Reuniting with a London sister yet again!

Over the weekend I went to Philadelphia for my friend’s wedding. My friend, whom I hadn’t seen in seven years and only met once…..in London.

In 2005, I was selected as one of 28 young girls to travel to London as part of the Teen Ink London Summer Writing Program. The annual program (which now takes place in New York) brought girls together from all over the world together for the sole purpose of honing our writing skills.

L to R: Me, Christine, Tiffany, Christina and Jess in 2005 in front of
St. Paul's Cathedral in London

The group, with ages ranging from 14 to 18, got along pretty well…well as well as hormonal girls can. There were different groups within the 28 girls simply because you hang out with who you feel you can connect to.

We all kept in touch mainly through letters or emails and complained about how much we missed London. Soon Myspace and Facebook popped on the scene and we were all able to see how each other’s lives were going through pictures, statuses and videos.

Fast forward five years after the trip to when I reconnected with one of my friends on the trip, Tiffany. She lived only an hour and a half away and we were able to meet up twice to hang out with one another. It was lovely. We picked up right where we left off.

Tiffany and I in 2010

Now fast forward to the year 2012 where Christine gets married! I remember our phone conversations after we came back from London when she’d tell me about working at a restaurant and dating him. Now I finally got to meet him and see her again.

The beautiful bride and I!

Was it worth a weekend trip to Philadelphia just to go to a wedding that I wasn’t even a part of? Yes! We’re London sisters. We experienced the London bombings together and for many of us it was our trip outside of the country. We have this unique bond that is unbreakable even if we go months without talking. Congratulations to Christine and Rafael!

GUEST POST: The Travel Video Shoot That Went Awry

On Twitter (@naomiprioleau), I follow many travelers and reporters, but none stick out to me as much as Mario (@mariotravels). A tea junkie and travel addict, Mario lights up my timeline with tips and stories on travel, tea and  New York City. The host of 'On the Go with Mario,' lives by the show's tagline "Fueled by tea, driven by culture" and backs it up with his daily tweets about tea, culture and all things travel. So without further ado, read about the travel video shoot that unfortunately DIDN'T happen.

Nassau, Bahamas photo courtesy of Mario Nicholas

It had all the makings of a successful shoot. I had done the research, secured the flights and hotel accommodations, scheduled interviews and tours with a cultural ambassador from the Ministry of Tourism's People-to-People program and confirmed everything with my videographer to facilitate the seamless production of 'On The Go with Mario - Episode 6 - Nassau, Bahamas.'

 

I have always been a firm believer in, "If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail" but even with the extensive preparation that was carried out for this on-location shoot, the universe was not having it.

 

There I was, relaxing with a cup of tangerine-ginger tea at gate 5 exactly two hours before departure. Filled with excitement, I updated Twitter, Facebook and all other forms of social media to share the excitement with my viewers and supporters. I mean, I had been promoting this episode for weeks so quite naturally, everyone was sharing in the excitement. I messaged my videographer to let her know that I was waiting for her at the gate and she quickly responded that she was en route and would be there shortly.

 

It was almost 40 minutes before boarding when I received a phone call that would drop my jaw to the ground and send my blood pressure to the ceiling. I couldn't believe my ears.

My travel inspired apartment!

After months and months of organizing, buying furniture and decorating, my apartment is FINALLY complete! To think, when I first signed my lease and moved in, all I had was an air mattress, my books and birds to keep me company. Well look at me now!

Naomi and Alex take Dallas

For the past four days I've been in Dallas visiting my best friend Alex and trying to make up for four years of not seeing each other. We met at the end of our sophomore year in high school and were inseparable! After graduation, she moved to Texas and I moved to Florida for school, but we still remained close throughout our college years. Now, after four years of being apart, we reunited and the events that followed are nothing short of blog worthy!

Only 2 hours after arriving we decided to jump off a 75 foot ledge! I was on it for 20 minutes before actually jumping!

My fearless best friend did so, so flawlessly even though she's afraid of heights!

And that was only day one! We went to Cowboys Red River, a country dance hall later that night and line danced the night away! It was my first time ever going to a country music club and I thoroughly enjoyed myself!

Adventures in tea houses, museums and beaches!

This time last week, my mom was in town and running me ragged! We traveled to places I had never been including a nice quiet beach (comparable to Clearwater Beach which I describe as the Wal Mart of beaches) in Largo, the Zora Neale Hurston Museum of Fine Arts in Eatonville and a cute French store in Ybor City. However, my favorite place to go to with dear old mom is a cute tea house.

La France in Ybor City...very quirky!

 Our tradition now is to go to the Tea Rose Cottage in Ybor City anytime she visits. It's a quaint little house and gift shop that has a delectable variety of teas and delicious tea sandwiches and "crumpets." The tearoom's atmosphere is so cozy and inviting...and exclusive! It's only open Wednesday through Saturday and their hours are from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. ONLY with reservation. Yes. Reservations are required for this joint.

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 |

Guest Blogger for Visit Florida!

My dear friend Dalia asked me to be a guest blogger on Smart Travel as apart of VisitFlorida.com on what else? Ways to Save Money While Traveling! Make sure to read it below and let me know if you have any additional tips!

Guest Blogger: Jetsetter Naomi Prioleau Shares 4 Ways to Save Money while Traveling

February 23, 2012

Among the best souvenirs Naomi has picked up abroad are money-saving travel tips! Credit: Naomi Prioleau

Dalia's note: My friend Naomi Prioleau, of the blog Kansan Girl Chronicles, is one savvy traveler. She's not yet old enough to rent a car, but the girl sure does find ways to get around! Her passport includes stamps from Spain, Morocco, England, France, Italy and Mexico, and she has a trip to Argentina in the works. Naomi's international journeys have made her a smarter traveler stateside, too. Below she shares some of her best money-saving travel tips.


When it comes to traveling, I know how to save money. A majority of the people I encounter use the excuse that traveling is too expensive. Well, after I give you these four tips, you may be singing a different tune.

1. Book ahead.
Even before you begin your travels, book your plane ticket ahead. WAY ahead. Have you ever heard stories of people who booked a trip to Turkey for only $700 dollars round trip? That’s either because they booked ahead, found an airline website that gives good deals or know someone in the industry. By buying a plane ticket months in advance, you’re saving money before you travel. If you need assistance in looking for good deals there’s always websites like Kayak, Airfarewatchdog and others that will help you save money.
2. Eat like a local.
As a tourist, you can get swindled out of money without even knowing it. How? Food. When it comes to food you have two options: make your own food or dine out. Sure, you may think you’re acting like a local by asking where the “locals” eat, but most likely, you’re being led to a touristy restaurant aimed at taking your money. It’s all about asking the right questions. Rather than “Where’s the best place for a romantic dinner?,” ask “Where would you take your significant other to eat on your anniversary?” Trust me, you’ll get a COMPLETELY different answer and insight into the refreshing and hidden cuisines that can save you money and fill you up.

#WEverb11: Teach

18. Teach

What lesson or advice were you able to pass on to others this year? Why was it important to share this information? (Or… what lesson would you like to pass on to others that read this?)

Travel! That's the advice I was able to give to others this year. Anyone who knows me, knows how much I LOVE travel and any time someone even has an the inkling of traveling, I give him or her all the reasons they should. Once he or she decides to act upon it, I give them tips for traveling, what to wear, any type of question they have I answer. Travel changes your life in the most incredible ways and I want everyone to know about it!

Scratching that Travel Itch!

Ugh.

I've been bitten by the travel bug and let me tell you, he got me good! 

I have such a severe travel itch right now. Seriously, I am dying to travel somewhere. It doesn't help to read about the history of Greece or see the models travel to New Zealand (I'm talking to you America's Next Top Model) because it only fuels my desire to scratch this itch THAT much more.

In front of Newgrange in Ireland. Oh how I miss thee!

If it were up to me, and if I didn't have a job, I would pack up, use my frequent flier miles and go somewhere right now.


There are plenty of place to visit in Florida that I haven't visited yet, but I'm longing to deal with the airport terminals, the long flights, the butterflies in the stomach and general sense of unknowing when you reach your destination abroad.

For now I'm quelling my travel itch with scrap booking my previous trips. Not only is it therapeutic, but it brings back millions of memories and brings out my creative side. It's either that or turn on listen to the music from the countries I visited. However, I will say that reading A Year in the World by Frances Mayes makes me feel all the better, because I can vividly see the countries she's talking about.

Adios folks! I'm going to scratch my travel itch! What do you do to satiate your appetite for traveling?

In the Alcazar in Seville!

My ABC's of Travel!

I've been in a writing slump this past week and I hate it. So I found a prompt that would help bring me out of it! I got this challenge from Cat over at Sunshine and Siestas and I thought it'd be the perfect way to jump start me back into blogging!


A: Age you went on your first international trip:
The tender age of 15! I thought this was a perfect age to start traveling because I was young enough to still be naive but mature enough to truly grasp the essence of what I was experiencing

via ratebeer.com

B: Best (foreign) beer you’ve had and where:
Mahou Mixta Shandy. I'm not a beer drinker (except for Guinness) but Mahou Mixta Shandy is my absolute favorite! I tried it for one Euro on a whim in Spain and fell in love with it. Oh if only it was sold in the States!

C: Cuisine (favorite):
I don't discriminate against any type of cuisine so the one I'm about to choose should be taken lightly! I'd have to say authentic Shepard's pie from Ireland. It really is more like a comfort food to me. I'm not a picky eater and am always willing to try new food, but Shepard's pie always does it!

Where's Naomi? Oh, She's Sleeping...Again

Pillow made out of backpacks and I'm out for the count in the Frankfurt airport

 Thanks to an article on stumbleupon.com, I've discovered what type of traveler I am. Now this article, "Seven Types of Travellers You See in the Airport," may only apply to the designated location, but it applies to all aspects of my life when I travel. Here's the description of a sleepy traveler:

The Sleepy Traveller

There is nothing more amazing than watching the skill of sleeping people in airports. It doesn’t matter the time of day you’ll always find people defying the confines of bench armrests to sprawl out for a nap. Travel puts nearly every one’s sleep schedule on its head, and there are just some people that decide not to fight it. The sleep doesn’t stop for these guys when they get on the plane either, they’ll be passed out with the chair back before the plane’s shoes even get off the ground. If you’ve ever woken up spooning your carry-on luggage than you are a Sleepy Traveller.

Anytime I travel, it's inevitable, I always end up sleeping somewhere besides my bed. I literally could take a 15 minute taxi ride and fall asleep.

En route by bus to.....oh who knows!

Oh and it doesn't matter what mode of transportation I take either. Bus, plane, boat, train, camel, I'll sleep the ENTIRE way until we reach our destination.

I may never know the reason why I fall asleep as soon as a motor revs up, but as a consolation, I always feel much energized afterwards and that makes for a good time right?

On a bus on our way to the ferry dock that will take us to Inishmore in Ireland

On the ferry sleeping on our way to Inishmore in Ireland

Enter to win an authentic Guatemalan handbag!

My traveling friend (in my head) Oneika is currently in Guatemala taking Spanish classes and wants to give away a GORGEOUS handbag! It's bright and fun just like she is!

courtesy of oneikathetraveller.blogspot.com

 To win the bag, all you need to do is follow her and comment saying that you want to participate in the giveaway. For extra entries, tweet about the contest and/or make a blog post about it.

As you can see, I clearly want that bag! So go on over to her site and check it out! The contest ends September 26 and 11:59 p.m. EST. Click here for more details.

My 7 Traveling Truths!

I was casually browsing through a favorite travel blogger's site the other day when I came across a post about your seven traveling truths. Basically, you share seven things that you like, don't like, must do, don't do and I thought it'd be fun to share my truths! So here we go....

 A few of my truths...

I really don't party much in different countries.
It's just not my style. Of course I get asked to go out and paint the town red, but something about going out in another country just makes me uneasy. Don't ask why because I can't explain it!

I have to go to a high point and take pictures of the city I'm in

Always. In all my trips to different countries (except Mexico and surprisingly Spain) I have to take a picture! I like aerial views of cities. It makes me feel  powerful when I climb up those never ending steps and reach the tip top of whatever monument in whatever city and feel the wind blowing through my hair. It's the best feeling in the world...and the pictures are pretty great too.

London babyyyy

Featured Post!

I can't believe I forgot to share this with you! Last week, I was featured on Black Women Living Well as a part of their Black Women in the Global Village, which is an exclusive feature to the website. It focuses on everyday black women around the world and their views on different topics like travel, health, relationships, careers etc.

Of course I was asked about travel! Here's a sneak peek of what my post was about below:

Naomi on her 21st birthday in Dingle, Ireland

Writer Naomi Prioleau, a Journalism major and graduate of The University of South Florida, shares her thoughts on the importance of black women living well through travel in this edition of Black Women in the Global Village.



How did you get interested in traveling?


Travel chose me. I believe that our passion chooses us no matter what age we are. There was never a particular moment in my life where I decided that I wanted to travel. It just happened; I saw a chance to travel abroad for my first love, writing. I fell in love with the culture shock, the uncomfortable plane rides, the different foods and everything else in between.


To read the rest, click here.

My Travel Bucket List!

A lot of people ask if I have a bucket list since I've traveled to so many places. Truth be told, up until  a few weeks ago I never had one!

So without further ado, here is my TRAVEL bucket list. My personal bucket list is for my eyes only!

1. Live in Buenos Aires, Argentina for a year or two as a reporter with a local newspaper. (and see El Ateneo Grand Splendid)
2. Visit the pyramids in Egypt.
3. Walk the Great Wall of China
4. Visit Bali.
5. Lead a group of students on an international adventure.
6. Go on a cruise.
7. Go to the World Cup.
8. Learn French, Italian, Greek, Georgian and Russian
9. Write and publish a book.
10. Own a vacation home in the countryside of Italy or Paris or Spain
11. Go to Greece
12. Live in Georgia (the country) for a year
13. Visit Africa
14. Ride an elephant
15. Go on another missionary trip with my church
16. Host a foreign exchange student
17. Travel with my family
18. Get enough frequent flyer miles to travel anywhere and stay anywhere for free
19. Stay in a super expensive five star hotel for a weekend and order a ridiculous amount of room service
20. Start my own  travel website 

What's on your bucket list?

Why I Won't Travel With Groups

After years of traveling with groups, I discovered the wonderful world of solo traveling. This past summer I traveled to Spain for an internship. Now, while I still was affiliated with a study abroad program, I was completely on my own and loved every minute of it. So here are my reasons, why I won't EVER travel with a group again:


Schedules
As a newbie solo traveler, I don't want to deal with strict itineraries or "meeting points" after our allotted "free time" or having a curfew because the group has a certain place to be in the morning. I can make up my own schedule, thank you very much.

No Independence
Groups are great when you're young and in high school, but I want to get my grown woman on and see the Eiffel Tower in the afternoon and then go back home and watch a movie. I want to talk to whomever I want and not have to worry about my group leader yanking me away as soon as I ask someone, "Do you like the food here?"


Bus Tours
No, I would not like hop off a bus for 10 minutes to snap pictures and then get back on and listen to you drone on about the next monument we see while it's blazing hot outside. In addition, I particularly don't care for the bus rides to another city with my group and being forced to listen to our group leader give the history on how cheese came to exist. Let me figure that out on my own in a cooking class.

Headcounts
If I'm forced to do a headcount one more time, I will personally hunt down the person who is missing and give them a wicked tongue lashing and a smack to the back of the head.

When I travel alone, I'm free to do whatever I want, whenever I want, with whomever I want and it is heaven. Now, don't get me wrong I've made wonderful friends on group trips and am grateful to have traveled with groups, but please don't ask me go with you to Australia as a part of your "Young Women Travel" group.

KC BBQ=L.U.V.

Kansas City's Gates Bar B. Q.

I'll admit, I've neglected you for the past few years while I've been off at college, but reuniting with you after so long only makes our relationship that much sweeter.

The last time we were together was in 2003 after church on Sunday. It had become family tradition to drive an hour out into Kansas City for delicious ribs, ham and brisket slathered in the infamous Gates sauce.

On Sunday (what are the odds of that happening?) I happily dragged my Dad and brother out to KCMO so we could all rekindle our flame with Gates.

The restaurant looked just as I left it. No remodeling or renovations, just the same loud employees yelling "please" after every phrase, ESPN on every channel and the oddly suspicious quietness that filled the room from everyone chowing down on their food.

Just like old times.

Still the same!

We ordered the small party platter which consisted of bread, pickles, beef brisket, ham, ribs and the classic Gates sauce in the middle. Unfortunately it didn't come with any sides (seriously, the meat was enough), but we ordered fries and BBQ beans to compliment our meal.

Mmmm!

After being seated, I realized how much food we really ordered! However, with an athlete (my brother) and my Dad on my team, we dug in.

Needless to say, this was me afterwards.

I actually forgot how much I love Gates and now that I'm back in Florida, I'm depressed that there isn't a Gates remotely close to me.

Gates originated in 1946 in Kansas City, Mo by George Gates and Arthur Pinkard. Their website credits most of their success to their barbecue sauce (which I must add is YUM):


Gates Bar-B-Q is receiving national recognition due in large part to the strategic location of Kansas City. Being the hub of the nation, Kansas City attracts various groups of people from throughout the country for a variety of reasons including national political conventions, public officials conventions, business, industry, fraternal and professional conventions, as well as the American Royal, to name a few. Additionally, it is host to a number of college and professional sporting events. All these activities have brought many of these people into Gates' Bar-B-Q restaurants, thereby enhancing the Gates national image, but more importantly a continually rising demand for Gates Bar-B-Q Sauce on a national basis. People's views being that if they cannot have Gates Bar-B-Q in their own metropolitan areas, they will tout for the sauce being made available to them in their market areas.

  Located in only six locations (four in Missouri and two in Kansas) I can say, its hard to keep our long distance relationship going! If only they'd move Kansas City-style barbecues to the South, not saying that the South doesn't have its redeeming qualities, I'd be one happy girl.

Until that happens, Sonny's will unfortunately have to suffice. Until we meet again Gates...until we meet again.

Travel Challenge: Day 2-- Where You'd Like to Travel Next

photo via travellounge.com

There are so many beautiful places in the world that I want to see! It doesn't help that I've discovered that I have 21,981 frequent flyer miles What does that mean?

Well according to American Airlines website, with the amount of miles I've accumulated so far (and it doesn't expire until December of next year) I can either go to the Caribbean, Canada, Europe, Central America or South America.

Just knowing, that I have the option to fly to any country I want to, FOR FREE, makes it incredibly hard for me to just pick one place. However, I have narrowed it down.

Greece

I have been dying to travel to Greece ever since I was 15. The actual desire to go to Greece stemmed from Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants! Seeing Lena in gorgeous Santorini only fed my hunger to travel there someday.

photo via wallpaperbase.com

 One of my friends invited me to go for Spring Break but I couldn't because I was already traveling to London and Mexico that summer and we were in a bit of a financial bind. Maybe I should use my frequent flyer miles on Greece....

Egypt

photo via egypttalks.com

My father was in the Army and had to travel to Egypt for four months on business. When he returned, he brought ALL of Egypt back. Seriously. We had silverware (it was gold though) with King Tut on it, we had a disgusting amount of keychains, necklaces with our names in hieroglyphics, pottery, and my favorite: an Alabaster Bust of Nefertiti Lamp.

I'm a history buff and Egypt is my weakness! I vowed at the ripe age of nine that I'd go to Egypt just like my Dad did. All this talk of Egypt makes me want to watch The Mummy....


Buenos Aires

One word: El Ateneo Grand Splendid.


Georgia

I had the opportunity to travel to Georgia to teach English, but turned it down because I wanted to get established in my career before I went to another country for a year. So many of my advisers and peers told me (and still tell me) NOT to go to Georgia but I am longing to travel there. I don't know why, but Georgia has a hold on me and I want to see what it has to offer!

Those are the places that I want to go to next, but as Terri said when she wrote about where she'd like to travel next, sometimes imagining about the places you want to go is more fun.

"Who knows? I may not ever go to any of these places, but I admit that half of the fun is just dreaming about them."

What? You've Never Seen a Black Person Before?

I'm Black.

Whether it's been negative or positive, my skin tone has always caused quite the commotion when I travel. It's almost like I'm a celebrity.

People either look at me like I have three heads or worship the ground I walk on. Sometimes I want to scream at them and say, "HAVE YOU NEVER SEEN A BLACK PERSON BEFORE?"

Then I realize that maybe countries like Australia and Spain don't have many Black people and even if they do, maybe they don't know how to interact with them..Who knows.

"For you, 50 percent off because I just love Black people."

All I know is that whenever I travel I am either, stared at, whistled at or am the victim of a flash run (take a picture without me knowing until the flash goes off and all I see are butt cheeks and elbows running down the street), and I'd like to happily do without any of that.

I'm happy to take a picture with a local if they ask. I love having my picture taken!  It actually brightens my day when someone says, "Excusa...photo...you?" Just ask for my photo.

Lights, Camera, Bookstore!

It's no secret that I love books.

I'm obsessed with books. I could easily spend an entire day in a bookstore. They don't have to be fancy chain bookstores like Borders (slowly R.I.P.) or Barnes and Nobles. They can be a little "Mom and Pop" bookstore. As long as I'm in a place that sells books I'm absolutely content.

So imagine my surprise as I was walking home I came across Libreria Beta, a bookstore, on Calle Sierpes. I casually asked Ashley if we could stop in and then it happened.

I entered book heaven.

Sevilla has numerous locations of Libreria Beta. There's even a Libreria Beta located five minutes from my apartment, but this one was different.

This one was a former movie theater!

Libreria Beta on Calle Sierpes

Bird's eye view from the top floor

Books of every language surrounded me and I could hardly keep it together! I'm sure Ashley thought I was going a little bit overboard but I couldn't help it!


I rushed home still in a daze and immediately looked up the store and some background information on it. Unfortunately, there was no other information about it, but I did find other movie theaters (and other interesting places) turned bookstores.

image courtesy of Buenos Aires for 91 Days

Then I came across something worth putting on my bucket list.

El Ateneo Grand Splendid.

Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina it holds over 100,000 authors  in all languages.

The theatre was built in May1919 by Peró and Torres Armengol under the name Teatro Gran Splendid in May 1919. It entertained Buenos Aires for about a decade with top-tier tango concerts.

In the late 1920's it was converted into a popular cinema  and in 2000, the building was leased by a publishing house and became this wonderful monstrosity of a bookstore.

image courtesy of Buenos Aires for 91 Days

In 2008, The Guardian, named El Ateneo second in its list of the World's Ten Best Bookshops.

I personally would like to give adulation to the person who thought that leasing out a theatre would be a good idea.


Alas, until I can get  to Buenos Aires, I shall give Libreria Beta too much of my money and spend an unnecessary amount of my time sating myself in the confined comfort of their books.

P.S. Here's a video of me having a "bookgasm" after my discovery of Libreria Beta. Book nerd? Sure. Do I care? No.