Africa is Calling Me

Let’s be friends with benefits! Yes, you read that right. You see… when you’re my BFF, you ALWAYS get: ✅ Exclusive travel tips for long-term stays in Africa ✅ First access to our curated African experiences and tours ✅ Special discounts on our digital travel journal and African-made souvenirs But those aren’t the only benefits you get! I’ll show you how to navigate the intricacies of extended travel in Africa, from visa applications to immersing yourself in local communities. So whatcha say, BFF? Take the “What Kind of Africa Traveler Are You?” quiz (in bio👆🏽👆🏽👆🏽) and start reaping the benefits today!

Visiting Goree Island left me a bit conflicted. Knowing the history of how my ancestors were kidnapped and forced into dungeons in this exact spot, forced onto ships where they will never see their homes and families again is a sad and heavy truth. But at the same time, this place is absolutely gorgeous. How can I really be there and admire the cobblestones, the vibrant colours, the art, relax by the beachside and see that every corner of this place is perfect for an insta-worthy shot? There is even a giant heart where lovers can go and snap photos! Our tour guide did a really great job showing us around, translating everything in English, providing insight and teaching us what really happened here. I’m thankful because without a proper guide, it’s so easy to get caught up in the beauty of this place, taking selfies, tagging the location and checking it off of your bucket list. This was nothing like my previous experience in Ghana — at Cape Coast & Elmina Dungeons (I gag when people call it a castle 🤢) — the energy there was very heavy, it was sad. I felt like I was in mourning. I felt the energy, the pain, the hurt. I could smell the death in those dungeons. At Goree Island — it was light and airy. The colors were vivid and I was absolutely confused because both of these places have the same horrid history. I typically avoid dark and heavy experiences so a part of me was glad to see how uplifting and vibrant the area was, but I also felt guilt for welcoming it. I spent hours on Goree Island and I had a wonderful time. I was with great company, we toured, played music, chilled by the beach, ate strawberries and had an incredible learning experience. It was an enjoyable day — but reflecting on my Cape Coast experience in Ghana, I was, in a way, surprised. This was not one of those, “I’ve seen one, I’ve seen them all..” Nope, this was definitely different.

If you want your trips to Africa to become 10x easier, get yourself a translator... Now let me be the first to tell you, expect a looooose translation. I know how creative my African cousins are, they will start freestyling on you. 😅 If you’re looking for word for word, bar for bar.. your best bet is to learn the local language yourself. On my last visit to Gorée Island, Senegal, I had an incredible experience watching this talented artist create stunning sand art. Thanks to my tour guide’s translation, I was able to understand the artist’s explanation of his process. 🏝️ Did you know? The vibrant colors in this sand art aren’t from artificial dyes. The artist collects sand from different parts of Senegal, each with its own natural hue. 🖼️ This approach not only creates beautiful art but also showcases the diverse landscapes of the country. Having a translator or guide nearby who speaks the local language can transform your travel experience. It opens up a world of stories, traditions, and insights you might otherwise miss. In this case, it allowed me to fully appreciate the artistry and cultural significance behind this sand art technique. Whether you’re exploring historical sites, interacting with local artisans, or just navigating daily life, a translator can be your bridge to deeper cultural understanding and more meaningful connections. Have you ever had a moment where a translator made a big difference in your travel experience? Share your story in the comments! #AfricaIsCallingMe #GoreeIsland #SandArt #SenegalTravel #CulturalExperience #TravelTips

I hope by now you all know that theiboudienne (tiep for short .. pronounced chep) is one of Senegal’s most beloved dishes. What I mean is, it’s their national dish and they make it exceptionally well. 😋 But there’s a few things you should know about this delicious meal: First of all, you can have red or white versions of tiep. In this video, I’m eating the red one. Red is my personal favorite, but I still enjoy both. Secondly, “tiep” dishes can be broken up by the prefix and suffix. “Theibu-“ is the base (rice and vegetables), while the suffix indicates the protein: 〰️ Theibu ginar: rice and vegetables + chicken 〰️ Theiboudienne: rice and vegetables + fish 〰️ Theibu yapp: rice and vegetables + beef You may even come across theibu yapp ak niebe, which is rice & vegetables + beef + black-eyed peas. Don’t forget, any of these incredible meals can be served red or white, so if you see another version that doesn’t look exactly like mine, that’s most likely why. When it comes to the vegetable selection, you can expect a variety of carrots, cassava, eggplant, cabbage, okra, turnip, and some other goodies depending on availability. I love when mine is served with tamarind and a squeeze of lime on top. This is such a tasty meal, and I highly encourage you to try it. I hope you get it with all the fixings. When prepared correctly, this dish is a burst of flavor. You get a bit of sweetness from the tamarind, citrus from the squeeze of lime, and savory notes from this well-seasoned homemade meal. 10000/10 - highly recommend!! ✅✅✅

I shared a post that said, “travel, make love, watch sunsets” — it made me think of these random, yet beautiful moments in West Africa. It’s been a wild ride but I’m ready to do it again! 😂 Do you have any upcoming Africa plans? Let me know in the comments.

I created a quiz today and I’m shocked that after all this time, I still come across African countries that I haven’t even slightly heard of before. Isn’t that crazy?! If you haven’t seen it 👆🏽👆🏽 check my stories & test your knowledge! 🤓

Sister Mary is trying her best not to crush y’all in these sanctified streets! 💃🏾🎶 Have you streamed our Afrobeat playlist? Check it out by tapping the link in the bio! 👆🏽

Happy Sunday! ☀️ Remember to tap the link in my bio for all the goods! 😉☝🏽

Lmaooo we really have a way of turning ANYTHING into a good time! 😅🤣 Tag a friend who would line up for this! Lol (tagging myself 🤣)

Hair glowing, skin glowing!! 🤩 I love it! 💜 Thank you so much @missdiva_s for sharing your experience! It really is appreciated. 🥰🥰 Learn more about our 100% Pure Baobab Oil by clicking the link in my bio! 👆🏾👆🏾👆🏾

New labels need a slight do-over.. but we’re getting there! How do you like these so far?

I’m a huge fan of street food, it’s part of the adventure for me! 😂 And there’s so many options to choose from.. I’m not sure if this has a special name but it’s a boiled egg w/ pepper & onions ( 86 the onions 🧅 for me pls! ) What street food do you remember trying during your travels abroad?? Drop it in the comment section 👇🏽

Did ya miss me? 🙄😅