by Anaïs Monique
This is my first novella. I will be publishing each chapter, as its written, online. Please download for free and enjoy. CHAPTER ONE (posted on 11May) Chapter Two (21May) Chapter Three (25May) Chapter Four (TBA) Chapter Five (TBA) Thanks for joining me 🙂
Cuba seemed to be positioned similarly as Americans have poured into the country in the last few years. As I was driven around the streets of Havana in their iconic vintage cars, we passed areas of construction. “A new hotel. It will be beautiful and facing the Malecon too,” my driver explained. The Malecon, considered the family sofa of Old Havana, is a low bearing stone wall that separates the streets from the bay. Every night that I passed by the mile long Malecon, people gathered in large numbers, enjoying a beer, the simplicity of the stars sparkling on the water and music playing in the distance. It was prime real estate for new hotels and more tourist traps, but commercialism tends to drive local traditions away. I let out a heavy sigh, grateful that I had, at least, successfully beat McDonalds to Cuba. But, once I finally return again,
I bet you like that flag, Blue-blooded lover of a guns, Oh how beautifully, it waves for you. Should I keep running this race while tied to a tree? Seeing my peers pass me up never acknowledging their head start. So focused on their privilege, I forgot whats special about me.
Now that the big 3-0 is almost here, Im waiting to exhale from mostly escaping the frustrating agist stereotypes of our society. I look in the mirror, still seeing my 18 year old appearance, but knowing there’s so much more underneath. I see a living testament to the mind being your most powerful God-given asset. You will become what you believe.
Well after people get over the fact that I’m hardly home (but always reppin’), they ask, as a nomad, how I will ever establish a sense of stability? After a little over a year, I’ve encountered thousands of people, many languages, various cultures and a rainbow of different outlooks on life. Travel became my addiction
“Another round?” Shamelessly, I wanted to visit with Enrique again and of course claim my 3rd glass of his velvety port. ”Guapa. You are having fun?” Call me guapa one more time, I thought mischievously. “Yes! And I’m going dancing with you tonight!” His eyes widened as he smiled. “Bryan me invita!” I explained in my broken Spanish.
[Read page one: Occupying Ferguson… and page two: Conquering Fear] Although I was absolutely willing to put my life on the line, it wasnt time yet. I wasnt ready to die on the front lines of this cause when I felt like I had done so little to move the culture forward. The best weapon
Read… Solo Traveling While Black, Is It Safe? (Rule #1) So I told you about my mini-solo travel experience in Hong Kong. Next, it was Germany that tested me and I am grateful that they happened in the order they did. Rule #2: Always ask for help. For months, I told my girlfriend, we'll call her
You have a long layover between cities that you want to take advantage of or you are being an adventurer this weekend with only one night in town. Whether you are going to the beach, a big city or a small town, here is a list of inexpensive things you can do in almost every
When I first scrolled across the story, it was shocking that this could be happening again, and in this century! Though it was shocking enough to give me pause, I kept scrolling, hoping it was nothing but clickbait. Now, a week later, there is no denying the truth: in mid-November 2017, CNN reported secret footage confirming the sale of African migrants in Libya for as little as $400 per person. These migrants traveled to Libya with hopes to be smuggled into Europe, escaping the poor conditions of their homelands. Instead, they are being held captive without food or water, while badly beaten, sodomized or raped, and being forced to work in sub-human conditions without pay. They are being sold as property into indefinite slavery.
I’ve lived in Miami for all of 5 minutes and it’s time to evacuate. So here I am, sitting in a Tallahassee airport at 3am writing about Miami instead of enjoying it. And of course I can’t think about Miami without thinking about my time in Cuba. [click the link for more]
“To My Future Husband, Wherever You Are, I Know Who You Are Because God has shown me who I am. You are the only one who can handle…..” [click link to continue]
