We were seated in a bustling bar in midtown Atlanta only a couple hours after my flight landed. Publik, it was called. Somehow we lucked up with the only two cushy armchairs cattacornered with a view of the entire quaint space. We'd met many times before, often ending up somewhere to talk, away from our... Continue Reading →
Long distance relationships are incredibly difficult. They happen for all kinds of reasons. You met an off duty flight attendant with kind eyes and a wicked sense of humor on vacation. You fell for a quirky girl with glasses and tattoos, in bar, who deploys for war in three months. Your significant other moves away... Continue Reading →
Its been a little over 30 days since I began writing on this platform.... Now, more than 30 posts later, there has been a consistent outpouring of love and well wishes I never expected. I thought I would quietly post my thoughts and observations of the human condition on Curls & Carry-ons and allow it... Continue Reading →
In Buenos Aires, the doors took hold of my attention and then in Madrid, the resemblance of ornate doorways made it clear where the influence orginated. The architecture, overall was so captivating, but on every street, narrow or wide, it was the balconies that dominated the scene. Romeo could have easily called out to his... Continue Reading →
In early February, I received a notification for an Instagram "like" from an account I had never heard of. Upon reading the name, @lasmorenasdeespana, my excitement was immediate as I clicked through to its page. Morena, brown girl, that was me! De España, from Spain, like my father. What was I about to find? I... Continue Reading →
After a long day's journey through the sites of Mardrid, the sun was low in the sky as I stumbled upon Mercado de San Miguel. My eyes feasted on the crystal clear glass structure being held up by iron beams winding across the ceiling. Through the walls, you could see produce displayed like a vibrant... Continue Reading →
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... Continue Reading →
Yes, but... ...you still have to "act like you have home training," as my mother would say. My experience traveling alone has been limited. However, it has given me glimpses of what I should and should not do while away on a solo adventure. Rule #1, never ever panic! While visiting Hong Kong, I was... Continue Reading →
Recently, I raised the question of why we as Black people dont have a Black flag? It would be difficult to come together as one to agree on its style, purpose and meaning because across the diaspora, there are darker skin Brazilians, Indians, Spaniards, etc that have unique struggles. However, all of us are connected... Continue Reading →
Black travel has hit a serious boom in recent years! #MELANIN #BLACKGIRLSTRAVELTOO #TRAVELNOIRE The tags on Instagram are endless and beautiful to scroll through. It would give anyone travel envy like "shuuu, I want to be in their crew!" A trio of my favorite accounts that I'm sharing today are: @eltonandersonjr @jnambowa @globaljetblack What... Continue Reading →
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... Continue Reading →
Summer of 2016 was a beautiful celebration of Black girl magic being awarded medals for their excellence in swimming, gymnastics, tennis, hurdles, shot put, long jump... you name it and Black girls dominated! Those are some nasty gals for ya! With all the excitement surrounding the games, Brazil was kind enough to open up its... Continue Reading →
While in the artsy neighborhood of Palermo-Soho, I quickly developed a strong admiration for not only the vibrant people that lived there, but for the architecture. With influences mashing up Parisian romance and Italian renaissance, it was hard to believe I was in the deep south! My affinity honed in on the doors and entrances... Continue Reading →
In one week, Trump has dismantled Obamacare without a real plan to replace it, attacked our citizens 1st and 5th amendment rights, cleared construction for the Keystone Pipeline (which he has money invested in), and he has upset millions of women around the world with his position on reproductive rights. People have rushed to the... Continue Reading →
A lot of times when we travel, we block off days, request off of work, save thousands of dollars, book the itinerary months in advance and that's all after synchronizing schedules with a travel buddy or two to accompany you on your trip. PHEW! That's a lot of effort for only a week's break from... Continue Reading →
Today, while walking around Chicago, on my way to the blue line, I saw a letter tumbling in the wind. It didnt take long to figure out that it was a love letter and a heartfelt one at that. It was beautiful to me that this man felt so strongly about this woman, Ada. I... Continue Reading →
I remember sitting, during the last days of high school, in the senior section, with a large group of chatting girls. The only thing every senior student could think about, at that point, was the future. The imminent possibilities that laid ahead of us. The opportunities that would surely be handed to us in the coming years.... Continue Reading →
[Originally posted on February 10, 2013] Its so official. I'm old. Ancient, really. After riding the wave of 21, a firm hand began to close around me. It was a grip pulsing with insecure unanswered questions and the panicked pressure to succeed. The grip would tighten every year, awaiting inevitable failure. It felt like Life was Scar,... Continue Reading →
[ Originally posted on February 6, 2013] In your early twenties, just about everything gives you a high level of anxiety. Have you ever unnecessarily lost your breath, your heart was pumping blood to your brain at an ungodly rate, you couldnt calm yourself down and feared you might pass out? That was a panic... Continue Reading →
