
Case in point: I was pulled out of the immigration line in China and questioned in halting English about the validity of my picture, despite having the required visa (issued by my local Chinese embassy) in my Jamaican passport. After a few moments of apprehension, I was able to figure out the “issue” that caused me to be singled out, while everyone else in line went through without any additional interrogation. They thought I looked older than my passport photo.
A faulty picture? Yeah, right. More like an unfamiliar and “third world” passport.
Miraculously, upon more detailed review, tangible evidence of access and travel to “first-world” countries in the form of U.S. and U.K visas and stamps seemed to make me less of a possible border threat. Eventually, I was allowed to go.
Lesson #4: On occasion, prejudices can affect your trip budget. Always have access to back up funds that you can tap into when faced with unforeseen circumstances.
Italy remains one of the most alluring countries I’ve ever visited, and I love it, but unfortunately there are people with biased predispositions residing there, too. Years ago, when I took a spring break trip to Europe, my best friend and I were denied entry at an inn in Milan because they mistook us for African immigrants. We were students crisscrossing Europe by train with no set itinerary or agenda, and because it was the era before Airbnb and travel apps, as soon as we arrived in the city we went directly to the tourist board to get help with securing budget-friendly accommodations. The officials there gave us recommendations and called ahead to one of the facilities that said it had available rooms.
When we arrived at the address and rang the buzzer at the gate, they spoke to us through the intercom system (which had a prominent camera in place). Suddenly, they had no space.
We argued our case to no avail, and when we went back to the tourist board to let them know what happened, the people there apologized profusely. They called the innkeepers back and challenged them about confirming the space then turning us away, and they admitted to thinking we were not the persons the tourist board had sent over. I still chuckle when I remember they had the gall to invite us to come back. Naturally, we were having none of that. It was on to the next prospect, regardless of cost!
Lesson #4: Narrow-mindedness reflects on the individual spewing the hate, not necessarily on everyone who resides in the country you’re visiting. So, never let one negative incident color your overall impression of a place.
I recall being on a walking tour in Buenos Aires in which the Mexican-born guide was reciting the city’s history. out of the blue, he mentioned that Argentina was “lucky” they didn’t get any African slaves when the Europeans arrived. To this day, I still wonder if that was a deliberate statement or a factor of details getting lost in translation. His English was not very good, but the guy had been nice to me up to that point. Shortly after boarding the bus he had found out I was Jamaican, and we’d had a brief conversation about cricket, and my country’s uncanny ability to excel globally in music and sport.
I pondered saying peace out and walking away after that explosive comment,
but it was my one extra day in the city after a week-long conference, and I wasn’t going to allow him to dim my glow. I’d already paid for the tour. Plus, I was getting to spend time with my buddy from college whom I hadn’t seen in years. He was from Argentina, and he assured me that the man’s views were not reflective of his people and his country, so I bit my lip, ignored him, and got back on the bus. Surprise, surprise! The dude turned out to be an equal opportunity abuser with a serious case of verbal diarrhea, because he went on to say unflattering things about people from Paraguay and Chile, too.
A few ensuing moments of lulling vehicular motion helped me to zone out the negativity of that “transplant” to the extent that I was able to get through the last hour of the tour. I’ll confess there was a certain amount of poetic justice to the fact that he had to drop me off last – the only black person on the bus – at The Four Seasons.
Lesson #5: There may be individuals who actually feel they have the right to invade your personal space because they consider you intellectually or socially inferior. Stand your ground!
I will never forget the white Afrikaans woman who sat behind me and my mom on a South African Airways flight to Johannesburg. At four o’clock in the afternoon, she decided we had no right to have our window shutter open because she wanted, and was entitled to, a dark cabin to sleep. It didn’t matter that it was about 30 minutes after takeoff, nor that she had an eye-patch issued to her by the airline (like the rest of us), or that the price of her ticket was the same as ours – perks free.
Without any request or other form of conversation, she took it upon herself to reach across my Mom to slam the window shut, brushing her shoulder in the process. We could hear the accompanying harrumph punctuating the self-serving move.
Our jaws almost fell to the floor. Naturally, we were having none of that.
“I beg your pardon!” Mom turned around and said indignantly. My darling mother wasted no time pushing the shutter back up.
The crazy woman then started ranting about how we clearly didn’t know the protocol on international flights, which in her world meant you closed the windows right after takeoff, even if it was still daylight. Seriously, who needs to sleep for 15 hours straight? Of course, I didn’t feel it was important to list how many international flights we’d been on up to that point, but we shut her down nonetheless – in a manner that could never be misconstrued as ‘angry black woman’ mode.
Pretty soon, multiple flight attendants came running over to avert the brewing situation. At the same time, we started getting thumbs up signs and notes of encouragement passed down to us from neighboring passengers who were as outraged as we were at this woman’s pompousness.
She eventually simmered down when she realized no one was taking her side. It took her a little time to realize she wasn’t dealing with ignorant or submissive folk. I won’t bore you with all the details, except to say the incident resulted in me writing and submitting a formal report to the airline about her obnoxious behavior. Upon deplaning, the purser and flight crew met us at the door to apologize again, and to thank us for how well we had handled the situation.
Lesson #6: Don’t let fear of possible racial slurs or uncomfortable situations keep you from pursuing your desire to travel. To be forewarned is to be forearmed, and negative incidents are usually few and far between. First ensure your safety, then deal with whatever comes your way with grace and dignity.
In spite of the bad eggs in the bunch, my wanderlust hasn’t ceased, and my travel wish list just keeps growing. When taken by surprise, I always push myself to remember a quote from Nelson Mandela about his time of imprisonment. He said in part, “we would want it [Robben Island] to be a triumph of the human spirit against the forces of evil, a triumph of wisdom and largeness of spirit against small minds and pettiness. A triumph of courage and determination over human frailty and weakness.”
My country’s most famous icon, Bob Marley, also talked about emancipation and the fact that “none but ourselves can free our minds.” So, I say forward and onward in this generation, my fellow black travelers. And do it triumphantly!
I don’t know about you, but the ‘Gram has quickly become one of my top sources for travel inspiration – especially in 2016. While travel magazines, blogs, crowdsourcing websites (like TripAdvisor) and travel shows are still high on my priority list for trip planning, I find myself drawn to Instagram because of it’s high-impact visuals, user-generated content, and its ability to provide me with real-time views.
People post as they roam in a beautiful yet authentic way, usually without the over processed look of professionally commissioned photography. Some ‘Grammers simply post out-of-this-world shots, while others excel at describing the scene so well that you feel you were there with them at the exact time they snapped the photo. And a select few just seem to exude an inner glow, regardless of their location. Whether the photo has great angles or lighting – or not, they’re clearly having so much fun that you couldn’t care less if it’s not postcard-perfect. You just wanna be where they are anyway!
These were my fave most stalked Instagram accounts in 2016, in no particular order.
1. @truthslinger
An artist who was born and raised in Machakos, Mutua Matheka masterfully uses his lens to help paint the wide array of colors of Kenya – and the continent of Africa – one frame at a time. He shoots his selected subjects from unique perspectives, and words fail me when I try to describe the end results. They most fitting and succinct adjective is DOPE.
Other than being a drop-dead gorgeous Scot who will leave you constantly drooling for more of his special brand of eye candy, Jeremy is the founder and CEO of Beautiful Destinations, which, at close to eight million followers, is one of Instagram’s most popular travel accounts. This is his personal feed, and it gives you insight into the world of a blossoming entrepreneur who appears to be a very eligible (and hot), globetrotting bachelor.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BMTtaKKgw2b/?hl=en
3. @TheWorldUpCloser
I came across this account shortly after I launched my blog two years ago, and I have watched Shea Powell’s following grow from 600+ to 52K+ in what seems like very little time. Based in my home country of Jamaica, she’s been able to travel to many far-flung locations despite having considerably less visa-free access than other bloggers at her level. (That’s our inbred island girl go-getter spirit at work!) While purposefully pursuing her dreams, she’s also managed to capture the imagination of people from all over the world with her arresting images.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BKdUqEnh7pD/?hl=en
4.@mylifesatravelmovie
Florida native Alyssa Ramos’ feed is so fairytale like and dreamy, she puts the ‘inspire’ in the word inspiration. Known for her blonde bombshell good looks, relentless work ethic, and her affinity for selfies taken with Go Pro cameras, Alyssa’s account takes you on a whimsical journey from Bolivia to Signapore to Bali, and everywhere you can think of in between.
British-born and Dubai-based Phil Sykes doesn’t have a travel-focused account per se, but prepare to be WOWed when he and his family set off for their frequent adventures, or when he ventures off alone. His landscape shots often leave you breathless, and his portraits are evolving into ones worthy of photo journalism assignments from Time magazine, National Geographic Traveler, and others. I mean seriously, if he keeps his game on fleek like this, he’ll soon find himself on a trajectory to snapping photos for the best of the best.
The number of travel sites dedicated to showcasing the Black Travel Movement is growing, but with 325K followers and counting, Travel Noire is, to date, the IG gold standard. It’s main audience consists of young black millennials with some cash to burn and a penchant to see the world (not Gen Xers like me who refuse to roll over and play dead even though many travel brands already act like we are.). The more exotic the place, the more featured it is. Think Santorini, Greece; Marrakesh, Morocco; Capri, Italy, and many more.
Other than providing you with an unwavering supply of striking imagery, Jackson has the uncanny ability to make dealing with a nomadic lifestyle look super laid back and easy. This Aussie reminds you of the guy next door who used to climb trees and run the neighborhood ragged with you as a child. Sometimes I feel like ‘he’s a friend in my head’, as the irrepressible Wendy Williams of U.S. talk show fame would say.
I like Erik Prince’s feed not so much for the artistry of it, but more for the fact that he travels to destinations other people tend to overlook. By doing so, he doesn’t post the ‘same ole’ stuff. Let’s be honest, how many pictures of the Eiffel Tower or Christ The Redeemer Statue can you see before you start rolling your eyes? At 92 countries and counting, this former aerospace engineer (US Air Force) is living MY dream.
This Brooklyn-based resident is my go-to source when I need a tasteful burst of color in my day. I’m not exactly sure how she does it, but Tara always seems to see the hues and tones in her backgrounds that other people miss. Her photos are so vibrant, they literally pop. It’s no wonder her IG influencer status is growing. Side note: I’m willing to bet that her “monogrammed” straw hat is as much a rising internet sensation as she is.
Gloria Atanmo is a newly-minted author, a regular contributor to many online publications, and a blogger, but for me, her biggest claim to fame is her mega-watt personality. I’ve never met the lady in person, but her pictures, videos, and vivid descriptions are always presented in such a bubbly, effervescent manner that they scream FUN. Believe me, her feed is a reliable picker upper on those ‘oh, shucks that did NOT just happen’ days.
So, that’s my 2016 list. Which ‘Grammers get your scroll-worthy vote?
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Bonus mention:
@dominicliam
My newest discovery is from Greece, and Dominic’s signature style is to use silhouettes to tell his swoon-worthy stories. Regrettably, he rarely geotags his locations, but his way of looking at a scene makes you dream of escaping to his magical places nonetheless.
Do you book flights based on convenience, cost, points, or the experiences you’ve had with an airline? In many instances, I’m usually the most loyal to my own pocket. So, I’m willing to guess that ticket price ranks high on your checklist as well, right?. But other things such as lost luggage, flight delays, uninformed desk agents, leg room, general customer service, and the ability to get assigned seating affect your decision too, don’t they? All those factors help shape your perception of a brand, and when combined, they also can affect our desire to fly with a specific airline.
As an experiment, I asked diverse groups of people to describe different airlines using adjectives they would attribute to people. My survey group included friends, former coworkers, and surprised-to-be-quizzed patrons at my hair salon. The exercise was very revealing. Here’s what they said:
American Airlines
It’s stuffy, old, traditional and flaky. They summed up the brand relationship as the type of friendship your parents forced you into as a child (with play dates) but now as adults, they simply found themselves maintaining the status-quo.
Air Berlin
My informal ‘focus group’ members called it methodical and aloof.
Alitalia
The most common adjective used during this discussion was warm.
British Airways
Good ole BA was described as classy, proper and refined. It was likened to a work friend who is reliable and approachable, but not someone you would hang out with voluntarily on the weekend.
Caribbean Airlines
The overwhelming response here was genuine, with a come-what-may attitude. One person actually said it was like the person at school/college who didn’t have to study, went to all the parties, but did okay on exams anyway.
Image source: www. airlinetaillogos.wordpress.com
Delta Airlines
Delta was seen as comfortable and friendly, but more of a wall flower who preferred to blend into the background.
Emirates Airline
This response brought out many superlatives like super rich, sumptuous and ultra cosmopolitan. It was described as that friend who is used to a lifestyle filled with luxury, and one who expects excellent customer service at his/her fingertips.
Iberia
I got only one word for this one – friendly.
JetBlue
This name triggered a little animation from everybody. Eyes lit up and they all leaned forward while words like chill, hipster and trendy tumbled from their lips. In the eyes of many, JetBlue was seen as the cool kid who is always friendly and fun.
SpiritAirlines
Shoulders drooped visibly at the mention of Spirit. Regrettably, its adjectives were very uncomplimentary. They called it unreliable, penny-pinching and the kid who would get picked last for a team sport on the play ground.
United Airlines
The best adjectives people could come up with for United was that it was okay but a bit beaten weathered down.
Virgin Atlantic
The mention of Virgin sent the energy up in the room quite a bit with talk of its offbeat, fun and hip personality. A few persons admitted they sometimes found it a little over-the-top, but they also were confident they’d have no worries if they had to go out with such a charismatic person.
When asked if they had to pick one airline to hang out with all week-end long, JetBlue and Virgin were neck and neck in terms of responses. What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with these observations? How would you advise an airline CEO about the best ways to ensure a positive brand image based on your personal travel experiences?
I kept my list short but please tell me your favorite airline, and by all means, share your views on your perception of its brand personality!
If you’ve ever flown on an eight, 10 or 15 hour transatlantic flight, you know that boredom can creep up on you easily. As excited as I get about my trips, let’s get real here, there is a limit to how many movies or television shows I can watch back-to-back. That’s my reality in spite of Netflix’s ardent desire to convert us all into binge-watching addicts.
Besides, laughing animatedly with my travel buddy or even diving deep into an engaging conversation with the passenger sandwiched next to me is not very appealing when everybody within a four-seat radius can hear what we’re saying. And, for most (myself not included), there are only so many book chapters a person can read in one sitting.
We’ve all been there! (Photo credit: graphics20.com)
So what can we do to avoid pulling our hair on those arduous, long-haul flights? Try one of these suggestions.
Research and practice key words and phrases in the language of the country you will be visiting.
You can do it the old-fashioned way with a pocket dictionary and notepad. Or, you can learn the basics like “hello”, “where is the bathroom”, “how much does this cost”, and “I’d like to order [insert your favorite meals here] via an audio tutorial or with an app – if you have inflight Wi-Fi. No idea which translation app to use? DuoLingo seems to be a popular option.
An example of the old-fashioned way: A quick shopping guide in Italian. (Photo credit: CutureDiscovery.com)
Fine-tune your on-the-ground itinerary.
While it’s always good to leave room for spontaneity, I’ve found that some of my best vacations were the ones where I had a clear blueprint of what I wanted to see and do in the destination.
Giddy with excitement as I’m about to start a guided bus tour through the historic streets on Cartagena, Colombia
Structured activity plans, with room for adjustment, are priceless gems. Guidebooks, bookmarked blog posts, destination websites and TripAdvisor comments are good starting points. They’ll give you multiple ideas for ways to get the most out of your trip.
Complete a few puzzles or play a board game.
Thankfully, we now have many types of puzzles and board games to choose from. There are sliding puzzles, word-search puzzles, anagrams, numerical puzzles and logic puzzles. And my board game lovers, a quick search on Amazon will yield results showing more than 1700 ways to playfully pass your time during a flight. Also, I just heard about the launch of a new math-based puzzle called Numbrcise that is laid out like a crossword but it doesn’t use words or phrases as clues. It’s 100 percent number driven. If you’re a math buff, their brain-teasers could keep you occupied for hours.
Be honest, how much time would it take you to solve this?
Organize the photo gallery on your smartphone to get it ready for your sure-to-happen Instagram and Facebook trip snaps.
As a travel blogger, I take random shots all the time because I never know when I’ll need an image for a Twitter chat or a Facebook and Instagram post. Believe me, I always end up with a storage problem.
Yes, I know I can store images in the cloud but I prefer to upload them to my laptop or an external hard drive. The problem is, I hardly ever get around to doing that. That’s why sitting on a plane is perfect for cleaning house. Not only do I have time to delete the images I’ll never really use but I also get to sort and enhance existing photos. Oh, and on the return flight I recommend editing and curating images for sharing with friends and family, or with your online community. My photo editing software of choice is Snapseed. It works for both iOS and Android phones.
Try airplane yoga!
Until recently, I never even knew that such a thing as a Cat-cow pose at 30,000 feet existed. But according to CNN Travel it does. I found several online articles about the subject and a ton of YouTube instructional videos that show you exactly what to do.
Who says you can’t get your zen on inflight? Apparently, you can. (Getty image)
See which of these 18 Exercises For Healthy Flying will work for you – and your seatmates. I’m all for avoiding deep vein thrombosis (blood clots) but I sure am NOT down with my neighbor busting out a downward dog in the aisle next to my seat. I’d be like,”Excuse me, please!”
Have you ever traveled with a parent as an adult? Some people say they don‘t enjoy themselves when they do, but my experience has been the total opposite.
I. Simply. Love. It!
This is how the chips fall with my folks. My Dad is a stay-close-to- home kind of guy, but once the destination forecast says clear skies and good weather, my Mom will have her bag, passport and swimsuit packed in a heartbeat. I know I may be totally biased here, but I think that ready-to-explore at the drop of a hat trait, especially as a senior, is utterly cool.
Easter Monday Beach Lime in Grand Cayman
So here are all the reasons I love traveling with my Mom. [I invite you to share your stories about vacations with your parents at the end of this post.]
Mom ALWAYS has snacks onher. I don’t know how she does it or even when she stashes them in her handbag, but I am absolutely certain I can count on her to have a few save-me-from starvation treats just when I need them most.
She is very low maintenance. I never have to worry about any troubling mood swings, diva-like silences, or loud outbursts when we’re together.
Taking a moment to enjoy the calming sea breeze after a dusty and humid walk downtown in Bimini, The Bahamas
We enjoy the same things so planning day excursions is never a hassle. Cultural immersions? We’re both into them. Scenic drives? Oh, yes! Historic and educational tours? Let’s go.
Reading the fine print of the sign next to the four statues in Nobel Square in Cape Town, South Africa
We can read each other like a book so it’s easy to communicate without words, especially in large groups.
She can make friends with almost anybody, and she asks a ton of questions, so I always end up with more local insights when I travel with her.
Quizzing the tour guide on some finer detail of the oral history lesson. Pedro St James, Cayman Islands
For someone who makes no bones about using all her senior citizen privileges at banks and other places of business, she still has a joie de vivre and sense of adventure that is superior to most people 1/3rd her age!
Camel ride in Egypt
She is a ready-made roomie so I can forego paying additional dollars for the single supplement to have my own room on packaged group tours.
I never have to worry about getting all my souvenirs to fit into my luggage for the trip home. I must admit I’ve learned a trick or two over the years but my mom is still the best packer I know.
She’s not shy about taking goofy pictures. Oh, no. I just share my creative vision for a shot and she’ll gladly pose or go behind the camera to snap me.
Grab their suitcase, Mom! [Playful pictures with Statues in Key West]And finally, at the end of an exasperating or exhilarating day, her hugs are still FREE and they come with no strings attached.
Sunset shot on top of Table Mountain, South Africa
Let me say this up front. If you want to remain fashionable in sub-zero temperatures then this post will not appeal to you. The plain truth is, vanity jumps headfirst out the window when you are worried about frostbite and hypothermia. I’m not gonna lie, I am a warm-weather lover at heart, but I’ve survived arctic weather conditions in Minnesota, Milwaukee, London and Toronto by planning ahead and using sheer will power. Not once in that time did I see any sane-looking GQ models or Vogue fashionistas strutting around. (Kindly note the use of the adjective: sane. LOL)
Snow, snow, snow
That’s why dressing wisely for a cold-weather vacation matters. Don’t take the process lightly! It involves careful planning and targeted shopping to get it right. The ultimate sweet spot is if you have a friend in your size range who can lend you the major things you’ll need. Thankfully, I did on my last trip to Canada. My fall/winter gear was so not equipped to usher me into the realm of minus degrees!
Tip # 1: Layer your torso
Don’t make the mistake of thinking you’ll only need to dress warmly for extreme sports like sledding, snowboarding or cross country skiing. When it’s cold outside, you WILL need to bundle up, even for a 15 minute dash or walk outside.
Start with a base layer next to your skin, I recommend tights or long johns. For the greatest warmth, use items that are made from fabrics like polyester, flannel or other blends that dry quickly. Ditch anything made from cotton because it soaks up sweat and moisture, and that conducts heat away from the body.
When in doubt, go with fleece. It’s warm and not too pricey.
Make the second layer a long-sleeved shirt, sweater or vest and comfy pants, preferably in cozy fabrics like fleece, cashmere or wool. The outer layer should be a jacket or parka stuffed with down or very warm synthetic fibers, with a fur-lined hood. Get one that is knee-length so it will shield your legs from the biting wind, and zip it all the way up to the neck to protect your chest. To top things off, you can add some pizazz with a colored scarf that also protects your face and neck.
Multi-colored winter scarves
Tip #2: Cover your head and ears
There are different schools of thought on this but in my world, even if my chest and legs are well insulated, I need to cover my head and ears to keep warm. Choose head gear made from fabrics that will trap heat and keep you dry. I opt for tams (beanies) over hats because they are softer on my brow and I can slide them over my ears with ease.
Pick your style and color
A fleece headband is another alternative.
Tip #3: Protect your hands and feet
Go for gloves with liners or insulated mittens on your hands and woolen socks on your feet. True cold-weather experts say mittens are actually better than gloves because they keep your fingers together, which makes it easier to retain warmth.
You’ve gotta add some swag sometime!
On my Toronto trip, I also learnt first-hand about the miracle-working power of hand and toe warmers. They are very handy items to have when the wind chill picks up. The ones I used were sold in small flat packages and they lasted up to 7 hours, per use.
Look for the Grabber brand of toe warmers and stick them over your socks in the area below your toes.
Tip #4: Finish the ensemble with the right boots
For serious weather, you will need lined boots with heavy-duty treads on the bottom. Try to acquire ones that are waterproof as well because the moisture from continuous contact with the snow will seep inside quickly. Read my lips, “leather boots, though far more sexy, definitely won’t do the trick.”
Always look for lined boats, that extra insulation makes all the difference in the world.
Those are my tips. Feel free to share some of yours!
I’d heard the violin-accompanied praise reports of the growing number of ride-share services like Lyft and Uber and politely listened to fervent extra-income earning potential pitches from wanna-be entrepreneurs. But until very recently, I had never swallowed ‘the spiel’.
I’m finally a Uber-liever. The service sure rocks! (Image sourced from hb.com)
I was one of those archaic believers in the ‘sanctity’ of the yellow cab. This is how I convinced myself. Cabbies are better regulated so hailing one had to be safer because of things like thorough background checks and more rigorous screening of their drivers, right? Plus, surely, paying high fees to operate had to mean the passenger would have greater recourse for insurance claims if God forbid, he/she ever got into an accident. No, not quite.
The yellow cabs I used to know and love.
All those arguments flew out the window when I finally downloaded the Uber app before a December 2015 trip. For my departure, I took an established taxi service to the airport – one that I could call and make a reservation the night before as I had an early morning flight. However, on my return trip, I opted to ride with Uber, a decision that turned out to be a far more seamless experience than I would have thought.
The Uber app is simple to download and easy to navigate. (Image sourced from the Internet)
When I arrived home safely, and in record time, I felt like knocking myself in the head for waiting so long to take the plunge. The car was in immaculate condition and the driver was prompt and polite. To my surprise, he even had a little swag going on: visualize pink corduroy pants, an immaculately groomed white shirt and designer loafers topped off with slightly peppered grey hair and an accent. But most noteworthy is the fact that I saved US$20 driving the same route and covering the exact number of miles.
Like really now, what was I thinking losing all that potentially-more-money-to-buy shoes time with my ridiculous reservations? What’s there NOT to love about SAVING cold hard cash? Duh.
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Editor’s Notes:
I’ve been asked to share more details about how the app works, so here goes…
Uber will need your name, cell phone number, email, main language and billing information to complete the sign-up process. You don’t have to hand over your credit card information, a PayPal account will do just fine.
Calls are made on demand so please note, you will not be able to book your pickup for a specific time-frame.
You are allowed to select your vehicle preference and depending on the city in which you live, Uber offers up to five categories: Black Car, UberX and SUVs are three of the most popular options.
The app has an inbuilt map so you can either type in your location or pinpoint where you are on the map. As soon as you enter your starting point and destination, a fare estimate will appear.
One of the cool things about the process too, is that you get the name of the driver, a photograph of the person and the license number of the vehicle once you schedule your ride.
Uber rates are based on a combination of time and distance. If the car is travelling under 11 mph (18 km/h), you will be charged by the minute. If it’s going faster than that, you will be charged by the mile. The cost is the same no matter how many people are in the car.
Cash is not used in the transaction. Your billing information is already in the system and you will be emailed a receipt at the conclusion of your ride.
Tipping is not required for Uber services, though clearly appreciated.
Disclaimer: There are risksto everything, so please take all regular precautions when making your transportation decisions. If your instincts say no, don’t go!
