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.
My Royal Family
Hey Loves!
Like most, I like to ease into my week, but this Monday? I'm all excitement! By now you've probably seen my weekly posts highlighting various indigenous global tribes in my Cultural Beauties" series. This week? I am so proud the share with everyone a part of my Ghanaian heritage and tribe that I rarely (if ever) discuss.
The Treasure Chest - My Growing Global Jewelry Collection
It was during that time, that I began another fun hobby ... collecting jewelry pieces from my (or friends) various places of travels. While a bit small now, my collection is slowly growing! What I really love about my personal travel jewels is the story they each tell. Never fail, whenever I wear them out, I'm undoubtedly complimented and asked about them. Stories of my journey in that respective country and the people I met along the way begin to spill out. In a sense, these jewelry pieces are more than just cute bobbles on a neck or wrist ... they're people connectors. Cultural ambassadors inviting conversation and a chance for learning. Love it. Below are a few pieces from my personal collection so far!
My Culture Trek to the Middle East
The journey of this trip began almost exactly one year ago. Disgruntled that I had to work my 9-5 over the Christmas holiday, I woke up Christmas morning and started the day the way I usually would ... grouchily scratching my left boob and checking my social media feeds. What I didn't know was that this morning routine would end much differently than the norm. As I'm scrolling through my Instagram feed, I notice hype around flights and some apparent travel deal. The details, I had yet to really look into through my sleepy eyes. I'm slow to react to the growing online chatter and the number of people posting, because if you follow the standard travel blogs, then you know, there's always a travel deal. Except ... this was the deal of all deals.
Lessons in Becoming a Nomad
Almost 3 years ago I began traveling. The free-spirit within me has always wanted to see the world, but the way my wallet was set up because of student loans and a crazy expensive apartment in NYC, saving was always so difficult. Then? There was my over protective parents who hated (still do) the idea of their only child traveling anywhere outside the house ... if you have African / Caribbean parents, you know the struggle! lol. Finally, there was the issue of my friends, many of which said they wanted to travel, yet, had no real interest in making concrete plans. What I did get? Lots of talk surrounding going to dream places, but no actual steps made ** loud sigh ** .. It was at this point that I decided to travel on my own.