Photo by Szekelyhidi Mark
First, I would like to ask you all to forgive me for my tardiness. The details on my trip are long overdue, but don’t blame me ..blame COVID-19! It’s been a while since I’ve traveled abroad. (Like Summer 2017) And I’m ok with that. I’ve been on a journey of self-discovery for the past 2 years leading up to my trip. So this was just another part of my puzzle.
I booked my Brazil trip through The Wind Collective. It’s a black-owned travel agency based out of the UK. Shoutout to Philwaukee for posting about his ventures with them! I was excited to see young people of color dominating world travel. It wasn’t until 2019 that I started discovering more and more of us. And by us, I mean “minorities” (even though we’re the majority). If you know me, you know travel and exploration is one of my lifelines. Now that’s enough of me being my feelings. Let us get to this trip!
This was my first time traveling abroad solo to meet up with a group of “strangers.” It reminds me to never be scared to on your own. What is life, if not a series of chances taken? Rather the results are good or bad, I’ll always remember how I felt in these moments.
I spent a total of 8 days in Rio De Janiero, Brasil with an amazing group of, what initially started as, strangers. I say that cause by the end of the trip, I felt like I had a whole new family. Everyone bonded and meshed so well that we forgot that we just met!
Photo by Szekelyhidi Mark
The itinerary was busy, but we still were able to get plenty of time to ourselves to venture off to whatever. That usually led to us doing it as a group anyhow. (cause we’re best friends, remember haha)
One of the experiences that changed me was our Giveback Session with a local capoeira class. My past travels never consisted of actual community service. This was a first for me, but it definitely won’t be my last. Spending time with these kids in their space, was eyeopening. Nothing has ever really made me think about what I have and truly appreciate it.
There was so much that they lacked by our usual “way of living,” but they still found joy in the little things. I got teary-eyed so many times while watching them and walking through their neighborhoods but kept pinching myself because I didn’t want them to feel a way. My thoughts were that they don’t know what they don’t have. Simple as that. And what they do have is all they know. No matter how it looks to me, it’s more than enough for them and they were happy to just have us there.
From the hikes, Carnival, beach days, boat parties, Blocos, community work, tours, and long bus rides it was positive vibes only. Even when things didn’t go as planned we still found a way to get a good laugh out of it. To keep it short and sweet, this trip was everything I didn’t know I need plus more! (if you’re on Instagram view my whole trip plus more on my highlights)
So if you’re thinking of traveling abroad and can’t get your friends on the same page look into The Wind Collective or a similar agency that may be US-based. ( WheelsUpHeelsUp, GirlsLoveTravel, TheInnCrowd, BlackTravelFest, just to name a few I follow on social media) There’s so many out there a simple google or hashtag search on Instagram will change your life 2020 was supposed to be my year in so many ways! I just knew I was going to be traveling and living my best life throughout the year, but the pandemic sat me right now on both hands! To 2021 please be good to me.
Self-discovery is not a destination. It’s a life-long journey.