Traveling: Amerindian and Brown Women’s Perspectives
Setting sail on our long-awaited adventure — Part 1
The story began with a childhood dream: to explore the world, immerse myself in diverse cultures, and absorb everything from music and dance to food, languages, and history. However, as I grew older, I began to realize that this dream might remain just that — an illusion. Despite my longing to understand different perspectives, I witnessed the challenges my mother faced when she bravely relocated to a foreign country, encountering unfamiliar languages, customs, and ways of life. Her journey served as both an inspiration and a reminder of the daunting challenges inherent in navigating the unknown.
While I’ve witnessed numerous beautiful women from various backgrounds and demographics embark on global journeys, engaging in cultural exploration, culinary adventures, historical discovery, and social connections, my own experience differs as a woman of color navigating the intricacies of transnational life in the United States — Ni de Aquí Ni de Allá. As a first-generation college graduate pushing boundaries in the corporate realm, finding people I can identify with proved challenging. Nonetheless, acknowledging my unique journey, I began to appreciate the distinctiveness of my path and experiences on this journey.
Planning a trip was nerve-wracking, and the idea of solo travel sounded ridiculous. There were so many questions swirling in my mind…
How do I even begin to plan? What activities should I prioritize once I arrive?
When visiting a new destination, what’s the first step? How will I navigate the transportation system?
Ensuring the safety of my accommodation is paramount, but how do I guarantee it? How do I reach the attractions I want to see?
What are the protocols in case of an emergency? What healthcare facilities are available in my destination?
As a food enthusiast, should I venture into trying street food or stick to dining at established restaurants?
How many days should I allocate for this trip?
How much money should I budget? And most importantly, how can I connect with new people along the way?
Each question added to the complexity of planning, but also fueled my excitement for the adventure ahead.
Planning this endeavor took weeks of preparation, and as I began to set it in motion, a wave of anxiety surfaced. While I’m no stranger to travel, encountering individuals who share my background or identity on the road is a rarity. The typical demographic targeted by tourism tends to be affluent and predominantly white. Nonetheless, I remained confident in my ability to navigate these obstacles as they arose.
One of my foremost concerns in embarking on this journey revolves around how to integrate my outsider perspective into the experience. Many significant archaeological sites, for example, hold profound significance for indigenous communities, sparking my curiosity as an Amerindian about their approaches to preserving identity, language, and traditional values. Although more travelers pointed out the priority of the security of a destination, I found myself mindful of my potential prejudices on the local people and culture I was visiting. I was eager to learn and immersing myself in diverse cultures, but also felt compelled to seek guidance to ensure that my travels were not only enriching for myself but also respectful of the cultures and beliefs of the communities I was visiting.
Part 2 coming soon…
