What Is Black Paris?

“[T]his is a niche travel guide that covers the culture and history of Africans, African-Americans and Antilleans…in Paris, along with enough mainstream tourist information to that you won’t miss anything.” - Kiratiana’s Travel Guide to Black Paris
That should sum up what Kiratiana Freelon offers in her first travel guide in a series that will include London and other destinations around the world. When I began reading the guide, I wasn’t sure what to expect: A typical travel guide, but targeted towards black readers? Or a guide to black communities in Paris? Kiratiana tackles both. The book covers standard information about Parisian hotels, restaurants, and museums along with tips to aid the adventurous but inexperienced African American traveler. The main focus, however, is helping readers get a taste of “Black Paris,” the cultural contributions of peoples of black African descent.

This is where I feel that the guide is a bit weak. Too often “black” becomes African American, and the guide is reduced to a list of who slept or performed where. Although there are some wonderful sections on African and Caribbean history and food, I didn’t get a sense of what homebred black Parisian culture really is all about. In addition, it’s difficult to have faith in a few reviews about places she’s never been to. In her attempt to be thorough, Kiratiana becomes a secondary source that might not be all that reliable. Points for originality though. Kiratiana is a true entrepreneur, having the sense and wherewithal to meet the growing demand of black women for travel resources. I’m looking forward to using her guide to Paris and reading the others as they come out.

10 Things I Can’t Leave Without

“Be Prepared.” - Robert Baden-Powell’s Scouting for Boys
Everyone has their list of favorite traveling goodies, the junk that’s packed regardless of where one’s going. It doesn’t hold for something like a campout or backpacking trip, but I usually depend on having the following items around when poking around in unknown parts of the country:

1. AAA/Auto Club Map: Murphy’s Law requires that your phone, laptop, and GPS go on strike at exactly the same moment. So, in case of a technological emergency, don’t go anywhere unfamiliar without one of these. One can easily be tucked into a carryon bag.
2. Student/Teacher IDs: I never find a good discount until I leave my proof at home.
3. Purse-Sized Photo Album: Like to collect postcards? I discovered years ago that granny brag-books will prevent these souvenirs from getting damaged in transit.
4. ESV Journaling Bible: Keep up with a daily reading and journaling at the same time…although often there isn’t enough room for the latter.
5. Loose Change/One-Dollar Bills: Even in a credit-card world, tipping and coin-only machines are still with us.
6. Ibuprofen (also found in Advil and Motrin): The number one pain reliever for menstrual cramps actually handles motion sickness quite well, in my opinion. Dramamine and Bonine, my dad’s choices, never worked for me. I carry a bottle with me at all times.
7. Purse-Sized Umbrella: It always seems to rain when I don’t have one. And retail stores never seem to carry any out of season.
8. Toshiba Mini-Notebook: I can’t believe how light it is! And easy to unpack and repack, a real plus when dealing with the TSA security check at airports.
9. DVF Luggage: Cute, stylish, and practical. And inexpensive too when you grab up a discontinued design.
10. Digital Camera: I’m currently in the market for a new one. Any recommendations?

Bringing the Faraway Home - Part 1

What I love more than Landchamp’s new Faraway Collection is the fact that Kate Moss was inspired by her travels. There’s something about leaving home that just brings out new ideas. It’s as if we need some force to throw our ho-hum lives out of balance, immersing us into an unfamiliar culture that shocks us, encourages us, and challenges us to meet the future head on. Stay at home, and we might very well stay at rest forever.

I’m no artist – let alone a fashion designer – but as a musician, writer, and all-around “idea person,” I have experienced the creative burst of energy born out of an unusual event. That includes travel. I love that the relaxed, stress-free atmosphere gets the body regenerated and the brainwaves moving. Let’s just hope it lasts the flight home.