OneBrownGirl's Body of Work on the Former American Airlines' BlackAtlas.com: 2013

Friday

RIP BlackAtlas.com

On March 27, 2013, the American Airlines - US Airways merger was approved by a court of law. Prior to March 27, 2013, it was clear to me that the possibility of the American Airlines Web site dedicated to the African-American travel experience - BlackAtlas.com - would likely not make the cut after the merger, so I grabbed screen shots and the HTML code of my 40 stories dating back to 2009 (some better than others) and parked them here on this blog. And waited.

Today, BlackAtlas.com is no longer. Poof. It's just gone. All of the links and cross-links that the BlackAtlas.com writers have out in the Web universe will likely route straight to aa.com and all of the stories (aka intellectual property!) no longer exist. That's a trip.

It all started with Nelson George.

It ended with Laz Alonso.

And while I am personally disappointed that BlackAtlas.com went out in a puff of smoke - with no notification to writers from AA.com's ad agency Burrell Communications (tsk tsk) - business is business, right?

RIP BlackAtlas.com. For those of us that know you actually existed, we won't forget you. For those that didn't - well - now you know. #legacy Welcome to the new American...

Founder of The Passport Party Project and the all new Teen Travel Summit & Extravaganza, Tracey Friley is a travelpreneur and freelance travel writer with digital content appearing on ~~American Airlines BlackAtlas.com~~, TravelChanel.com, Luxury Link and various travel Web sites and blogs. She blogs about culture, diversity, humanity and travel at OneBrownGirl.com and can be found engaging daily on Facebook. She is a Platinum member on American Airlines.

Tuesday

Mixing Business With Pleasure in London Town

Originally published on American Airlines BlackAtlas.com January 29, 2013

The truth is that every plane ride doesn't result in a vacation, now does it? In fact, according to a 2012 New York Times article, American businesspeople took a total of 437 million domestic trips in 2010 and 445 million trips in 2011. And while these numbers are "expected to drop to 440.4 million [in 2012] and 438.5 million [in 2013]…international [business] trips are still expected to grow…." Just ask my travel writer friends—April, Tawanna, Monique and Chelle—who traveled to the UK for World Travel Market London this past November. As a part of this growing international business traveler statistic, these entrepreneurial travelistas hopped a plane to hone their craft, network, and get the latest news in global travel. And yes, even though the travel business has its perks (it's fun!), make no mistake: this was no vacation.

As I'm sure any one of these frequent travelers will tell you: "All work and no play makes Jill a dull girl." And dull they are not; so with a little help from yours truly, we found a way to mix business with pleasure in good ole London Town. And let me tell you how:

1. We went with Oh. Of course we could have all found our own individual London hotel rooms to stay in, but we decided instead to turn things up a notch by staying together in a roomy apartment sponsored by European apartment rental agency Go With Oh, and dubbed it The Ultimate Travelista Weekend. Why it was business: Because World Travel Market London is a travel industry conference. Why it was pleasure: We turned a conference experience into a quasi-girlfriends weekend with a group of women who have never traveled together, but have travel in common (among other things). We played charades (hysterical!) and bonded. And yes, it was The Ultimate.

2. We rode the cable car across the River Thames. From our North Greenwich apartment, it would have been a breeze for us to all jump in a taxi and share the fare to the nearby ExCel Centre (where World Travel Market went down and where I won a 7-night stay in Indonesia!) but, instead, we decided to walk a few blocks to the Emirates Air Line and catch the cable car and gaze out over the River Thames. Why it was business: We had to get the conference venue somehow, right? Why it was pleasure: Beyond the fact that we walked through a pretty park from our North Greenwich digs, it was a pretty touristy (and fun) thing to do.

3. We did stuff at night. In spite of the fact that we all ran out of time and were unable to use Kiratiana Freelon's Travel Guide to Multicultural London (but we will!); and in spite of the fact that a few of the travelistas had jet lag and still managed a full day at one of the biggest conferences ever, when said biggest-conference-ever was over, we all managed to get in a little after-conference fun. Why it was business: A girl’s gotta eat, right? Why it was pleasure: April, Tawanna and I ventured off to London's Chinatown (and also roamed Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square), and I talked them into having dinner at the beautiful Spice Market London. There, we just happened to meet a friendly Warner Bros. film executive who hooked up Tawanna with a ticket to The Harry Potter Experience, and me with VIP access to the lot in Burbank, CA. #score

4. We met up with other travelistas at Caribbean Scene. Travelistas who use social media often meet virtually via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. for the first time and then forge online relationships. What’s nice about travel industry events is that it’s cool to finally meet in person (waving at Sara!) and/or to reconnect. Even cooler is meeting to talk about how we can take our work to the next level, which is exactly what we did at Caribbean Scene Royale, a popular Caribbean eatery just steps from the ExCel Center. The five of us met up for dinner and travel talk with travel writers Oneika, Colleen and Janice. Why it was business: This was a pre-planned meet-up for culturally diverse travel writers to meet and discuss how we might take our work to the next level, sponsored by Caribbean Scene. Why it was pleasure: The atmosphere, location and service were perfect; the food was yummy; the company was a pleasure; and we laughed and talked a lot. Check out Colleen's recap here and Janice's photos here.

I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you how to squeeze in a little fun on a short business trip, but what I will tell you is that you’re doing yourself a disservice if you don’t at least try to make the most of a trip that takes you far away from home. So, skip the taxi and take an alternative method of transportation to your meeting or, at a minimum, skip room service and treat yourself to a fine meal in a local restaurant in a popular part of town. Shoot, you just never know who you might meet…

Mixing Business With Pleasure in London Town on PhotoPeach

***

Disclaimer: Our comfortable stay in the North Greenwich apartment was sponsored by Go With Oh. Our delightful meal at Caribbean Scene was sponsored by Caribbean Scene. All opinions are my own.

Photos courtesy of Tawanna and me. =)

Please also see: Exploring the World in London courtesy of April; Go With Oh Vacation Rentals in Europe courtesy of Monique; and 5 London Travel Tips for Americans courtesy of Tawanna.

13 Ways to Cope With TDD (aka Travel Deficit Disorder)

Originally published on American Airlines BlackAtlas.com on January 11, 2013

My name is Tracey Friley and I am a Wandermaniac. I also have TDD, which—for those of you who aren't in The Know—is also known as Travel Deficit Disorder. (And yes, I made it up.)

My symptoms include the following: I'm inattentive at work; I keep checking my email inbox for airline confirmations (there aren't any), I think I have a fever (they're probably hot flashes), and I'm jumpy as all get out. Like I need to be on a plane or book a trip. Or SOMETHING. Yesterday, I went to The Claremont Hotel Club & Spa just so I could set foot in a swanky hotel property before I went bonkers. It's less than 10 minutes from my house and, while driving there doesn't really count as travel, I was still good for about an hour. But let me tell you this: If I don't go somewhere really soon, I might just bust open. Like, for real. And it won't be pretty either. Oh my word, I need help.

Every January, I'm typically on some kind of vacay. Last January, I was sailing in the British Virgin Islands. The January before that, I traveled between Barbados and Martinique. This January, I'm AT HOME, people. At. Home. And while the San Francisco Bay Area is a tourist's dream, I ain't no tourist and this just won't do. But here's what I'm going to do: I'm going to share with you 13 ways to cope with TDD because, you know what? I know I'm not alone. I know there are tons of folks out there (you?) who wish they could be somewhere else, too. And since all of us dromomaniacs are in this together, here's what I propose we do:

1. Sleep with the television turned on to the Travel Channel.

2. Annoy our social media friends by posting dozens of travel photos...every few minutes.

3. Come up with a cool travel moniker and leave traveltastic comments on our favorite travel blogs.

4. Replace one of the living room chairs with a beach chair. Sit in it wearing sunglasses and drink all beverages out of a plastic pineapple cup.

5. Visit a local hotel and pretend we're visitors. Don't forget to Foursquare. #done

6. Actually become a tourist in our own town. #notetoself

7. Hire a taxi to the airport and hang out for a few hours. Take a suitcase. Ask a flight attendant to take a photo and Instagram it.

8. Make a reservation online and hold it. When it expires, make another one. Repeat.

9. Buy someone we love a passport. =) If you don't have one, buy one for yourself.

10. Pack up a toiletries kit with travel essentials and leave it where it can be seen.

11. Go to a restaurant that serves the cuisine of a never-before-visited place and order something new. Eat it with your eyes closed and pretend you're in that country.

12. Do what the Latino culture traditionally does at the start of every year and walk around the block with a suitcase, thus ensuring travel in 2013. #yeahIdidit

13. Go to a Travel and Adventure Show and enter every single vacation giveaway in your name and your momma's name.

And hey, if 1-13 above fails, OR you find yourself even more frustrated, OR you get arrested for being a nuisance at the airport, book a trip (after you've been released from jail) and actually go somewhere. Like, now. It beats busting open, right? (That can be so messy.) *Shrug* Do you have any better ideas?

Safe travels and Happy New Year!

Finding Josephine

A longer version of this article was originally published

on American Airlines BlackAtlas.com on November 13, 2012.

I went.

I went to Josephine Baker's former château in France.

Photo Credit: @TraceyFriley

I arrived at Château des Milandes — built in 1489 by Lord Francois de Caumont for his wife, who did not like living in the nearby famous fortress Castlenaud — in mid-October, towards the end of the tourist season, and except for the nice woman in the gift boutique that I would meet later, I was alone in the château for most of my self-guided tour. Well, kinda.

I know I’m about to sound like The Crazy Lady, but to be honest, it doesn’t matter.

From the moment I pushed open those beautiful doors and walked into the chateau (after having walked the gardens), my heartbeat got faster and faster. I could literally feel it beating against my chest. Is she here? I wondered. Is her spirit here? And then I shook it off. Silly girl.

Photo Credit: @TraceyFriley

Even though all of the signs read No Photos (inside), I did what any self-respecting Brown Girl in a castle alone who had traveled a million miles to get to La Baker’s château would do: I discretely took photos on my iPhone. Without the flash, of course. (I got a picture of THE banana skirt she wore in 1928 in the Folies Bergères!!!) You can also see the rest of my photos here. #rulebuster #stillsmiling

Photo Credit: @TraceyFriley

It was eerie being there alone, hearing her recorded voice in each room. At one point, I saw a woman out of the corner of my eye just for a moment, surprised that I wasn’t alone after all, since I hadn’t heard anyone prior.

Startled, I walked back to the room I just came from and there was no one there. How strange, I thought as my heartbeat continued to thump wildly in my chest. Could that be…? Nah. You’re tripping. Do NOT turn into The Crazy Lady, I thought.

I walked all of the 14 rooms on display; saw her bathroom, her children’s bedroom, her big kitchen, her dining room, her piano, and more. By the time I got back downstairs and made my way to the gift boutique, I was nervous that someone might have seen me taking pictures (that woman I swear I saw?), and would confiscate my iPhone or ask me to delete the photos.

But no one did and I spent the next 45 minutes talking to the boutique lady, explaining how difficult a time I was having articulating my experience and how being there made me feel.

“They must come for themselves to feel this,” I told her. “I don’t know how I’m going to articulate these feelings I have in an article.”

“I understand,” she told me, “I hear Black women in particular tell me how they all feel like she is here for them.”

I simply nodded my assent, purchased a Josephine Baker t-shirt and some postcards to sell in my store, and then took her suggestion and watched the original film of Josephine’s life playing for us tourists to see before we left.

“You must not leave without seeing the film,” she told me. So, I plopped my nervous Nellie behind on a chair and watched Josephine’s life unfold on the screen (the film is in French).

I was surprised to see that she sometimes wore a helmet-type wig shaped like her signature hairstyle, and did a sort of chicken-leg type dance with her legs that I had never seen her do before; the same chicken-leg type dance that I often do at home when I’m being silly. #justaskmyhusband

Look. There's plenty that I'm not telling you because, to be frank, I want to cherish some of the details in a personal way. And I don’t know if Josephine Baker’s spirit was there with me that day or not, but I would like to think so.

What I do know is that - in spite of some of her personal troubles - she was a brave, generous, spirited and trendsetting woman that has impacted the hearts, and changed the lives, of Black and White women alike. She is the most famous Black Woman Expatriate of all time and this Crazy Lady is smitten all over again.

Go, people. Just go.

Black Women Expatriates: The Series (Part X)

Originally published on American Airlines' BlackAtlas.com on November 5, 2012

On November 8, 2010, I was in Paris watching the evening news only to find myself staring at an announcement about France’s Maureen Nisima taking the Gold and winning the Fencing World Championships Women's épée final. Just so you know, Maureen is Black. And she’s a fencing superstar. You can read my short post here.

Fast forward to current times—almost exactly two years later to the date—and I find myself in Paris yet again for my regular Fall/Winter visit. But this time, instead of watching the evening news, I find myself staring into the lovely face of Teaneck, New Jersey’s Maya Lawrence, a Bronze Medalist in the Summer 2012 Olympic Games. Just so you know, she’s Black too. And she’s also a fencing superstar. How about them apples?

But Maya isn’t just an African-American athlete in a sport that admittedly doesn’t boast much color (although ranked 19th in the world!); she’s an expatriate too. She’s been living in Paris for seven years now (training) and plans to be here for at least another nine months, although she is indecisive about whether or not she’ll participate in the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016. And while she didn’t speak a lick of French when she arrived in the City of Light, Maya speaks French with the best of them now, although she admitted to me off camera that it wasn’t easy.

Just so you know, Maya and I connected online back in May of 2012 when I reached out to her about the Black Women Expatriates series and then again recently when I couldn’t find my notes and/or her expat interview (don’t ask). I thought it would be far more interesting to chat with Maya face-to-face for my first video interview ever. And it was. Not only did she share some insights about the sport of fencing and what it’s like to be an expat, but she humored silly-ole-me by allowing me to live out my personal fencing fantasies by giving me a few pointers (see photo slide show below). *En garde!

I caught the Paris Métro to the Charles de Gaulle – Étoile stop at the end of The Champs where Maya and I met at Starbucks on avenue de Wagram in the 17th arrondissement. I asked my chanteuse-girlfriend Angelique (who also tours and sings lead for The Mary Jane Girls, BTW) to come along to film our short interview. And so there the three of us Brown Girls sat, in Paris, chatting away in our native tongue while taking a little break from speaking French. But since Starbucks was too noisy, the kind folks at Emeraude Hôtel Plaza Etoile next door allowed us to use their lobby for the interview (how cool is that?!) and the result is what you see above. I hope you enjoy it because it was definitely a blast. A blast indeed.

***

Black Women Expatriates: The Series (Part X) Slide Show

Feel free to connect with Maya on Facebook.

***

Part I: Jo Gan in China, Lola in Sweden, Dori in England, Nicole in South Korea – 5/1/12

Part II: Carolyn in Switzerland, Davette in Barbados, Tatiana in Germany and Lily the serial expat – 5/14/12

Part III: Maureen in France, Sheryll in South Korea, Adrienne in Sweden, Arielle in Brazil – 5/21/12

Part IV: April in Jamaica, Nicole in Germany, Monique in The Netherlands, Oneika in London – 5/28/12

Part V: Natasha in Abu Dhabi, Margaret in Peru, Diana in Indonesia – 6/4/12

Part VI: Heather in Chile, Monique in Paris, Rachelle in Japan – 6/11/12

Part VII: Joia in Barbados, Shirley in Bordeaux, Adria in Colombia – 6/25/12

Part VIII: Carolyn in The Netherlands, Terra in Brussels, Robin in Denmark – 7/16/12

Part IX: Tricia in the US, Nicole in Botswana, Arlene in Rome, Joy in South Korea - 10/1/12

#TravelByExample!

OBG's Travel Philanthropy Spotlight: Pack for a Purpose

Originally published on American Airlines BlackAtlas.com on October 30, 2012

It can be a bit tricky to write about travel without sounding like a braggart, and equally as difficult to write about giving without coming across as a saint. But because I am neither a braggart nor a saint, I’m going to give OBG's first Travel Philanthropy Spotlight my best shot and hope that you will accept it in the spirit in which it has been written.

My four proudest accomplishments in 2012 were related to both travel and/or philanthropy, three of which were (1) traveling to cities throughout the US throwing global awareness parties for underserved girls; (2) speaking to bloggers at BlogHer - likely the largest blogging conference in the world - about some of the ways travel & lifestyle bloggers all over the world can and do give, and then challenging them to do the same; and, (3) creating a growing collective of active givers on Facebook called #BrownGirlsGive.

My fourth proudest accomplishment was taking a bag of school supplies to the Caribbean and donating them to the Sandals Foundation via Pack for a Purpose, the subject of this BlackAtlas feature, an organization I found out about via a simple tweet, and of which OneBrownGirl.com® is now a proud partner. You can read about my donation experience here. #TwitterRocks

Pack for a Purpose, an award winning 501(c)(3) charitable organization based out of Raleigh, North Carolina and run by the very friendly and caring Rebecca Rothney, asks travelers (that would be us!) to pack 5 pounds (2.27 kgs) of supplies in our suitcases for those of us who want to add some value to our trip by giving to those in need. Now, how easy is that?

Simply select your destination from the Destinations page, select one of the Lodging choices (whether you are a guest there or not), check out what supplies are needed, buy them, pack them and drop them off. I figure if we’re fortunate enough to travel (after all, travel is a luxury), we should be more than willing to give. Just like their motto says: Small Space. Little Effort. Big Impact. #holla

Here are five things I love about Pack for a Purpose:

It’s an easy peasy, simple pimple concept for travelers that doesn’t take a great deal of effort or money, and 5 pounds will barely make a dent in your suitcase. (Tip: Pack a little less.)
The destinations serve mostly children, many of whom come from underdeveloped countries.
If you haven’t selected any lodging accommodations and you are moved by the generosity of Pack for a Purpose lodging participants, you might just find a new place to stay.
If you own a property anywhere in the world and you’ve been looking for a way to make a difference, well here ya go.
Giving makes you feel so good.

I don’t know where you’re off to next or if you have any inclination at all to be of service in this way, but I’m a lifelong advocate of Pack for a Purpose, travel and giving, and I hope you will be too. Safe travels everyone.

Pack for a Purpose is on Facebook and Twitter.

“If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” ~Mother Teresa.

Confessions of One Brown Girl in Paris

Originally published on American Airlines BlackAtlas.com on October 22, 2012

My first confession is that I’m a wimp.

By the time this story posts, I will have been in the City of Light for three days shy of a week and I’m still not over the jet lag. The hardest part is trying to go to sleep when I’m not really tired yet and then trying to wake up before the day is done. Today, I woke up around noon, which is a sure sign that the jet lag is getting better after getting up at close to 4 pm and 5 pm the first few days, and then finally at 2 pm yesterday. And I don’t care Who says What on the Internet or on the travel blogs, there’s no way to beat jet lag. You can try to minimize it, but mostly you just have to work through it.

On shorter trips (I’m here for 6 weeks this time), adrenaline will keep you moving for the first day or so before you have to crash. In fact, I have 8 adventuristas showing up in Paris from the US in less than two weeks and I had the nerve to tell them to get as much sleep on the plane as possible because they arrive early in the morning and we’re going to hit the ground running with orientation, grocery shopping, a Métro ride and more. In other words, ignore being tired. I don’t want them to waste any time on their 10 night adventure. Not in Paris. The truth is that when their bodies tell them it’s time to lie down, they won’t have much of a say in the matter anyway. They'll just konk out.

I’m still always amazed by the folks that can fly across the world, through multiple time zones, and actually function normally for short periods of time on four- and five-day trips and then fly back home. I used to be able to. Not anymore. Oooo. I am SUCH a wimp.

Paris is one of my favorite places and I always look forward to my annual sojourn here. I was strolling down Rue Rambuteau tonight and, for some reason, got this bright idea that it would be fun to make some rather personal, yet tongue-in-cheek, confessions and then follow up with travel tips here on BlackAtlas, since I’m sure there are many of you (Francophiles or not) that will be able to relate. To that end, here are some of my confessions and travel tips. And hey, don’t judge me. I’m sensitive.

1. I want French people to think I’m French.

Don’t be alarmed. It’s My Normal to want to blend in everywhere I go and not a reflection of any identity and/or pride issues. Getting immersed in local culture is fulfilling in a way that’s hard to articulate. Today, not only did the waiter hand me the French menu and speak to me for my entire meal in French, an American woman asking for directions told me I spoke English very well. Ha. You know I think I'm French, right?

TRAVEL TIP: Try to have a local experience when you travel and try to blend in a bit (to the extent that you can). It can give you another perspective that a traditional tourist experience does not. But don’t front: Be a tourist and go to the Eiffel Tower if you’ve never been. After all, it is Paris!

2. I sound better speaking French than my husband who was born here and has a French maman.

It’s possible that I won’t ask my husband to proofread this piece based on that statement (*giggle*), but it’s true. I have an affinity for language, so I’m able to mimic sounds and accents extremely well, which is why I always got good grades in language classes. My comprehension is excellent (only at certain speeds), but my vocabulary is kinda weak until I hang out for awhile (another reason I like to stay for more than a few weeks). My husband, having lived between Europe and the US, does not have a French accent anymore but his comprehension is superbe and WAY better than mine. Guess that comes from listening to his maman all these years (RIP ma belle Marie Louise). His maman introduced us in the US but I like hanging out with his family here in France (a) because I love them, and (b) because most of them speak limited English (if any) and I get to practice my French.

TRAVEL TIP: Marry a French person. If that’s not an option, learn some basic words and phrases before you travel to a foreign country: Hello, Goodbye, Thank you, Please, Do you speak English?, Where is the restroom?, etc. But don’t perfect your accent too much, otherwise people will think you’re a local and bust out in rapid fire French. And if you already speak another language fluently, I hate you.

3. I don’t want to live in Paris 365.

But I do want an apartment here. I want to live here for three months every year. I am one of the four hundred gazillion people that wants a pied-à-terre in Paris and, until recently, I wanted to go on House Hunters International and show the world what I ended up with.

I’ve looked at houses in the French countryside (my French family prefers we live outside of Paris) but, at the end of the day, it would be a rental investment property and most folks visiting Paris likely want to be in the thick of things. So here’s the rub: The new French president has raised non-resident rental income taxes and property taxes. In fact, tax on rental income has risen from 20% to 35.5%, and capital gains tax on property sales have risen from 19% to 34.5%. Uh, talk about a dream buster. Non, merci. I’m trying to make money, not lose it.

TRAVEL TIP: Even if you fall madly in love with a place that you visit, do your homework before you buy an investment property in another country and don’t buy something or do something crazy just because you want to show off on reality tv. If you’re a roller and you don't mind giving all of your hard-earned money to President Hollande and you buy an apartment in Paris anyway, well, that’s just silly when you could be giving your money to me.

4. I work in Paris.

So. I’m a freelance travel writer, a social media nut job, a retailer, a giver, and a trip(py) travel event producer. In a nutshell, that means that as long as I have my computer, I’m working. And as long as I’m in Paris, I’m shopping for my store, my site or my Facebook friends. This trip, I’m even scouting for housing for my girls Teen Travel Abroad excursion that goes down in July 2014. Told you I work here.

TRAVEL TIP: Don’t work all of the time when you’re in Paris for goodness sake (even if it is shopping). Stop and smell the roses. Or at least stop and smell the baguettes. (Note to self.)

5. I smoke cigarettes.

Well, not really. But the French smoke like chimneys and there’s no getting away from the smell, so it’s like I smoke anyway. *Cough, cough* In fact, as I type, I’m gagging at the smell of smoke traveling all the way up to this top floor apartment from the street. I don't like it, but whaddayagonnado?

TRAVEL TIP: Don’t come to Paris if you can’t handle the smoke. Your whining isn’t going to change a doggone thing.

6. I eat less and drink more when I'm in Paris.

Now this is good. Even though I consider myself a foodie that has a love affair with a bunch of local Paris restaurants (including Caffé Créole and Barrio Latino) and some fantastic patisseries, I eat well while I'm here, but I eat less...and my waistline ain't complaining. I do know why I drink more: You can get fantastic bottles of wine and/or champagne on the cheap all over France. On the cheap, I tell ya!

TRAVEL TIP: Eat less (but eat well) and drink more when in Paris. But don’t get drunk, act a fool and get yourself arrested. I hear from reliable sources that French prisons aren’t any fun.

7. I don’t like Josephine Baker.

Nope. I don’t like her. I LOVE her. Love, love, love. In fact, I’m going to take a train ride through the Bordeaux region of France to a small town called Sarlat (where my husband’s aunt was born, coincidentally) and visit Josephine Baker’s former chateau. That’s right, I’m going to walk in the spirit of America’s most famous Black female expatriate and I. am. ecstatic. *Back flip Gabby-style*

TRAVEL TIP: On your next trip to Paris, consider putting aside two full days and take a journey to Château des Milandes. Trains and chateaus are cool.

Look. I gotta go. Paris awaits. But you'll be hearing from me again soon.

À bientôt...

Click on these four links for more of my Paris tips and chatter: 10 Ways to Really Enjoy Paris...and Make it Hot, 5 Reasons to Getta Cookin' in Paris, Vente en Gros: Wholesale Shopping in Paris, My Top 5 International Trip Tips

The photos above are random shots I've taken from either my top floor rental apartment or just walking down the street. Nothing too major. Not yet anyway. Just proves I'm actually here and not typing from Perris, California or Paris, Texas. Photo Credit: @OneBrownGirl

OBG Eats: Miami's Amuse Restaurant & Lounge

Originally Published:

After knocking the proverbial ball out of the park at Casa Moderna Miami Hotel & Spa for The Miami Passport Party this past April, hotel Marketing Manager Elizabeth Biernes extended an invitation to me and a few of my #traveltastic blogger buddies to a private tasting at Casa Moderna's third floor eatery, Amuse Restaurant & Lounge. Executive Chef Kenneth Williams, a native of London with Jamaican roots who has fed folks at the Fisher Island Club and on Miami's South Beach, treated myself, Jewel of Jewel's Fab Life, Crystal and her vegetarian sister Chelle of Brown Girls Fly to an evening of gastronomic perfection in the beautiful Biscayne Bay.

The Property. Casa Moderna is a jewel of a boutique hotel (with spa!) that shares an entrance and its amenities with a luxury condo. It is situated in downtown (Biscayne Bay) Miami, a hop, skip and a nice shoreline stroll to Bayside Marketplace and just across the street from American Airlines Arena. The decor is hip and modern and you can find both the registration desk and the entrance to Amuse on the 3rd floor. The 14th floor rooftop pool area is equally as hip, with cabanas and lounge chairs surrounding a beautiful pool. The icing on the cake, however, was in my swank deluxe room:Iin addition to a rain shower that discretely overlooks the view, there was nice hi-def tv that disappears right into the bathroom mirrors directly over the his and hers sinks. I do believe, fellow travelers, that we have finally caught up with the future (aka The Jetsons). Twenty of my hotel snapshots are here.

The Food. Chef Williams is an elegant man with a relatively laid back vibe and a bright smile. He couldn’t have been a better host. Coupled with the restaurant’s contemporary and chic environment, yummy cocktails and a tasting that – lucky for us - turned into a full-on meal to die for, it was quite the evening. Here’s how we dined:

Pan Seared Scallops

Roasted Beet Salad w/Oranges, Fennel, Endive

Butternut Squash Ravioli w/Spinach & Mushrooms

Branzino Over Fennel & Butternut Squash Risotto

Filet Mignon w/Blueberry Demiglace & Purple Baby Brussel Sprouts

Chocolate mousse

See what I mean?

Recaps. Check out what Brown Girls Fly and Jewel’s Fab Life have to say about their personal experiences at Amuse Restaurant & Lounge by clicking here and here. And whether you’re a local or a visitor, book a room, grab some friends and head down to Amuse for Happy Hour and a superb dinner. I can vouch for the food and the Mojitos. =)

Overall Score (1-5 snaps): Proving that you don’t have to stay in South Beach to get an extraordinary experience or meal, I’m giving Amuse Restaurant & Lounge, along with Executive Chef Kenneth Williams, FIVE SNAPS (in a circle) for a spectacular meal and great service!

Casa Moderna Miami Hotel & Spa

A Modern Downtown Miami Hotel

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Black Women Expatriates: The Series (Part IX)

Originally published:

What does a clinical psychologist from Philly, a full-time mom from East London, a decorator/stylist of French West Indian descent, and a Chicago daycare provider turned kindergarten teacher all have in common? Yep. You guessed it. They're all Black women and they're all expatriates.

They're part of the 20% of the entire expatriate workforce that is made up of women. And while I have yet to see any expat reports broken down by demographics, it wouldn't surprise me to learn that Black women make up a fair chunk of that 20%, yanno? I'm speculating, of course. There's repatriation and job scarcity to consider, but the more I write and the more I travel, the more I see. And right now I'm seeing Black Women making moves. Here are four more movers and shakers to be inspired by. Bet you will be. Betcha.

UNITED STATES: TRICIA CLARKE

STATS: Tricia, a blogger and full-time mommy, was born in Guyana, South America and moved to London when she was 5 years old. Her parents are from Guyana and St. Vincent in the Caribbean, respectively. Married with adorable 4- and 5-year-old boys, Tricia has previously lived in New York but has been living in Aberdeen, Maryland since 2005.

Blog: Brits Across the Pond

1. What you love about being an expat: It's a great conversation-starter (when you're in the mood for a conversation!), and I love that my kids have another culture to explore when they are older that they have ties to. Coming from another country also gives me a unique perspective on world affairs.

2. What you don't love about being an expat: I don't like the ignorance some people have about my home country. From being asked whether there are black people in London to not having your English qualfications recognised by certain institutions. I also hate when people try to mimic my accent because it's usually not great!

3. Advice for women considering the expat life: My main advice would be to have, or create, some kind of support system in your new country. No matter how much of a loner you may be, women need to exhale and de-stress with other women. If you have no family or friends where you're relocating, be proactive about finding like-minded women to connect with, either through a church, women's group, etc. It makes the experience so much more enjoyable.

4. What made you decide to become an expat: I have always loved traveling, especially growing up in the UK where the rest of Europe is so accessible. After studying in America during college, I developed a desire to live there. The opportunity arose whilst I was working as a journalist for the BBC. I lived in New York for months and met my husband there. I eventually moved to the US to be with him.

5. How often do your friends come to visit? How often to you get back to the UK? My family has visited me several times since I've been here -- I'd say at least once a year. My friends, not so much! Maybe my location isn't glamorous enough! I usually go back home once year and, since having kids, it's even more important for me to make regular visits to London so they become more familiar with the culture and their UK family. They both have dual citizenship and it's important for them to realize they are citizens of the world.

BOTSWANA: Nicole Monteiro

STATS: Nicole, an African American woman with Cape Verdean, Southern Black and Native American roots, has lived in Ethiopia, Bahrain, Senegal, and Grenada, having traveled to many, many more countries. A clinical psychologist and researcher, Nicole is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is married with a 10-month-old baby. She has lived in Gaborone, Botswana since June 1, 2012.

Blogs: Global Insights and Neneh Fati

1. What you love about being an expat: Excitement and exposure to food, sounds, people, colors, textures and other visceral experiences that you can only know by trying for yourself. You learn lessons that no books can teach!

2. What you don't love about being an expat: Being far from family and friends, as well as encountering negative stereotypes about Black women. It's also difficult at times dealing with money transfers and other financial matters.

3. Advice for women considering the expat life: Connect with other women who travel and live abroad, in person or through online forums. You'll get lots of practical advice on countries, job searches, moving, etc. If you decide to take the leap of faith, tap into your inner strength to harness confidence and openness. Do not to put up barriers, even when people may misunderstand or irritate you. Finally, reflecting and writing are great ways to learn about and develop yourself while abroad.

4. What made you decide to become an expat: I have always loved to travel, meet new people, and learn about different cultures and ways of life. I've always known that life in America is not the end-all and be-all of existence. When I realized that I could integrate my work and research with my passion for travel and living abroad, there was no turning back!

5. How often do your friends come to visit? How often to you get back to the US? I get home usually once per year when I am away or in between work assignments. Recently, I have been home for an extended period for maternity leave. I'm still working on getting more friends and family to visit. I'm trying to convince them that the experience of travel is well worth the money spent on airline tickets and other expenses. I've had my mom and one friend visit me in Bahrain, as well as my mom and uncle visit me in Ethiopia.

ROME: Arlene Gibbs

STATS: Arlene Gibbs was born in New York City & raised in Verona, New Jersey. A first generation Black American, Arlene's parents are from St. Martin, French West Indies and she has dual French/American citizenship. Arlene is single with no kids, has lived in Rome for four years, and is a former Hollywood film development executive working as a Decorator/Stylist and Writer. Other than New York, she has lived in Los Angeles, Washington DC, Austin, and Little Rock, Arkansas.

Website: Arlene Gibbs Decor

1. What you love about being an expat: Learning a new language. Meeting people from all over the world.

2. What you don't love about being an expat: Not being able to speak said language fluently.

3. Advice for women considering the expat life: Get your visas in order. Just because you're an American, it doesn't mean you're not an immigrant. Learn as much of the language as possible before your move; it will make life a lot easier. Keep in mind (depending on your new country) that you may be defined more by your nationality than your race, as there will be black people there who are not American and will have a different POV. Learn about the history of your new country and resist the temptation to constantly compare it to America.

4. What made you become an expat: Long story...I fell in love (unexpectedly) with Rome and, also, I wanted a better quality of life.

5. How often do your friends come to visit? How often to you get back to the US? I have to go back to L.A. for meetings. I try to visit St. Martin (where my parents now live) at least once a year. Since my move, several of my close friends, and many friends of friends, have visited Rome.

SOUTH KOREA: Joy K. Richardson

STATS: Joy, an African-American woman born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, moved to Daejeon, South Korea on February 1, 2012 having never lived outside of her home state. Single with two children, Joy owned her own daycare before making her move and now teaches kindergarten children in South Korea. She is a mother, a teacher, an entrepreneur and author of "A Helping Hand Series".

Blog: Single Expat Mom

1. What you love about being an expat: I love the cultural experience of being an expat. I'm able to open a whole new world for my son and myself, while continuing to make a difference.

2. What you don't love about being an expat: I don't like not being able to speak the language. Adjusting to a new culture and environment can be a challenge, too.

3. Advice for women considering the expat life: My advice to any women considering being an expat is that you can do it! Research the country and town that you want to go to. Rent materials from the library: books, videos, cds, language cds, etc. Experience the world and see what's out there. You never know what you'll find until you look outside the box.

4. What made you decide to become an expat: I've worked for many years with children, literacy, and trying to make a difference in their lives. I wanted to continue my efforts in promoting child literacy through education. I wanted my children to have a rich cultural experience. You only live once, and the only limits in our lives are the ones we place on ourselves. My motto: "We can make a difference with our children; one child, one home, and one step at a time." I continue to work towards that daily.

5. How often do your friends come to visit? How often to you get back to the US? I haven't been home yet, nor have I had any visitors. I've only been here a few months, but hopefully I'll get a chance to visit back home soon.