Queensday in the Netherlands

Why Queensday (or Koninginnedag in Dutch) ? Why not? I think its great to have a Queen and all, and even better to celebrate her birthday, but thats not why I decided to celebrate the largest birthday party in the Netherlands...maybe in the world! I went for a real Dutch experience (twilight theme plays in the background).

In Amsterdam I couchsurfed with an amazing woman who was one of my past surfers mother. She lived in a prime location in Amsterdam...though I think that anywhere in this small country is a prime location. Amsterdam is such a quaint and beautiful city. Modernity is available but optional. They find value in wholesome activities like riding bikes...EVERYWHERE! This was probably my most favorite thing about Amsterdam. Not only because I am a health guru, but because it gave me hope for change.

About 30 years ago, Amsterdam foresaw that they had a problem...there were too many cars on the road! So they made progressive changes to implement more bike use. Some of these changes included making parking rates ridiculously high, these rates increase yearly making it very expensive to own a car in Amsterdam. Additionally, they created large parking structures, for bikes only! When you get out of the main train station in Amsterdam look for a huge spiral concrete structure, yup, thats a parking garage for bikes!

Okay, back to Queensday. Well actually lets start with Queensnight--the night before Queensday. This pre-holiday is as large as the actual holiday (sorta...). It takes place in many cities around Holland but is most famous and best attended in The Hague. You may know this city because it is famously known as the site where the international court holds war crime trials (i.e. WWII and the Nazi's). Well, after I went to a Couchsurfing Dutch pancake party in a nearby town--my group and I went to The Hague. It was more crowded than a Nsync concert (lol!). An Nsync concert with beer and black licorice and bands singing in Dutch. It was honestly great!

I won't go into detail about Queensday--it was quite an experience. Think city (country) wide garage sale with food vendors, dancing, and concerts. I walked solo in my Orange dress (Everyone wears orange on Queensday) and received smiles and positivity from everyone. When I was in the Netherlands I felt so ...comfortable. It is pretty diverse, but the skin color spectrum isn't what created my disposition...it was the attitudes--the genuine respect that people give to one another no matter who you are.

I also visited Rotterdam and had another great Couchsurfing host. I tramped through tulips, drank Belgium beer, visited windmills, and had some great conversations regarding race. The Dutch gentleman that I stayed with in Rotterdam informed me that the Dutch do not see color. So of course I went on to ask him which woman would his mother choose if myself and a White woman were presented to her. He said she would prefer the woman who came from the best family. So I guess their prejudices lay in class and not race? Well, we all know that the Dutch colonized South Africa, Surinam, parts of India, and a many of other places AND they are considered one of the first Europeon countries to partipate in slave trade spanning from 1500-1850. Well, at least they are trying to change... Although, I did get a spirit of prejudice when it came to their immigrant populations, especially Muslim immigrants.

Alas, what can I say, it is Europe. Anyway, in all I had a great time. Go if you can...I hear that Queensday is one of the best times to go because it truly is a national holiday. Queensday is celebrated on April 30 (April 29 if the 30th is a Sunday) Will I go again? Probably not, I did a lot on this premier trip!

Doei!

NE

Leia Mais…

Off the Thai tourist trail

Thailand was the first non-Western country I visited. At that time, I hadn't even been to Eastern Europe yet. I spent most of the time in Phuket, where there are used to tourists from many different places. I felt quite at home there, since the climate and geography is quite similar to Barbados.

Whilst there, I also ventured away from Phuket and spent 2 days in a small village near Surat Thani. Way off the beaten path and where tourists don't usually venture. This is the kind of experience I seek when I travel – a chance to experience the way that normal folk live. A chance to engage with people in the less-than-sterilised environments that are normally created for tourist. I was there visiting the family of a Thai friend. She wanted me to see the real Thailand.

I was a bit of a novelty when I arrived in the village. The first thing that struck me was that there were lots of people (especially children) were at my hosts' house when I arrived. I wasn't sure who they were or how many of them were my friend's relatives. I greeted all the adults with my best rendition of a thai bow and 'sawadeeka'.

I was later told that no black person had every visited the village before and that many of the villagers had never seen a black person apart from on television. So the visitors where there for the novel experience. The people there are quite dark – some as dark as I am. But me being 'African' was what differentiated me and what was they were curious to see.

People in these villages live in quite simply - poor by western standards. But they are very hospitable. The women spent many hours cooking and preparing a feast for us (making sure that I had special dishes with less spice) . . . especially since it was my birthday the next day. I'm also quite keen to try local foods prepared in the traditional way. I'm less interested in restaurant preparations and want to sample the real cuisine of the place . . . what I like to refer to as 'folk food'.

While the women were cooking, I visited a nearby (relatively) park called Ratchaprapha. It is the site of a dam and hydroelectrical power station. The surroundings were beautiful with great views over the lake and the dam.

I was well received in Thailand and will definitely visit again. Then, I hope I get the opportunity to see more of the country and to experience more Thai hospitality off the beaten trail.

Photos from my time in Thailand can be found HERE.

Leia Mais…

Italy

I love Italy. Why? Because its reminiscent of African and general Black culture. No, really. I've been twice. Once on a road trip accompanied by a tall blond Scandinavian girl and once on a solitary journey of peace.

I'm a brown skinned girl and at the time I had straight hair. The first time I went to Italy(Summer '07), I expected that my Scand friend would be more well received than me since that's the general reaction that I experience in America. I was wrong. Everyone loved both of us and they were politely curious to who I was and where I was from. Everyone assumed I was African and was very surprised when they heard my American accent. Believe you me it intrigued them even more! Though I am of Nigerian descent that would have been too much to explain and my Italian isn't that good. I found that their loud voices and wild gestures were amusing and comforting at the same time. The men can be pushy, but I'm laid back enough to smile and walk away rather than be affronted. No one was overbearing, in any case.

Anyway, I felt like people were so warm there. My friend and I did a rode trip from Rome to Firenze (Florence), then to Venezia (Venice) and back. As you go more North the people resemble more typical Europeans (In culture and a bit in appearance) but I still found people charming.

My second trip (Spring '08) was much better. I went by myself to a cluster of five townships on the Italian Riviera called Cinque Terre (West of La Spezia). I was informed of this area from native Italians so I knew it was a Jewel and not just a tourist destination. I stayed in the middle town of Corniglia. By the end of my three day holiday the whole town knew my face and my apparent new name "Bellezza Africana" or African Beauty. It was lovely. I "talked" to old men, ate the best pesto pasta in the world, and hiked to each town on the clandestine paths that connected the cities.

I did not see another Black person while I was in Cinque Terre (This is probably why everyone knew who I was.) I did not feel out of place or uncomfortable. The people seem so satisfied with life, that they are not particularly concerned with rude behavior and the such. Thats what I have concluded at least.

I have a passion to visit all of Italy oneday. I have heard the south is even more Black-friendly and cultured. I do believe they have mixed heavily with Africans due to the close proximity. I'll find out and I 'll let you know!

NE

Leia Mais…

In China

Recently I travelled through China, Russia and Mongolia. I'm a black female with dreadlocks and was travelling with a white male companion. Before the trip, I was a bit sceptical about Moscow because I'd heard stories about racism/racist behaviour there.

China was a big surprise. I started off in Shanghai, and every where I went I seemed to cause a bit of a stir. I attracted a lot of attention - people staring (blatantly and not even looking away when you catch them), people giggling and pointing etc. Some of the bolder ones came up to me and asked to touch my hair. Some of the not-so-bold ones snuck up behind me and touched/tugged my hair when I wasn't looking. A few asked if they could take my photo and some people wanted to have their photos taken with me.

I even caught people taking photos of me with their mobiles. I just smiled and gave them a joky "I caught you" finger wag.

In Beijing, people were a bit more subtle. Or perhaps I just didn't notice as I was too caught-up in the sites - Forbidden City, Great Wall etc. But I certainly didn't feel as much of a curiosity.

Even when I was leaving China, I seemed to attract extra attention from the officials. I left China by train and so all the passports were collected and checked as a unit before we were allowed to leave the train. Yet as I was about to reboard, I was stopped yet again and asked to show my passport. I'm not sure, but I think it was just a chance to have one more look at me . . . or maybe it was my 'strange' passport.

Since then I've had lots of time to reflect on my experience there and I've spoken to a few people who are experienced with Chinese/Asian life. They've said that it's the dreadlocks (in addition to my skin colour) that would've caused the reaction. Also the timing of my visit was during the October week-long national holiday. During this holiday people from the smaller cities and rural areas in China tend to visit the larger cities - Beijing and Shanghai. So to them, I would be even more of a novelty as they wouldn't have seen the likes of me before.

s3

Leia Mais…

Welcome

As black travellers, we may encounter an array of experiences. In some places people may be intrigued by us and in others they may resent our presence.

This blog is meant to share different experiences that reflect the diversity of travellers and the places they travel to.

We are two females separated by an ocean with one passion in common: To be impacted by the world and subsequently impact it back! Through our love of travel we will pass on the excitement, love, and if necessary, forewarning of the places we visit. All
from a Westernized Black Female perspective.

This a medium to share 'out the guidebook' travel experiences about race and culture differences, insight from locals, and antecdoctal information of country race-relations. We invite you to share your personal stories, commments, and questions. Enjoy!

"I speak to the black experience, but I am always talking about the human condition -- about what we can endure, dream, fail at, and still survive." - Maya Angelou

Leia Mais…