Despite some of the difficult experiences I'd had while living in Qatar, the staff at my now former home were always so kind ... Ever present with duplicate key after clumsily locking myself out of my apartment or an unexpected cup of homemade ginger tea after falling ill for months. Their kindness and humanity first welcomed an anxious new traveler nearly two years ago, smoothing over what initially felt like a jarring transition. And now? .... It was all over.
Coming Home within the Caribbean Diaspora
Water crashes gently off the shores of the surrounding cliffs, then rolls casually back out towards the horizon. As the sun shines warmly overhead, the ocean breeze gently blows over the local vegetation while drying the unexpected tears I find falling from my eyes. Had this been any other location, it would have made for the classic picturesque postcard. However, despite its unmistakable beauty, it’s hard to consider any place formally known as “Suicide Cliff” … The place where many of my ancestors perished, as anything other than a place of resilience and strength.
Desert ATV Excursions Adventures in Qatar
During the height of Middle Eastern winters, temps dip to a comfortable 70 degrees. This signals a time to step outside into more comfortable weather and get active! To many, this often means participating in recreational sports, camping activities, picnics, and so much more. That said, with the welcomed change in weather, I was so glad to have received an invite from a friend to head into the northern region of Qatar to enjoy a bit of 4-wheeling / quad biking in the desert!
Guide to Visiting a Turkish Hammam Bathhouse
Hey Royal Fam!
Angela here with another travel adventure! In this weeks journey, I had the incredible opportunity to experience an traditional "Royal Moroccan Hammam” here in Qatar. Long time readers know, I've been a practicing nudist for some time. Yet, finding naked friendly spaces in the Middle East has been nearly impossible ... Until? I discovered traditional hammams.
The Traveler's Guide to Ramadan in Qatar
For new expats or travelers like myself living abroad in (or visiting) Muslim countries during Ramadan, not only does this mean a dramatic shift in the slowing down of all business activities and social functions (check new hours of business before heading out), it also means learning a list of new rules when navigating the your host country. Below are just a few "do's and don'ts" for Ramadan newbies.
Vetting Companies & Spotting Frauds (Expat Series Part 3)
Hi loves,
Back again with another installment from the "Expat Series" and this time, today's topic came to me via email. Desi, part of our online fam asked, how did I know my recent job offer was the real thing and not some form of pyramid scheme, identity theft, or worse?! It was a great question and one I really wanted to be sure I followed up with here, as I might imagine many of you might be wondering the same. Of course everyone will say "do your research." But what does that really entail? What exactly did I look for when vetting my new company? ... Below I give a few short specifics:
Applying for Jobs Overseas - Expat Series (Part 2)
That said, what better time than now to share what I've learned so far. Check out these easy tips, that can make you more marketable and help you in your search!
3 Countries, 1 Weekend, 0 Clothes
I love nudity. The male and female form in its natural state is considered art to me. The physical act of disrobing? I consider freeing. The ability to fully undress, take an unflinching look at ourselves, and still find beauty in our bodies is a gift many unfortunately do not enjoy. That said, it's one thing to dress in your skivvies or walk nude around the house. It's a completely different thing to get naked ... For an entire week ... Around a group of fellow nomads I'd only just connected with online via a private close knit group. Even for the most seasoned traveler, this might seem a bit much ... So having butterflies? Only natural.
The Cost of Freedom
As I prepare for my upcoming trip a nudist colony, I've been doing so much reflection on what it means to actually express myself in this way. Hang ups surrounding nudism seem to be SO prominent within the American psyche. While some have embraced nudity, in many ways as another facet of life (with prominent nude beaches and even restaurants taking shape) .. Here in America, it seems that we are still wrestling with old "fire and brimstone" Puritan beliefs. The idea that nakedness is bad or or reserved for very limited situations ... and almost always only for private consumption.
"What to Pack ... When There's Nothing to Pack!"
As the summer begins to wind down, I've decided to take a brief vacation from running the Q.A.C webstore to get a bit of rest and relaxation before the busy fall season arrives. However, if you know me, you know I do nothing boring of ordinary, LOL. That said, in just over two weeks from now, I'll be doing what some might consider unthinkable ... Random ... Or highly debatable .... I'm going to St. Maarten & St. Barths to a nudist colony! That's right, a woman who absolutely loves clothes and fashion is actually going to a place where garments will be completely unnecessary! Don't get me wrong, dressing up and finding creative ways to adorn my body in unique pieces will always feel special to me ... And yet ... There's something equally rewarding about traveling and letting all the trappings go for a while.