tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-302158832011-10-21T02:54:42.157-07:00I have always had a strong desire to go places. As a child, I would read all types of books about far away places...not just locations, either. I loved to journey back in time to historical romance settings where masculine men captured the hearts of unwitting maidens, historical accounts of triumph and struggle, or modern stories of love, expression, and freedom. I'm ready to expand my own travels...and write my own stories.The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.comBlogger551100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-58756882766537819552011-07-20T15:25:00.000-07:002011-07-21T13:50:27.740-07:00

Squat Toilet One of my pet peeves is a gross restroom. While traveling, I have realized that US public restrooms are plentiful and extremely clean in comparison to some other places in the world. Best of all, US public facilities are supplied with toilet tissue and soap. Not so in many countries. Oh, the things we take for granted! Even a commode lid and cover are a luxury. Well, today I

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com5Ancona, Italy43.6158439 13.51873860000000643.5544749 13.402195600000006 43.6772129 13.635281600000006tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-12128224055438705742010-10-13T07:55:00.000-07:002011-03-12T03:37:14.802-08:00

As I was sitting and waiting for my food at a local neighborhood restaurant in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, a nice young man walked by and began talking to me in lilting Spanish. He held up several Cokes he was carrying and kept talking. "No, gracias," I replied. He continued on his way to the back of the restaurant. When he came back, he plopped ½ a glass of Coke in front of me; his treat

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-14331058837351693802010-10-12T19:49:00.000-07:002010-10-12T19:58:46.509-07:00

I traveled to Lago de Chapala (Lake Chapala) which is just south of Guadalajara, Mexico, today with the sole purpose of seeing it and the surrounding hills from on high. According to my guidebook, I simply needed to walk down a little side street, turn left at the alley, and climb up the hillside stairs for 15-20 minutes until I reached the Cross at the top of the hill. I've climbed higher with

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-9442827947581099812010-10-11T21:53:00.000-07:002010-10-12T09:32:57.323-07:00

As I was walking down one of the main streets to my hotel in Guadalajara, Mexico, a guy rode by on a bike and make a sharp u-turn on the sidewalk. He stopped in front of me and asked if I was a Rasta. I told him no. It didn't take me long to figure out he was fascinated with my hair because he kept staring at it. He pretended to be interested in where I was from, my name, etc.

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-59840650618526152762009-06-19T09:10:00.000-07:002009-06-23T21:34:23.631-07:00

I'm baking on a beach early on a Saturday morning in Acapulco watching a group of boys play a lively, if furious, game of beach soccer. The breeze coming from the ocean feels magnificent!All too often I am accosted by vendors selling cruises, hats, shell jewelry, chains, sand pails, pastries, sunglasses, scarves, juices, you name it. The rest of the time, I am bothered by men whistling, calling

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-28494857835435006052009-06-16T22:31:00.000-07:002009-06-18T23:08:57.790-07:00

Never one to take the LORD's name in vain, after a hard day in Egypt I involuntarily let out a "Woo, JESUS!" before I caught myself. I had to go all the way back to my roots when my Mudear used to call on the LORD when she was dead tired. That was me today.Dodging and ignoring the men was a constant battle. I had to be wary of men who sidled up to me making innocent conversation or offering to

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-66058729465817422682009-03-04T17:29:00.000-08:002010-05-24T00:07:39.797-07:00

"How do you know where to go?" I am often asked of my travels. When I got off the bus in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) from Punta Cana after 4 hours, I marveled at the difference in feelings from when I got off the plane in Rome two years ago. Then, I was so nervous I stayed in the airport for 2 hours before venturing out into the city. Now when I arrive in a new city in a new land, long

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-87301995190068080092009-02-20T22:38:00.001-08:002009-07-17T13:46:01.823-07:00

I was looking for a nearby street that led to the Benaki Museum (they had a Greco painting I desperately wanted to see) and just couldn't seem to find the street in this particularly tangled section of Athens. It was free admission day at the museum and I wanted to get there before it closed. I looked around for someone to ask and this African man was walking towards me. With so few people of

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-50700242641309035092008-12-20T18:24:00.000-08:002010-10-11T21:54:24.927-07:00

He sat next to me as I lounged on a bench on the zocolo in Acapulco, Mexico. "Your hair is very pretty," he said in Spanish. "Thank you very much," I responded in Spanish, smiling. Next, he asked if he could touch it. "Si." From there, we talked for hours. Sometimes in English. Sometimes in Spanish. We talked about everything from relationships to difficulties learning the others' language. We

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-67933173332342373742008-11-24T19:29:00.000-08:002008-12-01T10:23:23.441-08:00

I am fascinated with my hair and on occasion find others are, too. After all, no other group of people on the planet has hair like this; it is unique to those of African descent. I often find myself playing in it, enjoying the texture, the softness, the uniqueness. Sometimes it feels like cashmere. At times, I allow friends and family to take liberties with touching it, but there's a limit. (A

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-62767948171203568242008-11-21T18:39:00.000-08:002009-01-06T10:22:10.692-08:00

It was the only private room listed for $100 pesos in the guidebooks I'd researched. The next lowest price was $200 pesos. Always looking for a bargain, I decided to check it out.When I got to Casa Elvira, the first thing I liked was the location. Safety is the #1 criteria when selecting a place to stay. It was on a main, highly-populated street with plenty of pedestrian traffic. Family-owned, it

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-73895011782940203522008-02-12T12:19:00.000-08:002008-12-01T07:36:52.515-08:00

I am sitting here by the waterfall in Yelapa, Mexico trying to chronicle the last few days of my trip, but it's proving to be a most difficult task. It's so beautiful and peaceful and...untouched here that I simply want to sit, look around, and marvel.Reclining with my back against a rock, my puff cushioning the back of my head, I close my eyes and listen to the dual sounds of the water

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-9291691310820165052008-02-11T00:15:00.000-08:002008-12-01T07:41:43.703-08:00

Today, I sat by beautiful waterfalls where I meditated and wrote in my journal. The sound of gently splashing water is perfect for contemplating and recording the meanings of life. I look down occasionally at the revelers splashing around in the water. I consider joining them, but the brownness of the water deters me. Our tour guide comes to sit beside me, disturbing my peace. He crossed his legs

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-65594568377644527902007-12-07T23:04:00.000-08:002008-12-01T07:39:42.719-08:00

Switzerland in Dezember (sp. intentional) is magical. Very near the birthplace of Kris Kringle (Santa Clause), the Christmas decorations are breathtaking. Everywhere you look, store displays are strung with lights and brightly colored bows & boughs. Dotted along the streets are gigantic Christmas trees decorated to delight locals and visitors as they hustle to and fro through the freezing cold &

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-48221052936501166452007-11-17T07:07:00.000-08:002008-11-01T14:11:31.883-07:00

My second day in Mazatlán, Mexico, I am up bright and early to walk along the malecón to the Gold District where I am told there are plenty of good shops. I grab a breakfast torta along the way. It was quite delish. I finally reach the Zona del Oro and begin browsing the shops. After buying a few souvenirs and a bracelet, I look for lunch. As I’m wandering, I spot a McDonald’s. Oooh, I bet they

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-24190763294207753702007-11-17T00:02:00.000-08:002008-11-01T14:14:40.805-07:00

I'd read from online reviews about the wonderful sunset views from my hotel, so after walking the Malecón in the late afternoon, I hightailed it back to my room to get ready for the show. It was difficult not to stop at all of the interesting sights along the way, i.e. Diablo Cueva (Devil's Cave), but I made it just in time.Once in the room, I pulled a chair onto the balcony, repositioning it

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-61911681532144851502007-05-16T21:04:00.000-07:002008-10-23T22:58:19.931-07:00

Last night, I took a free traghetto ride around Venice courtesy of a perky American backpacker who was happy to gift me her 12-hour pass, since she was off to her next destination. That's a €13 value.Cruising the Grand Canal was absolutely amazing! The lights glowing from buildings that appeared to float on the water was magical. It was like living in one of those postcards you see back home.

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-27074030422144439542007-05-15T23:50:00.000-07:002008-05-02T00:58:56.091-07:00

I'd better write this quickly because I'll soon be asleep. I'm sitting on a train to Venice & rain has begun to fall. Moving vehicles (train, plane, boat, car, carriage) always put me to sleep and the addition of rain serves to heighten the sensation.I have this section of the train to all myself and it's so peaceful sitting here watching the green hills and mountains, tucked around sleeping

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-89839881361055253892007-05-12T17:56:00.000-07:002008-12-11T03:47:21.630-08:00

Dinner in front of the infamous Leaning Tower of Pisa sounded very enticing, so I hopped on a train from Florence (35 minutes) and was on my way. You'd think I'd be tired of trains, since I took the morning train from Sorrento back to Rome, then another one on to Florence. That's okay. I'll rest well tonight in my Italian villa converted to hostel when I return to Florence this evening.Buona

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-38799551126688288132007-05-11T23:42:00.000-07:002008-05-02T01:01:35.916-07:00

Breakfast: Croissant & pineapple/lemon juice in SorrentoLunch:Walking the ruins of the lost city of PompeiiDinner:Pizza in Naples, the birthplace of pizzaDessert:Ciocolatta gelato in Sorrento

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-69123060434005989492007-05-11T05:53:00.000-07:002007-11-29T07:22:28.948-08:00

Four exhausting days in Rome was sheer heaven! Jam-packed with activity, I can now say I have truly seen the birthplace of Western civilization up close & personal.While dodging cars & motorscooters (even on sidewalks) and being jostled along by hurrying Romans, I was able to accomplish the following:ColosseumRoman ForumPantheonNational Museum of RomeVatican MuseumSt. Peter's Basilica (

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-60830150976167989262007-05-09T01:52:00.000-07:002009-02-18T20:05:53.903-08:00

It's 9pm and I am on the steps of the Pantheon, erected in 125 AD. I saw it yesterday afternoon, but there's a surreal magic sitting here as its formidable presence glows in the dark of night. Across from where I sit looms an ancient obelisk, brought from the Egyptian Temple of Ra. The fountains at the bottom, are high enough to block my view of the McDonald's behind it, its running waters

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-20139308007476529112007-05-09T01:07:00.000-07:002008-10-23T23:00:21.778-07:00

As I was walking through the expansive National Museum of Rome, I ran across this bust and thought, "Dang, that could be a brotha." As it turns out, it was! Severus Alexander was the last ruling emperor of Rome from the dynastic family Severus. Septimius Severus (A.D. 193-211) was an African by origin and was the first emperor of the dynasty, followed by sons Caracalls & Geta.When people ask

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-5290207813749218232007-05-07T07:51:00.000-07:002009-07-21T01:02:00.671-07:00

When I got to Rome, I was a bit apprehensive about venturing out into the city. So much so, it took me full 3 hours to leave the airport. It was my first time stepping into Europe alone and I'd heard that Rome was overwhelming. As long as I was in the airport, I was assured someone spoke English and I was only a gate away from going home without a hassle and help was immediate. Once I stepped

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-71741144186510885582006-07-28T11:36:00.000-07:002008-10-23T22:58:59.189-07:00

I met Nelson while I was at the train station in Córdoba, Spain, waiting to go to Barcelona. There was a man sitting across from me staring as I was sewing my daypack together. He was staring hard and unblinking, making me extremely uncomfortable. I proceeded to ignore him and kept sewing. I was still waiting on my friend, Matteo, and wondering where he was. He was late!After a while, the staring

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-1158731146480872722006-07-26T22:32:00.000-07:002006-11-20T18:45:44.390-08:00

On one of my 1st nights here, I was in the shower and happened to look down. To my surprise & dismay, the water was all brown! "Ewwww!" I thought. "They got bad pipes in Spain!" (My thoughts don't have to be grammatically correct.) So, I looked up at the water coming out of the showerhead. It was clear as a bell. As it turned out what was going down the drain was good ol' fashioned dirt & it was

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-1157774802457838952006-07-26T21:00:00.000-07:002006-11-05T14:18:17.926-08:00

I know the rain in Spain falls mainly in the plain, but the breeze in Spain blows gently & refreshingly. I wish I could record and post it here. After long, hot days, it's like nature is saying, "It's okay, child. I'm here to cool you off now." It's like in addition to the sun going down, a cool breeze is thrown in for an additional respite. Thank you!

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-1158557533582343262006-07-25T22:18:00.000-07:002006-09-19T22:46:57.106-07:00

It's a nice, pleasant Tuesay evening and I'm sitting here on the plaza in front of the Cathedral in Sevilla. It's 10:30 PM & I've just walked the route I'll take to get to the bus stop in the morning in order to get to the train station, so I can be on my way to Córdoba.As usual, young and old alike are milling about. Mopeds are noisily roaring by and horse carriages are clip-clopping along.

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-1153842974236185442006-07-25T08:51:00.000-07:002006-07-25T18:17:32.253-07:00

Whew! I have been all over mid and southern España and only have about two more cities to do. So far, I´ve been to Madrid, Toledo, Avila, Segovia, El Escorial (and Valley of the Dead), Aranjuez, back to Madrid, Granada, Nerja, Frigiliana, Tarifa, Sevilla, La Línea, Málaga, and the Rock of Gibraltar. Every place has something to offer!I think I'm leaving Spain on Sunday after my last city. I look

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-1154500471268381082006-07-24T22:32:00.000-07:002006-09-17T23:10:53.973-07:00

Hot & not wanting to spend precious euros on entry fees, I wandered into a free exhibition to beat the heat and take advantage of a little history that wasn't in the guidebook and best of all, gratis (free). The exhibit piqued my curiosity because it talked about Indians and I figured they didn't mean India's Indians. I was right. When I got inside, I saw maps and pictures of Native Americans in

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-1154496742293013402006-07-24T22:07:00.000-07:002011-01-18T17:13:40.828-08:00

I've always wanted to sunbathe in the traditional sense & get brown all over. However, black folks don't do that. We do not lie out naked in the sun. Instead, I've settled for tanning my back at times so it wouldn't be so pale in comparison to my arms when wearing low-back tops in the summer. But, me as I am, I've always wanted more. I wanted all of the front of me to be a pretty brown, too.

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-1157261891869158652006-07-23T22:28:00.000-07:002006-09-17T22:50:52.053-07:00

I'm bringing...Lighter (less heavy) shoesBeach towelBikiniLaptopSturdier daypackThinner undies (they dry faster)Highlighter (for maps) More...Peppermint soapOB'sMoney in my budgetShea butterContact lens solutionFewer...ClothesMagazines

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-1154798986883224382006-07-23T09:45:00.000-07:002007-09-09T08:08:01.247-07:00

As I hiked happily alone down the Rock of Gibraltar, I ran into a nice, young man and asked him the way to the bus stop so I could cross the border back into Spain. He told me I could wait where he was waiting for a bus or continue walking down into the city via the Castle Steps. I'd come this far, so I decided to keep walking.Halfway down, I heard footsteps behind me. As it turned out, cute,

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-1154616073989966112006-07-23T07:40:00.000-07:002009-02-18T19:57:53.074-08:00

Moreno! Negrita! That's what the men call me here.Why is it that men choose to call me by my skin color? Not just here in Spain, either. An ex calls me Black Girl. I've also been Chocolate Girl, Chocolate Star, Island Brown, etc. So, whether they know my name or not, my skin color seems to be the title of choice.Well, while I'm here in Spain, there's never a misunderstanding as to who they're

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-1154418340541434792006-07-22T23:33:00.000-07:002009-02-18T19:59:10.465-08:00

I am lovin' my hair here on the Costa del Sol. The seaside city of Tarifa is absolutely gorgeous. With the mix of sea (Mediterranean) and oceanic (Atlantic) mist and overall humidity, so is my hair. It looks and feels amazing! I already can't keep my hands out of it. Now I seriously have to make a conscious effort.Currently, I am sporting the best twistout of my life. I'm not gon' even take

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-1154413899050894212006-07-22T23:24:00.000-07:002009-02-18T19:59:44.306-08:00

The more traditional, historical Spanish cities have an obsession with bells. Installed in many churches hundreds of years ago, they have been a mainstay ever since. They chime every hour on the hour. It's quite charming until...BONG! 2am. BONG! 3am. BONG! 4 am.

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-1160290866823071962006-07-22T23:21:00.000-07:002006-11-05T14:20:56.136-08:00

As I've traveled around Spain these last few weeks, I've found that the littlest things mean a lot. Nothing is to be taken for granted, especially when your whole world is in a backpack. I learned be thankful for the smallest conveniences.Here's a list of my little things that meant so much and why.$5 watch from Target - 24:00 time keeper (Spain utilizes the 24 hour clock), date keeper, alarm

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-1157309560258936642006-07-22T11:29:00.000-07:002006-09-17T22:53:34.083-07:00

Yes, you can do Spain on €25-35/day...if you don't go anywhere or do anything. While I budgeted for travel from city to city, I didn't budget for inner city bus fare for times when it was absolutely necessary, attraction admission fees and other incidentals.Here's where I went over budget...Museum & other admission feesInner city bus fare, i.e. Mirador in GranadaLost sunglasses replacement -

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-1153843326814257232006-07-21T09:00:00.000-07:002006-12-30T07:27:27.596-08:00

My mommyMy extended familyLaptopCustomer ServicePersonal internet connectionToilet paper and soap in public restroomsGospel MusicSoul FoodAbility to buy my favorite veggies in restaurantsGlad RagsPeople saying "excuse me" and waiting their turn.

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-1160381250487521012006-07-20T00:30:00.000-07:002009-02-18T20:00:09.790-08:00

I'm sitting here on the Balcony of Europe, watching & listening to the waves of the Mediterranean roll in. It's 10:45 PM here in Nerja and the nightly paseo is in full effect. Babies and old, alike, are enjoying this magical evening.It's almost time for me to head back to my room. I'm a wee bit tired. I arrived in town today with no hotel plans, so I got an early start to begin looking. I found

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-1155652599014786242006-07-17T07:28:00.000-07:002006-09-17T23:01:49.916-07:00

Everywhere you look, couples in Spain are holding hands, kissing, groping, you name it. There was even one guy holding open the top of his girl's tank top and having a look-see at her goodies. I'm pretty sure the twins looked the as way they did last night.While the younger couples are more demonstrative and flagrant, the older couples are more subtle & sweet. 80-year-old couples walk down the

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-1155651975913310062006-07-17T07:05:00.000-07:002006-09-17T23:00:33.693-07:00

...there's a Spaniard. The "No Smoking" campaign doesn't seem to have caught on in Spain. There are smokers EVERYWHERE! There are even signs on the doors of many establishments alerting smokers that they are indeed welcome to light up.I am choking over here! I'll be sitting down in a quiet park or on a square writing, reading, or simply chillin' and someone will come sit next to me & light up

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-1155849143025900542006-07-16T13:54:00.000-07:002006-09-17T22:57:18.126-07:00

Today, while purchasing a ticket back to Madrid at the bus station in Aranjuez, a superly, deliciously, chocolatey brotha sat down next to me and began speaking softly in French. I pretended not to hear him, so he'd have to keep talking. I finally acknowledged him & he began to speak to me in English. D@mn! I was lovin' the French!Anyway, his name was Lamine and he's originally from New Guinea,

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-1155653698271737242006-07-16T07:37:00.000-07:002006-08-17T13:53:12.676-07:00

I'm sitting in Pans & Co, a local Subway/Quiznos-type restaurant, listening to Aaliyah over the loudspeakers & eating, and began to calculate what I've spent today.Breakfast: Cereal & hot coco @ hostal = $0Lunch: 1/2 loaf of bread from yesterday's sandwiches @ the market, patatas fritas purchased 3 days ago in Toledo (still fresh), cookies from breakfast, water purchased yesterday in Cercedilla (

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I have seen so many Grecos since I've been in Spain it ain't even funny. Considered one Spain's greatest artists, the work of Dominikos Theotokópulos, a.k.a. El Greco, is on display in churches and museums throughout the country. Never having an overwhelming interest in art, I have become a huge admirer of El Greco (The Greek). I even raced through the uphill, winding streets of Toledo (

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-1153038744641717152006-07-16T01:24:00.000-07:002006-09-02T21:28:50.843-07:00

While walking & reading, I almost ran into this little old lady. "¡Lo siento, Señora!" was my immediate response. I find myself doing that more and more; responding in Spanish first. I guess when English isn´t an option, you have no choice.I'm beginning to understand spoken Spanish better, too. It sounds crisper and clearer to me here than in the US. I look forward to picking up my study of the

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-1162763868082691872006-07-15T13:37:00.000-07:002009-02-18T20:02:53.347-08:00

I'm waiting in the rec room of Hostel Metropol during my second trip to Madrid, Spain. This would be my first stay at a hostel & I'm waiting to see if they have a bed available. (That's what happens when you show up in a city without reservations.) Woohoo! There's free Internet! Gotta check my mail. It's been days.Okay, there is a bed and I'll share a room with a girl from Germany & a guy. I

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-1163268601301964372006-07-14T09:38:00.000-07:002007-02-10T22:44:19.750-08:00

It's Friday, July 14th. Today, I'd planned to stop in Aranjuez to eat some of their famous strawberries, then be on my merry way to Cuenca. When I went to check what time the next bus to Cuenca leaves, imagine my surprise when I was told LUNES! What?! I know Spanish well enough, I suppose, so I know Lunes is Monday in English, but still... Anyway, I asked 4x just to be sure. I even left, then

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-1152517858221499232006-07-10T00:15:00.000-07:002006-07-15T23:17:58.406-07:00

And why not? Okay, okay. I must admit that I was afraid to drink the water based on all I´d read about my stomach not being used to the bactria over here, stick to bottled water, boil the water, put some kind of tablets in it to purify it, etc. Well, the first night I was here, I did my usual when dining out and ordered agua del grifo (plain ol´ water). I was on my 4th glass before I realized it

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-1152261100399636102006-07-07T00:49:00.000-07:002006-07-15T23:15:18.273-07:00

When I initially found out how long the flight from Phoenix (via Philadephia) to Madrid was, I almost chose another destination. Departure was at 6:15 AM on Wednesday and arrival in Madrid was 8:30 AM on Thursday. What would I do with myself all that time?? Taking my entertainment bag was out of the question because I´d have to carry it all around Spain with me and there are only so many

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"Solo un poco, pero yo estoy aprendiendo." Ha! How you like me now! As I'm preparing for my trip, I've been brushing up on my Spanish. I took 1.5 years on college and to quote Meatloaf, "It's all coming back to me now." As is common when learning a new language, I understand its written form much better than its spoken form. For that reason, I have been listening to Spanish language CDs in order

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-1151637053179489632006-06-29T17:17:00.000-07:002006-07-07T11:17:59.063-07:00

While conducting more research about my upcoming trip, I encountered posts on a few websites about racism in Spain. Now, this ain't listed in any of the guidebooks I've read. I guess Rick Steve's didn't have any negative encounters in his travels. Apparently that isn't the case for some sistahs.According to anecdotes I've read, women of African descent have experienced incidents where they

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As I'm trekking around Spain, I can image that backpack'll feel kinda heavy after a while. Since the backpack will be my only luggage, I'll need to take as little as possible. If you know me well, I'm a huge packrat. Deciding what to take was no small feat, but the thought of carrying a big load on my back helped me scale it down to the bare necessities. Finding multiple uses for items is key.

The Black Planeteerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01268419957351832759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30215883.post-1151284498678852862006-06-25T16:35:00.000-07:002009-01-19T20:19:43.763-08:00

Several folks have hinted around or been outright nosy enough to ask how I can afford to go to Spain, when I have no job as of June 30th. As Ricky Ricardo would say, "Let me 'splain, Lucy." At first, I was simply going to splurge and dip into my savings. Then the practical side of me kicked in and said maybe I don't want to do that. Who knows when I'll decide to get a new job, so I just might

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Okay, ya'll. I've been talkin' about it for a long time and now I'm doing it. I'm officially committed to a Blog. Yes, yes, we all know about my fear of commitment, but 'cha gotta start somewhere.I want to be able to share my travels with you as I trek around Spain for a month. This will also reassure my mother I'm still alive. HI, MAMA! (Ya always gotta give ya mama a shoutout.)Feel free to

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