Acapulco? On a Travel Advisory?

Mexico.

Mexico?

Mexico?! 

Like damn girl, I’ve already been to Mexico! She had already been to Mexico. The last place I wanted to be was with a bunch of tourists and college students on a trip that was supposed to be about me. And then, she changed my whole attitude. No Cancun. No Playa del Carmen. No Cabo San Lucas. 

“How about Acapulco?” she asked me. 

Acapulco? To be honest, I forgot that place even existed. So it was a perfect destination for me. Seriously, when was the last time you heard someone say they were going to Mexico, you asked them their whereabouts, and they told you “Acapulco?”

Don’t worry, I’ll wait. 

So we bought the flights immediately, business class of course because everyone needs that one bougie friend to push you into splurging on yourself every now and then, and waited for our Mexican adventure. And upon waiting, we discovered a week before the trip that the U.S. State Department put Mexico on a “Code Orange” travel advisory warning. For those who don’t know, there are 4 different travel advisory levels for traveling abroad:

1 (Blue) - Exercise normal precautions

2 (Yellow) - Exercise increased caution

3 (Orange) - Reconsider travel

4 (Red) - TF are you doing? Do not go past stop.

So what’s a girl to do? I had already rearranged my plans before but the State Department was telling me, “Eden… you in danger girl.”

Should I stay so my friend and I remain safe and secure at home? Or should I risk it for a biscuit? 

Flashforward to me inside Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, with biscuit in hand, waiting for my flight to Acapulco with a layover in Mexico City. Travel advisory what? That wasn’t going to stop my birthday shenanigans. We opted to thoroughly do some research, find a hotel that was close to the airport with all the amenities so we wouldn’t have to go far, and not do a lot of exploration in each crevice of the city like I would normally do in any other city. I was reminded, this was a trip to RELAX. Something I rarely do when I travel, so it was much needed. 

So how was it you asked?

Acapulco was amazing and I’d recommend it to ANYONE who just wants to get away, and not be bothered. We stayed at the Encanto (which was also rented out by J.Lo at one point) and the customer service was immaculate. Trust me, you haven’t lived until you really abused the privilege of room service. As far as venturing out into other parts of the city, we only did that twice in the 5 days we were there. Once, to visit their beach club and actually lay by the water. The other was in the evening to see what was going down on their club/bar strip. No ubers there so we had to take a taxi. The man who was called to pick us up from the hotel ended up giving us his personal number so we could call him whenever and not be ripped off by other drivers. That ended up saving us a lot of money but I also realized not everyone is so lucky. You have your push peddlers always trying to sell you junk but that’s to be expected at any country you visit. The only thing that throws you off if you’re not used to it, are the semi-automatic weapons the police walk around with throughout the city. It did make me a little uneasy because I’m an avid watcher of all things Narcos and you know, El Chapo and his peoples, but no one bothered my friend and I. As long as you’re not walking around in a “Make America Great Again” cap, you’re good.

Honestly, I felt fine during my stay in Mexico. Especially in Acapulco. I really chalk it up to people (the pigment-impaired) being fearful of brown countries that they may have pissed off. BUT I'm also very attentive and alert when it comes to being a woman traveling abroad. Put it this way when it comes to visiting other countries here's SOME tricks I've done to stay safe:

- Make sure you have copies of your I.D. and passport on phone or keep an extra copy printed.

- TAKE CASH with you when you leave. Of course have your travel credit card for the unknown, but a dollar make ya holla boo.

- Give at least two people ALL of your itinerary so they can get ahold of you.

- Research where your consulate (American, British, etc.) is JUST IN CASE some sh*t happens.

It was truly the first time I’d ever been somewhere where I just let the chips fall and enjoyed another year circling around the sun. I do recommend using the travel advisory as a guide to help you decide, but if you’re ‘bout it ‘bout it like myself, just go. The greatest takeaway from Acapulco was the reminder to appreciate the traveling and just breathe. Not every destination has to be crammed so you can be on to the next. It’s good to be present and appreciative. Acapulco is a go. 

I, Geechee

“They talk funny,” was all I could remember when it was time to visit my mother’s side of the family in North Charleston, South Carolina. “Hush,” she would say to me as I would look at my cousins playing around my grandmother’s pecan tree. Always up underneath her coat tail feeling like an outsider because my family had a distinct accent that sounds foreign to me, and I was the “white girl” because I spoke “proper English,” I felt left out. There was camaraderie and pride amongst my family who I didn’t talk like but would later in life come to respect and understand when I got older. 

Geechee. 

It took me a long time to come to grips with the fact that I too, am Geechee by birth right. But, I didn’t sit in that truth until I was well into my 30s and mature enough to understand the beauty of being in THE ONLY black subculture in America that has close ties to African traditions. To quote the kids today, “it’s lit.” What sparked the fire in my Intercultural Communications class back in college led me to question my own spiritual path and connecting with my ancestors. Later, dating a man from London by way of Sierra Leone who showed me the close resemblance between the Geechee people and Sloane people further put the stamp that I was closer to my people than I really thought. It was beautiful. My disdain from a child of not feeling the inclusivity of the Geechee people blossomed into the utmost admiration and love for a culture that not even most African Americans know about, unless they seek to find it. 

These days, I want more of our people to take over and see South Carolina as more than just a place to go to Myrtle Beach. Instead of reducing Charleston to just some town only for privileged people on Bravo’s Southern Charm who prosper, look to the Geechee lands to be the introductory you need on the journey of discovering your African roots. From the sweet grass baskets to the savory boiled peanuts, what I’ve learned from watching on the outside is that I’ve already BEEN on the inside, I just didn’t SEE it.

Thinking back to when I was a little girl, the venacular I didn’t get back then, is now the sweet sound of Gullah (Geechee creole) that moves like poetry to my ears. So closely similar to the Krio of the West African people today, there’s such beauty in knowing even when they aren’t even trying, they exude the regalness of a culture that still beats in America today. In our own backyard. So yes, in the words of my family and the ancestors that came before me, I Geechee, and I’m so proud to share the blood of what I shied away from . Look to the palmetto trees and the soft Carolina sun and you’ll find a community waiting to share stories beyond Nickelodeon’s Gullah Gullah Island (yeah ...that's that Geechee too). Where you’ll feel the kumbaya and embrace the hoodoo spirit of the ancestors who came before us. There’s so much power in the island people of South Carolina that I’ve grown to respect and love. So many stories to be passed down and traditions to uphold. I Geechee, and I’ll never shy away from that truth again.    

Trinidad & Tobago Carnival 2020: Everything You Need to Know

Photo via Instagram user trinidadandtobagocarnival

Just about every single travel destination throughout the Caribbean and Latin America, as well as many destinations in Europe, hold a carnival celebration of some sort. New Orleans has Mardi Gras, of course. It’s the party of the year — the time to let your hair down before the Catholic Lent season begins and we have to behave until Easter. Few destinations, though, do carnival as well as Trinidad & Tobago.

Trinidad & Tobago Carnival 2020 takes place Feb. 24–25, a Monday and Tuesday. Here’s everything you need to know.

Getting There

Direct flights are available to Trinidad from the States, from a few select hubs, including JFK and EWR in New York City, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Houston and Orlando. Service is provided by JetBlue, American Airlines, United and Caribbean Airlines. You’re likely to find the best deals when flying with JetBlue on this particular route. When you arrive, you will have to show proof of a return ticket home or a ticket to another destination.

Keep in mind that Trinidad and Tobago is, of course, two islands. Most of the carnival action takes place on Trinidad, though, and that’s where you’ll be flying into Piarco International Airport. If you do want to visit Tobago during your stay, there are two ferries that will transport you between the two islands, a roughly three-hour boat ride.

If you think you’ll want to drive around Trinidad on your own, it’s advised that you reserve a rental car ahead of your visit, rather than wait until your arrival at the airport, just to be safe. Driving in Trinidad is pretty easy, but they do drive on the left side of the road. Otherwise, you can arrange for taxi service to and from wherever you need to go, with the help of your hotel concierge.

When to Start Planning

Photo via Instagram user trinidadandtobagocarnival

Carnival season in the entire Caribbean is incredibly busy, so you’ll want to start planning now. And, since Trinidad & Tobago Carnival 2020 takes place over a Monday and Tuesday, it’s the perfect excuse to plan a long weekend in the tropical locale, arriving the Thursday or Friday prior. (Additionally, even though the official carnival dates are that Monday and Tuesday, you can find plenty of carnival-style events taking place leading up to the days, so you certainly won’t be lacking for things to do.)

Since the actual carnival celebration is a public event, you won’t need a ticket for that, but you will need tickets for all of the “fete” parties that lead up to carnival. It’s advised that you do some research on which of these parties you’d want to attend and then set up a rough itinerary for yourself, purchasing the tickets as soon as possible (some are available online, though some you will have to wait and purchase once you’re on the island, as only physical tickets are available).

Fete tickets range heavily in price, just as the parties themselves range heavily in terms of style and atmosphere. Some are luxurious, all-inclusive experiences, while some are drunken fests with a DJ. If you don’t want to sort through all the fete options yourself, you can easily also find many tour and travel providers who put together fete packages with everything you’d need included — tickets, transportation, etc.

Photo via Instagram user trinidadandtobagocarnival

To make your carnival experience even more immersive, you can also pay to actually be in a carnival parade. Purchasing a ticket to be in a “mas band,” as they’re called, costs anywhere from $250 to $2,500, and your ticket generally includes your carnival costume, food and drinks. The easiest way to purchase a ticket is via a third-party tour or travel provider. Otherwise, you’d need to be “in the know” with one of the mas band organizers.

Where to Stay

Stay in The Port of Spain in Trinidad to be right in the heart of all the carnival action. For upscale, modern services and amenities, try to snag a room at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad. The Hilton Trinidad, which was renovated just a few years ago, is also a good option. If you’re looking to save a few dollars and don’t mind being a little outside of downtown, then you might choose the Courtyard by Marriott Port of Spain.

Appropriate Attire

Photo via Instagram user trinidadandtobagocarnival

Trinidad and Tobago is hot, hot, hot, so be prepared and dress accordingly. Additionally, it’s carnival, so feel free to break out your most extravagant attire. Feathers, sequins, it’s all approved. While swimsuits are common attire during the actual carnival event, wearing just a swimsuit or bikini top is frowned upon during other times. Don’t forget to bring comfortable shoes!

Do note that many restaurants throughout Trinidad have some sort of dress code, though, and that it’s illegal in the country to wear camouflage patterns of any kind.

What to Expect

Photo via Instagram user trinidadandtobagocarnival

It’s a giant party. Expect a loud, crazy, fun atmosphere, with lots of music, shouting and revelry. There’s something going on during carnival days and leading up to carnival days just about everywhere you look.