The Gal·Avant Life (2024)

14/04/2021

✨𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐇 𝐍𝐄𝗪 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓! ✨⁣
It has been quite a year of challenges and reflection, especially for travel. But women have been navigating challenging circumstances for generations well before this pandemic. Our Gal•Avanters are no exception! In comes Molly Cantrell. ⁣
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Molly sometimes went days without seeing another person while out on the job. Her adventures with the wild horses, vast landscapes, and small town life in Nevada, USA can inspire even the least outdoorsy of us to get out for a hike -- carefully. She reminds us that remote work can be fun and exciting, and an opportunity to step out of our comfort zones!⁣
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Check out Molly's story on our website!

26/12/2020

This iconic green space is far from the tourist crowds of central London. On this misty, almost-rainy morning a contemplative walk offered up rich, earthy smells of wet leaves and a quiet solitude that can be difficult to find in this otherwise bustling city.

📸: Teja
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02/12/2020

"As I stood there taking in the view from this luxury cliffside resort, I was captivated. I felt immense peace and tranquility, and for a moment it felt like everything else in life had paused. I had never seen a view like this. The silence and greenery that surrounds the resort allowed me a chance to truly connect with nature and added to my experience. I also had the opportunity to try Jamaican cuisine with breathtaking views like this. If you ever make it to Jamaica, Strawberry Hill Resort— a luxury cliffside resort on the Blue Mountains where the sun kisses the sky."
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Are you a woman of color with a travel picture you want us to feature, or a travel story to share? Send us a DM! ⁠
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📸: , April' 19⁠
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24/11/2020

🌟 𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓: 𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐇𝐘𝐀 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐀! 🌟⁠
Over the years, tourism (and over tourism) has taken a serious environmental toll. Yet a positive effect of the COVID-19 quarantines has been the return of wildlife, and cleaner air and water. Nowhere is it more evident than in many popular travel destinations. Nithya gives us the details, plus how to make more eco-conscious travel choices. When travel returns to a new normal, use Nithya’s advice on how to take a trip with a smaller environmental footprint.

Check out Nithya's story on our website. Link in bio!⁠
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18/11/2020

There’s something about this picture. It’s not of a famous building or anything particularly unique yet it speaks to the unparalleled architecture of London when even hotels look like THIS!
And honestly, what London picture is complete without an iconic red double decker bus?

📸: Anisha, Nov ‘19
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14/11/2020

🌟 𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓: 𝐒𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐇 𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐈! 🌟⁠
From the Republic of Congo to Chad, Senegal, Ethiopia, and Camaroon, Sarah spent much of her teenage years moving around due to her mother's career. She's a true ‘Third Culture Kid’ who's now studying at a university in Macau and tells us all about her journey and her experiences living there.⁠
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Check out Sarah's story on our website. Link in bio!⁠
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08/11/2020

Who run da world? Or at least The Gal·Avant Life? Scorpios (and girls 🤣)! Today is your other Gal·Avanter's birthday!⁠

After practicing law and working in the public policy and government relations fields for nearly 16 years, Teja left the United States and moved to Barcelona, Spain with her family. She also serves as the content and operations director for The Barcelona Edit. When she’s not busy creating content, she is an avid traveler and student of flamenco dance. Her most recent achievement is correctly using the Spanish words “cojines” “cojones” and “cajones”. Teja brings her creative and pragmatic experience as a writer, editor, and entrepreneur, to The Gal·Avant Life. ⁠
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Happy Birthday Teja! 🎂 🎉

06/11/2020

🌟 𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓: 𝐑𝐀𝐊𝐇𝐄𝐄 𝐉𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐖𝐀! 🌟⁠
This producer and director has traveled to some unique (and dangerous) places as part of her career as a documentary filmmaker for organizations like National Geographic. Her shift to taking extended trips and sabbaticals came naturally as she discovered the benefits of hitting reset on life. This is Part One1 of a two part article on making long term travel part of your life.
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Check out Rakhee's story on our website. Link in bio!⁠
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03/11/2020

It's one of your Gal·Avanter's birthdays! Join us in sending her some extra love today!⁠ 😍😍
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A little about Anisha: She is an attorney, activist, policy expert, and professor based in the Washington, DC area in the United States. In her down time, you can find her schooling everyone on Harry Potter trivia, enjoying a good pun, or planning her next gal·avanture around the world (get it?). Anisha previously created and ran Desi Travelista on Instagram where she showcased her photo editing skills. Through her photography, deep networks, and campaign management skills, Anisha now brings her creativity and expertise to The Gal·Avant Life’s editorial content, online presence, and community relationships. ⁠
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Happy Birthday Anisha! 🎂 🎉⁠

27/10/2020

🌟 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓: 𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐄 𝐒𝐍𝐄𝐋𝐋! 🌟⁠
Along with packing the right clothes and researching what sites to see, travel requires taking additional safety precautions. In this interview, Nicole Snell, CEO and Senior International Speaker for Girls Fight Back walks through how to make the most of your travel, without compromising your safety.

Check out Nicole's interview on our website. Link in bio!⁠
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22/10/2020

Have you been to Cuba but missed a chance to see Cienfuegos? You're not alone. While often skipped, Cienfuegos is actually one of Cuba's most prosperous and modern cities. It flaunts breathtaking architecture, beautiful squares, immense history, and waters like this. Cuba's shrimp-trawling industry operates out of this city, and its ports handle the majority of Cuba's sugar exports. A must see pit stop if you are making your way from Havana to Trinidad in this beautiful country!

📸: Anisha, Dec ‘19
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18/10/2020

🌟 𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓: 𝐅𝐀𝐘𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐀! 🌟⁠
When a Hollywood career as a costume designer left her wanting more than brief encounters with locals at movie sets, Faye set out to change her lifestyle. A workshop with an Italian shoemaker during a sweaty Barcelona summer turned into a new life as a successful international entrepreneur who uses travel to delve deep into her craft as a shoemaker.⁠
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Check out Faye's story on our website. Link in bio!⁠
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09/10/2020

"What I love most about traveling is the knowledge I gain - the type that can’t be taught anywhere, not even in the most elite schools. Experiencing other cultures and norms firsthand has taught me to appreciate what I have, what I don't have, and most importantly, compassion and tolerance. I’m never the same after I return from a trip, and that’s such an invaluable asset." ⁠
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Are you a woman of color with a travel picture you want us to feature, or a travel story to share? Send us a DM! ⁠
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📸: Andrea , Moqui Sand Caverns, Kanab, Utah, Sept '20⁠
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05/10/2020

🌟 𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓: 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐈 𝐒𝐄𝐊𝐇𝐀𝐑!🌟 ⁠
As an Indian-American musician-turned-winemaker, Shalini never quite fit into the typical mold of cultural expectations. It wasn’t until a trip to Sevilla in 2009 that she found her culinary home. There, she was exposed to foods, flavors, and wines that left her connected to a place she never imagined was for her. ⁠
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Check out Shalini's story on our website. Link in bio! ⁠
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30/09/2020

Talk about views worth the hike!😍 The Cami de Ronda hiking trail in Costa Brava runs along the Mediterranean Sea, with remote coves, idle fisherman hanging out on the rocks along the rugged coastline, and the occasional n**e sunbather. 😂⁠
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✨What’s the most beautiful hike you’ve been on? ✨⁠
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📸: Teja, Aug ‘20⁠
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25/09/2020

🌟 𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓: 𝐏.𝐀.! 🌟⁠
When P.A. took a trip to Israel for school, she was able to relax by the Dead Sea, trace the path Jesus took to the crucifixion in Jerusalem, and marvel at the size of the river Jordan. But what she wasn't expecting was to learn so much about herself along the way. ⁠
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Read as she takes us along on a her personal journey to discovery. Link in bio!

📸: P.A., '13
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22/09/2020

“Traveling brings me so much—it enlightens me about different cultures, helps me capture lifetime memories, and grows my community as I meet new individuals from around the world. Then there are moments like this where I get to take it all in and see how vast our lands are. Being on this safari in Dubai made me realize we can create beauty from anything, anywhere.”⁠
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Are you a woman of color with a travel picture you want us to feature, or a travel story to share? Send us a DM!⁠
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📸: , Dec '19⁠
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15/09/2020

🌟𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓!🌟⁠ Early in life, Sunaina recognized the power of makeup when it comes to making women feel confident and beautiful. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to create an entire career around bringing out the best in her clients. Read all about how she did it, what she learned along the way, and her makeup recommendations for women of color who love to travel. www.thegalavantlife.com
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11/09/2020

The Dalmatian Islands in Croatia and the surrounding Adriatic sea are absolutely stunning. Yet the true beauty of this place is the warmth of its people, their simple lifestyle, and beautiful culture. ⁠
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📸: Teja, June '17⁠
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07/09/2020

🌟 𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓: 𝐉𝐎𝐀𝐍𝐍 𝐘𝐀𝐍𝐆! 🌟⁠
Earlier this year, JoAnn took a 20 hour flight to Melbourne, Australia. In her article, she tells us about her breathtaking experience flying over the International Date Line, coffee terms to know, must-try cuisines, and memorable places to explore inside and outside of the city.⁠
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Check out her article on our website: www.thegalavantlife.com
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04/09/2020

"I am Nishu aka Tanned Travel Girl. I was born and raised in a small town in India, and never had exposure to travelling. It all changed from my first visit to the lush green mountains of westerns Ghats, the Nilgiris, in 2015! Amidst the calm serene valleys, fresh air, golden rays of the sun and misty mountains, I felt HOME. I realised that there is so much more to see in this beautiful world. From then on, my travel expedition began! Travel has given me an identity beyond the usual 9 to 5 job. It has brought me closer to myself and taught me to appreciate this beautiful thing called life."⁠
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Are you a woman of color with a travel picture you want us to feature, or a travel story to share? Send us a DM! ⁠
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📸: , '15⁠
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01/09/2020

🌟 𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓: 𝐉𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐂𝐀 𝐉𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐀𝐍 𝐇𝐎𝐆𝐀𝐍! 🌟 Just look at these five generations of strong Black women! Pictured are Jessica's great grandmother, grandmother, mother, Jessica, and her two daughters. Generations of wisdom and memories have been passed down but some stand out in particular for Jessica—road trips with her Grammy and the precautions provided along the way. Some of the precautions are universal for all travelers, but some were because her grandmother was a Black woman traveling alone with two young Black children. In her article, Jessica shares some of those tips with readers.⁠ ⁠ Check out her article on our website: www.thegalavantlife.com!

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29/08/2020

Every year thousands of people visit Washington, DC to see the beautiful 🌸 Cherry Blossoms🌸 along the Tidal Basin. Though this year was a bit different with peak bloom only 10 days after lockdown, mother nature did not disappoint. 😍 ⁠
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Grateful for the opportunity to enjoy nature despite travel restrictions. 💕⁠
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📸: Anisha, Mar ‘20⁠
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26/08/2020

🌟 𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓: 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐘𝐀 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐀! 🌟 ⁠
"One of the most magical aspects of books for me is how easily they transport us to those distant lands and far away places that we are yearning for. ⁠
So grab a blanket, your beverage of choice, and dive into these four books. They are sure to sweep you off your feet, no matter where you are."⁠
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Check out writer and teacher Sharanya Sharma's recommendations for travel inspiring books to read, by women authors of color!⁠ www.thegalavantlife.com
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23/08/2020

🌟 Black Woman Joy! 🌟 😍⁠
and her friends celebrating life and friendship through travel. We love it! ⁠
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What was your most memorable girls trip? ⁠
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📸: , Jan ‘20⁠
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20/08/2020

🌟 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓: 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐅.! 🌟 ⁠
If there is any doubt that a smile can build bridges across cultures, it can be put to rest by Love. Between a childhood spent moving around thanks to her father’s military career, and an early career start as a flight attendant, Love has had a lifetime of experiences adapting and connecting with cultures and people from around the world. ⁠
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The Gal·Avant Life had a chance to chat with Love (“just Love”) about travel, family, and how this Filipina-American flight attendant-turned-social-media-maven handles change, challenge, and motherhood, all with a smile. Her passion for travel is as immediately evident as her smile -- warm even through a poorly connected Zoom call from across the Atlantic. ⁠
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Check out the interview on our website: www.thegalavantlife.com
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18/08/2020

Fun Fact 👉🏾 if you clap your hands at the base of El Castillo's stairs, you can hear an echo that resembles the sounds of the Mexican quetzal, a sacred Mayan bird! ⁠
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A day trip from Cancun, Chichen Itza is beautiful from the moment you walk through the entrance gates—with hundreds of shops, sights, and Mayan ruins to explore during your time there. It comes as no surprise that it's considered one of the seven Wonders of the World. ⁠😍⁠
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📸: Anisha, Aug ‘19⁠
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16/08/2020

🌟 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐁𝐔𝐓𝐎𝐑 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓: 𝐂𝐞𝐂𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐬! 🌟 ⁠
We each are drawn to traveling for our own reasons: adventure, learning, connection with new cultures, escape. CeCe travels for all of those reasons, but also as a means of expression and a way to honor her family. Check out her article on our page: https://www.thegalavantlife.com/stories/ghana-slave-castle-journey
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11/08/2020

✨ 𝗪𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐎 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 '𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐥·𝐀𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞!' ✨⁣
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Our featured stories reflect the personal experiences of women of color while traveling or living abroad. We hope through TGL, women of color feel 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 when they travel, with the support of the TGL community behind them.⁣
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We've worked hard on getting you great content! Check out the online publication at 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞.𝐜𝐨𝐦 (link in bio) and give us your feedback: What content do you want to see? Do you want to share your story?⁣
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𝘞𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶!⁣
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10/08/2020

📢📢 We launch TOMORROW! ⁣🚀
The Gal•Avant Life is working hard to bring you authentic and personal travel stories by women of color.

✨Tomorrow you get to see 5 of them! Show them love by subscribing today! www.thegalavantlife.com
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The Gal·Avant Life