March 17, 2024 • 46 mins
Dive into The Traveling Black Women Podcast's special bonus episode featuring Emilia, better known as @blackgermantraveler. In this episode, we revisit our engaging 2022 IG Live from the Voices from the Diaspora series. Tune in as Emilia shares her captivating experiences traveling through America's beloved cities—LA, Vegas, NY, and Miami—while highlighting the rich beauty and unity within the Black diaspora. This episode not only explores the diverse narratives of Traveling Black Women throughout the diaspora, but also promises laughter and profound insights about traveling solo as a women. Don't miss this blend of humor and cultural exploration. And, make sure to follow @blackgermantraveler on Instagram for a daily dose of hilarity and travel inspiration!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Welcome back to the Traveling Black Women podcast.
(00:09):
Today we have a bonus episode for you.
Two years ago, I interviewed Emilia, better known as Black German Traveler.
This was a part of a series called Voices from the Diaspora.
This interview was so much fun.
So tune in as we run it back and learn a little bit about Emilia's experience traveling around
(00:33):
the United States as a Black German Traveler.
So let's go all the way back to you talking about America and visiting America.
I'm interested to know what it's like from the outside looking in.
(00:53):
Yes, visiting America is so lit.
My favorite city in the world right now is like New York, but Miami was lit.
Yes.
Yes.
You know, it was so lit.
I canceled my flight.
What did you do?
I was in Miami and I was like, I don't feel like leaving tomorrow.
(01:13):
Canceled my bus ticket first.
One day later, I don't feel like leaving tomorrow.
Canceled my flight.
Oh my God.
Yes.
And then I had to book a new flight.
That is something else.
So what did you like about it?
Just the party and just being out on the beach.
The weather, the beach, the sun, the people, the parties, the cocktails, everything.
(01:37):
The man.
Yes.
Miami Mojitos.
Yes.
Yes.
Absolutely.
Wow.
Like I had the time of my life.
Oh my goodness.
Where did you go?
Like what parts?
Oh, South Beach I was, Lincoln Road.
Okay.
And Ocean Drive.
(01:59):
Okay.
Look at you.
Man.
Tell me about LA.
LA is nice.
Yeah.
Oh my goodness.
Like the cars in LA, I was like, we don't have this in Europe, I think.
For me, everything looks so rich.
I feel like I'm in a movie.
That's so funny.
Because like when I was in Germany, I was feeling like, wow, everybody has a Mercedes.
(02:20):
Like this is so dope.
You know?
Really?
I don't feel that in Germany.
So I've only been to Frankfurt and Berlin.
Yes.
And I was like, oh, the taxi cab was a Mercedes.
This is so nice.
Really?
No, I never felt like this in Germany.
Really?
See, that's the crazy thing, right?
The crazy thing about experiencing it from the outside.
(02:43):
Yes.
I was like, I saw Exhibit in LA.
And I was like, I always saw him on Pimp My Ride before.
And then Exhibit was standing in front of me.
And I was like, like, this is him!
LA is so lit.
Man, I cannot believe I've never been.
Like I've never.
This is so definitely gold.
I have to.
I think I want to go this summer.
(03:05):
Like you really inspired me.
Like I feel like I'll meet people and I'll say, you know, I'm from America or whatever.
And they're like, oh, yeah, I've been to all these different places.
And I'm just like, oh, I haven't been there.
I haven't been there either.
Like I've been to Miami.
And I've definitely been to New York.
But why?
I don't know.
Everywhere else is just so much interesting than home for whatever reason.
And it's not good.
(03:25):
Interesting.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I have to travel around the States more.
I really do.
I love America.
Really?
Yeah.
Like everywhere you go is so different.
And I'm like, it's just one country.
Yeah.
So imagine if we were just broken up into other two little countries.
Like I feel like some of our states are about the size of some European country.
(03:47):
Yeah.
But also I like Las Vegas.
Really?
Oh my God.
What do you love about it?
For the rich people.
Like really it was because they have like the Eiffel Tower, then the Brooklyn Bridge.
(04:07):
And I felt like I was everywhere in the world just being in one place.
Yes.
Yes.
I've never seen something like this before.
Yeah.
We were in Vegas and didn't take the bus to LA?
No.
We're getting so close.
I don't even think, I knew there was a bus to LA from Vegas.
Next bus.
Yeah, next bus.
Like $20.
Really?
See, I'm learning more about the US right now.
(04:28):
Yes.
Five hours drive.
Like $20.
Really?
And you said five hours?
Yeah, just five hours.
It was like I slept five hours.
I was fine.
Oh wow.
I didn't know that.
I was like, I'm going to go to the US.
I'm going to go to the US.
I'm going to go to the US.
I'm going to go to the US.
I'm going to go to the US.
I'm going to go to the US.
I'm going to go to the US.
Oh wow.
I did not know that.
So you traveled around the US like pretty cheaply.
Like you were able to like really do it in a bunch of times.
(04:50):
Definitely.
Oh nice.
Yes.
You could really get a weekend here in Atlanta on a budget.
I have to make a plan for you.
Right.
Okay.
A plan for America.
Yes.
I've always said I wanted to go back to Germany.
I did Frankfurt back in 2010 because I wanted to go see the Christmas markets.
(05:13):
And then in 2012, I wanted to go to a Beyonce concert.
I was living in Abu Dhabi and they had, Beyonce was there and I was just like, it was like
six of us.
They were just like, let's just go for a concert and stay for the weekend and check out Berlin.
And that's my only life.
You were at the same concert like me.
Really?
I was there.
Really?
Yes.
I was also there.
Small world.
Small world.
(05:34):
And being like, there are so many black people here.
This is dope.
I did not expect that.
This is Berlin.
This is Berlin.
Yeah.
So how do you feel just as a black traveler in the world?
Like just doing your thing, you know, like what do you feel like when you're going to
(05:54):
all these places?
I feel like I'm blessed because when I travel, I don't meet a lot of black women like me
traveling.
And if I meet them, they're most from America or from Nigeria.
Oh really?
And if I tell them I'm from Angola and they'd be like, I've never met an Angolan traveler.
I'm like, what?
(06:15):
Now when you think about your family members and your friends that are Angolan, is that
pretty like accurate or is it kind of like, no, they just haven't seen anybody yet?
I don't know.
I'm always surprised because they act like this, but I also never met an Angolan traveler.
Okay.
Yes.
Always from Ghana, America, Nigeria.
That's all.
Okay.
So let me tell you how I got my name.
(06:36):
So I wanted to see like some experiences from black travelers around the world, especially
from Germany.
So I went on YouTube looking for black travelers who live in Germany and I couldn't find any.
And I was like, if I cannot find it, I'm going to be one.
That's exactly it.
That's it.
That's what we do, right?
And black, if it doesn't exist, we recreate it.
(06:59):
Yes, because it was like just a weekend trip and I was like, are you serious?
Or even was people from America moving to Germany talking about this?
And I'm like, but I'm sure women from Germany also traveled who are black.
Right.
That's because that slot was open for you.
Yes.
I was like, no, I have to do that now.
So this is why I have my name like this.
(07:21):
And I'm glad you did because that's the first thing that I noticed.
Like the first thing I was like, black German traveler.
I was like, okay.
I remember, I can't remember how I stumbled across one of your videos, but I stumbled
across one of your videos and it was an older video, like a video of Maldives.
Oh my God.
And you walked around and yeah, you were like showing everything.
And I was like, black German traveler.
I was like, that is so interesting.
(07:42):
Like I never even think about all the different types of traveling black women.
Like because I'm American, you know, the assumption is when I say traveling black women, I'm speaking
just to black Americans.
Yeah.
But it's like, no, like there are so many traveling black women.
So many.
There are so many black women around the world that just are out here doing their thing.
Like I love it.
So how many countries have you been to?
(08:04):
I think 29.
Okay.
The next month's 30.
Yes.
So what's the 30th country?
Do you want to know?
Yes.
I'm about to go to Jamaica.
What do you think that's going to be like?
I'm telling you since I booked my flight, I can't sleep.
Really?
Oh my gosh.
(08:27):
It was always a dream.
Really?
Yes.
Because it's so far away and I stayed in London for six months and went to all these Jamaican
parties and I was like, if the party like this in London, how it's going to be in Jamaica?
Exactly.
Oh, that's awesome.
(08:50):
You might have a ball.
Oh my God.
Oh my God.
I'm going to have the time of my life.
Yes.
So you know where you have to go next.
Where you have to put on your list next.
That's where my family is from.
Okay.
Yes.
So Trinidad carnival.
You got to put that on your list.
I will let you know.
I will let you know for sure.
(09:12):
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
I'm open to explore new countries.
Yeah.
Yes.
As long as they're far from Europe.
So what's the strangest thing that you've ever experienced abroad?
It's like men trying to hold your hands.
(09:33):
It's like the beat calling you and you ignore them and then they touch your hands and being
like, I'm calling you and I'm like, I heard you, I ignored you.
Like I heard you.
Go away.
So it just felt like weird to me because even if you have a fake ring, some men don't just,
but some don't respect that.
So I've always to say like, I'm here with my husband.
(09:55):
I have to call my father.
Yeah.
So I had like really bad experience in Malta about men like following me.
Really?
Yes.
Because I was looking for my accommodation and Google maps brought me to the wrong place.
So and one man saw me struggling with my bags.
He was like, where do you want to go?
And I was like, yeah, somewhere close here.
(10:17):
And then he said, you have to go this way.
And he was observing me and I was waiting outside until he left.
So I went to my accommodation and the next day I was just walking and I was feeling so
weird.
And then this man just appeared and he was telling me, you want to come to my place to
see my plants.
And I was like, I don't even like plants.
Like tell me about food or something.
(10:42):
And then he was like, he can play guitar.
And I was like, nice, like I'm happy for you.
And he was like, why don't you want to come to my place?
My mother is there.
And then he touched my hands.
Are you serious?
Yes.
Oh my God.
And this is Malta?
Yes.
Wow.
So I felt so weird in this moment.
And then I said to him, sorry, he turned around.
(11:04):
I ran, ran, ran, ran.
Like I'm getting out of here.
And I told her I would be there in 10 minutes if I don't come call the police.
Right.
So this was waiting for me in front of the door and I was fine after.
Oh good.
Was it Airbnb?
Yeah.
So she was fine after.
Okay, good.
Good.
Oh my gosh.
That's crazy.
(11:25):
Yes.
I think what's interesting about that is like on the one end you're, you know you're okay,
right?
You know how to think about by yourself.
But on the other hand, it's just like, why are people so weird?
Weird?
Like plants?
No, I don't want to see your plants, sir.
Go away.
And also not your guitar.
I don't care.
(11:45):
He was even telling me if I want to eat dinner with him and I was like, no, my husband is
waiting for me like right there.
Oh my goodness.
Like he didn't care.
But the thing is, he looked really cute.
But my vibe was like, I don't think he's a good person.
Yeah.
I was like, I don't like these vibes.
So I was like, no, not even going out for dinner.
(12:08):
Yeah.
I think that's the biggest thing with traveling by yourself is like being with your vibes.
You know, like being with your...
Yeah.
How you feel if you trust this feeling.
Yeah.
Also I had in, where was it?
Orlando, a bad experience last year, like in December was.
A man came with his car and he told me if I want him to bring me somewhere.
And I was like, no, I'm fine.
(12:29):
I just want to go to the airport.
And then he went all the way around.
Five minutes later, he was there again and telling me, you don't want me to bring you
to the airport.
And I was like, no, I don't want to.
And he was like, you want to see my idea?
I was like, I don't want to.
And he was like, why don't you want me to bring you to the airport?
Oh my God.
And you know, Orlando?
Yes.
Oh my goodness.
It's like, why can't men take no for an answer and just keep it moving?
(12:55):
It's so scary.
But I learned from this experience.
Yeah.
Yeah.
It's so amazing because if you're confident, keep saying no and you don't act like, yeah,
then they leave you alone after a while.
Or if you feel like you have to run, then run.
Yeah.
Yes.
But after me being like, no, I don't want to, he was like, okay, I'm leaving.
(13:17):
Yeah.
I don't understand why no is just not the answer.
Yes.
So when you travel alone, you have to trust your feelings and you have to be strong saying
no.
Yes.
Yes.
And if you feel like you're not going to get there, then you're going to be fine.
Yeah.
I've got to agree with that.
And if a place feels weird to you, don't go there.
(13:38):
Yeah.
Yeah.
I got to agree with that.
I went to Morocco and I felt like it was so much safer than everybody had said.
Like I was expecting all of that.
Yeah.
Like I was expecting people to be calling behind me, guys to be like, you know, kind
of corner me a little bit.
Yeah.
I actually didn't have any problems at all.
Like the only thing I kept hearing was Jamaica.
(13:59):
Jamaica.
Bob Marley.
Oh my God.
Rihanna, Beyonce, you name it.
Yes.
Yes.
I love what someone just said in the chat.
A woman's world is intense sometimes.
It is.
It really is.
And I think that's the thing that's missing.
Like when you're looking at travel guides, it's just like, you know, just a general travel
information on TripAdvisor.
(14:19):
Like no one ever talks about what it's like for a woman to be traveling because men, no
matter where they are in the world, America, Malta, they don't understand no.
And it's only two letters in the word.
But I have to say, Malta is a very safe country.
Overall.
Okay.
That's good.
Like really, really, really safe.
(14:41):
And maybe the man was not bad, but my feeling was telling me he's bad.
Yeah.
So I prefer to trust this feeling even if he was not.
Yeah, absolutely.
But yes, Malta is one of the most safest countries in the world.
So he's.
Yeah.
He's that one off.
Yeah.
He was just weird.
(15:01):
Yeah.
No, that means a lot of people like this are everywhere.
Like even in Germany.
So it's sort of a reason for me not to travel.
Yes.
Now, you know what?
When I went to Germany, I went after living in Abu Dhabi for, I think I'd been there for
about five months by that time.
It was around for the time.
And it had been a long time since I had seen a regular city because Abu Dhabi in the United
States and Dubai is so clean and like it's very clean.
(15:24):
It wasn't that busy yet.
Like there's no homeless people on the street.
Everybody looks like, you know, just clean and refined.
And, you know, even the workers they have on their suits or their their uniforms.
And I got to Germany and I was like, I almost forgot what the real world looks like.
Like Abu Dhabi is like a bubble.
And Germany was like, oh, you're the homeless man over there.
(15:46):
OK.
I know.
Sorry.
It's so weird.
I was like, oh, it's like a real city.
Have you ever been to Switzerland?
No, never.
You should.
Really?
I live in Zurich right now and it's so clean.
Really?
Like the people are so nice.
The streets are so clean.
I'm impressed.
Are there a lot of Black people kind of in there or not at all?
No, not a lot.
(16:08):
OK.
But I'm impressed.
I'm impressed.
I'm impressed.
I'm impressed.
I'm impressed.
I'm impressed.
I'm impressed.
I'm impressed.
What I like about Switzerland, like Zurich, they don't really care.
So the people are just nice to me.
OK.
That's nice.
That's nice.
Yeah.
(16:29):
Like I'm having good experience here.
I'm here for six months already and most of it just positive.
That's what's up.
I love to hear that.
I really, really love to hear that.
Please come to Switzerland.
We love it.
I will.
Like that has been on my list for a while.
I mean, how cold is it though?
Is it like unbearable cold or is it like...
I'm not in Zurich.
It's OK.
But in Lauterbrunn, I felt like I'm in the freezer.
(16:52):
Oh my God.
So when does it start warming up a little bit?
Does it even warm up at all?
How much does it warm up?
In the mountains, I don't think.
But here in Zurich, maybe in March, it will be warmer.
OK.
Yeah, like around March.
Is it like warm, warm or like 60 degrees?
I don't want to lie.
(17:12):
It's warm for German people.
OK.
That's right.
Yeah, see?
That's a different kind of warm than a Miami warm.
Yes, I have to be honest, right?
I love it.
Come around July and August and it's really warm.
OK.
But not hot, just warm.
No, it's even hot for me.
Really?
(17:33):
July, August?
Yes.
OK.
I remember when I first got to Abu Dhabi in 2010, I walked out of the airport with my
glasses on and they fogged up immediately and that had never happened to me before.
And I was just like, where did I just walk into?
Because my glasses fogged up.
So it was kind of like a weird like, what just happened?
I'm standing on my glasses.
I can't see with my glasses off.
It was something else.
(17:54):
Oh my God.
It was something new.
It was something else.
I wasn't ready for that.
Oh my gosh.
When you go to the shopping malls, it's so cold.
Yes.
Yes.
They have it on freezing in there.
And I'm just like, I still got to walk back outside.
At least give me some kind of balance.
(18:14):
Yes.
Really?
So where was the best place you've ever been?
The best experience you've ever had?
Mexico.
Oh, OK.
Oh my God.
I had so much fun in Mexico.
I didn't want to leave this country.
Really?
Yes.
Like I was in hot Bosch.
(18:36):
Watercolor.
Wow.
In the Mujeres.
Wow.
To Lume.
Wow.
I didn't want to leave this country.
Oh my goodness.
Yeah.
I was like, I'm going to travel to Mexico again this year is one of my plans because
I was like, I definitely don't have enough for Mexico yet.
Yeah.
Yeah.
(18:56):
Because you would do your job.
Mexico is dangerous.
Mexico is dead.
And I went there.
She didn't tell me Mexico is fun.
Right.
Right.
That's the thing, right?
That's the part people forget to say.
They'll say something is dangerous and they'll give you all the warning, but they forget
all about the good stuff.
Yes.
I felt so safe in Mexico.
(19:16):
Yes.
I did as well.
When I went, I went to Tulum for about three weeks by myself.
Yes.
Still working from home.
I was just kind of like working for my Airbnb.
Yeah.
I would walk around.
I got a bike for a week and then I ended up getting a car and I would just relax.
It was absolutely fine.
Yeah.
It was absolutely fine.
(19:37):
Right.
The only time I had a problem was when I went back the second time and I was driving around.
Okay.
It was for a weekend.
It was me and three other girls and we were in the car and we got pulled over for turning
on the blinking green light.
And I'm just like, I know the blinking green light is not a yellow light.
It's green, blinking green, then yellow, then red.
But they pulled us over, kind of stiffed us for $100.
(19:59):
Like, well, give us $100.
We'll let you go.
But when I was by myself though, I had no problem.
But I feel like when I was with a group, that's when they were like, oh yeah, let's see.
Let's try to figure out how we can get some money off of them.
You know, but-
That's how they do it, right?
Right.
Like Mexico does it, Turkey, Angola, like they do it.
(20:20):
Yeah.
Because why not?
It's tourists.
I mean, they don't know.
They don't know.
Oh man.
So if people tell me we just want to go to Mexico and then I would be like comparing
like countries like Turkey, Angola, because I have also been there.
And maybe Mexico is more dangerous, but you have to just be careful not going out in the
(20:40):
night alone.
Right.
Don't trust too many people.
Like-
Right.
Just be careful.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Don't be yourself in dangerous situations.
Yeah.
Yes.
Interesting.
But have you been in Istanbul or where have you been?
Istanbul.
So that was Istanbul.
That was where the Blue Mosque was.
Ah, I was there as well.
(21:02):
Yeah.
So it was only a couple of hours, probably about maybe four or five hours tops because
it was late.
Okay.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Because I have to say I went to Cappadocia and Istanbul and in Cappadocia the people
are so lovely.
Really?
It's like completely different than Istanbul.
Oh wow.
And that's where the hot air balloons and all that is, right?
(21:22):
Yes.
Right.
Oh my gosh.
I have to get there.
Yeah.
It was a very different experience than Istanbul.
Really?
I've been twice to Istanbul.
Yes.
Wow.
Okay.
We were like, we get breakfast for free.
A taxi driver picked us up for free like almost the whole day after.
And I was like, why is it so nice?
Like whole different vibe.
(21:43):
That's a whole different vibe than what I got in Istanbul.
Yes.
Like.
Really?
Have you been to Morocco yet?
No, but it's on my list.
Okay.
I'm curious to know how similar it is to Turkey.
So that.
Yeah, me too.
Yeah.
My list is long.
Yours and mine both.
Our lists are long.
Yes.
Yes.
(22:04):
Oh my gosh.
There's so much I want to see and there's so much of the world.
You know what I mean?
Yes.
I cannot get enough.
Would you visit somewhere twice?
I went to New York twice.
I went to Miami twice.
I know you went to Miami twice.
I went to Italy like seven times.
Oh wow.
(22:24):
I thought I was the only person who went to Italy.
I don't even know how many times I've been to Italy, but Italy was the first place that
I went outside of Trinidad.
Oh wow.
Because of course with my family I always went back and forth as a little girl to Trinidad
to visit family.
But it wasn't until my junior year of college.
Yes.
At the spring break.
I was like one of my friends was studying abroad and I was like you know what I'm going
(22:45):
to come during our spring break and I'm going to come to Florence.
And I fell in love with it.
Like the food, the atmosphere.
The food.
Yes.
And cheap right?
Yes.
And very cheap.
I think that was the first time I recognized how cheap traveling can be once you finish
with the flight.
So the flight was the most expensive part of course.
(23:07):
But then once I got there I was like that's it?
This is how much I'm paying for this and I'm full?
You know they want to feed you so much.
I'm just like but I'm full.
Oh my god.
Not waiting for this.
Right.
Right.
In America you're paying an arm and a leg for like a half of a hamburger.
America is expensive.
Oh my gosh.
(23:27):
What was your experience like with that?
My yand me.
I was like so you all pay all this money for food?
How do you live?
Oh my gosh.
Like really basic food and I'm like seriously?
Yup.
Even the supermarkets are really expensive and I was like wow.
(23:51):
Yup.
Because I live in Switzerland and Switzerland is also expensive but I felt like sometimes
maybe was even more expensive.
Yeah like it's great for a few days but after a while I was like alright.
I'm like ooh now it's starting to hurt.
Same thing with New York.
Like I grew up in New Jersey like right across the bridge from New York and I used to always
(24:12):
say oh when I grow up I'm going to you know move over to New York.
And then it just hit me like by the time I was probably a sophomore in high school.
And I was like I'm not moving to New York it's so expensive.
Oh don't do that.
But the supermarkets in New York are so cool.
Yes.
Yes they are.
I've never seen supermarkets like this before to be honest.
(24:33):
Really?
Yes I was like really.
What was different about it?
Like they have like this off cooked meal.
Oh yeah.
And then you can get the buck like it's a bowl and you can mix all this food like Arabic
food like and then you have all these salads you can mix.
We have something like this in Germany as well.
(24:55):
But the choice of New York is like who cooked all of this.
Right.
You cook this every day?
Yes.
You understand?
Because it's always like there's always this mindset of having a little bit for everybody
I guess you know.
Yes.
A little bit of everything.
Even Arabic food in the supermarket I was telling my friends it was like where are you
(25:16):
and I'm like I don't know.
Yep I can see that.
It's just like that down here like in Atlanta you like certain places like Pont City Market.
Yes.
Yeah where you just have all these different types of foods in one place and it's like
oh okay.
Like a lot.
Who's gonna eat all of this?
(25:39):
I love it.
When you're traveling every country that you go to they have their food and then you try
it and it's just like that tastes nothing like what I was eating back in America.
Like this is what it's supposed to taste like.
This is amazing.
Yes.
This is what I'm experiencing right now in Switzerland.
(25:59):
I don't like the food here.
Really?
Oh my god.
It's really bad.
What is the specialty?
I don't even know because I tried I don't know I think they also don't know.
No they know.
Once I tried I tried like some meatballs with spinach mixed with rice and I was like why
(26:22):
would you mix spinach with rice?
We eat it in Germany with potato.
Oh wow.
Oh wow.
And I would look like for the basic German food and it's like expensive really expensive
you know what other people are looking for this and be like who does eat this like who
everything tastes salty in this country.
(26:42):
Like everything tastes just salty.
So where do you do you ever go and find and go in food or can you find in golden food?
Yes.
How is that like do they do it right?
Do they make it right?
Like my auntie has a shop here flavorless harmony it's called and she cooks perfect.
Oh lovely that's what's up.
(27:05):
She's the best cook and I'm like yeah she's my auntie.
That's what's up with all else failed you know you can go to your auntie.
Yes she's the best.
That is awesome.
Yeah.
So how many languages do you speak?
To be honest maybe five.
(27:26):
Oh my god.
But I'm so.
I was like okay.
But I'm so shy.
Huh?
But I'm so shy.
Really?
What are they?
Like I speak Ligala it's an African language.
Then German, English, Portuguese, Spanish and I learned French at school.
(27:49):
Okay.
But I'm like I'm not gonna speak this language with nobody in this world.
Why not?
Like I told you before that I speak English with German accent so I don't feel comfortable
speaking to people.
Gotcha okay.
Because of my accent yes.
Yeah I mean you sound fine to me.
I thought it was so funny when you were like hey I'm average.
I was like oh girl I know.
But you know what in Mexico my Spanish was lit.
Really?
Okay I see you.
(28:10):
I had no choice.
I had to speak Spanish with the people.
Ah because they were like no English and I'm like I want to go back home or no.
So I was like I'm gonna go back home.
I had Spanish at school two years and to be honest I know how to speak it but I'm really
(28:38):
shy and don't feel confident speaking it.
But if there's no other option I speak Spanish.
Yeah.
And if my friends are not there I speak Spanish because my friends are the one one the one
laughing about me speaking Spanish.
I think that's amazing.
Like that is one of the like the huge deficits I guess you could say of this American culture.
(29:00):
Like we speak English and that's it you know but like no one has the opportunity to or
not shouldn't say opportunity like no one really speaks another language well you know
like if they're from somewhere obviously yes.
Yes.
We don't study it the way we should like just so we can connect with other people.
It just makes everyone speak English here and it's so unfair.
(29:23):
You only speak English.
Yeah I only speak English but I have I can speak a few words in French a few words in
Arabic especially because I learned French Arabic.
Wow.
Yeah only from living in Abu Dhabi so I used to sit on the carpet with the kids when the
Arabic teacher was teaching until English teacher time and I would just learn my alphabet
and you know sing a song with the kids.
So there's some words I can understand I can kind of get by.
(29:46):
Yes.
How old were the kids?
How old were the kids?
They were kindergarten.
Oh yeah so like five years old.
I also worked with kids.
Yes.
So they were learning like the basics.
I was like okay I'll learn the basics with them so I can read a little bit of Arabic
but I don't know what I'm reading.
I could sound it out but I don't know what I'm sounding out.
That's so cool.
(30:07):
Yes and a little bit of Portuguese that I've learned I've learned from Duolingo my app.
Yes and a little bit of Spanish I've learned I've also learned it on Duolingo.
So I love English.
Do you feel confident speaking it?
No not at all not at all like I'll say one or two words but you know what I can understand
(30:29):
it sometimes like I'll hear people talking.
Yes.
If I've been around for long enough like when I'm in Mexico for example when I was there
probably after the first week I was able to start understanding but then I would answer
in English but I don't know how to answer.
It's like my brain wouldn't connect like okay now what do I say?
Yes I was always telling the people my Spanish is really bad before telling something in
(30:49):
Spanish so they know what to expect.
Right like when we give you a disclaimer.
I'm like my Spanish is really bad but don't tell a discotheque.
They understand that.
(31:11):
They know how to tell you how to get there for sure.
Yes.
I love that.
I love that.
Yes.
I think that's the joy of traveling though like even if you can't speak a language well
like being here with people and you know most of the time when you tell them like hey I
can't speak it that well but I'm gonna try.
(31:33):
They embrace that and then they try with you you know.
Yes.
I always appreciate that.
Like that's what's up.
Then when I tell them I speak German they're all like wow you speak German.
I'm like okay.
Okay.
Oh my gosh.
Because you're a surprise right?
Like you know you're always when you think of Germany when you think of Europe you just
(31:57):
think of white people.
You just don't think about like who else is there you know just like when people think
of America they think of white people because when I first got to Abu Dhabi they were like
where are you from?
They're like no where are you really from?
And I'm just like oh this question.
Yeah.
Oh this question.
It's like you get it every time you travel.
Yeah you get it too right?
(32:18):
Yes every time.
It's like no where are you really from?
Like why can't you just take my answer and just be done with it sir?
Yes don't believe it and be like where are your parents from?
What do you do?
Do you tell them or do you just kind of shrug them off?
Yeah I tell them my parents are from Angola but I grew up in Germany.
Yeah yeah.
(32:39):
I think that's so interesting it's like automatically people see black people and they know that
they they can't be from anywhere else in the world other than Africa.
Yes.
And it's like generally yeah that that's mostly true.
However we're spread out everywhere.
Some by choice some not by choice but we're everywhere.
Everywhere.
(33:00):
We have all these different experiences the whole nine yards but it's so interesting because
when I think of Europe I think white and I know when people in Europe think of America
they think white you know it's just like where are we in everything you know?
Yes this is what I experienced when I went to Atlanta.
I went I said to Tray and I was like where are they all black?
(33:24):
I didn't know.
I wasn't waiting for it.
I was just looking at them and sharing on my Instagram.
Oh my god look at these people making videos of them because I was impressed.
Yes.
Because nobody tells me if you go to Atlanta you're gonna see a lot of black people.
Yep yep Atlanta is blackity black black.
(33:46):
Now outside of Atlanta it gets a little a little sticky outside of the metro area but
Atlanta is definitely blackity black black.
Yes I was really surprised.
I didn't know it before nobody told me.
Yeah yeah it's very very bad and then the immediate suburbs like the east side the cab
(34:07):
county and all of that just black communities like great black communities.
So cool.
Yes it's so crazy to think about what in in Germany like where do most of the black people
live?
Do you think they all spread out or all together?
I think all spread out but I noticed that in Cologne a lot of black people live there.
(34:29):
Okay okay.
Yeah I noticed this but also in Berlin we have a lot compared to other cities in Germany.
Really okay.
Yes.
That makes sense that makes a lot of sense because it's a major city.
Yes.
And I think it's interesting because like here in America I feel like we automatically
self-segregate and then you have all these little communities that are like black black
black and then there's white people over here.
(34:50):
Yes but really great experience was for me traveling as a black woman.
I know people they don't really care.
They care more about you traveling as a woman.
So when people talk to me it's like you are black and showing me like you're a woman are
you alone here?
And I was like no it was my husband but why do you ask like I'm a man I don't I would
(35:10):
not travel alone to a country and I'm like what?
Oh wow.
So for me it was more like this not even about the skin color it was just about the fact
that I'm a woman.
That's interesting.
Yes they were like this you're all alone here in Mexico.
I'm like no I'm not alone my husband is right there.
That's the key right?
Always being like no there's somebody else here.
(35:32):
I'm just someone knows is here.
Yes.
You know what I did in Tulum someone asked me are you alone?
He was like no this black man that's my father and then I went to him and was like yo dad
are you ready?
He was like yes wait a little bit.
So he was just acting with me.
Oh that's what's up see family that's what we do.
He was just acting like me you know I was like yeah wait like five minutes and I was
(35:55):
just standing next to him and then I was like what are you doing?
He was like yeah my daughter's waiting in line for this big sign like this how it's
called.
Oh my gosh I'm glad you played along that's what's up.
If you're observing you will notice at some point nobody's coming.
Right right exactly oh my gosh you are a wise traveler.
I'll definitely say that like you're like everything that you do you're just like I'm
(36:19):
moving and shaking I'm doing what I have to do and I'm watching people while I do it.
I love it.
Yes.
I love it.
Thank you.
How does your family feel about it?
Before they weren't like really scared and not happy about it because they were like
when will you get kids when you can get married what are you waiting for what are you looking
for in life and now they're like look at my shirt you want to make?
(36:42):
Now they're like this.
Yes.
Now my family is like sending me pictures and be like go to Brazil and I'm like we have
to draw for all of you I don't understand.
Yes you do.
So you are now you are now the traveler for everyone.
Yes just send me pictures say like go to Brazil go to Cuba and like okay I will go.
(37:09):
They are now creating the list for you.
Yes and always asking me when are you going to Ghana everybody's going to Ghana doing
Christmas I'm like okay I'm gonna go.
So now it's so now they're so supportive and happy about it.
That's so funny that I think it's so funny how they change like it's almost like we have
to show them something different in order for them to be able to accept it otherwise
(37:33):
they're like no you're crazy what are you doing?
And now they're really happy about me traveling because my mom never left Angola and she's
like wow you're living my dreams.
Oh wow oh wow that is awesome.
Yes but she said she's scared of airplanes so she's not ready to even leave the country
(37:55):
with the plane and then with COVID was a little bit difficult to leave anyways.
Right.
She was like she's scared of airplanes.
Oh wow.
What is Angola like to visit?
Have you been back to visit?
In 2019.
Okay oh right before the pandemic okay.
Yes Angola is the place to be also for parties.
(38:16):
Really now see Angola has been on my list too I wanted to go to Angola for my 37th birthday
yeah and I ended up kind of like not going anywhere at all and then I went last year
for it to Guatemala but it's still on my list as a birthday trip that I want to do because
I saw some pictures and I'm like Angola is gorgeous like why is no one talking about
Angola like it's gorgeous.
(38:37):
If you go tell me I'm gonna connect you to my family.
Okay yes.
Yes yeah why not?
Yay especially if you say your auntie is a good cook that means I know somebody else
is a good cook.
You should go to Angola.
What's the specialty dish?
Like what I like to eat in Angola is like beans with rice and fried chicken.
(38:57):
Okay.
So this is something we eat like a lot in Angola like I eat it a lot.
Oh wow and that's just a simple meal that's what's up.
Yeah but the cook is so special.
Of course.
Of course.
Even the fish in Angola I don't eat really fish but in Angola.
See that was me last week in Antigua I'm like I'm all I'm eating is this pan-fried fish
(39:21):
like this pan-fried fish is delicious and they make it on the street so I'm just like.
Yes.
But something about with about Angola is like since you said making the street if you buy
like a pork you will see the head of the pork outside.
In front of it.
But see that's usually when it's the best that's when it's nice and fresh that's the
(39:43):
best.
I'm okay with that.
I'm okay with that.
If I can see the whole body and I'm sorry any vegans that are watching but if I can
see the whole body I know that it's gonna be fresh it wasn't in the freezer you know
growing mold and like I can't eat shrimp outside of the United I mean inside of the United
States anywhere else in the world I can eat shrimp and it's mostly because of whatever
(40:07):
they're they're preserving it in so whether it's the I don't know whatever it's being
preserved in if I'm here and I eat shrimp I'm gonna break out I'm gonna start itching
but I can go anywhere else in the world and eat shrimp and not have a single problem.
Interesting.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So when it's fresh and I can see the head oh yeah I'm getting some.
(40:27):
Get your face.
Because for me it was so weird seeing the face of the animal and then everybody's eating
and I'm like I don't want to eat it.
But after a while they convinced me that it was like oh my god it's so good.
Yes that's when it's nice and fresh.
Yes.
Wow.
(40:48):
When I was in Abu Dhabi it was the same way with the lamb like going through different
places and going to different um not places uh weddings and they would have like the whole
like thing of briyani rice and it would just be like sitting there and then the whole lamb
is like just laying on the rice like and I the first time I saw it I was like oh y'all
(41:08):
just gonna lay the lamb right here like.
Oh my god.
It's crazy.
But I tasted it and it was um.
It was good right?
Yes yes and I'm like okay this is nice and fresh and so much better than the meat that
we get here in the United States that we pay a million dollars for I feel like.
But much much better.
Yes the meat in uh in US was for me also.
(41:31):
Not that good.
Yes.
Was there anything that you ate that you did like here?
Burgers.
Really?
It's like the small restaurants where you just go and get a burger where they just finish
making and it's like so fresh a lot of cheese oh oh yes now I'm hungry.
(41:51):
This was so good because I think in Germany it's difficult to find a good burger place.
Really okay.
And it's so small in Berlin America it was so big like my head maybe.
Yes yes like I like burgers and like I have to be in the mood for burgers like I like
them but I don't like them I don't like them because they get so messy because they're
(42:13):
so big.
So if I'm eating like a good burger and it's all over the place then I'm like I don't want
it anymore because now I can't keep it together the bread is falling off this that whatever.
I don't know why I can't like I can watch other people eat a burger I'm like how do
you keep that together I can't do it.
I cut these in the middle.
Well that's true too yeah.
That's what I do.
That does help that definitely helps especially when they're big big.
(42:35):
But I don't know what happens like for whatever reason the bread the meat everything.
Ends up all over the place for me and I'm just like I give up.
But I think the burgers are so special for me because it's like really far away from
home.
And when I'm in America I'm eating it and I'm like oh I really enjoyed the small places
in New York and in Germany the burger tastes a little bit different for me.
(42:57):
Yeah.
And I can eat burgers in Europe whenever I want.
Yeah okay that makes sense.
For me it's just special in America and here's basic.
Yeah and see when I was in when I was in Frankfurt walking around and seeing all the like the
little the street food with the sausage like that was amazing for me.
I was like oh I want the sausage that's hanging up there like that was like oh let me walk
(43:22):
around and then it was just kind of like a plate with sausage and like random sauerkraut
and that was it and I was satisfied.
I was like this is delicious.
What?
Look at your face.
Interesting.
Yes I loved it.
I absolutely loved it and then like all the little Christmas markets that I was walking
around like that was the first thing I would get the wine the Glowline and the sausage
(43:44):
and that was good.
Like that was dinner for me.
After moving to Switzerland at some point I started looking for the sausages and in Switzerland
they're like really expensive.
Oh wow.
Like really expensive but because the people here they don't really care about it.
It's not Swiss food.
Yeah.
So when I was asking the people where can I buy it they were all like what they don't
(44:07):
know even the names they know.
Really?
Yeah.
I feel like it's right there like right up like you share a border right?
Yes.
Oh wow.
And they did not buy this and I was like hey you just bought potato and you ate this
and this and they're like why should we do that?
That was not their thing at all.
(44:27):
Why should we do that?
Well Amelia it has been amazing chatting with you tonight.
I'm so glad you joined us and added to our conversation.
Oh my goodness.
I just thank you for the opportunity.
I mean of course.
Of course.
I was like oh my gosh there's so much that I want to be able to connect with other black
(44:50):
women.
I like the idea of traveling black women being like globally traveling black women all over
the world.
Yes.
We're up.
We're traveling.
I love it.
Because when we travel when we travel individually we don't see a lot of ourselves right?
We don't see each other.
But just to know to sit back at home and be like actually no there are other black women
(45:10):
traveling just maybe not the same time as I am but they are.
They are.
I want to connect.
I'm talking about Instagram because I see like a lot.
Yes.
Of black female travelers and I'm like ah they're also doing it.
Yes.
They're supporting each other.
Yes.
Yes.
(45:30):
I love it.
It's like it runs my heart.
I'm just like oh I love it.
And I love that we're from every all these different parts of the world.
Like families from Trinidad I'm living in America.
Your family's from Angola.
You're living in Switzerland.
Talking drums.
We talked on Wednesday.
Yeah.
Wednesday.
Her family's from Ghana.
She's living in the UK.
I was I saw it like I watched a video after and I was like wow.
(45:55):
Yeah.
Isn't that amazing?
And then she's like curating trips now.
And I'm just like this is amazing.
Like this is amazing.
This is doing good.
Yeah.
Yes.
Well you have an amazing night.
I know it's after midnight now and it's only 6 p.m. here so the evening is just getting
started.
Yes.
(46:15):
Well have a great one.
Thank you so much for chatting with me.
Thank you.
And thank y'all for tuning in and sticking with us for the evening.
You're welcome.
Bye.
Bye.
Bye.
Welcome back to the Traveling Black Women podcast.
(00:09):
Today we have a bonus episode for you.
Two years ago, I interviewed Emilia, better known as Black German Traveler.
This was a part of a series called Voices from the Diaspora.
This interview was so much fun.
So tune in as we run it back and learn a little bit about Emilia's experience traveling around
(00:33):
the United States as a Black German Traveler.
So let's go all the way back to you talking about America and visiting America.
I'm interested to know what it's like from the outside looking in.
(00:53):
Yes, visiting America is so lit.
My favorite city in the world right now is like New York, but Miami was lit.
Yes.
Yes.
You know, it was so lit.
I canceled my flight.
What did you do?
I was in Miami and I was like, I don't feel like leaving tomorrow.
(01:13):
Canceled my bus ticket first.
One day later, I don't feel like leaving tomorrow.
Canceled my flight.
Oh my God.
Yes.
And then I had to book a new flight.
That is something else.
So what did you like about it?
Just the party and just being out on the beach.
The weather, the beach, the sun, the people, the parties, the cocktails, everything.
(01:37):
The man.
Yes.
Miami Mojitos.
Yes.
Yes.
Absolutely.
Wow.
Like I had the time of my life.
Oh my goodness.
Where did you go?
Like what parts?
Oh, South Beach I was, Lincoln Road.
Okay.
And Ocean Drive.
(01:59):
Okay.
Look at you.
Man.
Tell me about LA.
LA is nice.
Yeah.
Oh my goodness.
Like the cars in LA, I was like, we don't have this in Europe, I think.
For me, everything looks so rich.
I feel like I'm in a movie.
That's so funny.
Because like when I was in Germany, I was feeling like, wow, everybody has a Mercedes.
(02:20):
Like this is so dope.
You know?
Really?
I don't feel that in Germany.
So I've only been to Frankfurt and Berlin.
Yes.
And I was like, oh, the taxi cab was a Mercedes.
This is so nice.
Really?
No, I never felt like this in Germany.
Really?
See, that's the crazy thing, right?
The crazy thing about experiencing it from the outside.
(02:43):
Yes.
I was like, I saw Exhibit in LA.
And I was like, I always saw him on Pimp My Ride before.
And then Exhibit was standing in front of me.
And I was like, like, this is him!
LA is so lit.
Man, I cannot believe I've never been.
Like I've never.
This is so definitely gold.
I have to.
I think I want to go this summer.
(03:05):
Like you really inspired me.
Like I feel like I'll meet people and I'll say, you know, I'm from America or whatever.
And they're like, oh, yeah, I've been to all these different places.
And I'm just like, oh, I haven't been there.
I haven't been there either.
Like I've been to Miami.
And I've definitely been to New York.
But why?
I don't know.
Everywhere else is just so much interesting than home for whatever reason.
And it's not good.
(03:25):
Interesting.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I have to travel around the States more.
I really do.
I love America.
Really?
Yeah.
Like everywhere you go is so different.
And I'm like, it's just one country.
Yeah.
So imagine if we were just broken up into other two little countries.
Like I feel like some of our states are about the size of some European country.
(03:47):
Yeah.
But also I like Las Vegas.
Really?
Oh my God.
What do you love about it?
For the rich people.
Like really it was because they have like the Eiffel Tower, then the Brooklyn Bridge.
(04:07):
And I felt like I was everywhere in the world just being in one place.
Yes.
Yes.
I've never seen something like this before.
Yeah.
We were in Vegas and didn't take the bus to LA?
No.
We're getting so close.
I don't even think, I knew there was a bus to LA from Vegas.
Next bus.
Yeah, next bus.
Like $20.
Really?
See, I'm learning more about the US right now.
(04:28):
Yes.
Five hours drive.
Like $20.
Really?
And you said five hours?
Yeah, just five hours.
It was like I slept five hours.
I was fine.
Oh wow.
I didn't know that.
I was like, I'm going to go to the US.
I'm going to go to the US.
I'm going to go to the US.
I'm going to go to the US.
I'm going to go to the US.
I'm going to go to the US.
I'm going to go to the US.
Oh wow.
I did not know that.
So you traveled around the US like pretty cheaply.
Like you were able to like really do it in a bunch of times.
(04:50):
Definitely.
Oh nice.
Yes.
You could really get a weekend here in Atlanta on a budget.
I have to make a plan for you.
Right.
Okay.
A plan for America.
Yes.
I've always said I wanted to go back to Germany.
I did Frankfurt back in 2010 because I wanted to go see the Christmas markets.
(05:13):
And then in 2012, I wanted to go to a Beyonce concert.
I was living in Abu Dhabi and they had, Beyonce was there and I was just like, it was like
six of us.
They were just like, let's just go for a concert and stay for the weekend and check out Berlin.
And that's my only life.
You were at the same concert like me.
Really?
I was there.
Really?
Yes.
I was also there.
Small world.
Small world.
(05:34):
And being like, there are so many black people here.
This is dope.
I did not expect that.
This is Berlin.
This is Berlin.
Yeah.
So how do you feel just as a black traveler in the world?
Like just doing your thing, you know, like what do you feel like when you're going to
(05:54):
all these places?
I feel like I'm blessed because when I travel, I don't meet a lot of black women like me
traveling.
And if I meet them, they're most from America or from Nigeria.
Oh really?
And if I tell them I'm from Angola and they'd be like, I've never met an Angolan traveler.
I'm like, what?
(06:15):
Now when you think about your family members and your friends that are Angolan, is that
pretty like accurate or is it kind of like, no, they just haven't seen anybody yet?
I don't know.
I'm always surprised because they act like this, but I also never met an Angolan traveler.
Okay.
Yes.
Always from Ghana, America, Nigeria.
That's all.
Okay.
So let me tell you how I got my name.
(06:36):
So I wanted to see like some experiences from black travelers around the world, especially
from Germany.
So I went on YouTube looking for black travelers who live in Germany and I couldn't find any.
And I was like, if I cannot find it, I'm going to be one.
That's exactly it.
That's it.
That's what we do, right?
And black, if it doesn't exist, we recreate it.
(06:59):
Yes, because it was like just a weekend trip and I was like, are you serious?
Or even was people from America moving to Germany talking about this?
And I'm like, but I'm sure women from Germany also traveled who are black.
Right.
That's because that slot was open for you.
Yes.
I was like, no, I have to do that now.
So this is why I have my name like this.
(07:21):
And I'm glad you did because that's the first thing that I noticed.
Like the first thing I was like, black German traveler.
I was like, okay.
I remember, I can't remember how I stumbled across one of your videos, but I stumbled
across one of your videos and it was an older video, like a video of Maldives.
Oh my God.
And you walked around and yeah, you were like showing everything.
And I was like, black German traveler.
I was like, that is so interesting.
(07:42):
Like I never even think about all the different types of traveling black women.
Like because I'm American, you know, the assumption is when I say traveling black women, I'm speaking
just to black Americans.
Yeah.
But it's like, no, like there are so many traveling black women.
So many.
There are so many black women around the world that just are out here doing their thing.
Like I love it.
So how many countries have you been to?
(08:04):
I think 29.
Okay.
The next month's 30.
Yes.
So what's the 30th country?
Do you want to know?
Yes.
I'm about to go to Jamaica.
What do you think that's going to be like?
I'm telling you since I booked my flight, I can't sleep.
Really?
Oh my gosh.
(08:27):
It was always a dream.
Really?
Yes.
Because it's so far away and I stayed in London for six months and went to all these Jamaican
parties and I was like, if the party like this in London, how it's going to be in Jamaica?
Exactly.
Oh, that's awesome.
(08:50):
You might have a ball.
Oh my God.
Oh my God.
I'm going to have the time of my life.
Yes.
So you know where you have to go next.
Where you have to put on your list next.
That's where my family is from.
Okay.
Yes.
So Trinidad carnival.
You got to put that on your list.
I will let you know.
I will let you know for sure.
(09:12):
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
I'm open to explore new countries.
Yeah.
Yes.
As long as they're far from Europe.
So what's the strangest thing that you've ever experienced abroad?
It's like men trying to hold your hands.
(09:33):
It's like the beat calling you and you ignore them and then they touch your hands and being
like, I'm calling you and I'm like, I heard you, I ignored you.
Like I heard you.
Go away.
So it just felt like weird to me because even if you have a fake ring, some men don't just,
but some don't respect that.
So I've always to say like, I'm here with my husband.
(09:55):
I have to call my father.
Yeah.
So I had like really bad experience in Malta about men like following me.
Really?
Yes.
Because I was looking for my accommodation and Google maps brought me to the wrong place.
So and one man saw me struggling with my bags.
He was like, where do you want to go?
And I was like, yeah, somewhere close here.
(10:17):
And then he said, you have to go this way.
And he was observing me and I was waiting outside until he left.
So I went to my accommodation and the next day I was just walking and I was feeling so
weird.
And then this man just appeared and he was telling me, you want to come to my place to
see my plants.
And I was like, I don't even like plants.
Like tell me about food or something.
(10:42):
And then he was like, he can play guitar.
And I was like, nice, like I'm happy for you.
And he was like, why don't you want to come to my place?
My mother is there.
And then he touched my hands.
Are you serious?
Yes.
Oh my God.
And this is Malta?
Yes.
Wow.
So I felt so weird in this moment.
And then I said to him, sorry, he turned around.
(11:04):
I ran, ran, ran, ran.
Like I'm getting out of here.
And I told her I would be there in 10 minutes if I don't come call the police.
Right.
So this was waiting for me in front of the door and I was fine after.
Oh good.
Was it Airbnb?
Yeah.
So she was fine after.
Okay, good.
Good.
Oh my gosh.
That's crazy.
(11:25):
Yes.
I think what's interesting about that is like on the one end you're, you know you're okay,
right?
You know how to think about by yourself.
But on the other hand, it's just like, why are people so weird?
Weird?
Like plants?
No, I don't want to see your plants, sir.
Go away.
And also not your guitar.
I don't care.
(11:45):
He was even telling me if I want to eat dinner with him and I was like, no, my husband is
waiting for me like right there.
Oh my goodness.
Like he didn't care.
But the thing is, he looked really cute.
But my vibe was like, I don't think he's a good person.
Yeah.
I was like, I don't like these vibes.
So I was like, no, not even going out for dinner.
(12:08):
Yeah.
I think that's the biggest thing with traveling by yourself is like being with your vibes.
You know, like being with your...
Yeah.
How you feel if you trust this feeling.
Yeah.
Also I had in, where was it?
Orlando, a bad experience last year, like in December was.
A man came with his car and he told me if I want him to bring me somewhere.
And I was like, no, I'm fine.
(12:29):
I just want to go to the airport.
And then he went all the way around.
Five minutes later, he was there again and telling me, you don't want me to bring you
to the airport.
And I was like, no, I don't want to.
And he was like, you want to see my idea?
I was like, I don't want to.
And he was like, why don't you want me to bring you to the airport?
Oh my God.
And you know, Orlando?
Yes.
Oh my goodness.
It's like, why can't men take no for an answer and just keep it moving?
(12:55):
It's so scary.
But I learned from this experience.
Yeah.
Yeah.
It's so amazing because if you're confident, keep saying no and you don't act like, yeah,
then they leave you alone after a while.
Or if you feel like you have to run, then run.
Yeah.
Yes.
But after me being like, no, I don't want to, he was like, okay, I'm leaving.
(13:17):
Yeah.
I don't understand why no is just not the answer.
Yes.
So when you travel alone, you have to trust your feelings and you have to be strong saying
no.
Yes.
Yes.
And if you feel like you're not going to get there, then you're going to be fine.
Yeah.
I've got to agree with that.
And if a place feels weird to you, don't go there.
(13:38):
Yeah.
Yeah.
I got to agree with that.
I went to Morocco and I felt like it was so much safer than everybody had said.
Like I was expecting all of that.
Yeah.
Like I was expecting people to be calling behind me, guys to be like, you know, kind
of corner me a little bit.
Yeah.
I actually didn't have any problems at all.
Like the only thing I kept hearing was Jamaica.
(13:59):
Jamaica.
Bob Marley.
Oh my God.
Rihanna, Beyonce, you name it.
Yes.
Yes.
I love what someone just said in the chat.
A woman's world is intense sometimes.
It is.
It really is.
And I think that's the thing that's missing.
Like when you're looking at travel guides, it's just like, you know, just a general travel
information on TripAdvisor.
(14:19):
Like no one ever talks about what it's like for a woman to be traveling because men, no
matter where they are in the world, America, Malta, they don't understand no.
And it's only two letters in the word.
But I have to say, Malta is a very safe country.
Overall.
Okay.
That's good.
Like really, really, really safe.
(14:41):
And maybe the man was not bad, but my feeling was telling me he's bad.
Yeah.
So I prefer to trust this feeling even if he was not.
Yeah, absolutely.
But yes, Malta is one of the most safest countries in the world.
So he's.
Yeah.
He's that one off.
Yeah.
He was just weird.
(15:01):
Yeah.
No, that means a lot of people like this are everywhere.
Like even in Germany.
So it's sort of a reason for me not to travel.
Yes.
Now, you know what?
When I went to Germany, I went after living in Abu Dhabi for, I think I'd been there for
about five months by that time.
It was around for the time.
And it had been a long time since I had seen a regular city because Abu Dhabi in the United
States and Dubai is so clean and like it's very clean.
(15:24):
It wasn't that busy yet.
Like there's no homeless people on the street.
Everybody looks like, you know, just clean and refined.
And, you know, even the workers they have on their suits or their their uniforms.
And I got to Germany and I was like, I almost forgot what the real world looks like.
Like Abu Dhabi is like a bubble.
And Germany was like, oh, you're the homeless man over there.
(15:46):
OK.
I know.
Sorry.
It's so weird.
I was like, oh, it's like a real city.
Have you ever been to Switzerland?
No, never.
You should.
Really?
I live in Zurich right now and it's so clean.
Really?
Like the people are so nice.
The streets are so clean.
I'm impressed.
Are there a lot of Black people kind of in there or not at all?
No, not a lot.
(16:08):
OK.
But I'm impressed.
I'm impressed.
I'm impressed.
I'm impressed.
I'm impressed.
I'm impressed.
I'm impressed.
I'm impressed.
What I like about Switzerland, like Zurich, they don't really care.
So the people are just nice to me.
OK.
That's nice.
That's nice.
Yeah.
(16:29):
Like I'm having good experience here.
I'm here for six months already and most of it just positive.
That's what's up.
I love to hear that.
I really, really love to hear that.
Please come to Switzerland.
We love it.
I will.
Like that has been on my list for a while.
I mean, how cold is it though?
Is it like unbearable cold or is it like...
I'm not in Zurich.
It's OK.
But in Lauterbrunn, I felt like I'm in the freezer.
(16:52):
Oh my God.
So when does it start warming up a little bit?
Does it even warm up at all?
How much does it warm up?
In the mountains, I don't think.
But here in Zurich, maybe in March, it will be warmer.
OK.
Yeah, like around March.
Is it like warm, warm or like 60 degrees?
I don't want to lie.
(17:12):
It's warm for German people.
OK.
That's right.
Yeah, see?
That's a different kind of warm than a Miami warm.
Yes, I have to be honest, right?
I love it.
Come around July and August and it's really warm.
OK.
But not hot, just warm.
No, it's even hot for me.
Really?
(17:33):
July, August?
Yes.
OK.
I remember when I first got to Abu Dhabi in 2010, I walked out of the airport with my
glasses on and they fogged up immediately and that had never happened to me before.
And I was just like, where did I just walk into?
Because my glasses fogged up.
So it was kind of like a weird like, what just happened?
I'm standing on my glasses.
I can't see with my glasses off.
It was something else.
(17:54):
Oh my God.
It was something new.
It was something else.
I wasn't ready for that.
Oh my gosh.
When you go to the shopping malls, it's so cold.
Yes.
Yes.
They have it on freezing in there.
And I'm just like, I still got to walk back outside.
At least give me some kind of balance.
(18:14):
Yes.
Really?
So where was the best place you've ever been?
The best experience you've ever had?
Mexico.
Oh, OK.
Oh my God.
I had so much fun in Mexico.
I didn't want to leave this country.
Really?
Yes.
Like I was in hot Bosch.
(18:36):
Watercolor.
Wow.
In the Mujeres.
Wow.
To Lume.
Wow.
I didn't want to leave this country.
Oh my goodness.
Yeah.
I was like, I'm going to travel to Mexico again this year is one of my plans because
I was like, I definitely don't have enough for Mexico yet.
Yeah.
Yeah.
(18:56):
Because you would do your job.
Mexico is dangerous.
Mexico is dead.
And I went there.
She didn't tell me Mexico is fun.
Right.
Right.
That's the thing, right?
That's the part people forget to say.
They'll say something is dangerous and they'll give you all the warning, but they forget
all about the good stuff.
Yes.
I felt so safe in Mexico.
(19:16):
Yes.
I did as well.
When I went, I went to Tulum for about three weeks by myself.
Yes.
Still working from home.
I was just kind of like working for my Airbnb.
Yeah.
I would walk around.
I got a bike for a week and then I ended up getting a car and I would just relax.
It was absolutely fine.
Yeah.
It was absolutely fine.
(19:37):
Right.
The only time I had a problem was when I went back the second time and I was driving around.
Okay.
It was for a weekend.
It was me and three other girls and we were in the car and we got pulled over for turning
on the blinking green light.
And I'm just like, I know the blinking green light is not a yellow light.
It's green, blinking green, then yellow, then red.
But they pulled us over, kind of stiffed us for $100.
(19:59):
Like, well, give us $100.
We'll let you go.
But when I was by myself though, I had no problem.
But I feel like when I was with a group, that's when they were like, oh yeah, let's see.
Let's try to figure out how we can get some money off of them.
You know, but-
That's how they do it, right?
Right.
Like Mexico does it, Turkey, Angola, like they do it.
(20:20):
Yeah.
Because why not?
It's tourists.
I mean, they don't know.
They don't know.
Oh man.
So if people tell me we just want to go to Mexico and then I would be like comparing
like countries like Turkey, Angola, because I have also been there.
And maybe Mexico is more dangerous, but you have to just be careful not going out in the
(20:40):
night alone.
Right.
Don't trust too many people.
Like-
Right.
Just be careful.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Don't be yourself in dangerous situations.
Yeah.
Yes.
Interesting.
But have you been in Istanbul or where have you been?
Istanbul.
So that was Istanbul.
That was where the Blue Mosque was.
Ah, I was there as well.
(21:02):
Yeah.
So it was only a couple of hours, probably about maybe four or five hours tops because
it was late.
Okay.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Because I have to say I went to Cappadocia and Istanbul and in Cappadocia the people
are so lovely.
Really?
It's like completely different than Istanbul.
Oh wow.
And that's where the hot air balloons and all that is, right?
(21:22):
Yes.
Right.
Oh my gosh.
I have to get there.
Yeah.
It was a very different experience than Istanbul.
Really?
I've been twice to Istanbul.
Yes.
Wow.
Okay.
We were like, we get breakfast for free.
A taxi driver picked us up for free like almost the whole day after.
And I was like, why is it so nice?
Like whole different vibe.
(21:43):
That's a whole different vibe than what I got in Istanbul.
Yes.
Like.
Really?
Have you been to Morocco yet?
No, but it's on my list.
Okay.
I'm curious to know how similar it is to Turkey.
So that.
Yeah, me too.
Yeah.
My list is long.
Yours and mine both.
Our lists are long.
Yes.
Yes.
(22:04):
Oh my gosh.
There's so much I want to see and there's so much of the world.
You know what I mean?
Yes.
I cannot get enough.
Would you visit somewhere twice?
I went to New York twice.
I went to Miami twice.
I know you went to Miami twice.
I went to Italy like seven times.
Oh wow.
(22:24):
I thought I was the only person who went to Italy.
I don't even know how many times I've been to Italy, but Italy was the first place that
I went outside of Trinidad.
Oh wow.
Because of course with my family I always went back and forth as a little girl to Trinidad
to visit family.
But it wasn't until my junior year of college.
Yes.
At the spring break.
I was like one of my friends was studying abroad and I was like you know what I'm going
(22:45):
to come during our spring break and I'm going to come to Florence.
And I fell in love with it.
Like the food, the atmosphere.
The food.
Yes.
And cheap right?
Yes.
And very cheap.
I think that was the first time I recognized how cheap traveling can be once you finish
with the flight.
So the flight was the most expensive part of course.
(23:07):
But then once I got there I was like that's it?
This is how much I'm paying for this and I'm full?
You know they want to feed you so much.
I'm just like but I'm full.
Oh my god.
Not waiting for this.
Right.
Right.
In America you're paying an arm and a leg for like a half of a hamburger.
America is expensive.
Oh my gosh.
(23:27):
What was your experience like with that?
My yand me.
I was like so you all pay all this money for food?
How do you live?
Oh my gosh.
Like really basic food and I'm like seriously?
Yup.
Even the supermarkets are really expensive and I was like wow.
(23:51):
Yup.
Because I live in Switzerland and Switzerland is also expensive but I felt like sometimes
maybe was even more expensive.
Yeah like it's great for a few days but after a while I was like alright.
I'm like ooh now it's starting to hurt.
Same thing with New York.
Like I grew up in New Jersey like right across the bridge from New York and I used to always
(24:12):
say oh when I grow up I'm going to you know move over to New York.
And then it just hit me like by the time I was probably a sophomore in high school.
And I was like I'm not moving to New York it's so expensive.
Oh don't do that.
But the supermarkets in New York are so cool.
Yes.
Yes they are.
I've never seen supermarkets like this before to be honest.
(24:33):
Really?
Yes I was like really.
What was different about it?
Like they have like this off cooked meal.
Oh yeah.
And then you can get the buck like it's a bowl and you can mix all this food like Arabic
food like and then you have all these salads you can mix.
We have something like this in Germany as well.
(24:55):
But the choice of New York is like who cooked all of this.
Right.
You cook this every day?
Yes.
You understand?
Because it's always like there's always this mindset of having a little bit for everybody
I guess you know.
Yes.
A little bit of everything.
Even Arabic food in the supermarket I was telling my friends it was like where are you
(25:16):
and I'm like I don't know.
Yep I can see that.
It's just like that down here like in Atlanta you like certain places like Pont City Market.
Yes.
Yeah where you just have all these different types of foods in one place and it's like
oh okay.
Like a lot.
Who's gonna eat all of this?
(25:39):
I love it.
When you're traveling every country that you go to they have their food and then you try
it and it's just like that tastes nothing like what I was eating back in America.
Like this is what it's supposed to taste like.
This is amazing.
Yes.
This is what I'm experiencing right now in Switzerland.
(25:59):
I don't like the food here.
Really?
Oh my god.
It's really bad.
What is the specialty?
I don't even know because I tried I don't know I think they also don't know.
No they know.
Once I tried I tried like some meatballs with spinach mixed with rice and I was like why
(26:22):
would you mix spinach with rice?
We eat it in Germany with potato.
Oh wow.
Oh wow.
And I would look like for the basic German food and it's like expensive really expensive
you know what other people are looking for this and be like who does eat this like who
everything tastes salty in this country.
(26:42):
Like everything tastes just salty.
So where do you do you ever go and find and go in food or can you find in golden food?
Yes.
How is that like do they do it right?
Do they make it right?
Like my auntie has a shop here flavorless harmony it's called and she cooks perfect.
Oh lovely that's what's up.
(27:05):
She's the best cook and I'm like yeah she's my auntie.
That's what's up with all else failed you know you can go to your auntie.
Yes she's the best.
That is awesome.
Yeah.
So how many languages do you speak?
To be honest maybe five.
(27:26):
Oh my god.
But I'm so.
I was like okay.
But I'm so shy.
Huh?
But I'm so shy.
Really?
What are they?
Like I speak Ligala it's an African language.
Then German, English, Portuguese, Spanish and I learned French at school.
(27:49):
Okay.
But I'm like I'm not gonna speak this language with nobody in this world.
Why not?
Like I told you before that I speak English with German accent so I don't feel comfortable
speaking to people.
Gotcha okay.
Because of my accent yes.
Yeah I mean you sound fine to me.
I thought it was so funny when you were like hey I'm average.
I was like oh girl I know.
But you know what in Mexico my Spanish was lit.
Really?
Okay I see you.
(28:10):
I had no choice.
I had to speak Spanish with the people.
Ah because they were like no English and I'm like I want to go back home or no.
So I was like I'm gonna go back home.
I had Spanish at school two years and to be honest I know how to speak it but I'm really
(28:38):
shy and don't feel confident speaking it.
But if there's no other option I speak Spanish.
Yeah.
And if my friends are not there I speak Spanish because my friends are the one one the one
laughing about me speaking Spanish.
I think that's amazing.
Like that is one of the like the huge deficits I guess you could say of this American culture.
(29:00):
Like we speak English and that's it you know but like no one has the opportunity to or
not shouldn't say opportunity like no one really speaks another language well you know
like if they're from somewhere obviously yes.
Yes.
We don't study it the way we should like just so we can connect with other people.
It just makes everyone speak English here and it's so unfair.
(29:23):
You only speak English.
Yeah I only speak English but I have I can speak a few words in French a few words in
Arabic especially because I learned French Arabic.
Wow.
Yeah only from living in Abu Dhabi so I used to sit on the carpet with the kids when the
Arabic teacher was teaching until English teacher time and I would just learn my alphabet
and you know sing a song with the kids.
So there's some words I can understand I can kind of get by.
(29:46):
Yes.
How old were the kids?
How old were the kids?
They were kindergarten.
Oh yeah so like five years old.
I also worked with kids.
Yes.
So they were learning like the basics.
I was like okay I'll learn the basics with them so I can read a little bit of Arabic
but I don't know what I'm reading.
I could sound it out but I don't know what I'm sounding out.
That's so cool.
(30:07):
Yes and a little bit of Portuguese that I've learned I've learned from Duolingo my app.
Yes and a little bit of Spanish I've learned I've also learned it on Duolingo.
So I love English.
Do you feel confident speaking it?
No not at all not at all like I'll say one or two words but you know what I can understand
(30:29):
it sometimes like I'll hear people talking.
Yes.
If I've been around for long enough like when I'm in Mexico for example when I was there
probably after the first week I was able to start understanding but then I would answer
in English but I don't know how to answer.
It's like my brain wouldn't connect like okay now what do I say?
Yes I was always telling the people my Spanish is really bad before telling something in
(30:49):
Spanish so they know what to expect.
Right like when we give you a disclaimer.
I'm like my Spanish is really bad but don't tell a discotheque.
They understand that.
(31:11):
They know how to tell you how to get there for sure.
Yes.
I love that.
I love that.
Yes.
I think that's the joy of traveling though like even if you can't speak a language well
like being here with people and you know most of the time when you tell them like hey I
can't speak it that well but I'm gonna try.
(31:33):
They embrace that and then they try with you you know.
Yes.
I always appreciate that.
Like that's what's up.
Then when I tell them I speak German they're all like wow you speak German.
I'm like okay.
Okay.
Oh my gosh.
Because you're a surprise right?
Like you know you're always when you think of Germany when you think of Europe you just
(31:57):
think of white people.
You just don't think about like who else is there you know just like when people think
of America they think of white people because when I first got to Abu Dhabi they were like
where are you from?
They're like no where are you really from?
And I'm just like oh this question.
Yeah.
Oh this question.
It's like you get it every time you travel.
Yeah you get it too right?
(32:18):
Yes every time.
It's like no where are you really from?
Like why can't you just take my answer and just be done with it sir?
Yes don't believe it and be like where are your parents from?
What do you do?
Do you tell them or do you just kind of shrug them off?
Yeah I tell them my parents are from Angola but I grew up in Germany.
Yeah yeah.
(32:39):
I think that's so interesting it's like automatically people see black people and they know that
they they can't be from anywhere else in the world other than Africa.
Yes.
And it's like generally yeah that that's mostly true.
However we're spread out everywhere.
Some by choice some not by choice but we're everywhere.
Everywhere.
(33:00):
We have all these different experiences the whole nine yards but it's so interesting because
when I think of Europe I think white and I know when people in Europe think of America
they think white you know it's just like where are we in everything you know?
Yes this is what I experienced when I went to Atlanta.
I went I said to Tray and I was like where are they all black?
(33:24):
I didn't know.
I wasn't waiting for it.
I was just looking at them and sharing on my Instagram.
Oh my god look at these people making videos of them because I was impressed.
Yes.
Because nobody tells me if you go to Atlanta you're gonna see a lot of black people.
Yep yep Atlanta is blackity black black.
(33:46):
Now outside of Atlanta it gets a little a little sticky outside of the metro area but
Atlanta is definitely blackity black black.
Yes I was really surprised.
I didn't know it before nobody told me.
Yeah yeah it's very very bad and then the immediate suburbs like the east side the cab
(34:07):
county and all of that just black communities like great black communities.
So cool.
Yes it's so crazy to think about what in in Germany like where do most of the black people
live?
Do you think they all spread out or all together?
I think all spread out but I noticed that in Cologne a lot of black people live there.
(34:29):
Okay okay.
Yeah I noticed this but also in Berlin we have a lot compared to other cities in Germany.
Really okay.
Yes.
That makes sense that makes a lot of sense because it's a major city.
Yes.
And I think it's interesting because like here in America I feel like we automatically
self-segregate and then you have all these little communities that are like black black
black and then there's white people over here.
(34:50):
Yes but really great experience was for me traveling as a black woman.
I know people they don't really care.
They care more about you traveling as a woman.
So when people talk to me it's like you are black and showing me like you're a woman are
you alone here?
And I was like no it was my husband but why do you ask like I'm a man I don't I would
(35:10):
not travel alone to a country and I'm like what?
Oh wow.
So for me it was more like this not even about the skin color it was just about the fact
that I'm a woman.
That's interesting.
Yes they were like this you're all alone here in Mexico.
I'm like no I'm not alone my husband is right there.
That's the key right?
Always being like no there's somebody else here.
(35:32):
I'm just someone knows is here.
Yes.
You know what I did in Tulum someone asked me are you alone?
He was like no this black man that's my father and then I went to him and was like yo dad
are you ready?
He was like yes wait a little bit.
So he was just acting with me.
Oh that's what's up see family that's what we do.
He was just acting like me you know I was like yeah wait like five minutes and I was
(35:55):
just standing next to him and then I was like what are you doing?
He was like yeah my daughter's waiting in line for this big sign like this how it's
called.
Oh my gosh I'm glad you played along that's what's up.
If you're observing you will notice at some point nobody's coming.
Right right exactly oh my gosh you are a wise traveler.
I'll definitely say that like you're like everything that you do you're just like I'm
(36:19):
moving and shaking I'm doing what I have to do and I'm watching people while I do it.
I love it.
Yes.
I love it.
Thank you.
How does your family feel about it?
Before they weren't like really scared and not happy about it because they were like
when will you get kids when you can get married what are you waiting for what are you looking
for in life and now they're like look at my shirt you want to make?
(36:42):
Now they're like this.
Yes.
Now my family is like sending me pictures and be like go to Brazil and I'm like we have
to draw for all of you I don't understand.
Yes you do.
So you are now you are now the traveler for everyone.
Yes just send me pictures say like go to Brazil go to Cuba and like okay I will go.
(37:09):
They are now creating the list for you.
Yes and always asking me when are you going to Ghana everybody's going to Ghana doing
Christmas I'm like okay I'm gonna go.
So now it's so now they're so supportive and happy about it.
That's so funny that I think it's so funny how they change like it's almost like we have
to show them something different in order for them to be able to accept it otherwise
(37:33):
they're like no you're crazy what are you doing?
And now they're really happy about me traveling because my mom never left Angola and she's
like wow you're living my dreams.
Oh wow oh wow that is awesome.
Yes but she said she's scared of airplanes so she's not ready to even leave the country
(37:55):
with the plane and then with COVID was a little bit difficult to leave anyways.
Right.
She was like she's scared of airplanes.
Oh wow.
What is Angola like to visit?
Have you been back to visit?
In 2019.
Okay oh right before the pandemic okay.
Yes Angola is the place to be also for parties.
(38:16):
Really now see Angola has been on my list too I wanted to go to Angola for my 37th birthday
yeah and I ended up kind of like not going anywhere at all and then I went last year
for it to Guatemala but it's still on my list as a birthday trip that I want to do because
I saw some pictures and I'm like Angola is gorgeous like why is no one talking about
Angola like it's gorgeous.
(38:37):
If you go tell me I'm gonna connect you to my family.
Okay yes.
Yes yeah why not?
Yay especially if you say your auntie is a good cook that means I know somebody else
is a good cook.
You should go to Angola.
What's the specialty dish?
Like what I like to eat in Angola is like beans with rice and fried chicken.
(38:57):
Okay.
So this is something we eat like a lot in Angola like I eat it a lot.
Oh wow and that's just a simple meal that's what's up.
Yeah but the cook is so special.
Of course.
Of course.
Even the fish in Angola I don't eat really fish but in Angola.
See that was me last week in Antigua I'm like I'm all I'm eating is this pan-fried fish
(39:21):
like this pan-fried fish is delicious and they make it on the street so I'm just like.
Yes.
But something about with about Angola is like since you said making the street if you buy
like a pork you will see the head of the pork outside.
In front of it.
But see that's usually when it's the best that's when it's nice and fresh that's the
(39:43):
best.
I'm okay with that.
I'm okay with that.
If I can see the whole body and I'm sorry any vegans that are watching but if I can
see the whole body I know that it's gonna be fresh it wasn't in the freezer you know
growing mold and like I can't eat shrimp outside of the United I mean inside of the United
States anywhere else in the world I can eat shrimp and it's mostly because of whatever
(40:07):
they're they're preserving it in so whether it's the I don't know whatever it's being
preserved in if I'm here and I eat shrimp I'm gonna break out I'm gonna start itching
but I can go anywhere else in the world and eat shrimp and not have a single problem.
Interesting.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So when it's fresh and I can see the head oh yeah I'm getting some.
(40:27):
Get your face.
Because for me it was so weird seeing the face of the animal and then everybody's eating
and I'm like I don't want to eat it.
But after a while they convinced me that it was like oh my god it's so good.
Yes that's when it's nice and fresh.
Yes.
Wow.
(40:48):
When I was in Abu Dhabi it was the same way with the lamb like going through different
places and going to different um not places uh weddings and they would have like the whole
like thing of briyani rice and it would just be like sitting there and then the whole lamb
is like just laying on the rice like and I the first time I saw it I was like oh y'all
(41:08):
just gonna lay the lamb right here like.
Oh my god.
It's crazy.
But I tasted it and it was um.
It was good right?
Yes yes and I'm like okay this is nice and fresh and so much better than the meat that
we get here in the United States that we pay a million dollars for I feel like.
But much much better.
Yes the meat in uh in US was for me also.
(41:31):
Not that good.
Yes.
Was there anything that you ate that you did like here?
Burgers.
Really?
It's like the small restaurants where you just go and get a burger where they just finish
making and it's like so fresh a lot of cheese oh oh yes now I'm hungry.
(41:51):
This was so good because I think in Germany it's difficult to find a good burger place.
Really okay.
And it's so small in Berlin America it was so big like my head maybe.
Yes yes like I like burgers and like I have to be in the mood for burgers like I like
them but I don't like them I don't like them because they get so messy because they're
(42:13):
so big.
So if I'm eating like a good burger and it's all over the place then I'm like I don't want
it anymore because now I can't keep it together the bread is falling off this that whatever.
I don't know why I can't like I can watch other people eat a burger I'm like how do
you keep that together I can't do it.
I cut these in the middle.
Well that's true too yeah.
That's what I do.
That does help that definitely helps especially when they're big big.
(42:35):
But I don't know what happens like for whatever reason the bread the meat everything.
Ends up all over the place for me and I'm just like I give up.
But I think the burgers are so special for me because it's like really far away from
home.
And when I'm in America I'm eating it and I'm like oh I really enjoyed the small places
in New York and in Germany the burger tastes a little bit different for me.
(42:57):
Yeah.
And I can eat burgers in Europe whenever I want.
Yeah okay that makes sense.
For me it's just special in America and here's basic.
Yeah and see when I was in when I was in Frankfurt walking around and seeing all the like the
little the street food with the sausage like that was amazing for me.
I was like oh I want the sausage that's hanging up there like that was like oh let me walk
(43:22):
around and then it was just kind of like a plate with sausage and like random sauerkraut
and that was it and I was satisfied.
I was like this is delicious.
What?
Look at your face.
Interesting.
Yes I loved it.
I absolutely loved it and then like all the little Christmas markets that I was walking
around like that was the first thing I would get the wine the Glowline and the sausage
(43:44):
and that was good.
Like that was dinner for me.
After moving to Switzerland at some point I started looking for the sausages and in Switzerland
they're like really expensive.
Oh wow.
Like really expensive but because the people here they don't really care about it.
It's not Swiss food.
Yeah.
So when I was asking the people where can I buy it they were all like what they don't
(44:07):
know even the names they know.
Really?
Yeah.
I feel like it's right there like right up like you share a border right?
Yes.
Oh wow.
And they did not buy this and I was like hey you just bought potato and you ate this
and this and they're like why should we do that?
That was not their thing at all.
(44:27):
Why should we do that?
Well Amelia it has been amazing chatting with you tonight.
I'm so glad you joined us and added to our conversation.
Oh my goodness.
I just thank you for the opportunity.
I mean of course.
Of course.
I was like oh my gosh there's so much that I want to be able to connect with other black
(44:50):
women.
I like the idea of traveling black women being like globally traveling black women all over
the world.
Yes.
We're up.
We're traveling.
I love it.
Because when we travel when we travel individually we don't see a lot of ourselves right?
We don't see each other.
But just to know to sit back at home and be like actually no there are other black women
(45:10):
traveling just maybe not the same time as I am but they are.
They are.
I want to connect.
I'm talking about Instagram because I see like a lot.
Yes.
Of black female travelers and I'm like ah they're also doing it.
Yes.
They're supporting each other.
Yes.
Yes.
(45:30):
I love it.
It's like it runs my heart.
I'm just like oh I love it.
And I love that we're from every all these different parts of the world.
Like families from Trinidad I'm living in America.
Your family's from Angola.
You're living in Switzerland.
Talking drums.
We talked on Wednesday.
Yeah.
Wednesday.
Her family's from Ghana.
She's living in the UK.
I was I saw it like I watched a video after and I was like wow.
(45:55):
Yeah.
Isn't that amazing?
And then she's like curating trips now.
And I'm just like this is amazing.
Like this is amazing.
This is doing good.
Yeah.
Yes.
Well you have an amazing night.
I know it's after midnight now and it's only 6 p.m. here so the evening is just getting
started.
Yes.
(46:15):
Well have a great one.
Thank you so much for chatting with me.
Thank you.
And thank y'all for tuning in and sticking with us for the evening.
You're welcome.
Bye.
Bye.
Bye.
Popular Podcasts
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.