What to know before you go: How tourism affects a region’s eco-system

So aside from working my regular job, I have been freelancing like a maniac! I recently became the Tampa Travel Examiner for examiner.com and I am excited to see where this can take me! My first article is on the importance of responsible tourism and eco travel (I never thought it would see the light of day, but that's another story). Go on and read a bit of it and then head over to my website to read the rest! I promise you won't be disappointed....

courtesy of responsibletravel.com

When preparing to travel abroad or domestic, there are usually numerous decisions that are involved including choosing a destination, what car to rent and where to stay. While American travelers have set records in 2010 for travel to Caribbean regions and countries including the Dominican Republic Aruba, South Africa and Israel, according to a report by the International Trade for Administration, it’s important to recognize how certain types of travel affect the nation and other countries.

Julie Garrett, media relations coordinator at Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Fla., frequently travels to Wisconsin to visit her husband Doug. Rather than stay in a hotel, the couple takes an alternative route and connects with nature through camping and other activities not detrimental to the environment. “We go camping a lot and buy what we need at thrift stores,” Garrett said. “We usually buy quilts and jackets and when we’re done we give it away to others at the campsite.”

Kristina Roe, head of communications for responsibletravel.com, said the precautions Garrett and her husband take are helping the environment more than they know. Websites like responsibletravel.com inform visitors of how they can be more eco-friendly to the places they visit by being a responsible tourist. They define a responsible tourist as someone who is tired of mass tourism and travels for relaxation, adventure and wants to learn. Eco-tourism companies aim to educate readers on the benefits of responsible tourism and eco travel and how enjoyable it can be.

Roe said the more cautious travelers are to the types of transportation they use and the activities they partake in, the more it will help them adapt to their destination and its culture

Continue reading on Examiner.com What to know before you go: How tourism affects a region’s eco-system - Tampa Bay Travel |

Deciding to become homeless

Here's a recent article I did on a woman who decided to become homeless to face her fears. Enjoy! (from The Florida Courier)

South Florida woman becomes homeless on purpose to overcome fear of failure

Written by Fcadmin | 28 February 2012

BY NAOMI PRIOLEAU

SPECIAL TO THE COURIER

Te-Erika Patterson is in a better place, financially and physically than she was just 10 months ago.

Te-Erika Patterson sold all her belongings and became homeless in
April 2011

Patterson, 32, of Hollywood, Fla., sold all of her belongings and became homeless on April 11, 2011. She joined the reported other 56, 771 homeless men, women and children in Florida (as of 2011) but documented her journey on YouTube and turned it into a project.

The Rebuild Your Life Project is dedicated to helping women overcome their fears of failure by showing them how to survive and restart their lives. Patterson described herself and her life up until April as a perpetual failure.  In the events leading up to the day she decided to give everything away, Patterson struggled to survive – losing her car, both of her jobs and dropping out of graduate school.

“My world was crumbling all around, and I was trying to figure out what to do next,” Patterson said. “I just kind of stood still for a while.”

From grad school to homelessness

Patterson, who grew up in a predominately Black neighborhood in Miami’s Liberty City earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Florida in 2004. She then took classes toward her master’s in marriage and family counseling at Barry University but never finished.

One of the requirements for completion of the degree was to complete an internship in an office – something that Patterson remembered gave her anxiety attacks.

“The internship would require me to work for eight months in an office setting and I hadn’t done that in a very long time,” she explained. “The last time I did that, that’s what triggered my panic attacks and anxiety.”

When she stopped working in the office, Patterson felt there was nothing left for her to do and dropped out of graduate school. That’s when she decided to give all of her belongings to a homeless shelter and rebuild her life.

The real "Red Tails" Story

Last weekend I went to the Fantasy of Flight attraction to interview the Tuskegee Airmen and here's my story! (from The Florida Courier)

Three Tuskegee Airmen tell of their successes, challenges in military during World War II

BY NAOMI PRIOLEAU
SPECIAL TO THE FLORIDA COURIER



A former navigator, bombardier and pilot in the 332nd Fighter Group of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, Daniel Keel said he was no different from others who wanted to protect their country. Keel, who lives in Leesburg, was one of the three Tuskegee Airmen who spoke to a crowd of children, students, veterans and parents on Feb. 11 in Polk City about their lives and time in the military.

From left to right are Tuskegee Airmen Daniel Keel, George Hardy and Leo Gray. The program was moderated by Deric Feacher, right. (NAOMI PRIOLEAU/SPECIAL TO THE COURIER)

Retired Lt. Colonels George Hardy of Sarasota and Leo Gray of Fort Lauderdale along with Keel spent three days at Fantasy of Flight, an aviation-themed exhibit in Central Florida – sharing their stories, answering questions and meeting fans. Gray, 91, Keel, 89, and 88-year-old Hardy overcame extreme odds with courage, dignity and honor.
The Tuskegee Airmen, who have received praise for their service during World War II, consisted of four fighter squadrons, the 99th, the 100th, the 301st and the 302nd. The first all-Black group to serve as military aviators, they surpassed expectations for them to fail and in the end brought home record numbers in the air and on the ground.

Integration brought new struggles
They destroyed more than 100 German aircraft in the air and 150 on the ground as well as 950 railcars, trucks and other vehicles. With more than 850 medals, they’ve made a place in history and have a permanent multimedia exhibit at the Fantasy of Flight that includes facts and a vintage aircraft collection for the public to enjoy.
Hardy, Gray and Keel traveled extensively throughout their career abroad and domestic to receive proper training before heading into combat. Hardy was sent to Guam just before integration took place in the United States. When he returned home, he was welcomed to a new set of difficulties: integration.
"I was in the service when integration took place in July 1949," said Hardy. "After I came back to the States, there was a period of racial integration and those were tough times."

Still had to ride in back of bus
Keel told stories of discrimination at the hands of a White lieutenant colonel whom he described as "having it out for him." Upon his arrival to a Texas Army base for additional bombardier training, Keel said the lieutenant colonel let them know what they were allowed and weren’t allowed to do.
"One, we could not eat in the officers’ mess, two we could not go in the officers’ club, three, if we go to the base theater we couldn’t sit in the officers’ section and four, if we go to town, we had to ride in the back of the bus," said Keel. "I knew I was in trouble as soon as he said that."
Keel said the lieutenant colonel tried to have him court-martialed but didn’t succeed. He then tried to hold him back from graduating. Of 27 students, Keel and two others were the only ones who graduated. However, Keel looks at experiences like those in a positive light. He said if it hadn’t been for racial segregation, he wouldn’t have the triple ranking he has today – it pushed him to achieve more.

#WEverb11: Grasp

23. Grasp
Describe something that you actively engaged in learning to do this year.

I can't think of one thing I actively engaged in learning to do this year. I just remember how busy I was this entire year. I guess I could use journalism. I'm always learning something new with journalism and mass communications and that's how I plan to keep it for as long as I live.

Report From Anywhere!

After attending an international reporting seminar over the summer with the National Association of Black Journalists, I learned the importance of taking crucial items with you on any trip. As a journalist, you never know when or where a story will happen so it's always great to be prepared.

One of my mentors Demorris Lee of the St. Petersburg Times said that he keeps a laptop, a camera and a voice recorder in the trunk of his car at all times. Smart move.

For international reporting, it's best to keep the same things on you as well. One of the speakers at the seminar said when she travels (whether it's for work or leisure) she takes her laptop, voice recorder, camera, video camera and notepad in her carry on. Again, smart move.

courtesy of briansteffen.net

It may sound like a lot to carry around, but luckily, my Dad gave me his laptop/briefcase carrier. I can fit everything in it (including my AP Stylebook and a leisure book) and slug it on my shoulder and I'm ready to take over the world!

Once you have your story and photographs and speak with your editor all you have to do is find a place with WIFI and send it off!

That seminar really opened my eyes. Now, instead of lugging around my book bag with a change of clothes and my purse with my money in it, I can put all of it safely into my laptop carrier (it's actually quite spacious) and only worry about my suitcase.

The fact that I learned to bring the essentials when traveling AND eliminate all the extra thematics that I usually carry with me when I travel, only makes me love reporting that much more. I have such an urge to board a plane and go to China and report on whatever, simply because I'm well prepared now!

For now I'll start slow and test it out when I go to Buenos Aires!