Straight Trippin Travel Series

I was born restless. I’ve been seeking new and exciting adventures since the day I arrived. I really do believe I came out of the womb with a passport and luggage in tow. Being an explorer is not only my birth right, but my mission in life. Whether by sea, plane, train or automobile, if it’s on a map I have every intention on going there. So when Anietie approached me about producing a travel series, she could barely finish before I blurted out, yes. Sign me up!

Producing Straight Trippin’ is really an opportunity of a lifetime for me, because I’m getting paid to do something that I would normally do for free. It also allows me to follow in the tradition of the African Griots, (Storytellers or Repository of Oral Tradition). I get to share with all of you the many wonderful places around the world that embrace our heritage and diverse cultures in both words and pictures.

My travels have taken me just about all over the U.S. including Hawaii, parts of Canada, Mexico, South America, The Caribbean and Europe, and I can truly say the U.S. will always be my country, but the world is my home. To me there’s nothing better than waking up in unfamiliar territory with no concrete plan of action, except to go out and explore and conquer. Everyday is truly a unique learning experience.

Visiting mainstream tourist attractions like the Eiffel Tower in Paris or Christ the Redeemer Statue in Rio will always be a part of our itinerary, but taking a detour off the beaten path is where the fun really begins. After-all, I would never visit the Statue of Liberty in New York, without taking a trip to The Apollo Theatre or Amy Ruth’s Restaurant in Harlem, so why visit Rio without visiting Salvador de Bahia? Bahia is a vibrant, colorful and distinctly African city in Brazil that’s rich in culture and history. And it’s doesn’t stop there, thriving African communities can be found all around the world. From the Brixton section of London to the Cape Verdeans communities of New England to the Gullah people of the South Carolina Outer Islands to the Garifuna people of Honduras. We’re everywhere!

Still not convinced? Okay I challenge you to take a trip to a culturally diverse city such as New York or Toronto. It won’t take long before you realize the African Diaspora was in full effect. New York City has the largest black population in the U.S. and I lived there for several years, yet I met very few African Americans, but had many friends and co-workers from the Caribbean, Canada, Africa, Europe and South and Central America. They spoke English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and German, but they all looked like family to me. Our cultures were different, but our ancestry for the most part was the same. They too, were descendents of slaves and although they didn’t appreciate collard greens and cornbread quite the way I do, they threw down on some pretty tasty curry goat, fufu, roti, conk fritters, plantains, yassa, cassava and bean and rice dishes. Now if this Mid-western girl goes too long without a Jamaica beef patty or a Dominican Hair Stylist, I go into serious withdrawal and let me tell you, it’s not pretty.

My point is our people are represented throughout the world. We are connected through our ancestry, history, experience and most of all our music. Yes those famous African drums are still beating and this griot still has many more stories to tell. Travel with us and experience the best in African cultural and heritage tours from around the world. You won’t be disappointed.

Straight Trippin' Travel Show

Back in the day, when I said "straight trippin’", I meant someone was responding inappropriately, acting crazy or just being ridiculous. Today, when I say Straight Trippin’ I’m referencing our new travel show dedicated to those who like to globe trot and explore our diverse and exciting world!

I was inspired to create a travel show because there are few things that excite me more than embarking on a new journey to discover the culture, people and beauty of a new destination. I am a travel junkie, an addict like any other. Usually within three months of returning from a trip, I am ready to pack my bags and hit the road once again. The way I see it, why waste the day at home when you could spend it cruising down the Seine or sipping mai tais on Waikiki Beach? I’m convinced my ancient ancestors were nomads of some sort whose wanderlust gene has surfaced within me and like an angry, spoiled two year-old refuses to be dismissed. So instead of enrolling in travelers anonymous where I may be forced to relinquish my favorite carry-on luggage and cushy travel pillow, I’m embracing my inner gypsy.

So far my travels have taken me to Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Lichtenstein, England, France, Italy, Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, Jamaica, Nigeria, The Netherlands, Hong Kong and numerous places within the United States. This list is far too short! There are 194 countries in the world, and clearly, I have yet to scratch the surface. I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me and now is the right time to start.

But I am not traveling alone. I am taking along a few of my best friends. Juanita Goode, Tom ‘T.J.’ Jones and Donica White. You’ll get to know my friends by reading their blog postings right here with mine on the Straight Trippin’ blog site. We are the Straight Trippin’ crew.

Straight Trippin’ is a highly entertaining, one-of-a-kind, half hour travel show dedicated to travelers interested in the culture, heritage and lifestyles of the African Diaspora. We’ll show you where to find the best hotels, cultural activities, culinary feasts and night life.

As the co-hosts of Straight Trippin’, Juanita and T.J. will be your tour guides to all hot, hip, happening travel spots for the discerning traveler. And as the producers, Donica and I will pilot our journey. Come back to the blog often. Here we’ll share all the details of our travels and post our travel videos.

So come travel with us and get a taste of the “soul” in each of our destination cities!

Happy travels,
Anietie