Talking to Strangers: Recent Episodes
The Go GRL
Talking to strangers is always part of my travel itinerary and my chance encounters usually make for the best trip highlights. So now I bring you travel stories that make for great life lessons. Talking to Strangers by travelcakelife.com
It's the slap heard around the world and none of us saw it coming. Not even Will I'd bet. So far, the conversation has centered around Smith's sensitivity to "just a joke" or Rock's deserving of the smackdown for his blatant disrespect of Jada Pinkett Smith's alopecia; however, let me share my thoughts...
Have you ever been excited about making plans, pursuing a goal and moving forward... but then suddenly you begin spiraling at the thought of, "What happens if I fail? What will people say?" Let’s talk about it!
Pandemic travel is definitely challenging, but with a little bit of courage and a few of my expert travel tips- gathered from my over one dozen trips during this pandemic - you can be sure to have happy travels this 2022.
IMPORTANT: the article at www.thegogrl.com include key links for you to understand your travel rights. Make sure to read through the article and click around.
Movies help us travel from the comfort of our sofas to whole new worlds. So in the spirit of "lockdown winter", I thought I'd share 3 new family favorites from my family to yours. My absolute favorite is Shang-Chi. What's yours?
Burgenstock Resort Lucerne is one of the most beautiful hidden gems in Switzerland and my experience this past Spring makes me want to recommend it to you for a winter getaway that you're sure to love. For the winter they've planned some wonderful festive events - check links in the article at thegogrl.com - and they've got an ice skating rink with music and hot chocolate too!
It all sounds super dramatic, but if you appreciate a good 5-star hotel as I do, then you totally understand where I was going with this one.
It's time to travel! I'm putting all the pieces together and this is about to be exciting.
Article by Lori Zaino
Audio by Dancoise Koechler
Solo travel isn’t always easy — especially for women. And most married women may not want to travel alone. I get it. You’ve finally found your match, so doesn’t that mean you have a built-in travel partner for life?
But truth be told: my marriage is better because I continue to travel alone.
Thanks to solo travel, these traits shine brighter within myself and my marriage:
• Strength
• Peace
• Confidence
• Gratitude
Travel in the time of COVID19 is uncertain, not to mention scary I know. I was very nervous when I broke free out of quarantine last June, but 10 countries later, I'm ready to share a few experiences and tips for your upcoming COVID travel. Here are 3 pros and 3 cons of COVID19 pandemic travel:
"Why is death so menacing anyway? If we've lived a full life and sucked it dry, then what are we actually afraid of?" Let me explain...
Yes! I'm learning Arabic and I don't know why! Well kinda... it's complicated, ok! I love this experience and here's a little bit of how my curiosity was piqued and how I've gotten started on learning a new language.
The most dangerous dishonesty can come for yourself. And after so many cake customers have turned into #caketherapy clients, I've decided that it's time to share some real truths that run through each conversation.
Note: although I talk about Switzerland in this episode - because that's where I am and those are the people I've recently spoken to- I know that this conversation is universal and it's a truth that we all need to take to heart. Let me explain...
Many of my visits to Michelin star restaurants lead to molecular gastronomy hat tricks, as the male chefs focus on technique, execution and military precision. Letizia's approached, however, treated the techniques only as a foundation and continued -with a woman's touch- building a spectacular satire of taste, texture, concepts and presentation.
Gozo, Malta for me, started off with an Encylopedia of history but ended up with a warm and inviting human experience. The island is known for its sun and sea, so you would think that my favorite takeaways were the views...no...boring. Luckily for me, I walked away with something much richer. Enjoy and come again!
"The first bites felt sensual melting in my mouth. Layer upon layer of dynamic chocolate flavors and textures. With every last bite, I could feel the love and intention invested over the two months it took to make this masterpiece. The chocolate cake sent me into sweet submission. Even the accompanying tea was beautiful! I was home..."
The Phoenicia Malta created a whole "before and after" moment for me when it came to my experience on Malta. When I say that environment is everything, well this was a great example of just that. It's not that the hotel is so opulent, or snazzy, but it sets the perfect tone for enjoying a UNESCO rich trip with lots of sun and sea to add the cherry on top. Let me explain...
Quick! Time to get back to the friendly skies. Let's talk about why pandemic travel is incredible and why you need to make sure to travel asap.
Kids say some funny things and they can also say things that make you double-take their age. Today we treated ourselves to a few pastries from The Dolder Grand and they were full of insight!
When things get hard, it's sometimes hard to remember the joy that giving and community can bring. So let me share my story about how I gave my Venezuelan Uber driver a much appreciated 500€ "tip". Enjoy!
Before you get married to stay together or relocate to make your relationship work, let me and Diego tell you about our experiment for the last two months. Diego left yesterday, but not before we took time to share our experience with you.
www.travelcakelife.com
My trip to Egypt has been far from what I expected and visiting the pyramids was definitely the cherry on the top of the shock. So close your eyes and listen to this 30 minute episode to be in the moment with me and Diego at the pyramids in Giza, Egypt.
You join us as we arrive, by horse and carriage, to take our first pictures at the pyramids. To get to the pyramids we first took a 15 minute detour through the small town directly outside of the pyramids. The dirt roads were littered with trash, crawling with homeless cats and dogs and a few children finding joy in simple toys like tops. A few minutes into the recording you will hear a cautionary example of what to look out for when hustlers try to offer you services for "free" and then bully you out of money after you've enjoyed a bit of fun. Enjoy.
Have you ever really wanted to travel and then you got the courage to do it AND THEN a bunched of fear mongering family & friends talked you out of it? Well last night I told a young girl why she #aintgottimeforthat. Anyway listen to why you need to travel for far more reasons than taking a few pretty pictures, but rather to change your whole life...
ps I give you a run down on my experience first and then get to the conversation with the stranger about half way through.
COVID19 has put an extra strain on already challenging long-distance relationships and with all the stress and uncertainty mounting, couples are finding it difficult to keep that spark ablaze. Nevertheless, through all of the challenges we have found many ways to count our blessings and fall even more deeply in love than before. Here's an episode featuring my Dieguito for our #LoveIsNotTourism tutorial on building a strong relationship and using the pandemic to be the catalyst for your endless love.
Helixx C Armageddon, stranger turned dear friend, came after me after reading a an interview I did about black American world travel. I met with her as a favor and then years later she returned that favor by saving my life. #womenforwomen
Travel in the time of COVID19 is uncertain, not to mention scary I know. I was very nervous when I broke free out of quarantine this past June, but 5 countries and 7 cities later, I've got some stories to help you prepare for your own Coronavirus travel. Tips and how to's.
Morocco was a fabulous country full of energy, flavor and exotic design, but the most memorable part of my trip didn't have anything to do with any of the above.
Episode Links:
Meryanne Loum-Martin
https://www.blackenterprise.com/former-lawyer-turned-hotel-owner-talks-power-of-providing-five-star-service/
Jnane Tamsna Boutique Hotel
http://www.jnanetamsna.com/
Riad BE Marrakech
https://www.be-marrakech.com/
Happy Friday! It's a little test episode and a good one! Today I share tips on how to solo travel and why you need to watch out for creeps ladies. Go follow travelcakelife on Facebook and Instagram and browse the Solo Travel article at www.travelcakelife.com. Enjoy!!!