International Travel

[Poplife]

Hey Ladies (and Gentlemen),

In March I will be visiting France with a friend, thus starting the first in many trips to parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia. It's my first time going overseas and I feel happy that I'm getting a chance to explore the world beyond the USA, Canada, Mexico, and the Islands.

I know there are some greekchatters here that have spent time overseas. I’d like to know what your experiences were and what you learned. Please share as I would be very much obliged!

[1 Woman of Virtue]

OOOOHHHH!!! I am so excited for you! I was born and raised in Germany, but my dad is African American and my mom is Jamaican. All I can say is get ready for culture shock!!!LOL. After I graduated high school in Germany, I flew to the States (America) to start college...talk about shock! I crack up laughing everytime I think about my first experiences w/ American public transportation! France is truly beautiful, but don't get your hopes up about Paris. IMHO, it is really a lot like New York, just in French . I'M SOOO JEALOUS!!! I miss home so bad!
As far as being black and travelling, well in Europe, or at least in Germany, my experiences were very differnt than they have been here. In Germany (again, if there are any Afro-Germans out there, these are just my experiences) you are going to be absolutely LOVED. It seems odd to think of it now, but German men love Black women, and German women love Black men. I don't know why, and I'm sure not all do, but I think it has more to do w/ loving the "exotica" of brown skin than any appreciation for Black people/history/culture. I don't know if you're planning to go to Russia, but it's the same thing there but times 10. When I went (right after the fall of the Berlin Wall) most of the Russians I met had never seen a Black girl before! My two Afro-German friends and I were so pampered, it was ridiculous. But that was before their economic revolution, so I don't know what the story is now. Most of the tensions in Germany, between the racial/ethnic groups were between Germans and immigrants (Turkish, Nigerian, Russian, etc.)who go their for Germany's loose immigration laws and for work. There has been a growing neo-nazi movement, so do be careful.

I'M SOOOO JEALOUS!!!!!!!

[HopefulJD]

Hi there!

When I was in grad school, I had the awesome opportunity to actually live and attend school at the University of Nairobi in Kenya. During that period of time I got to see some of the neighboring countries, such as Rwanda, Tanzania, Sudan, and Ethiopia. I was also blessed to go to France,Belgium, Holland, and Switzerland.

Talk about culture shock. I don't think I beacame a whole person until I traveled to other places in the world. As Americans, we tend to believe that the sun sets and rises for us.

I loved Paris! I was so amazed to see the number of blacks, not only there but in other parts of Europe. I found that the people(especially the men) weren't as mean as they are often portrayed to be. Most were friendly.

Also, the biggest word of advice I could give anyone who is preparing to travel abroad is to put away any preconceived notions you have of the people or the place, especially about Africa. Most of the time, they are inaccurate whatever your opinion may (positive or negative)

Good Luck!

[1 Woman of Virtue]

Originally posted by HopefulJD:
Hi there!


Also, the biggest word of advice I could give anyone who is preparing to travel abroad is to put away any preconceived notions you have of the people or the place, especially about Africa. Most of the time, they are inaccurate whatever your opinion may (positive or negative)

Good Luck!

this is the most accurate piece of advice regarding international travel one can receive!!!

[Ania]

Originally posted by mccoyred:

I hope to have the opportunity to travel in Africa and Asia at some point. Poplife, congrat on your opportunity to see the world; take full advantage of it!

Speaking of Asia, I'm suppose to go there this summer. Bejing and Hongkong, China.
Poplife, Keep us updated!

[Bobby Earl]

Originally posted by Ania:

Speaking of Asia, I'm suppose to go there this summer. Bejing and Hongkong, China.
Poplife, Keep us updated!

Speaking even more of Asia, I did a tour in Korea for a whole year (without going home), when I was in the Army. In case you don't know about the Army, Korea is a hardship tour which means you can't bring your family with you (in less you are a high ranking NCO or CO). So you have a LOT of free times on your hands.

All i can say is if you have a husband or wife in the Army and they have to go to Korea for a year, they WILL get their freak on. Ladies, I don't care if you got it goin on like 'SUNSHINE ' from Harlem Knights! Fellas, I don't care if you got it like 'Dirk Diggler ' from Boogie Nights! They WILL get their freak on . Deal with it and charge it to the game...

But, of course, this is a military thing and not a civilian point of view.

[mccoyred]

My neice wnet to Germany last year with a diverse group of Red Cross volunteers. She concurs your experience: Germans love themselvs some Black! She even has a German 'boyfriend' who is planning a trip to the States.

I hope to have the opportunity to travel in Africa and Asia at some point. Poplife, congrat on your opportunity to see the world; take full advantage of it!

Originally posted by 1 Woman of Virtue:
OOOOHHHH!!! I am so excited for you! I was born and raised in Germany, but my dad is African American and my mom is Jamaican. All I can say is get ready for culture shock!!!LOL. After I graduated high school in Germany, I flew to the States (America) to start college...talk about shock! I crack up laughing everytime I think about my first experiences w/ American public transportation! France is truly beautiful, but don't get your hopes up about Paris. IMHO, it is really a lot like New York, just in French . I'M SOOO JEALOUS!!! I miss home so bad!
As far as being black and travelling, well in Europe, or at least in Germany, my experiences were very differnt than they have been here. In Germany (again, if there are any Afro-Germans out there, these are just my experiences) you are going to be absolutely LOVED. It seems odd to think of it now, but German men love Black women, and German women love Black men. I don't know why, and I'm sure not all do, but I think it has more to do w/ loving the "exotica" of brown skin than any appreciation for Black people/history/culture. I don't know if you're planning to go to Russia, but it's the same thing there but times 10. When I went (right after the fall of the Berlin Wall) most of the Russians I met had never seen a Black girl before! My two Afro-German friends and I were so pampered, it was ridiculous. But that was before their economic revolution, so I don't know what the story is now. Most of the tensions in Germany, between the racial/ethnic groups were between Germans and immigrants (Turkish, Nigerian, Russian, etc.)who go their for Germany's loose immigration laws and for work. There has been a growing neo-nazi movement, so do be careful.

I'M SOOOO JEALOUS!!!!!!!

------------------
MCCOYRED
Mu Psi '86
BaltCo Alumnae

Dynamic...Salient...Temperate...Since 1913

[Poplife]

Originally posted by 1 Woman of Virtue:
In Germany (again, if there are any Afro-Germans out there, these are just my experiences) you are going to be absolutely LOVED. It seems odd to think of it now, but German men love Black women, and German women love Black men. I don't know why, and I'm sure not all do, but I think it has more to do w/ loving the "exotica" of brown skin than any appreciation for Black people/history/culture.

I have heard that as well. My schoolmate lived in a German town for two years and she said that the response was amazing. I just want to sit on a bench and look at the river.