Paris France, continues to be one my favorite places on the planet.

The brother’s passport pages were so crammed with stamps that accordion extensions bulged from the back cover. He’d had to renew his passport two years early because of the wear and tear. As I thumbed through it, counting forty-three stamps to Africa alone, I felt something shift in my soul. My own passport lay nearly empty beside it—just two lonely stamps marking a life lived entirely for work.

I had met this fashion and travel photographer at a dinner party during my first visit to Paris at age 38. A committed workaholic civil rights lawyer, I’d been snobbish about devoting time to non-productive activities such as leisure travel. In classic American fashion, I thought, “Me, relax?” As a recovering Catholic with free-floating guilt, exacerbated by ingrained perfectionism, I figured I’d relax after achieving my career goals—full equality for my race and gender.

During the dinner party, someone asked the photographer, who was also a photojournalist for UNESCO, how he managed to take so many holidays. He glared at the questioner incredulously and explained, “I don’t take vacations. This is my lifestyle; this is how I live. I work two months, and I take two months off.” His words struck me like lightning. Here we were, both living vacation-free lives, but his was a remarkable, fun, and exciting lifestyle, whilst mine, as a workaholic, was a deathstyle. The realization was soul-defining. Instantly, I knew that my life would never be the same.

In Paris, I experienced a kind of cultural shock which, once I adapted to it, became a delightful revelation. Oh, I get it: Americans “live to work”—the French “work to live.” I was beginning to discover an entirely different way of being alive, one that ignited a new verve within me: joie de vivre (the joy of living).

Paris oozes with art, culture, markets, gardens, galleries, and cafés. I began spending hours sitting on café patios, sipping wine, reading books, and watching people pass by. I strolled through gorgeous parks and became gleefully lost in the labyrinth of city streets. I immersed myself in the Black expat community, attending their parties, film debuts, and jazz concerts.

As a foodie and cook, I became instantly enthralled with the vast farmers’ markets that pop up daily in different neighborhoods. I fell in love with the smell of freshly baked bread wading from Paris’s many boulangeries. It was wonderful to see so many people walking down the street with baguettes under their arms and poking up from their bags. I became a huge fan of traditional French food and took a cooking class.

During my three-week stay, I managed to visit many fascinating museums and art festivals. This new world began to transform me, creeping into my soul and reshaping my understanding of what it meant to truly live.

The cosmic fortuity of meeting that world traveler, as well as my maiden visit to Paris, taught me the importance of bringing balance to my life—of making time for beauty, music, dance, travel, and play. I learned that I could get far more pleasure from life than I had been allowing myself to have. Paris was an invitation to revamp my life.

Shortly after returning home, I consulted my financial planner, who helped me rethink my attitudes about saving, spending, investing, and working. She suggested that I start a travel fund. I knew I would have to be creative, disciplined, and persistent, since I wasn’t particularly lucky or rich. I converted my underutilized two-car garage into a one-bedroom flat and faithfully deposited the rent into a special account.

In two years, I saved enough money to take my first solo trip around the world. That journey and its unparalleled ability to bring so much magic and joy into my life even propelled me to launch a new career as a travel journalist.

Now, having wandered through 70 countries, completed two solo journeys around the world, crafted two travel anthologies, and shared my stories through countless magazine articles and television broadcasts, I understand what Paris truly gave me. She was the birthplace of my soul—not just my creative spirit, but my hunger for personal freedom, my lust for discovery. Paris made me a traveler for life, transforming a workaholic lawyer into a nomadic storyteller. In her cobbled streets and café-lined boulevards, my true self was born, and from her embrace, I learned to live with joie de vivre flowing through my veins like wine.

Bonne Journee, Elaine Lee

“No city seduces as skillfully as Paris. With a sly, knowing wink, the City of Light steals your heart with one clear, small joyous moment after another. Linger too long on the Pont des Arts and passion may nudge your slumbering spirit awake, or kiss your lips, or turn you into a whimsical work of art”. H. Thompson

“It’s true, Paris is where I became possible. Its where I became free.” Janet McDonald

“I have become parisianized…the great merit of the place is that one can arrange one’s life here exactly as one pleases…there are facilities for every kind of habit and taste, and everything is accepted and understood.” Henry Jame (1876)

“I cannot tell you what an immense impression Paris made upon me. It is the most extraordinary place in the world!” Charles Dickens (1844)

“Open my heart and you will see engraved inside of it, Paris.” Paraphrased from Robert Browning Quote

“If I had to choose between heaven and Paris, Paris would win every time.” Ossie Davis

“I love Paris because Paris loves me!” D. Long

_________________________

Below you will find a list of books, websites and tips compiled by Elaine Lee that might help you plan a journey there.

BLACK PARIS WEBSITES/Tours

Maison Noire Américaine (maisonnoire.org)sometimes has listing of afrocentric events in Paris and they have new Concierge Services, offering culturally immersive, high-touch travel experiences rooted in the legacy and vibrant present of Black Paris. bonjour@maisonnoire.org

www.walkingthespirit.com – guided walking tours of Black Paris

www.discoverparis.net – Personalized Itineraries for Independent Black Travelers and https://www.entreetoblackparis.com/whatsnew.html

Little Africa Paris Guide Book and Tours – http://littleafrica.fr/la-home/

Le Paris Noir – Black travel tours in french – https://www.leparisnoir.com/

iI recently met a woman who is starting an instagram site called parissoulscene.

A few of my favorite event links: https://www.sortiraparis.com/
https://secretsofparis.com/category/paris-events-calendar
https://www.messynessychic.com/paris-events/
https://monocle.com/travel/best-bistros-in-paris
Daily antique market listings
New York Times Guide – Travel and Leisure Guide

Meeting Places/Groups (Ex-pat &/or English speaking)

• Toastmasters
• Storytelling Evenings by Bernadette Martin
• Salon Sessions – Rose ReyesPolyglot Party
• Lost in Frenchlation – Manon and Matt
• Internationals in Paris (Meetup)
• Franglish
• Adrian Leeds – Après Midi
• Facebook – American Expats in Paris
• Women of Paris Tours, Heidi Evans

A few travel tips

Take a boat ride down seine at twilight then you can get day light one way and nite light on the way back. if that is not possible then a day trip is great! Batobus : http://www.batobus.com/english/index.htm

Best bus routes – #69 and #42 – you will get great tour of the city!!!

I get money via atm’s in Paris, unfortunately most banks charge a conversion fee but its better than trying to deal with changing money over here. Find out what your bank’s sister bank in Paris to reduce the amount of bank fees.

Use a credit card that doesn’t charge a foreign conversion fee, so it might behoove you to order one before you go.

Learn french via your ipod – google translate – i also listen to micheal thomas “learning french” cd’s or on my iphone. I also like Duolingo and Jumpspeak.

Consider visiting a traditional north african steam bath Hammam les bains maures, they have one for women and one for men. 54 boulevard de la Chapelle;(18th) lesbainsmaures.com or Ban Mai Thai –99 rue de la glacière. they have $55 specials before 2pm.

Info for Americans in Paris can be found at the American church resource center and fusac.fr

Alliance Francaise is a resource center for people who want to learn more about France, the French and the their language. They have centers in France and in the USA. www.Alliancefr.org

Sampling of some of my favorite African, African American and Caribbean Restaurants

L’Arret -(African american) 36 Rue de l’Université, 75007 –Tel: 33 9 84 00 09 08

Villa Maasaï, 9 Boulevard des Italiens, 75002 Tel: 33 1 42 33 16 03

Le Petite Blue, Tunisian with loads of fresh veggies23 Rue Muller, 75018 Paris France

Armelle et Henri – Caribbean Cuisine, 3 rue Aduran, 75018 Tel: 01 42 52 36 97

La Petite Dakar- African Cuisine, 6 rue Elzevir, 75003, Tel: 01 44 59 34 74

Afriknfusion – 4 spots in Paris

Gumboyaya – 3 Rue Charles Robin, 75010, Tel:09 84 15 40 88

Chez Omar, North African, 47 Rue de Bretagne, 75003, Tel: 01 42 72 36 36

Bô -Caribbean bar and restaurant in the Latin Quarter of Paris – 8 rue de Poissy, 75005, Tel: 06 35 40 12 25

Black owned natural wine shop Rerenga – https://www.rerengawines.com/

La Rhumiere Caribbean food, drinks and occasionally entertainment – 166 boulevard Saint-Germain 75006 Tel: 01 43 54 28 94

Below is a list of some of my favorite other restaurants

Cafe Janou – Traditional French with delicious “all you can eat chocolate mousse” for dessert – In the Marais

Restaurant Coreen – Korean Faire – try their amazing fried chicken wings! 6 rue Blainville (75005) near Mouffetard

Nouri Lebanese Restaurant has amazing chicken sandwiches. 27 avenue Marceau (75116) near Champs Elysees – they actually have several locations.

Mirama has yummy soups and delicious basic chinese food. 15 rue Saint Jacques (75005) near Saint Michael metro

La Closiere de Lilas, 171 boulevard du Montparnasse, (75006) nice place to stop for a drink—it was one of Ernest Hemingway’s favorite hangouts.

Le Relais de Venise is a my favorite steak house, yummo! 271 Blvd Pereire near metro Port Maillot. Its usually very crowded so you have to get there for lunch or before they open up for dinner at 5pm otherwise you will be waiting.

La Couple has good French food in a upscale dining environment – 102, bd du Montparnasse(75014) Subway : Vavin

Ground Control – Quirky, industrial venue with outdoor seating & shops, plus a food hall serving local & global fare. 81 Rue du Charolais, 75012 www.groundcontrolparis.com

La Recyclerie Cafe, 83 Boulevard Ornano, 75018 converted railway station with an urban farm, eco-center and cafe with interesting seating venues in their gardens.

Entertainment

I usually visit one of the popular jazz clubs (duc lombards, sunrise or new morning) and pick up some of the entertainment guides/pamphlets that are in English. They are usually published monthly. If I can’t find a Lylo guide then I also check Lylo.com. They have daily concert listings on their site as well as a listing for free concerts.

I also like https://www.sortiraparis.com for event listings.

Check out “Secrets of Paris: The Alternative Insiders Guide” www.secretsofparis.com

A fun club scene with a lively cabaret show that includes patrons dancing on the table tops…is trois mailletz. its located in the latin quarter. http://www.lestroismailletz.fr/

Le Comptoir General: West African restaurant, bar and a cool oasis like place to hang out. 80 Quai de Jemmapes 10th arrondissement

My favorite Karaoke bar is the New York Cafe – 60 Rue Mouffetard – 75005

Friday Night you can hang out with the Uruguayan community and get a delicious steak dinner, live band and dancing for $14  – starts about 8-9pm – Associan Amitié France Uruguay, 21 ter rue Voltaire 75011 phone -01 43 72 15 73

Sampling of Jazz Clubs – Jazz was introduced to France by African-American army band musicians during WW I and the love affair continues today. For the latest jazz happenings, check out www.parisjazzclub.net/en

• The Duc De Lombard (named after Duke Ellington), 42 rue des Lombards, 75001
• The Sunrise and the Sunset Club, 60 rue des Lombards, 75001 (i like their open mics)
• Baiser Salé– 58 Rue des Lombards, 75001 – (i like their open mics)
• 38 Riv Jazz Club  – 38 Rue de Rivoli, 75004 – (i like their open mics)
• The New Morning,  7 rue des Petites Ecuriers 75010
• Caveau De La Huchette – 42 rue de la Huchette, 75010
• Petit Journal Montparnasse 13, rue du Commandant Mouchotte,  75014
• Le Bal Blomet-33 rue Blomet, 75015
• Jazz Club Etoile- 81 Bd Gouvion-Saint-Cyr, 75017

Salsa in Paris Paris has a smoking salsa scene but i can’t seem to find a great website for you but this one might do: https://salsa.faurax.fr/index.php/dpt/75

My FAV – Upon the return of warm weather, dance reasserts itself on the banks of the Seine. Every evening at 18h from June to mid September, small arenas on the quai Saint Bernard, near the Square Tino Rossi, close to the Institut du Monde Arabe, you can dance Salsa, Tango, Folk, Latin or Folk dance and much more. Add a picnic basket and you’ll have the most memorable evening in Paris. Esplanade du Quai Saint Bernard – Best salsa nights are Thursday throughSunday starting at 8:30-11. Paris Salsa En Seine (PSES) is a great facebook site to find out what’s happening at the Seine spot and the best nights to go.

PARIS CUBAN EVENTS on Facebook

Thursday thru sunday-la pachanga, rue vandamme in the montparnasse area (mainly bachata)

Tuesday, le balajo, rue de lappe in bastille area and Le Comptoir General: West African restaurant, 80 Quai de Jemmapes 10th arrondissement

Wednesday and other nights as well – Cubana Café, 47 Rue Vavin, 75006 Paris, France

Sunday early evening, Le Patio Rooftop Located in: Decathlon Paris Porte De Montreuil Address: Place Hannah Arendt, 38 Av. Léon Gaumont, 93100 Montreuil (Summers)

Food Society on Monday Nights –  68 Av. du Maine, 75014 Paris, France

Wednesday Nites – La Felicità – 5 Parv. Alan Turing, 75013

Top Nightclubs in Paris for Grooving to Black Rhythms (Travel Noire)

Here are some of the most popular nightclubs in Paris that are a must for dance enthusiasts and music aficionados.

Club Vendome
Located right in the heart of Paris, Club Vendome is the ultimate destination for dance enthusiasts. The atmosphere is welcoming, and the crowd is diverse. It creates a fusion of different cultures. Club Vendome plays a range of music styles, including zouk, coupé-décalé and dancehall.

Keur Samba
Situated in Paris’ 8th district, Keur Samba is a hotspot for lovers of music and dance, along with those who enjoy Brazilian, Cuban and modern beats. The vibe is all about having fun, and people from various backgrounds come together to create a lively party atmosphere. Keur Samba celebrates African rhythms with themed nights featuring salsa, kizomba and ndombolo.

La Chapelle Nightclub
Nestled in the popular Bastille neighborhood, La Chapelle Nightclub is a favorite among those who appreciate Afro-music. The vibe is energetic, and the crowd is diverse. It is a vibrant place to spend an unforgettable evening. La Chapelle Nightclub hosts music nights that span various genres from reggae and kompa to salsa and zouk.

Magnum Club
A renowned name in the nightclubs in Paris, Magnum Club offers a touch of sophistication while celebrating Afro-music. The crowd is stylish, and the ambiance is chic, making it an ideal destination for those who love Afrobeat, hip-hop, R&B and reggaeton.

Crystal Paris
Found near the Champs-Élysées, Crystal Paris is an elegant and refined nightclub. The atmosphere is posh, and the crowd dresses up for a night of dancing. Crystal Paris hosts themed nights dedicated to Afro sounds, including Afrobeat, salsa and reggaeton.

Radio and Television

89.9 – TSF JazzThe only French station devoted to jazz 24 hours a day!

92.6 – Media Tropical – Music of the French Islands. Their Web site provides info on major festivities and cultural happenings. www.mediatropical.com

97.8 – Ado FM – This station plays R & B.

101.5 – Radio Nova Round-the-world music. Pre-recorded, little talk or advertisers. Local events and happenings.

106.3-  Fréquence Paris Plurielle Rap, soul, R & B. Community radio, cultural programs, political debates. 10a.m. to noon, focus on the Black community.

107.5 – Contemporary African music broadcasting. African news and events. www.africa1.com

France 24 -France’s new 24-hour cable news station has one channel in English. www.france24.com

Lodging Suggestions
Housing is often the most expensive part of a journey to Paris. If money is an issue, consider sharing or swapping an apartment with a French person/family by joining a home/hospitality exchange club such as intervac.com, people like us or homeexchange.com, which has quite a few Parisian members. Since Paris is so expensive, I usually stay in apartments where I can cook my own meals. I enjoy exploring Paris’s numerous neighborhood farmers’ markets where the food is more affordable than grocery stores. I rarely dine out but when I generally eat at cheap ethnic restaurants.

If you have a bit more financial latitude, why not consider renting an apartment. Here are several short term furnished apartment websites that you can use to accomplish that task:

• Feels Like Home in Paris (www.feelslikehomeinparis.com) In addition to a number of high-quality and luxury furnished apartments in Paris (€550-€2000/week), they also offer travel services such as guided tours, cooking classes, and and wine tasting.
• Paristay (www.paristay.com)  It’s pretty clear what you’re getting, with less of the “fluff” you see on sites aimed at tourists.
• Paris Perfect (www.parisperfect.com)  offers luxury Paris apartment rentals with central locations, Eiffel Tower views, balconies, etc. for up to 8 guests.
• www.vrbo.com,
• https://fusac.fr/ad-category/housing/
• perfectlyparis.com
• Of course there is always airbnb but they have gotten rather expensive over the years and the selections are scarce. Also consider craigslist new york…lots of new yorkers have apt is paris that they rent out through craigslist new york.

Hotels –  If money is not an obstacle and/or you prefer residing in a hotel, consider the following:

High end

• Murano Urban Resort, 13 Boulevard du Temple, 75003 Tel : 01 42 71 20 00
• L’Hotel, 13 rue des Beaux Arts, 75006 Tel: 01 44 41 99 00
• Plaza Athenee, 25 avenue Montaigne, 75008, Tel: 01 53 67 66 65
• Maison Souquet 10 Rue de Bruxelles, 75009, Tel: 01 48 78 55 55 www.maisonsouquet.com
• L’Hôtel Particulier Montmartre, 23 Av. Junot Pavillon D, 75018, Tel: 01 53 41 81 40 www.hotelparticulier.com/

Mid range

• • Hotel Parc Saint-Severin, 22 Rue De La Parcheminerie, 75005, Tel: 01 43 54 32 17
• • Hotel Massenet, 5 bis, rue Massenet, 75116 Tel: 01 45 24 43 03
• • Hotel des Grand Ecole, 75005 Rue des Cardinelle Lemonias 75005 Tel: 01455679

Budget

• Hotel Muget 11 rue Chevert 75007 Tel : 01 47 05 05 93
• Hotel Alcyon, 17 rue de Prague 75012, Tel: 01 43 43 66 35
• Hotel College de France, 7 rue Thenard, 75005, Tel: 01 43 26 78 36.
• Hôtel Résidence des Gobelins 9, rue des Gobelins, 75014 Tel: 01.47.07.26.90 Owned/managed by a Jamaican couple.
• Hotel Minerva 13, Rue des Ecoles 75005 Tel: 01 43 26 26 04

Food and Art Markets

Street and covered food markets provide a splendid, tempting array of all kinds of food and are popular with both local Parisians and tourists alike. The real street food markets usually start between 07:00am to 08:00am and generally start to close down at around 13:00. Some of the most popular Paris food markets include:

• Bastille – Bastille Square, Boulevard Lenoir, open Sundays and Thursday – my fav!
• The African Market at Chateau-Rouge
• Belleville – Boulevard de Belleville, open Tuesday and Friday
• Buci – Rue de Buci and Rue de Seine, open Tuesday to Sunday
• Carmes – Place Maubert 5e, open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
• Convention – Rue de la Convention, open Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday
• Dejean – Place du Château-Rouge, open Tuesday to Sunday
• Enfants-Rouge – 39 Rue de Bretagne 3e, open Tuesday to Saturday
• Monge – Place Monge 5e, open Wednesday, Friday and Sunday
• Montorgueil – Rue Montorgueil 5e, open Tuesday and Sunday
• Mouffetard – Rue Mouffetard 5e, open Tuesday to Sunday
• Place d’Aligre – 12e M° Ledru-Rollin, open Tuesday to Saturday
• Port-Royal – Boulevard de Port-Royal 5e, open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
• Porte-St-Martin – Rue de Château-d’Eau 10e, open Tuesday to Sunday
• Raspail – Boulevard Raspail, open Tuesday, Friday and Sunday
• Rue Lévis – 17e M° Villiers, open Tuesday and Sunday
• Rue du Poteau – 18e M° Jules-Joffrin, open Tuesday and Saturday
• St-Germain – Rue Mabillon 6e, open Tuesday and Sunday
• Ternes – Rue Lemercier 17e, open Tuesday and Sunday
• The creation market Paris-Montparnasse welcomes you every Sunday from 10h to 19h. Meet over 130 creators of visual arts, jewelry, and wearable art. The market is held at the foot of Montparnasse Tower on Boulevard Edgar Quinet

BOOKS ON BLACK PARIS

-Paris Noir: African Americans in the City of Light by Tyler Stovall, Houghton Mifflin Company, 1996, 366 pages, $24.95. (Chronicles the life and times of the African American presence in Paris)

-Soul on the Seine: Your Hip Guide to Black Paris Book by Robin Bates, La Jolie Noire Publications, 200 pages, February 2008, $15 (It is a unique travel publication that looks at a modern, urban Paris from an African American perspective.)

– Black Girl in Paris by Shay Youngblood, Riverhead Books, 2000, 256 pages, $12.00. (An intriguing examination of the twentieth century African-American history in the French capital through the dreams of a young expatriate)

– Eugene Bullard: Black Expatriate in the Jazz-Age Paris by Craig Lloyd, University of Georgia Press, 2000, $26.95 (profile of a jazz drummer and freedom fighter who live in Paris during the early part of the 1900’s)

– Black Paris: The African Writer’s Landscape by Benetta Jules-Rosette, University of Illinois Press, 2000, $17.95 (Focuses on the Parisian Negritude movement from the perspective of writers of African descent. Includes interviews, poetry and insightful essays)

– Richard Wright’s Travel Writings, edited by Virginia Smith, University of Mississippi Press, 2001, $18.00 (Chronicles the author’s travel writing from 1946 to 1960)

– Kattraxing Through Paris by Kat St. Thomas, Regent Press, 2002, $20 (Veteran tour guide provides the inside scoop on travel to Black Paris)

– Paris Reflections: Walks Through Black Paris by Christianne Anderson and Monique Wells, McDonald & Woodward Publishing Company, 2002, $17.95 (The book outlines six detailed walks through Black Paris)

-When African American Came to Paris by Joanne and David Burke. It also has a companion film.

-Little Africa Paris Guide Book and Tours – http://littleafrica.fr/la-home/

-Another book to consider is mine, of course! Go Girl: The Black Woman’s Book of Travel and Adventure by Elaine Lee. Included in its 52 RIVETING TRAVELS TALES are four stories about traveling and living in Paris.

Here are a few GENERIC Paris, France travel books that I found helpful:

• – When In France by Christopher Sinclair Stevenson
• – Walking Paris by Christopher Turner
• – A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway
• – Paris Handbook by Lonely Planet

Solo Travel to Paris!
By Shannon George
You’re finally ready to take your dream trip to Paris. But your best friend can’t get time off work, you are currently sans boyfriend and you want something more authentic than what a group tour can offer. Don’t worry! Paris may be the most romantic city in the world, but it is also a lovely place to enjoy completely by yourself. C’est vrai!
Travelers who have never gone solo usually have the same worries: will I be safe? Will I be lonely? Will everyone stare at me and think I’m a complete loser because I am by myself?
Basic travel safety tips
First of all, Paris is an extremely safe city. As long as you are smart about what you do, you won’t have problems. When traveling solo, all the usual “smart travel” rules apply: don’t carry whopping amounts of cash. Don’t wear a money purse on the inside of your jacket; do wear your purse/daypack crossed shoulder-to-hip with the bag in the front or on the side, never behind you. Don’t “mark” yourself as a tourist (i.e., leave the sneakers and Yankees baseball caps at home) and don’t “advertise” that you are carrying an iPhone, iPod or other desirable electronic toy. If approached by a pan-handler or trinket peddler, simply respond with a firm “Non!” Better yet, pretend you only speak some imaginary language, don’t respond at all when anyone asks, “Hello, do you speak English?” and continue on your way as if you understood nothing.
Métro safety tips for solo travelers
The Métro runs until 1am on Sundays and weeknights, 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, and for the most part it is safe as long as you stay alert. There are cameras and police will come if the dispatcher watching the monitors summons them. When traveling alone, no matter your gender, it’s not a bad idea to locate and stand near the emergency pull on every Métro platform. But again, your chances of pulling that lever are exceedingly small.
Taxi safety tips
If you’re a bit uncomfortable taking the Métro to your hotel or if you’re out after the Métro shuts down for the night, there’s no shame in taking a taxi. It’s worth a few extra euros for the peace of mind.
There are over 450 taxi stands in Paris; see this City of Paris taxi information page. G7 and Taxis Bleus of Paris offer free smartphone apps available as downloads at your favorite app store.
Contrary to what many think, it’s legal to flag down a taxi in the street as long as you’re more than 50 meters away from a taxi stand. Paris taxis are now converting to a new light system and by January 2012 taxis will display a green roof light for “available” or a red roof light for “in service.” If you don’t see a taxi stand nearby, duck into a nearby restaurant or hotel and nicely ask them to order you a taxi. Chances are, they will. Beware unlicensed or unmarked “taxi” cabs that tend to congregate around train stations and tourist hot spots late at night. Gare du Nord is where these “helpful” drivers wait for the unsuspecting tourists who arrive via the Eurostar. The driver may offer you a “discounted” fare, say, 35 euros for a ride from Gare du Nord to le Marais, which is 5-7 times the legitimate fare. And always when you get into a cab in an unfamiliar city, check the posted rate card to confirm rates, zone charges, day vs night fees, luggage and extra person fees are being correctly charged on the meter.
Meeting other travelers and perhaps locals, too
Traveling alone doesn’t mean that you’ll be lonely or that you have to do everything alone. Take a walking or biking tour, or even a cooking class. They’re fun, entertaining ways to experience the city with people from all over the world. And you may even make some new friends.
Museums solo: linger or dash-through, your choice
Museums can also be much more rewarding when experienced solo. Spend as much or as little time in them as you like. If you want to stare at Monet’s water lilies for two hours, no one will nag you because they’re hungry and want to leave. Or if your feet are throbbing and you decide to just do a quick run-through past Mona Lisa, Winged Victory and Venus De Milo and then go relax in a café over a chocolat chaud, that is your prerogative! Maybe you’ll forego the museum altogether. If a glorious, sun-filled Paris afternoon makes the ferris wheel at the Place de la Concorde more appealing than the cavernous galleries of the Louvre, scrap your original plans. Your schedule is your own and you can change it on a dime!
Dining solo: it’s part of the Paris culture
One of the biggest issues people seem to have with traveling solo is eating alone in restaurants. First of all, you need to remember no one else really cares that you are by yourself. As a society, Parisians dine out a lot; look around the restaurant and you’ll probably see a few locals seated by themselves as well. If you still feel conspicuous, bring your book or journal to use at the table. But Paris really is the perfect place to dine solo—squeeze into a row of seats at an outdoor café and watch the world go by. You don’t need a dining partner to enjoy the live show that is this city.
And if you’re sitting inside, the tables are so close that it’s highly unlikely your neighbors will completely ignore you. You may just exchange simple pleasantries, or you may end up having a lovely dinner conversation and then be offered a glass of wine from the bottle that they can’t possibly finish by themselves (true story!).

The City of Light has so much to offer everyone—don’t be afraid of visiting solo. Embrace the experience! How lucky you are to have the most amazing city on the planet all to yourself!

Bicycling in Paris

Cycling in Paris is a popular and increasingly accessible way to get around, with over 1,000 km of bike lanes, including dedicated and protected paths. You can rent bikes through services like the city’s Vélib’ or private companies, Lime or Tier that allow for free-floating rentals via a smartphone app. You can also take guided tours, or explore scenic routes through parks like the Bois de Vincennes or along the Seine. I

“Lost in Paris, Found in Me” I wandered the quiet streets of Paris, alone, Cobblestone whispers beneath my feet, unknown. The lamps flickered softly, a muted refrain, Casting shadows that danced in the evening rain. In the solitude of alleys, away from the crowd, I felt both invisible and fiercely proud. The city was a mirror, reflecting my soul, Lost in its beauty, yet seeking the whole. The Seine sighed secrets, ancient and deep, While the stars above promised dreams in my sleep. I searched for love in the air, in the night, But found only echoes in the soft moonlight. And there, beneath the arches, in the dark, A bittersweet truth lit a solitary spark—Love was not found in a lover’s embrace, But in the silent strength of my own grace. I realized then, in this city of art, Paris had guided me back to my heart. For though I sought love in each shadowed street, It was within myself, that I became complete. Now, I stand tall, though bittersweet it may be, In the romance of Paris, I found love in me. No lover’s hand to hold, no kiss in the rain, But self-love was the answer to all of my pain. shelly alexander

1. The Traveling Lawyer

There once was a lawyer named Elaine,
From Michigan’s snow, wind, and rain.
She settled out west,
Where Berkeley was best,
But Paris still called her again.

2. Paris Every Year

A traveler bold, Elaine Lee,
Finds Paris as lovely as can be.
Each year she appears,
With laughter and cheers,
For a month by the Seine happily.

3. The Ukulele Player

A bright Berkeley lawyer named Lee
Plays ukulele with glee.
She dances all night,
Her rhythm just right—
The life of the party is she.

4. Around the Whole World

Elaine packed a bag—maybe three—
And circled the world twice with glee.
She wrote what she saw
With wonder and awe:
“Black women travel—be free!”

5. The Storyteller

There once was a writer named Lee
Who wandered from sea unto sea.
Her tales light the way
For travelers today—
Especially women who long to be free.

6. Paris-Loving Elaine

From Oakland to old Notre Dame,
The globe learned the name of Elaine.
With dance, song, and pen,
She travels again—
And Paris is never the same.

by Colin Gravios

PARIS, FRANCE – ASWAN, EGYPT – THAILAND – BARBADOS – BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS (FOR SAILING) – YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, PERU, NEW ZEALAND, SEYCHELLES ISLANDS

I sometimes find great values at Car Rental 8 and Skyscanner. I have been having decreasing good luck with priceline.com, hotwire.com and carrentalexpress.com. Don’t forget to ask for promo deals, affiliation discounts, e.g., (aaa/aarp) and “local” only deals. Check out the new personal car rental services at airports such as flightcar.com and turo.com.

Tips for traveling with your pet

As hotels and airlines begin to cater more to our four-legged friends, many people are starting to enjoy the benefits of traveling with a pet. Some hotels go as far as pampering our animals with personalized beds and gourmet treats with turndown service. And several airlines even offer frequent flyer miles for the dog or cat who’s always on the go. However, before you start planning a vacation, it’s important to prepare you and your pet for the road ahead.

Know before you go

The first step in planning a trip with your animal is considering what’s in it for him or her. Oftentimes, it’s more practical to hire a sitter or board your pet, so you want to be certain that he or she is going to get just as much enjoyment out of the journey as you will.

Once you’ve decided to bring your pet along, you need to think about safety. While packing extra food, water (ice cubes work wonders), and favorite toys, it’s wise to take a minute to locate the closest veterinarian to where you’ll be staying. Healthy pet is an excellent resource, and is part of the American Animal Hospital Association. In just a few clicks, you can print off a list of doctors and directions to have handy in case of an emergency. It’s also a good idea to pack a basic first-aid kit for any journey.

Make sure you have a current ID tag with your pet at all times. Microchips are also a safe and secure way of keeping track of your pet, especially for those traveling to a foreign country. Pack a few extra color photos in the event that you get separated.

Before any big trip, by flight or car, it’s important to familiarize your pet with its kennel, carrying case, or car seat. Start by introducing the animal to it for short periods, and then slowly increase the amount of time for each session. If flying, make sure your pet’s kennel is up to standard, is accepted by the airline, and fits your pet comfortably.

Most pets rely on routine, so it’s important to keep things as normal as possible. Robert D. “Jake” Tedaldi, D.V.M., winner of Boston Magazine’s 2006 “Best of Boston” award for veterinarian, recommends “Try[ing] to make the arrangements and transitions as stress-free as possible by attempting to reproduce the living experience your animal is already accustomed to.” For instance, keeping a regular feeding and walking schedule wherever you go will help your pet feel more secure. It’s also comforting for the animal to have familiar items such as a favorite toy or blanket.

Doctor’s Visit

A doctor’s visit is imperative before any big trip. Make sure your pet is up-to-date with vaccinations, especially rabies, as they are legally required everywhere you go. Let your doctor know your destination, duration, and means of transportation to help them know the best way to keep your pet healthy.

A veterinarian may recommend sedation for a longer trip, especially for an animal that’s anxious or aggressive. If you decide to sedate your pet, Dr. Tedaldi recommends, “Tak[ing] any sedatives you’re planning to use on your pet for a ‘test drive.’” That is, try the sedative well in advance when you have the time to observe your pet’s full response to the medication. He adds, “This way you’ll know what to expect when the day arrives. Everyone, including your pet will be less stressed as a result.” In addition to a veterinarian’s recommendations, it’s wise to do your own research before making any final decisions.

For domestic flights, most airlines require a health certificate acquired within the previous ten days. For international flights, it’s wise to make an appointment with a doctor six months in advance, as different countries have different restrictions and requirements. Keep copies of your pet’s records and an extra photo of your pet with you in a safe place while traveling.

Airplane Travel

The first step toward ensuring a comfortable flight is in the booking process, especially since many airlines have special requirements, and some don’t even accept pets. Several airlines have also implemented a pet embargo that restricts animals from flying in cargo during extreme temperatures (over 85 degrees or less than 35 degrees). For instance, Delta Airlines will not allow animals to fly in cargo from May 15 through September 15. Before booking any flights, be certain the airline has no special restrictions that will prevent your pet from flying. Also, consider booking a nonstop flight versus one with several layovers. This may be more expensive, but it’s a lot safer and less stressful for you and your pet.

Reservations are required for both cargo and carry-on passengers. Smaller pets (weight varies by airline) are allowed as carry-on, and are required to remain in his or her airline-approved case under the seat in front of you for the duration of the flight. Many airlines only allow a certain number of animals in the cabin, so be certain your pet has a guaranteed place with you before you fly. Larger pets are required to fly in the cargo hold. If you’re traveling with an animal in cargo, alert flight attendants, so they’ll know who to grab first in case of an emergency. Be prepared to pay extra when flying with your pet, as many airlines charge a fee for each way, which can be up to as much as $80. Check with your airline for its specific rates and procedures.

Depending on the duration of the flight, many vets recommend withholding food six hours before departure and water two hours prior to take-off. It’s also wise to exercise pets before putting them in their crates. Place a visible tag with your pet’s name and emergency contact information on the side of its carrying case.

Border Crossing

When taking a trip to Canada or Mexico, it’s always important to familiarize yourself with the most current requirements for pet transport. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the procedures, contact the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency before hitting the road.

A valid rabies certificate is mandatory for crossing both borders, but Mexico also requires a health certificate issued within the last 72 hours. The pet may be inspected at either border for illness, but it’s merely a formality and patience goes a long way. To return to the United States, pets over three months old must have a valid rabies certificate issued at least 30 days prior to travel. Pets are allowed on most ferries, but many require animals remain on vehicle decks or in a carrier at all times.

It’s a good idea to bring extra unopened cans or bags of food. It’s not uncommon for opened food to be discarded upon entrance, and it may not be so easy to replace immediately. On a recent trip to Victoria, British Columbia, my mother, Victoria Hamman, had her pet food confiscated by U.S. Customs. She said, “I’m sorry we didn’t bring two smaller containers instead of one large one, because we had to search for a place to buy dog food once we arrived in Port Angeles later that night.”

Hotels and camping

Finding pet-friendly accommodations is becoming easier, but it still requires a little prior planning. Make sure your chosen hotel accepts the size and type of pet you’re bringing. Be aware that some hotels may charge an additional fee for your pet, so be sure to speak to the hotel directly to avoid any extra charges. Find pet-positive lodging through one of these helpful websites: Pets Welcome, Pet Friendly Travel, Best Pet Friendly Hotels, and Trips with Pets. On each site, you can search by exact location, and many offer lodging discounts.

For a place to stay on short notice, stop at one of these hotels known for welcoming pets: Red Roof Inn, Motel 6, or Days Inn. For a more luxurious experience, stay at one of the many Kimpton Hotels located across the country. Each hotel welcomes your pet as if he or she is a VIP guest, and many have special programs tailored for the two of you.

Another option for lodging along the road is staying at a KOA Campground. For a little less than a hotel, the campgrounds offer a fun retreat for you and your pet. If you decide to camp, be sure to talk to your vet about fleas, ticks, and other creepy crawlies you might want to vaccinate against. Also, be considerate of other campers by keeping your pet with you at all times.

Traveling with your pet should be an enriching experience, not a stressful one. By following the previous tips and preparing yourself for the unexpected, you will learn to enjoy taking him or her with you wherever you go.From frommers.com

Any travel tips for solo women travelers?

Single Travelers: A Compendium of Trip Planning Resources
By The Fromer’s Staff http://www.frommers.com/articles/2590.html
Unfortunately for the 85 million or so single Americans, the travel industry is far more geared towards couples, so singles often wind up paying the penalty. It pays to travel with someone. Many people prefer to travel alone. Unfortunately, the solo traveler is forced to pay a punishing “single supplement” charged by many resorts, cruise lines, and tours for the privilege of sleeping alone.

10 Apps That Make Traveling Solo Easier—and Fun

Here are a few things to consider:

1. Pack Light (take half as many things as you think you need and twice as much money—visit a travel packing site to create the perfect packing list for starters! e.g., onebag.com, packing pro for your iphone, the universal packing list at http://upl.codeq.info/ or http://www.independenttraveler.com/packing.
2. Don’t dress like an ugly American. Be respectful of the country you are visiting and consider dressing in culturally appropriate manner.
3. Carry a currency converter, ear plugs, small gifts to give away and a flashlight. They have proven to be invaluable on my trips.
4. Learn the basics of the language of the country you are visiting. Consider bringing a mini-letter of introduction in the language of the place(s) you are traveling.
5. Consider travel insurance.
6. Keep yourself hydrated when flying. Drink plenty of water before, during and after your flight . Don’t drink alcohol during your flight – it dehydrates you. If you have a long flight consider taking a mild sedative so you can sleep on route. Carry noise canceling headphones and variety of music to dull out the noise.
7. Join a home/hospitality exchange club so you don’t have to incur hotel costs.
8. Consider carrying an international cell phone or adding global feature to your regular cellphone that is if you have at least a tri-band feature. Get a local sim card for each country you visit so your local calls will be charged as local.
9. Always carry the hotel’s card with you when you leave your room or address/phone of house you are staying. Also, never leave your hotel room without a map of the area, $20 of local currency, your health insurance card, your passport number memorized and a pen.
10. Flying tips: Best times of the day to travel, 6&7am, best days of the week to travel-Saturday and Tuesday, best months to travel-September, try to fly non-stop because that reduces the chances of losing your luggage and consider using airports near major cities.
11. YOUR FIRST DIGITAL PHOTO BEFORE YOU TRAVEL CAN BE VERY HELPFUL — writes Susan from Calgary, Canada — Many women travelers carry a digital camera these days. I suggest you take a photo of your luggage and/or backpack before you leave the house. This way, a copy is already in your camera. Then, if your luggage gets lost you can immediately show the lost luggage staff exactly what the missing pieces looks like.

More tips from my book “Go Girl” I found that it was cheaper and easier to use debit cards than carrying traveler’s check. You also get a better exchange rate and a lower transaction fee. page 342 When planning your travel wardrobe restrict your color scheme to two colors and bundle your clothes instead of fold them. page 344

Consider using a ticket broker or consolidator to find the affordable plane tickets, particularly if you plan a multi stop trip. page 338 Make copies of your credit cards, passport, birth certificate and tickets and keep them in a separate location from the originals. page 340

If you are traveling to the southern hemisphere, contact your local health department’s immunization division two months before your departure to get information about required medications for each country you plan to visit. page 341

What is the creed of the peaceful traveler?

• Grateful for the opportunity to travel and experience the world and because peace begins with the individual, I affirm my personal responsibility and commitment to:
• Journey with an open mind and gentle heart
• Accept with grace and gratitude the diversity I encounter
• Revere and protect the natural environment which sustains all life
• Appreciate all cultures I discover
• Respect and thank my hosts for their welcome
• Offer my hand in friendship to everyone I meet
• Support travel services that share these views and act upon them and,
• By my spirit, words and actions, encourage others to travel the world in peace.

Copyright © International Institute for Peace Through Tourism

• Be humble.
• Refrain from lecturing.
• Be quiet and dial it down.
• Dress for respect.
• Leave the slang at home.
• Listen as much as you talk.
• Respect other people’s religion
• Learn the basics of the language of the country you are visiting.

(from Pathfinders Travel Magazine 7/2008)

What is medical tourism? Medical tourism is the act of traveling to other countries to obtain medical, dental, and surgical care.

Why is growing in popularity? A combination of many factors has led to the recent increase in popularity of medical tourism: the high cost of healthcare in industrialized nations, the ease and affordability of international travel, and the improvement of technology and standards of care in many countries of the world. More than 45 million Americans lack health insurance and 120 million lack dental insurance, and that number continues to grow. Frustrated with the high cost of medical care in this country and by insurance companies that don’t cover elective procedures and in countries like Canada and England where they have socialized medicine—sometimes there are often delays for certain procedures so instead of wait, patients travel abroad for their care. Companies send workers abroad

Where are some of most popular places people are going for medical and dental care? Some to the most popular destinations are: Bolivia, Brazil, Cuba, Costa Rica, Hungary, India, Dubai, Lithuania, Malaysia, Thailand, Belgium, Canada, Poland and Singapore. South Africa is taking the term “medical tourism” very literally by promoting their “medical safarisî. You can tell your friends and family that you are going on safari and in actuality you are primarily going for a faceliftÖor saying you are going skiing at Whistler resort in British Columbia but you stop by Whistler Laser Center for botox or restyalene injections.

One of the most well-known places is the Bumrungrad Medical Center in Bangkok, Thailand, which sees 850,000 overseas patients annually and is at the cutting edge of medical tourism. Bumunrungrad comes complete with Starbucks, McDonaldís and twenty-four hour personal service. In 2005, the hospital treated 58,000 American patients, a 25 percent increase from 2004. “We receive about 400 new e-mails a day from the United Statesî.

What are some sample costs? The cost of surgery in India, Bolivia, Thailand or South Africa can be fraction of what people pay the United States or Western Europe, For example, a heart-valve replacement that would cost $200,000 or more in the U.S., would cost $10,000 in India and that includes round-trip airfare and a brief vacation package. Lasik eye surgery costs $3,700 in the U.S. and it is available in Thailand for only $730. A full facelift that would cost $20,000 in the U.S. and it runs about $1,250 in South Africa. Two dental bridges would cost $5,000 in the U.S. would cost $$1,000 in Hungary. Root canal would cost U.S. $3,50 and in India, $400. Two other examples are the Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad (I.V.I.), in Valencia, Spain charges $12,000 in vitro fertilization (IVF) vs $28,000 in states. In Cyprus, $2000 for hair transplants vs $4000 in U.S.

What are some of the potential problems?

-There is little follow-up care. The patient usually is in hospital for only a few days, and then goes on the vacation portion of the trip or returns home. Complications, side-effects and post-operative care are then the responsibility of the medical care system in the patients’ home country.

-Most of the countries that offer medical tourism have weak malpractice laws, so the patient has little recourse to local courts or medical boards if something goes wrong.

-For those of you shuddering at the thought of undergoing an advanced medical procedure in a foreign country, studies show that Indiaís death rate among patients undergoing surgery is only half that of most major hospitals in the United States.

What are some precautions people can take? – Contact an international medical and dental assessment organization to determine their evaluation of a facility. You can also develop a relationship with a medical organization here in the U.S. such as globalchoicehealthcare and have them make arrangements for you as well as to do follow up care. Currently Singapore boasts the largest number of US Joint Commission accredited hospitals in Southeast Asia. FYI – www.jointcommissioninternational.org, www.medexassist.com, www.jcipatientsafety.org,www.osap.org(OSAP is a global dental organization), www.globalchoicehealthcare.com

What about getting prescription drugs in Canada? Drugs rugs are 50% – 200% higher in the USA than it is in Canada due to US federal laws and a regulatory board that ensure the end costs of drugs are kept at an artificially high level. Visitors from the US may purchase up to three months worth of prescriptions at one time in Canada. For information about buying prescription drugs outside of the United States, consider visiting, the following websites: www.americandrugclub.com, www.crossborderpharmacy.com

How can people learn more? Consider visiting the following websites:

• www.medicaltourism.com,
• www.plasticsurgeryjourneys.com,
• www.surgeon-and-safari.co.za,
• www.lougheedlaser.com (Whistler Laser Center),
• hwww.bumrungrad.com, (Bumrungrad Hospital) www.diethelmtravel.com (Bumrungrad Hospital travel agent),

www.hungariandentaltravel.com,

www.treatmentabroad.net/cosmetic-abroad/cyprus/hdc (hair transplants)Prepared by Elaine Lee with excerpts from article written by by Sean OíReilly, Editor-at-Large of Travelersí Tales. (www.travelerstales.com)

In a home exchange, two households swap homes. The company I usually use is Intervac.com or homeexchange.com. I have been successfully doing home exchange for the past 30 years. I have probably done about 12 of them.

In a cultural exchange you stay in someone’s home and teach them about your culture or your language. (usservas.org) These kinds of exchanges are usually free of charge. For small fees ($25 to $100) you can join networks that help you locate prospective swappers.

Other networks like www.couchsurfing.com are free of charge. For a list of over 20 home/hospitality groups, visit the home exchange section of the “favorite links” area of this website.

Tell us one of your favorite northern California/Southern Oregon Getaways

Here is my current favorite Northern California/Southern Oregon Getaway! For the past 6 years or so I have been regularly taking some variation of the 7-10 day adventure you will find set forth below.

I recommend that during the non-winter season you schedule your trip to include a vist to Ashland Oregon’s Shakespeare Theatre Festival and/or the Mendocino Film Festival; during the winter season you should schedule your visit to include Mendocino’s Crab and Wine Festival!

Away we go!

1) Mendocino (on route drive through Anderson Valley (Highway 128) and stop at Navarro, Esterlina (Black owned) as well as Husch Wineries)

a) Stay at the Little River inn. Try to get an ocean view room toward the north side of property where you can hear the waves!! The food is wonderful. Be sure to eat there for at least one dinner (try crab cakes and cioppino) and one breakfast (try blintzes and Swedish pancakes)

b) Stroll through town and along the coast at the end of town and be sure to stop by the Gallery of the Senses perfume store and the gallery called “Art that makes you Laugh”.

c) Night time events to try: check out whose playing at the Headlands Coffeehouse in Fort Bragg, what’s playing at the Mendocino Theatre Co., and/or Gloriana Opera Co.

d) Try outdoor excursions such as: Coast Botanical Garden walk to the ocean, Skunk Train and/or try tide pooling at MacKerricher State Park.

e) Other restaurants to try: Moose Cafe, Albion River Inn, Cafe Beaujolais.

f) For more information, visit Mendocino websites such as http://www.go-mendo.com/ http://www.mendocino.winecountry.com to check out their calendar to find out if there are any festivals or special events going on during your travel time. Also pick up a copy of the Mendocino Visitor’s Guide published by the Mendocino Chamber of Commerce.

2) Next stop: visit the Montgomery Woods State Reserve and Orr Hot Springs! Turn off of Highway One at Comptche-Ukiah Road and visit one of California’s most majestic virgin redwood forests. Afterward make your way to Orr Hot Springs for a soak and possibly an overnight stay.

3) Make your way to the Victorian Village of Ferndale, which is a few miles shy of Eureka. It ís a quaint little town, nestled between the two redwood forests in a thriving dairy community. We stopped by the Tea Shoppe, located in the center of town for a pot of freshly brewed tea and slices of homemade pie.

4) Visit Eureka and walk around their newly refurbished “Old Town”. For a sampling of what life was like for the lumberjacks in the 1800’s, consider having dinner at the historic Samoa Roadhouse and museum. On route to Crescent City consider veering off the beaten path by stopping off at Hoopa Tribal Museum on the Hoopa Reservation, where you can also get guided tour of traditional village.

Another interesting side trip is to the picturesque coastal city of Trinidad for short visit to their Patrick State Park as well as to the Tsurai Village, which was one of the last original Native American communities on the Redwood coast. Also consider seeing humungeous redwood trees by driving through the Avenue of the Giants.

5) Why not give, Crescent City a try? Consider a night’s stay at the Redwood National Park’s Hostel which across the street from the beach and a few miles outside of Crescent City. Be sure to eat lunch or dinner at the Charthouse, one of the local’s fav restaurants. If you are traveling in the summer, consider scheduling your trip to include a visit to the Klamath Salmon Festival. It is organized by the Yurok tribe and includes an opportunity to learn about their culture as well as eat salmon prepared in the traditional manner.

6) On route to Ashland, be sure to stop off at Jedediah Smith State Park, just north of Crescent City to take a short stroll through Stout Grove and during the spring time the Smith River is said to be a beautiful blue.

7) A must see scene is Ashland, Oregon. If you are traveling between May and October, you must attend several plays at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. They not only have Shakespearean plays but also contemporary, classic and ethnic ones as well. Here is a budget traveler’s tip: stand outside of the box office around lunch time and there are usually people trying to get rid of extra tickets via gift or deep discount; you can also sometimes get them prior to evening performances as well.

a) My favorite inexpensive places to stay: Windmill Inn or Manor Motel. My favorite places to stay: Ashland Creek Inn or the Plaza Inn Suites.

b) My fav places to eat: for breakfast – Greenleaf Restaurant (on the river) or Ashland Bakery Cafe, for lunch or dinner – Lela’s Cafe, Omar’s, Dragonfly, Cucina Biazzi, Allyson’s Kitchen or Thai Pepper.

My fav coffee spot: Noble Coffee.

The best way to learn about the history of Ashland: Take the amazing audio walking tour offered by the Imagine Project (www.ashlandaudiowalks.com). Information and devices are available at the Ashland Springs Hotel.

Set aside an afternoon to check out Ashland’s numerous art galleries and artist cooperatives.

My favorite place to shop: Paddington Station.

A couple other theatrical alternatives in Ashland are: Oregon Caberet Theatre and Oregon Stage Works.

c) My fav side trips are the Britt Music Festival (June-September) in the neighboring community of Jacksonville (a tour of the town is worthwhile as well) & a day long white water rafting trip on the Klamath with Noah’s Adventures. Be sure to check out their farmer’s market, local wineries such as Cow’s Horn, Weisingers and Edenvale. Consider taking a hike along the Pacific Crest Scenic Trail from Grouse Gap to the Forest Boundary

8) Mt. Shasta City

a) My fav places to stay: Stewart’s Hot Springs or Lake Shasta Resort.

b) My fav places to eat are Lily’s Cafe, Trinity Cafe or Deli at Berryvale Grocery Store

c) Fav things to do is go mountain biking and/or hiking near Lake Siskiyou, Heart Lake, on the cliffs above Castle Lake and Dunsmuir Falls. I love spending a morning or afternoon alternately sitting in the wood burning sauna at Stewart’s hot springs and dunking myself in the adjacent river. I hope to attend a sweat lodge ceremony there someday which are usually on Friday nights. Be sure to fill up your water bottles from the springs in Mt. Shasta City Park.

Here are two articles I came across recently that might be of help!

7 things Americans should know about travel to Cuba
http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/17/travel/cuba-travel-feat/index.html

______________
It’s 5:00 a.m. at Miami International Airport as I file into Sun Country’s check-in line for my charter flight to Havana. Through my bleary, sleep-deprived eyes, I notice something striking. While I’m pulling a small roller-board suitcase, most other passengers are pushing large carts stacked high with shrink-wrapped plasma TVs, bicycles, and ottoman–sized wads of clothing. Their reasons for traveling to Cuba are different than mine: They come to see and assist family, and I to quell a curiosity that’s been building collectively in the U.S. since the trade embargo went into effect in 1960.
Yes, for U.S. citizens, legal travel to Cuba is now possible. However, you’ll face its complexities before you ever touch down in Havana. And while the rules continue to evolve as president Obama eases restrictions, here’s the latest on what you need to know for planning a trip (at least for the moment).
http://www.smartertravel.com/photo-galleries/editorial/forbidden-no-more-yes-you-can-travel-to-cuba-legally-and-heres-how.html?id=1049&source=91&value=2015-06-27+00%3A00%3A00&u=SL61A6A4B0&nl_cs=23413749%3A%3A7597281%3A%3A23981808%3A%3A

Please give me some tips on traveling to Bali.

Here are few notes!!

I spent no time in Denpasar other than to fly into there. great beaches there and where a lot of the aussies hang out.

I took two side trips – went to the island of lombok and went snorkeling in sulewesi

i stayed in Ubud most of time

I went to:

• nearby craft villages
• a baby’s one year old birthday party
• went to a puppet show
• went to some flea market
• went for a spa/massage treatment – tub had lots of flowers in it.
• did a bike tour
• Rice Fields Walk.
• Kecak Dance Performance.
• took a Cooking Class
• I DID NOT like it but you could Brave the Monkey Forest
• Tegenungan Waterfall.
• took a batik class

i found the people very friendly and welcoming, found it to be quite affordable and enjoyed the food.

I wish i had seen a religious procession.

my heart broke at all the sick homeless dogs is saw. hope they have remedied that problem.

When I was in Canada on assignment for Essence Magazine a few years ago, I discovered some resources, tips and side trip ideas from locals and wanted to share them with you.  Below you will find info on Whistler, Vancouver and Victoria. Canada’s proximity and prices make it attractive to Americans, not only for leisure travel, but also for business and medical travel as well. Canadian costs for labor, computers, electronics, jewelry, cars, furs, elective surgery and/or sports equipment are all considerably cheaper than in the U.S. So you might want to consider planning your spending accordingly.

Vancouver is a spectacular cosmopolitan seaport town nestled between sea and mountains in British Columbia’s southwest corner. Open spaces and parks abound-the largest, Stanley Park, encompasses 1,000 acres of woodlands, gardens and trails. Vancouver’s natural beauty is matched by its cultural richness. Consider a visit to Granville Island, home to a thriving artist colony with working studios, commercial galleries, quaint shops and a raucous and bountiful public market. Check out Vancouver’s Chinatown, the second largest in North America. Wander through Gastown, Vancouver’s historic center, with its numerous cafes, boutiques and antique shops. And if high-fashion shopping is your thing, Robson is the street to beat. If you are in the mood for some yummy soul food, consider checking out Big Al’s Cajan Cuisine (604 258 0100) or Nice and Spicy Reggae CafÈ (604 877 0189). Two wonderful restaurants I visited are Rain City Grill (they specialize in local wines and traditional Canadian foods) and Maurya Indian Cuisine. (604 742 0622) (FYI – Vancouver’s over 30,000 Black Canadians host the “Caribbean Days,” a major annual event held the last weekend of July.)

Victoria It’s a delightful ninety-minute ferry ride (15 minute plane ride) to Victoria, a vintage European style city located on Vancouver Island. The magnificent Buchart Gardens alone are worth the journey. After a leisurely stroll through the garden, with its million plus flowers, awesome landscape designs, and fountains and fireworks set to music, take some tea at the fabled Empress Hotel overlooking Victoria’s gorgeous harbor. Time your trip right and you can watch the whales. For an authentic Canadian “first nations” experience, consider a ? day tour of neighboring community of T’Souke where you can check out cultural presentations on carving, legends and food preparation as well as visit local artisans and partake in a cedar-stick salmon BBQ on the beach. (www.islandadventuretours.com)

Whistler – That sea to ski ride from Vancouver to Whistler is one of my favorite drives.  The scenery is phenomenal.

Below are a few listing for the snow skiing enthusiast who visit Whistler in the winter. (the area code is 604)

Any travel tips for women travelers?

Dispatch from Christine Sarkin, www.travelindustryreview.com

Ten tips for women traveling alone

The fake wedding band approach Some single women try the fake wedding band approach in the hope that it will deter men, especially in countries where marriage is revered. Does it work? An informal poll yields no clear answer. About half the women I asked had stories in which a ring on any finger made no difference in the number of times they were approached, while the other half told personal anecdotes or related tales of women who swear by it, and even have a special ring for the job. For women, solo travel brings its own set of joys and challenges. It can be an extraordinary experience, to go where you want when you want and meet new people along the way. Many women who have traveled alone describe an incredible sense of freedom and possibility. But there are also the challenges, ranging from loneliness to safety, making solo travel daunting enough that many women never attempt it. That’s not to say it can’t be done. To help you get the most out of a trip, here are ten tips compiled from the advice of women who have traveled alone and will do it again.

1. Exercise hotel safety There are many ways you can make a solo stay at a hotel safer. At check-in, you might consider asking for a room near the elevator so you won’t need to walk down long, potentially ill-lit hallways to reach your room. When filling out guest registration forms, consider using your first initial instead of your name, and skip the “Mrs/Miss/Mr” check box. Additionally, make sure the clerk writes down your room number instead of saying it out loud. This will prevent anyone in the vicinity from knowing where to find you later. If you’re at a hotel that requires you to leave your keys at the front desk, make sure that a desk clerk is there to put your key in a safe place; never just leave it on the counter. SmarterTravel.com’s Executive Editor Anne Banas cautions to never hang a filled-out breakfast card on your door; doing so lets people know you’re alone in the room, and means there’s a situation already set in which you’ll be expecting someone at the door. If I’m not sure about my accommodations, I bring along a rubber door stop to wedge under the door in case the lock is unreliable.

2. Arrive during the day Arrive in new cities during the day. Areas around bus and train stations can be scary and/or deserted, and small towns tend to shut down early. Veteran solo traveler Mara Rothman of San Francisco notes that plenty of beautiful towns can appear eerie at night, and locals who are genuinely trying to help you can appear unnecessarily threatening. Arriving during the day means you’ll be able to find a place to stay and get your bearings before dark.

3. Keep your documents safe If you choose to wear a money belt, use it for storage and not as a purse. Constantly reaching under your shirt for money draws attention to it, and tends to defeat the purpose. Instead, keep your passport, extra stores of money, and other important documents tucked away, and use a bag or purse for carrying daily spending money. Keep copies of your passport and credit cards in a separate and secure location. Rothman suggests slipping copies of such documents under the insoles of shoes. They may not smell great, but they’ll be there if you need them.

4. Dress appropriately To avoid attracting unwanted attention, dress as conservatively as the women you see around you. This doesn’t necessarily mean donning the traditional dress, as that can sometimes backfire. When she arrived in India to travel on her own for six months, Eva Winter of London purchased the traditional Salwar kameez long tunic and pants. But as she traveled around the country, she noticed that she was actually attracting more attention from men who were curious about the six-foot-tall blonde in the customary cultural dress. Suspecting she might be giving the impression of attempting to appear traditional to attract an Indian suitor, Winter switched back to conservative Western dress and was hassled far less often. A good rule of thumb is to dress modestly. Think knee-length or longer skirts. Bare arms, shoulders, and legs are considered risqué in some countries, so do the research before you go and once you’re there. Note which body parts the local women cover and do the same.

5. Know when to buddy up Traveling alone doesn’t always mean being alone. There are plenty of situations in which seeking out company can make for a safer and more enjoyable experience. On vacation in Jamaica, Banas wasn’t comfortable walking alone from her resort into town for dinner and a reggae show, so she invited a couple she’d met earlier in the day at the pool to join her. By doing so, she got to try out a new restaurant, dance the night away, and make new friends. Continued… Smaller hotels and hostels are great places to find like-minded travelers to explore new places with. And even when you can’t find someone to buddy up with, there are often ways to associate yourself with others so you’ll be less likely to be bothered. In some countries, there are women-only sections in trains and women’s waiting rooms at train stations. Sticking close to families on public transportation and in unfamiliar public markets and bazaars is another technique some women use.

6. Combat harassment A few might argue that it’s just a well-developed appreciation of women, but unsolicited stares, calls, and attention feel more like harassment when you’re alone in unfamiliar territory. Having a repertoire of harassment deterrents can be as important to women travelers as a sturdy pair of shoes and a passport. SmarterTravel.com Contributing Editor RaeJean Stokes, who lived in Eastern Europe for two years, found that the combination of a basic understanding of the local language and the ability to feign total ignorance was a useful deterrent. After all, she said, “it’s not as fun to harass someone who can’t play back.” As an extension, not engaging with people who are bothering you can make you a less interesting target. If you want to avoid being approached during lulls in activity, such as while waiting for or while traveling on trains, it can be a good idea to carry a novel or paper for writing to friends (they miss you, you know, and want to hear how your trip is going). That way, you’ve got a prop that makes you look busy and involved. If a situation of harassment escalates, making a scene can sometimes be effective. Many societies place a high premium on respecting social norms, so drawing attention to harassment in a loud and clear manner may solve the problem. The sentence for “leave me alone” is a handy one to learn.

7. Research body language and culture Depending on the country, seemingly innocuous gestures such as eye contact, shaking hands, smiling, and small talk can be construed as come-ons. Learning the subtleties of body language and local culture before you arrive can prevent awkward or misleading situations. Reading up on the culture before you go can also make your trip more enlightening and enjoyable. When in doubt, spend some time observing those around you, and then follow suit. And if you’re someone who likes to people watch or study faces, a dark pair of sunglasses can come in handy to avoid any confusion about eye contact.

8. Exude confidence Whether you’re on a street at home or 7,000 miles away, walking confidently and with direction is an effective technique for deterring unwanted attention, since appearing lost or confused can make you vulnerable. If you are lost, walk into a shop or restaurant and ask for directions there. Try to avoid obviously looking at maps while you’re in the street. Study your route before you go, or find one of those wallet-sized maps that you can discreetly palm and refer to on the sly.

9. Keep in touch If you’re traveling alone, it will be important to have a few regular contacts who can keep tabs on you. Leave a general itinerary behind with family and friends, and send regular emails so that people at home know about where you are. You can also register your trip with the Department of State online. Registering a trip means that the embassy knows of your presence in a country; this can be especially helpful when traveling in dangerous areas or in the event of a natural disaster.

10. Use common sense Using common sense is perhaps the single best tip for staying safe and having a good time while you’re traveling alone. This category includes the usual recommendations: don’t walk around late at night, don’t drink with strange men, don’t ride in empty compartments on trains, don’t compromise safety to save a few bucks on a hotel or transportation, and know how to use a pay phone. Though these tips have been compiled for solo women travelers, they’re good ones for general travel as well. Awareness and a bit of street-smarts are the keys to safe and happy travels.

Women-friendly destinations from www.travelindustryreview.com • Amsterdam • Ireland • Costa Rica • India • Vietnam

I need information on black heritage travel. Any suggestions?

Here is a sampling of black heritage travel destinations and an article on the subject.

Civil Rights Trail in Alabama includes the Civil Rights Memorial in downtown Montgomery, the Wall of Tolerance, the Rosa Parks Museum, the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church where King preached as well as the accompanying parsonage. An interpretive center along the route of the Selma-to-Montgomery Voting Rights March is located US 80. The National Park Service facility commemorates the location where marchers camped after being forced from their homes for attempting to register to vote. There is a walk visitors can take across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, where marchers were attacked in 1965, then step inside the National Voting Rights Museum to learn about the movement’s foot soldiers. This and much more is available on the Civil Rights Trail. www.touralabama.org/tours-trails/civil-rights-trail

Following the Civil Rights Trail With Road Scholar by Elaine Lee

Paris has served as a mecca for African American artists, musicians and writers since the early 1900s. There are amazing tours available that explore the phenomenon and highlight the locations of black expat communities, past and present. No city seduces as skillfully as Paris. With a sly, knowing wink, the City of Light steals your heart with one clear, small joyous moment after another. Linger too long on the Pont des Arts and passion may nudge your slumbering spirit awake, or kiss your lips, or turn you into a whimsical work of art. H. Thompson

African Americans in France have pioneered a new type of black community; one based on positive affinities, and experiences rather than the negative limitations of segregation. Although small, the African American community in Paris has generally achieved enough of a critical mass to generate its own institutions, traditions and presence. Constituting a crucial innovations in life overseas: the rise of a collective black American life in a foreign city that enables blacks to leave American racism behind without also forsaking African American culture.The African American community in Paris symbolizes the potential of African American life in general once its fully liberated from the scales of racism. I suppose that is why it has been home to the likes of James Baldwin, Josephine Baker, Gordon Parks, Barbara Chase-Riboud, Richard Wright, Countee Cullen, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Henry Ossawa Tanner, Lois Mailou Jones and Ed Clark.î (Excerpt from Paris Noir by Tyler Stovall)

For more information about Black Paris visit, www.cafedelasoul and for walking tours of Black Paris visit www.walkingthespirit.com

Ghana, Africa – The Ghanaian government has actively encouraged this heritage tourism, inviting the African diaspora to return and build a deeper connection with the continent. They are offering dual citizenship.

Garifuna Settlement Festival, Dangria, Belize. This amazing annual festival occurs on November 19th and commemorates the Garifuna peoples arrival to Belize. The Garifuna people are one of the few groups of African people in the Diaspora who were never enslaved. They have managed to retain an amazing amount of their African culture, language and food. When I attended the remarkable event, I kept asking myself, ìAm I in Africa or the Americas?î(It is located in central America ñ below Mexico and to make it easy it is an English speaking country

South Carolina Sea Islands – The Gullahs who live on the island are descendants of West African slaves who worked the rice and cotton fields before they were freed and offered a chance to purchase their land. As whites deserted the coast in favor of milder climates inland, the Gullahs lived in isolation for generations, allowing them to maintain their African culture longer than any slave descendants in America. They have a number of festivals and tours that enable the visitors to learn more about their unique culture.

1. Gullah festival every memorial day – Beaufort SC

2. Sweet grass cultural arts festival, (features traditional basket weaving) June in Mount Pleasant

3. Mojo Arts Festival in Charleston – late September ((art, dance, drumming, tours, food, storytelling, theatre, exhibitions, lectures)

4. Driving tours African American coastal trails

5. Island Heritage Festivalñ James Island mid June

6. Gullah/Geechee Nation International African Music & Movement Festival ñ August

For more info, visit (www.geocities.com/gullahpride), (www.gullahfestival.org) or (www.discoversouthcarolina.com/see-do/history-heritage/african_american.aspx)

Black Panther Museum in Oakland, CA – https://www.blackpantherpartymuseum.org/

Yemanya Celebration, Bahia Brazil – This beautiful festival is dedicated to the Yemanya, the Goddess of the Ocean and is celebrated every year on February 2. At dawn, the area around the Rio Vermelho beach is lit up with fireworks. Shortly thereafter hundreds of people, all dressed in white, start to line up outside of the temporary shrine erected to hold the gifts to Yemanya. Around 4:00 a.m., the M„es de Santo begins a Candomble ceremony adjacent to the shrine. Once the gift baskets are full, they are loaded onto boats and the boats take them out to ocean and are thrown over as an offering to Yemanya. Once the boats depart with the gifts, people start to party to live music on the streets until dawn, having once again pleased the ever-powerful Ocean Goddess.

Black Holocaust Museum in America (ABHM), in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, exists to educate the public of injustices suffered by people of African American heritage, while providing visitors with an opportunity to rethink their assumptions about race and racism. ABHM Exposes visitors to the historical aspects of African American cultural identity through educational exhibits, special programming, and guided tours related to six distinct historic eras:

1. Before Captivity in Africa
2. The Middle Passage
3. Slavery in the Americas
4. Reconstruction
5. Civil Rights
6. and Modern Day Injustices

http://www.blackholocaustmuseum.org

Travel Getaways with a Cultural Theme. by Tracey Robinson-English

TAKE a close-up snapshot of a wild African lion on a safari in Ghana. See where Josephine Baker and James Baldwin lived in Paris. Explore Bermuda’s African Diaspora Heritage Trail that brings Black history alive with African customs.

These are just a few of the abundant cultural vacation tours African-Americans can experience to tap into their roots. According to Target Market News, African-Americans spent more than $4 billion on leisure travel in the U.S. and abroad before 9/11, but stayed closer to home during the last few years. African-Americans have since made a strong comeback, generating nearly $5 billion on leisure travel last year, according to the latest figures available.

A growing African-American travel market is sending a clear wake-up call to the travel industry to cater to Blacks and their travel needs, experts say. “Every sector of the travel industry–hotels, theme parks, city visitor bureaus–has begun to reach out to the minority traveler through targeted advertising, minority travel guides and special ethnic promotions,” says William S. Norman, president and CEO of the Travel Industry Association of America.

African-Americans are enjoying traditional destinations and venturing to exotic excursions as singles, families and in groups. They’re big on “girlfriend getaways,” jazz cruises, ski trips and chartering customized tours to explore Black history.

“I find that people are looking for something deeper,” says Nne Nne Jean Ibeawuchi, owner of Soul Planet Travel, a company that customizes trips for African-Americans to Paris, Brazil, Nigeria, Ghana and Morocco, and U.S. destinations. “They want to do something more besides eat, party and lounge on the beach.”

That is why Africa, Brazil [especially the Bahia region] and Black Paris are such big draws. African-American travelers can still have fun, but also experience and learn more about our African history and culture.”

Popular vacation spots for African-Americans continue to be the Caribbean–especially Jamaica–Paris, Mexico, the British Isles, Brazil and Africa, especially Ghana and South Africa, say travel industry experts. If you choose to experience these locations, here’s a snapshot of what you can expect:

Bermuda is a perfect escape from winter. Located east of South Carolina in the North Atlantic Ocean, this string of 181 islands and islets enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, nearly equal to that of the United States.

Proud and friendly people–65 percent of whom are of African ancestry–are eager to display their homeland. “There’s been long-standing relations between Bermuda and African-Americans,” says Ewart Brown, deputy premier minister of tourism and transport. Tourism, he says, is a $60 million industry that represents about 15 percent of the country’s annual budget. “Tourism and trade are important for us, but they are also important for our people to see the linkage between us and African-Americans.”

To lure African-American tourists, Bermuda flourishes with plenty of attractions such as golfing, health retreats and annual musical festival featuring African-American celebrities. Travelers can rejuvenate at the Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Southhampton Hotel or at the Mandarin Oriental Spa at the Elbow Beach Hotel. You can also taste one of island’s homemade delicacies, Bermuda black rum cakes.

“With Black wealth and exposure reaching a pinnacle, African-Americans are assertively traveling to the 21-mile paradise,” says Keetha Lowe, president of Integrated Global Management, an independent marketing firm based in Bermuda. “It is not only an escape, but it also offers numerous educational and economic opportunities for African-Americans.”

A historic journey on the African Diaspora Heritage Trail zigzags the island highlighting the story of a mixed culture of African, Native Indian, Caribbean and British heritage. Along the trial, you can experience the brilliant Gombey dancers. This colorful troupe of masked dancers, wearing dramatic peacock headdresses and elaborate capes, trace their roots back to Africa during the 1700s. Dancers also portray biblical stories backed by the rhythm of percussionists.

In Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, you can savor what’s described as “the most African city in South America.” Tourists can experience the religion of Candomble, a mix of Catholicism and African rituals, African-in-spired foods, soulful drums throughout the streets, and capoeira, a Brazilian art that fuses dance, sport and African martial arts.

The Brazilian culture is evident in many ways throughout the area. Bahianwomen, who create intricate handmade lace apparel and household items such as aprons, tablecloths and curtains, majestically walk to market with baskets perfectly balanced on their heads. You can also appreciate artisans producing vivid oil paintings of street scenes on canvas.

In Rio De Janeiro, tourists can ride cable cars up to a high point on Corcovado Mountain to marvel at the 125-foot statute of Christ the Redeemer with its arms outstretched over the city. After a day of sightseeing, including views of Sugarloaf Mountain, visitors can feast at Churrascaria, one of Rio’s favorite barbeque restaurants where waiters bring to your table tender choice beef, pork, lamb and chicken.

After dinner, the Platforma Night Club promises a rousing show of different costumes, music and dancing capturing Carnival rhythms. Vacation tours to Bahia and Rio are available with as much as 50 percent off airfares, so check for the best travel packages.

Already sold out for 2006 is Soul Planet Travel’s tour of Black Paris. After exploring popular monuments such as the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Notre Dame Cathedral, African-Americans visitors can enjoy famous hangouts of Black Parisians, African-American expatriates and learn about other Black experiences.

“When you look at your pictures of Black Paris, you think about how African-American troops like the 369th Regiment “Harlem Hell Fighters” fought and died to save those beautiful buildings along the Champs Elysee,” says Nne Nne Jean Ibeawuchi, owner of Soul Planet Travel. There’s also plenty of free time to dine at cool African restaurants like La Jungle, or relax at a jazz concert at Duc des Lombards, named after the legendary Duke Ellington.Travel experts agree that soulful vacation getaways may be the ticket to a rare glimpse of history while renewing mind, spirit and purpose.

Following the Civil Rights Trail With Road Scholar by Elaine Lee

I only have 3 days to visit the SF/Bay Area. Any suggestions?

San Francisco/Bay Area 3-day immersion experience

DAY ONE:

Drive to Napa Valley and visit:

• Domaine Chandon champagne company for a tasting
• Opus one winery – which has amazing Egyptian style architecture and a great expansive view from its 2nd floor terrace
• Francis Ford Coppola’s winery, tasting room, store and movie memorabilia center
• Dr. Wilkerson’s for mud bath, steam and massage
• On your drive back, take the Silverado trail and visit Auberge De Soliel, hillside French restaurant for an amazing view of Napa Valley, yummy snacks and fabulous dessert.

DAY TWO:

Drive to/through San Francisco/Marin

• Tour downtown SF and Union Square (if Saturday visit Ferry Bldg’s Farmer’s Market)
• Chinatown to get souvenirs
• North Beach, the Italian neighborhood – get pastries at Stella’s
• Fisherman’s Wharf/Pier 39
• Lombard Street, the Crookest Street in the World
• Mission, the Latino neighborhood, take a mural tour
• Castro, the Gay neighborhood and business district
• Haight Asbury neighborhood
• Golden Gate Park
• Ocean Beach
• Drive across the Golden Gate Bridge
• Check out Sausalito city and house boats
• Muir Woods Redwood Forest
• Muir Beach

DAY THREE – Monterey/Carmel

• Monterey Aquarium
• 17 mile drive
• Walk around Carmel
• Eat at the Clint Eastwood’s Hog’s Breath Cafe
• If you have loads of energy, drive on down to Big Sur
• If you have EXTRA TIME consider the following:
• Visiting some of the areas fabulous restaurants and nightclubs
• For culture clues, check out Johnny’s free and cheap or pick up a copy of the East Bay Express and San Francisco Chronicle’s Sunday Pink Entertainment Section

Visit the East Bay cities of Berkeley and Oakland.

• Have breakfast at Oceanview in Berkeley’s Gourmet Ghetto
• Visit Albany Waterfront Park to see the lost art park
• Tour the University of Cal campus/Telegraph Ave
• Take a drive or walk around Oakland’s Lake Merritt

For more help planning your travels in the Bay Area, visit: www.OpenRoad.TV.

Aloha,

Hawaii is one of my favorite places to travel. Since it is easy to get to from my home base in the San Francisco Bay Area, I have been at least 20 times. My favorite Hawaii guidebook is the Revealed Series: Oahu, Maui, Big Island.

For my first visit, I stayed for 3 weeks in Honolulu with the primary intention of learning to surf. Other memorable excursions on the island of Oahu were snorkeling at Hanauma Bay around Honolulu and Shark’s Cove on the North Shore, visiting Waimea Falls Park to hike up the mountains,, watch cliff divers and an afternoon at the Polynesian Cultural Center where there are seven island villages that show different cultures and lifestyles of the people of Polynesia. Don’t leave the island without sampling the shaved ice and visiting swap meet at Aloha Stadium! Even though I enjoyed my first visit to Honolulu, it has primarily served as a stopover spot for my journey to other Hawaiian islands. My favorites are Kauai and the Big Island. Info below!

Here’s a scooplet on my most recent Kauai adventure.

When my friend Chris, learned of my impending trip to Kauai he graciously offered to rent me a room in his house, which is located in the town of Kappa. Over the past 10 years since he moved from San Francisco to Kauai, his eclectic home managed to evolve into somewhat of a community center of sorts where he teaches yoga, does tarot cards/astrology readings as well as prepares elaborate gourmet vegetarian meals nightly for his large circle of friends and students. The dinners include fresh salads harvested daily from a vast assortment of greens he grows in his backyard as well as freshly baked bread and occasionally cakes. It was wonderful to become a part of a welcoming community of locals that were more than happy to help me plan my journey on their island.

He helped me plan my itinerary and this is what he came up with:

Day One: I drove to Waimea Canyon (Hawaii’s version of Grand Canyon). I reserved a nice cabin in the woods, made a big fire in the fireplace and curled up with a page-turner.

Day Two: I hiked to the Ni Pali Coast to view where its 4,000 foot jagged sea cliffs meet the ocean, had breakfast and came back to my car to find a black cat under my car, how timely since it was Friday the 13th. After the cat ran off, I drove to Koke’e State Park to find the trailhead that would lead me through Waimea Canyon to Waipoo falls. After hiking about an hour, up and down all manner of hills, rocks and gullies, a vista of the canyon was finally visible. It was breathtaking in its rugged majesty. The gorge is a blended strata of diffuse reds, purples, grays and pinks. On a far off outcropping of a red dirt cliff I saw a woman in a white gown and her partner descending its surface. It was as if they were suspended in time and space because the trail was obfuscated. I decided that I was witnessing a wedding ceremony and they had been flown in by helicopter but where is wedding party? The scene reminded me of one of those car commercials on TV, where those cars are plopped on a cliff clearing and you sit there wondering how they got that car out there. I wasn’t sure what it meant, since in 45 years of hiking I had never encountered a women hiking in a long flowing white dress. Was it a sign that I would be getting married soon or a vision or what? I couldn’t make sense of it, so I dismissed it and continued on my arduous journey. About 30 minutes later, through a clearing in the bush, the woman in her flowing white gown and her husband appeared before me…she was of the Mennonite or perhaps of the Amish persuasion. They were warm, friendly and full of praises for the Lord and the beauty of “his” creation. Mystery solved! After finally making it to Waipoo falls, I was a bit crestfallen because I couldn’t really see the falls since they were beneath me but there were lots of little swirling swimming holes and the Canyon views are phenomenal. After completing my hike, I drove to the nearby town of Waimea and treated myself to a hearty traditional Hawaiian meal of poi, lomi lomi and steamed pork wrapped in banana leaves. On route back to Kapaa, I stopped by Kipu falls and joined in with a group of fellow daredevils swinging one by one from a rope tied to a tree and jumping 20 feet into the lake beneath the falls. It was as thrilling as it was refreshing, especially after a hard day of hiking. Luckily, I made home in time for dinner because our after dinner entertainment included Chris reading my tarot cards for all of the guests to hear. I am glad my future looked bright!

Day Three: Was a mellow down day at Donkey beach, which is ultra beautiful and secluded, yet easily accessible. I loved the feeling of being caressed by the wind, kissed by the sun and cradled in the sand. That evening, Chris and I went to a midnight beach party near Hanalei for a couple moving back to Michigan. With flashlights in hand, we navigated a narrow hillside trail for about a mile long hike to the festivities. When we arrived there were about 30 people gathered around a huge bonfire, playing guitars, drums, singing, dancing, storytelling and sharing food. It was a slice of heaven.

Day Four: Chris and I, along with several friends of his made a jungle trek to the top of Sleeping Giant Mountain. To fortify us for the journey he made us his special brand of chocolate bars and we stopped at his favorite citrus grove on route and picked mammoth grapefruit to stuffed in our backpack for lunch. The hour plus ascent to the top of the mountain took us through verdant tunnels of pine trees, bushes, vines and ferns. Since Sleeping Giant is the only mountain located near the center of the island, it affords those who scale it, a 360-degree panoramic view of the island. Outer lying mountain peaks appeared to be carpeted with shimmering emerald velvet and in the ocean we spotted a pod of migrating whales gallivanting through a dazzlingly array of blues hued streaks of water. At one point during our mountaintop megawatt experience, a rain cloud passed overhead and we laid in the grass and just let the drops drench us. My usual impulse is to run for cover but in paradise why bother when I could just get wet and let the sun dry me off later. I was so moved by all of the beauty that I was witnessing that I was telling my crew, how grateful I was to my Mother, who through her role as a Girl Scout leader, taught me the love and appreciation for nature. About an hour or so later as we were descending the mountain, we saw a woman 20 little girls and a dog hiking up the trail. After greeting her, I asked her what she was up to and she said that this was her girl scout troop that they were on treasure hunt in celebration of one of the girl’s 11th birthday. We looked at each other in shock at the symbolism and synchronicity. During our driving home we spotted an intensely vibrant rainbow and were able to drive through its translucent base. It subsequently turned into a double rainbow and for a fleeting moment there was a complete rainbow arch in the sky.

Day Five: We kayaked up a river near Hanalei and hiked to a gorgeous waterfall. Afterwards we visited some of Chris’s friends who lived in that area and went out to dinner.

Day Six: We went to the local Farmer’s Market. We scored a few coconuts full of water and strolled through one of the most amazing markets I had ever visited. The fruit, vegetables and particularly the greens were so fresh they seemed to be dancing on the table, vibrating with the chi and vibration of life.

Day Seven: Back to Honolulu and ground zero in San Francisco.

Big Island travel tips – I have been traveling there regularly for the past 30 years.

Kona Side

The Kona Side

Beaches

• My favorite one that has easy access is kua bay (across from veteran’s cemetery), otherwise i usually just try a different beach everyday along highway 19. Some of the hotel beaches are nice—all beaches are public but some hotels can make it hard to access them.
• For a quiet and secluded beach, I enjoy the south Kohala beach of Mau’umae which is a half-mile hike  the south of Spencer Beach.
•  I like Hapuna Beach (I park myself under the trees at the back of the beach if I can find an empty spot – left of entry point)
• I also like beach 69, which is about 1 mile plus drive south of Hapuna Beach.
• I always visit the Place of Refuge and spend an afternoon sitting by the ocean and playing in the tidepools off the 1871 Trail.  To get there, you don’t park in front of the museum but make your way south to find the sandy road that leads to coastal parking, drive to the end then walk a short distance along the beach trail to find some nice secluded coves. Of course if you haven’t explored the National Historical Park/museum it is worth your while! Its sacred land and you can feel that energy.
• If you like snorkeling they have a nice area called the Two Step Beach which is located just north of the City of Refuge, and an interesting spot to explore the  sea life of Kona’s coast. This is not a sand beach and its a bit tricky to enter but worth the effort. When I was the in summer of 2025 it was not open.
• The highlight of my trips there have always been swimming with the dolphins at Kealakekua Bay. We just jumped in the bay and swam a mile out to encounter them but I did go with an experienced person. I understand that might have changed and you may need to arrange things through a company. My friends often swim with dolphins at Hōkena Beach Park.
• I often spend a day at my fav beach – Makalavena Beach. It is a remote beach, with few crowds. Its a 45 minute hike just to get to this beach from the trailhead. It is one of the most beautiful beaches on the Big Island and well worth the little bit of effort it takes to get there.The trailhead is in Kekaha Kai Beach/ State Park, off Route 19, the Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway.  The first part of the road is paved and I recommend parking at the first parking lot and hitch hiking down the 1.6-mile road to the trailhead. The road after the first parking lot is very rough and could damage your car. If you have a 4WD vehicles, you could consider driving to the next parking area.  Once you arrive at the trailhead , you will go to North on the path through a lava field for about 30-45 minutes until you get to the sand dunes then voila the beach.  (There are other beaches along the way but don’t stop there, keep trucking along until you get to the last beach!) Wear sturdy shoes, e.g., sneakers, teva or chaco type sandals but don’t wear flip flops!!!

Volcano

• Most first-time visitors feel the need to visit the Volcano National Park, but once was enough for me. The volcano is rarely active in a major way but you can always walk for miles on the hot lava, melt your shoes and watch a tiny stream of hot lava ooze into the sea. I understand that the plane or boat rides are better but they are expensive, and you have to make sure the lava is running big time to make it worth your while. You can get alerts on your phone to let you know when the volcano is active. The museum and lava tube walk is mildly interesting.

Waipio Valley

• See the stunning Waipio Valley and its amazing waterfalls though a lush forest hike via the White Trail. The entrance is a short 3 mile drive from the center of Waimea to White Road. Be on the look out bc the sign for White Road is pretty easy to miss.  Drive to the end of the road and you can walk to the valley from there. There are lots of “Kapu” (D0 not enter) signs. The land is run by a nice guy named Juni. Sometimes he sits at the gate, he is happy to let you in if you slap a $5 per person in his hand – for a “donation”. The 3 mile trail is through a jungle that gets you  into a valley where long a skinny waterfall cascades off cliffs into a deep lush valley. When you get to the valley, turn left and walk along the valley path for 15 minutes to watch people cascade down a waterslide. The White Road in Waimea, Hawaii, is technically closed, but it’s still a reasonably popular hike for locals and some tourists. You can just google – white road, waimea for detailsI Otherwise you can book a guided tour of the Waipio Valley.

Kava Bar

• After a long day swimming, I love to hang out at the Kava Bar at Kona’s Coconut Grove Marketplace for a cup of kava and watch the sunset. Kava, or Hawaiian Awa, is a natural relaxant with a mildly euphoric properties. Made from the root of a species of pepper plant known as Awa, it has been used by people indigenous to the South Pacific for over 3,000 years. The Kava beverage is a central part of Polynesian Society, and has been used for centuries as a ceremonial, medicinal and recreational drink. Huggo’s Bar across the street is also a nice place to watch the sunset

Happenings and shopping

• To find out what’s happening in Kona check out https://www.konaweb.com and go on facebook to kona town today & tonight.
• Every month on the Saturday evening before the full moon rises, Mauna Lani Resort hosts an enchanted evening of storytelling and entertainment on the lawn of the resort’s oceanfront Eva Parker Woods Cottage. Join Danny Kaniela Akaka for “Twilight at Kalahuipua‘a,” a night of music, dance and storytelling. Danny is Mauna Lani’s Cultural Historian, he is a kahu (Hawaiian priest), speaks fluent Hawaiian, performs as a musician and dancer. Call Mauna Lani Concierge at 808-881791 to confirm the dates and time (usually 8pm) MAUNA LANI DRIVE ∙ KOHALA COAST, ISLAND OF HAWAII
• First Fridays check out the little art village in Holualoa where they have their “art after dark” party. I almost always buy some beautiful locally crafted pictures, cards or jewelry there.
• The best places to shop in Kona is Walmart, Costco, Kta Market, Sack and Save and Foodland.
• If you find yourself in the Captain Cook area during the week, consider visiting the Kona Potato Chip company. Yummo – if you buy the slightly damaged bag you can save a lot of money and the chips are not very damaged. They are closed on Sundays

Restaurants

• Hayama Japanese Restaurant 75-5660 Kopiko St Ste D1,
• Umeke’s Place, 75-143 Hualalai Rd #105,  
• Broke Da Mouth Grindz, 74-5565 Luhia St, 
• Pine Tree Cafe 73-4040 Hulikoa Dr (off highway 19 near airport)
• Poi Boy Deli across from Walmart have great sandwiches. (great for picking up something to take on the plane or to the beach)
• Orchid thai restaurant, 74-5563 Kaiwi St,  
• Willie’s Hot Chicken. 74-5599 Pawai Place
• Pizza: https://blackrock.pizza/
• I heard that a lady sells a big bag of Kona Coffee for $22 out of her car in front of Costco on the weekend.

Places to get Hawaiian Food:

• Hawaiian Style Cafe in Waimea
• Kaaloa’s Super J’s (in Honaunau)
• Umeke’s (Kailua Kona)
• Honaunau Poke Shop, Captain Cook
• Big Island Grill in Kona.
• Hōluakoa Cafe in Holualoa.
• Pine Tree Cafe 73-4040 Hulikoa Dr (off highway 19 near airport)

Other Stuff

• One of my fav markets is the Sunday Kona Green Farmer’s Market is located at the Amy Greenwell Botanical Gardens in Captain Cook, Hawaii – the botanical gardens are worth a visit as well!
• Snorkeling company :https://www.fair-wind.com/
• Surf gear/surf lesson (family owned/BIPOC-mixed)  https://konatownsurfadventures.com/
• My favorite Hawaii guidebook is the Revealed Series: Oahu, Maui, Big Island.

Petroglyph visits

• Two of the best places to see petroglyphs on Hawaii’s Big Island are the Puako Petroglyph Archaeological Preserve on the Kohala Coast. Look for signage near Mauna Lani Resort, adjacent to Holoholokai Park.
•  The Puʻuloa Petroglyph Field within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, features the largest concentration of petroglyphs on the island.

Coffee Farm Tours

•  Greenwell Farms in Kealakekua, features the oldest coffee trees on the island and  daily tours that cover the coffee process.
•  Hula Daddy Kona Coffee in Hōlualoa, this farm offers tours focused on sustainable practices, unique coffee-production techniques, and panoramic views of the coast. Plantation
• Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation: This farm provides a unique setting in the Kona cloud forest and offers the opportunity to explore self-guided lava tubes alongside coffee farm activities.

Chocolate Farm Tours

• Three good chocolate/cacoa farms  to visit– contact their websites or call to book tours
• 1: Honokaʻa Chocolate Co. in Honoka offers a 2-hour farm tour and extensive tastings.
•  2: Hāmākua Chocolate Farm in Hilo – 3 hour tour
•  3: Lavaloha Chocolate Farm in Hilo –  1 hour tour

Stargazing

• Maunakea Visitor Information Station (VIS) at ~ 9200 ft/ 2800 m on any night for a spectacular view of stars, constellations, satellites, and more (weather permitting). Due to their location, most nights you’ll find them above the clouds and nearly touching the stars, but you’re always welcome to check out the weather forecast for the mountain before making that challenging drive up there. You should plan to arrive an hour before sunset to avoid the crowds and find parking. VIS Phone: (808) 934-4550
• Maunakea Weather Hotline: (808) 935-6268.

Hilo  Side 

• Check out this great NYT article on Hilo – https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/03/20/travel/things-to-do-Hilo.html?smid=url-share
• Some places to stay are the Aloha Inn. www.alohahawaii.com (808 965-2211) and Akiko’s Buddhist B&B, http://www.akikosbnb.com/index.html as well as affordable accommodations and cottages at hawaiianretreat.com

Some more things to do!

• I absolutely love the Puna’s  Maku’u Farmer’s market that happens every Sunday morning. Then I go to Kalani Honua center for ecstatic dance. There is usually a cool picnic afterwards at the bluff a mile or so south of Kalani. http://www.kalani.com.
• My friends do a lot of try hiking at the Volcano on the Halemaumau and Kīlauea Iki trails. Also the mountain trails above the park up Mauna Loa Rd. They enjoy the forest up there a lot”.
• Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of beaches for swimming on that side. My fav is Richardson Beach Park. Try to plan your visit there at a time when a massive cruise ship is not in the harbor otherwise it can be very crowded.

I spent a month in Egypt and absolutely loved the experience…its a place every african american should see…just to witness what our ancestors created over 5,000 years ago will leave you awestruck.

Unfortunately, Egypt is not a great place for independent travel, it is best if you are with a group, preferably an Afrocentric group. I would suggest that you plan to meet a group there, then you can stay longer after they leave and/or if time and money permits—fly down to kenya and check out a safari, the coastal city of Mombasa and the island of lamu….if it was me i would also fly down to Madagascar which has the largest variety of animal and planet life of anywhere on the planet…on route to Madagascar, i would probably stop off in the seychelles island …just writing about this makes me happy.

Regarding the African feel of Egypt, i felt it most when i got to southern egypt where the people look just like us. I was made to feel very much at home and was warmly welcomed. I had a marvelous african homecoming experience. Of course our more direct ancestors are from the west coast of africa so i suspect you might feel more of a kinship there, but maybe you could save that for another trip. Alot of african americans love visiting south africa as well. Why not check out my book, it has lots of stories about traveling in africa….

general information and travel websites on afrocentric travel to eygpt

Kemet Nu (Black People’s) Productions

Journey Through Egypt & Hurghada in 2026 with a Community of Black Women Travelers

Black History Studies – egypt trip

For general information and travel books on Africa, check out:

africa: a biography of the continent by J. Reader

africana: the encyclopedia of the african and african american experience by k. A. Appiah, et al

in search of africa by manthia diawara

how europe underdeveloped africa by walter rodney

africa solo: a journey across the sahara, sahel, and congo by k. Kertscher

africa on a shoestring (9th edition) by Hugh Finlay)

Blessed be the journey, elaine