Who Am I?

This is not a rhetorical question to be explored on a philosophical level, but let's just start with who I'm not. 

I am not rich.
I don't have millions, hundreds of thousands, or any arousing amount of money in my bank account, but I possess a wealth far greater than any number of zeroes could amount to. I've obtained my wealth through the people and situations that I've encountered in my life. I'm wealthy because I am a beautiful compilation of my experiences.

 I am not crazy.

 I had a decent paying job in San Diego, a great Jeep, a nice apartment and an amazing, hyper 4 year old pug named Leroy... I was comfortable. Then I woke up one morning and told myself that I would never again pour my valuable energy into anything that didn't directly correlate with my happiness... so I put in my 2 weeks that following day. The only work that I did for the next 3 1/2 months was freelance photography and video work. I decided to sell everything I owned. Yes my great Jeep, Gertrude. My beautiful fur baby, Leroy (which was the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life... EVER) and at least a million other possessions that I thought that I couldn't live without. All in the name of travel. That's when sh** got real. I reduced my whole life and everything I've accumulated in my 30 years into 2 suitcases, a duffel bag and a camera bag... I bought a one way ticket to Tanzania. Yeah, east Africa! The Motherland was calling. Time to follow my dreams. 

I am not afraid.

Yes it was a little difficult to leave literally everyone and everything that I love (craft beer) back in America, but it was time that I explored my own truth.

Often times we get so caught up in our daily routines that we forget how to live. Although the definition of "living" is different for everyone, I decided to explore my definition: Traveling to new places, experiencing beautiful things and capturing it all on camera. 

When I was in the Navy (6 years), I did quite a bit of traveling. Even as a child I did my share, but the military has taught me a lot and it gave me the opportunity to go to places that I probably otherwise wouldn't have. It kind of ignited the spark that I already had for travel. With the vigilance and responsibility that the Navy has taught me, along with my free spirit and thirst for adventure, I can't lose. 

So why Traveling Sista? 
In short: because that's exactly what I am! I'm a traveling, mildly introverted but adventurous, proud Black woman. One of my main goals for creating this blog is to inspire Black millennials and all other age groups to get out and travel. 'Cause let's face it, Blacks in America (and a lot of other places) don't travel like we should. The percentage of Black People that actually have a passport (4%) is way lower than any other race, but us millennials are changing that! 

So this is a sneak peek at my journey outward and my journey inward. A quest for worldly and spiritual knowledge. 

To see me in action. Check out my first video on YouTube! https://youtu.be/kwe7JKX7kqw