The State Of Travel

It’s challenging for me to think back to carefree moments traveling–perhaps the 2 months I spent working for Conservation International in the jungle of Guyana with no phone or electricity. In fact, I biked to Brazil to call my mom. I spent the days with the village woman learning about sustainable rainforest products, eating cassava bread and picking botfly larvae out of my feet. Was that carefree? It felt that way. I heard no news for two months and witnessed an eclipse simply by noticing crescent shaped shadows in the ground.

As a graduate student, I spent nine months of my life in Mali, studying traditional dance. I slept on a mattress on a cement floor of the room I rented, under a mosquito net with a fan on simply to not hear incessant buzzing. Days led me to dance and music classes, learning Bamana by force or desire, I guess.  I told people I didn’t speak French, so they had to speak to me in Bamana, which I definitely didn’t speak, but learned within months. I felt far from home, and exhausted, but in wonder and awe of the beauty around me, and moved by the generosity of my neighbors who fed me toh and okra soup. Was that carefree? My worries were basic – could I find my way home on the bus? How much should bananas cost?

That trip ended short of my anticipated year. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to fly home. I was pregnant and 9/11 just happened.

I started to take people with me when I traveled – selfishly I wanted company and a little money (I had a child to care for after all!). I led groups to West Africa to study dance. We spent days dancing and drumming and nights going to weddings or concerts. One dance trip to Guinea was interrupted by a general strike – we had to hide in the house as the military came around to disperse the strikers. I had a young son, and was pregnant with my daughter.

In those days of travel, we didn’t have easy access to news or internet (yes, I’m that old!), and no Threads or Tiktok. We made decisions with the information we had and then responded to life as it happened. 

Side note: Some of the people who traveled with me to West Africa have since taken multiple trips with me. We continue to travel with the best information we have, a plan for emergencies and also faith.

I still travel knowing that life happens, and things change, and you have to make the best decision you can for you and your family. Additionally, as a group trip host, I have to make the best decisions I can for the group. But one thing I often realize, is that when I’m home in the US, I feel in a state of heightened anxiety, and social media constantly reminds me of the dangers of travel, regardless of what is actually happening. I try to limit news and just … be. The same goes when I travel. I make decisions based on research, with the intent to be safe and aware. And then I go with an open mind, faith and a belief that generally people all over the world are curious, goodhearted and want connection and conversation. I don’t feel as carefree. But I feel alive.

I make a point to talk to locals (friends and neighbors at home), to enjoy a meal with them or experience their livelihood and communities. For me, that’s where the beauty of the world lies; that’s where I still feel carefree. The world isn’t perfect, and there will be challenges to navigate as we travel (and also at home!). But I now understand that “carefree” isn’t the absence of stress, hardship or unexpected adventure, but the presence of positive human connection, and a little bit of faith. And that is up to us.

Interested in traveling with me on a group trip? I have several trips coming up this year! I LOVE Mexico as you know, and can’t wait to go to Mexico City and Oaxaca this fall. I am also planning a trip to Cuba next February. Learn more HERE