5 Ways to Combat Feeling Low in Buenos Aires

Living abroad, away from your comfort zone and family and friends, isn’t easy. It’s especially difficult when you move to a place where you stand out. As a black woman living in Buenos Aires, you don’t have the luxury of fitting in and it’s almost impossible to be anonymous. Just walking down the street can feel like a spectacle. Because of this, it can feel like your experience living in Buenos Aires is a completely different experience from your counterparts of other races. Being black in Buenos Aires will make your experience more unique, but it can feel exhausting at times. A new reader, who is living in Buenos Aires, inspired me to write this post.

1. Take a Break From the City

Even though you’re visiting a new city that’s far away from home, you can still get tired of the daily hustle and bustle of it. When you feel this way in Buenos Aires I suggest getting away for a weekend or taking a day trip out. Some good places to go by bus are:

1. Iguazu Falls
2. Mar del Plata
3. Mendoza
4. Cordoba

A good day trip to take is a one hour ferry ride to Colonia, Uruguay. I loved everything there, down to the cobble stone streets. The place was beautifully ancient and more relaxing than Buenos Aires. You can sit on the rocks over the water and let the wind tell you stories. The men are hot too and less aggressive than Argentine men, in my opinion. Also, no one stared at me there. I think this is because there are more black people in Uruguay than in Buenos Aires.

2. Go Shopping

This doesn’t need much of an explanation. Retail therapy is the best pick me up! My favorite part of Buenos Aires to shop is Once pronounced (on-say). It’s full of affordable retail stores with nice clothes, shoes and accessories. Once reminds me of The Buenos Aires version of New York’s 34th street.

Another place I like to shop is at the Ferias (flea markets) in Buenos Aires. They have good ones in Recoleta, but the best one’s are in San Telmo, which is the artsy neighbor of Buenos Aires. You can find one of a kind art, jewelry and vintage furniture. It’s shopping paradise!!!!!

But my favorite place of all to shop in Buenos Aires is at the thrift shops, called Feria Americana in Argentina. Most of the stuff is still new with tags, unique and super affordable!

3. Take a Break From the Boliches (Clubs)

It’s tempting to party all the time in Buenos Aires, especially when you first arrive. But the boliche scene is where you can meet some of the most unsavory characters. I’ve experienced a lot of craziness in the boliches and heard from black women who said they had been grabbed and kissed against their will. So if you’re feeling fed up with the aggressive male behavior in Buenos Aires, I suggest taking a break from the boliches.

Note: I would like to take this moment to say that not all Argentine men are aggressive. There are a lot of them who are sweet and romantic. But just like any city you won’t always find the sweet men in the club.

4. Meet Some Awesome Argentines

Making local friends in Buenos Aires is a plus and I highly recommend it. I have some of the most amazing Argentine friends and that helped make my stay feel more like home. It’s also great to have local friends because they can show you the hidden gems of the city. I found out about Once through an Argentine friend. One way to meet locals is by taking part in programs like SpanglishExchange. https:// www.spanglishexchange.com, a program that pairs English speakers with Argentine locals— meet and greet style. This company was actually started by a black woman living in Buenos Aires.

5. Write

Sometimes the best way to deal with your emotions is to write about them. Writing about my experiences in Buenos Aires made them more meaningful and empowering. It would have been harder to get through my rough patches in Buenos Aires if I didn’t write about them.

I hope these tips help. Remember, you are not alone.

NOTE: Photo found via: http://wikitravel.org/en/Buenos_Aires. I do not own any rights.

EXTRA NOTE: For some reason WordPress is being annoying today and none of my links are working. Sorry! :0(

Poets Will Inherit the Earth pt 2

And one of my favorite poets does it again! This made me fall in love with my city all over again! If you haven’t yet— travel to NYC! You’d love it! ;0)

Cute Video From Buenos Aires!

Forever 21 Earring Giveaway! (Closed)

These earrings are so hot!!!!!

I bought them specifically for my blog giveaway, so one lucky reader will win these brand new earrings still in plastic! I think they’re perfect for a cute fall outfit!

To enter giveaway subscribe to my blog by clicking on the subscribe button on the right side of the page. That’s it! If you’re already subscribed to the blog, leave a comment below this post to let me know you want to enter and I will add your name in the giveaway. But you have to comment below and let me know you would like to enter or else I won’t know to add your name.

Giveaway ends Saturday, October 15th at midnight. Winner will be chosen at random on Sunday, October 16th! Good luck!

LET THE GIVEAWAY BEGIN!!!!

NOTE: photo found VIA. I do not own any right.

Imported Chocolate of the Moment: Michaela Hall

1. Who She Is: Michaela Hall is a lover of travel who currently resides in Washington, DC. She gained a love for traveling while growing up as a military brat. She shares her travel adventures at www.aweinclusive.com.

2. Imported To: I’ve traveled haphazardly around the United States and Caribbean islands. I’ve also visited Morocco, Spain and Germany.

3. Imported Wish List: My wish list is never ending, but I would love to experience New Year’s celebrations in Japan and Australia. Also, I want to see a lot more of Africa.

4. Inside My Imported Chocolate Box: I love my fanny pack with its multiple compartments. It holds everything! I also need a good conditioner for my hair and some great walking shoes. Last, but certainly not least, I don’t go anywhere without my camera!

5. Top Five Places I Recommend You See:

1) Key West, Florida is so fun and quirky!
2) Laid-back New Orleans, Louisiana feels like a second home.
3) Tangiers, Morocco and its Cave of Hercules are awe inspiring.
4) Free museums, attractions and events put Washington, DC on the list.
5) Your own backyard. Go on the tourist site for your city and print out a list! Sometimes our minds are so set on getting away that we overlook what we have at our fingertips.

6. First Three Hours In A New Country/Place I: After dropping off my luggage at my place of lodging, I take a stroll to familiarize myself with the surrounding area. I enjoy observing the locals and getting to know the hidden treasures of the neighborhood.

7. First Three Days In A New Country/Place I: In the daytime, I’m usually very busy doing the tourist thing and attempting to see everything. In the evenings, I find the local hang outs and immerse myself in the culture.

8. How Do You Mane Tame Your Hair When Abroad: When I’m on the road, I don’t spend a lot of time dealing with my hair. I used to rely on wigs when I traveled. Now, I wear two-strand twists or a pony puff. I rarely shampoo when I’m abroad, but rinse with conditioner every day.

9. Chocolate For Your Thoughts On Women Of Color Traveling: As an African American female, I stand out in many places that I travel to. I won’t let the feeling of being an outsider stop me from enjoying the World. When the stares get to be discomforting, I usually put on a pair of shades. They help me feel invincible.

10. Chocolate For Your Thoughts On Women Traveling: Travel is empowering and I always return with a greater sense of appreciation and personal satisfaction. To stay safer as a female traveler, I get to know my surroundings and keep an appearance of confidence, even when I’m lost.

11. Best Imported Moment: Visiting the Cave of Hercules in Tangiers, Morocco was one of my most inspiring travel moments. There is an entrance of the cave that is shaped like Africa. Standing there, looking through that entrance onto the Atlantic Ocean felt so powerful and fulfilling.

12. How Do You Make Your Dream Of Travel Come True: I cut costs in other areas, like skipping the cable television and opting to purchase a very used car. I do my own hair and nails (thanks youtube!) and shop at thrift stores. I even shop thrift stores in other countries! Found some pretty cute things too. Plus, I plan trips around the living arrangements of family and friends. My first trip abroad came shortly after my brother was stationed in Germany. Free lodging and a tour guide!

If you’re an Imported Chocolate of the moment, or know one, I would love to profile you! Email me at jennifer@imported-chocolate.com

Clutch Magazine Feature!!!!!!

I opened my email to a wonderful surprise this morning! I was told that I had just been featured in Clutch Magazine this morning as one of the “11 Black Women Inspiring Us to Travel.”

I am beyond honored! This fuels me to work harder on the cool things I have coming to Imported Chocolate. I would like to say thank you to all my readers who support Imported Chocolate; you inspire me to keep pushing.

You can read the clutch article here!

P.S. I got all the giveaway stuff today! So be sure to check back on Monday for the first one!

NOTE: Photo found VIA. I do not own any rights.

Hot Chocolate with a Local: Arielle Loren in Bahia, Brazil

Before you read any further, grab a cup of your favorite hot chocolate, coffee or tea. Do you have it? OK. Now read on :0). Hot Chocolate with a Local will be a recurring post where I sit down with a guest and chat about travel over a delicious virtual cup of hot chocolate. I created this series to bring you real advice about travel around the world. Today we catch up with the lovely Arielle Loren, Freelance Writer and Owner of L Media House: “A multimedia agency dedicated to producing quality video projects, catalytic online brands, and strategic sustainability.” You can read more about Arielle at her website ariellloren.com.

Imported Chocolate: Hey Arielle, thanks for having a virtual cup of hot chocolate with me! First question, what part of Brazil are you in?

Arielle: I’m currently living in Salvador, which is in the Brazilian state of Bahia.

Imported Chocolate: Bahia is known as the part of Brazil that is predominantly populated with Afro Brazilians right?

Arielle: Yup, even though Afro-Brazilians live all over Brazil.

Imported Chocolate: Why Brazil and why Bahia?

Arielle: I wanted to live Afro-Brazilian culture as a daily experience. While the African Diaspora certainly has impacted Brazil’s culture as a whole, Bahia is very special and holds a lot of history.

Imported Chocolate: Was there anything specific in Bahia’s history that jumped out at you and compelled you to go there? Like a story or historic figure?

Arielle: I can’t say that there was a specific event. But I did find it extremely powerful that Salvador was one of the largest slave ports in the Americas. That in itself grasped my curiosity and made me want to explore.

Imported Chocolate: Gotcha. How long have you been there?

Arielle: Tomorrow will be two weeks!

Imported Chocolate: Wow! Awesome! What was your first impression of Bahia when you first arrived?

Arielle: All of the colorful buildings, smiling brown folks, city happenings, and ocean water gave me a sincere reawakening. I felt alive when I got to Salvador, like I truly was living in the moment. I haven’t seen any of Bahia beyond the city, but I hear it’s just as beautiful.

Imported Chocolate: I love that feeling! It’s a feeling someone would not understand unless they travel.

Arielle: Exactly!

Imported Chocolate: Any culture shock moments yet? Culture shock usually kicks down the door within the first day to week. Something always happens to make you think “I’m sooo not in the U S of A anymore!”

Arielle: I decided to walk from my neighborhood, Dois de Julho, to Barra, which is one of the most popular beach communities in Salvador. At the time, I didn’t know the pedestrian route to get there, so I ended up just following the shore. Needless to say, I passed a plethora of homeless Bahians, and it was shocking to see that they were primarily LGBT, which definitely bothered me. I also watched a woman squat and poop right in front of me. And even though I had seen lots of poop along the way, it’s another thing to see it come out of someone’s behind. I can’t say that I didn’t “expect” to see a certain level of poverty, but it definitely was eye-opening to witness it first hand.

Imported Chocolate: Giiiirl! Wow, to see poop come out someone’s bare bottom is definitely an eye opener! That’s another thing I respect about traveling: the ability to be able to see beyond our comfort zones and witness the entire world and the plights of others. Because as human beings, sometimes we can get stuck in our bubbles and think that where we live is the entire world and it’s not true. I’m sad to hear that most of the homeless people were LGBT. That hurts my heart. Is it a big issue to be from the LGBT community in Brazil?

Arielle: Every country has it’s issues, but it seems like Brazil is more accepting of the LGBT community than the United States. But those are just my observations and talking to LGBT folks. I haven’t done any legislative or policy research in the country.

Imported Chocolate: OK. What are the citizens like in general?

Arielle: Salvador is like being in the South of America in terms of hospitality. The people are very welcoming, talkative, and helpful, at least from my experience. Very few people speak English, but they will try to work with you to get your point across in Portuguese. Pronunciation is big here, it’s not enough to “know” the word, you have to say it exactly right.

Imported Chocolate: That’s exactly how it was for me in Buenos Aires too! If I pronounced one letter wrong they could not understand me. It’s great to know the people of Salvador have such warmth. So is the Brazilian beauty legend true?

Arielle: Yes, the people are truly beautiful, and the men! Just wow! They look like they’ve been sculpted out of the earth. I’ve seen some of the best bodies in Brazil in my entire life.

Imported Chocolate: I knew it! So what are the boys like? I mean their personalities? Are they Casanovas? Tell me more please! *puts chin on fist* lol.

Arielle: They’re a bit possessive and clingy. That’s been a turn off for me. I revel in my freedom, so I’m never turned on by someone determined to latch on to me when I first meet them. But men in Salvador are excellent sweet talkers. They will give you all sorts of compliments. They’re not shy.

Imported Chocolate: Again, sounds exactly like Buenos Aires. I am beginning to think Argentines and Brazilians are like cousins. Or it could just be a South American thing. Anyway a few dates would be fun I bet.

Arielle: I’ve had a good time, no regrets! I’m certainly never against having fun, particularly with beautiful men!

Imported Chocolate: That’s what I am talking about! Moving on to food. Did you try any dishes that made you want to smack your mama? Not literally, of course. :0)

Arielle: I loved this dish called Makeka (I might be spelling it wrong) but it’s divine! I was having serious food orgasms as I ate it. You can get it in all types of different meats, but I chose shrimp (not a huge meat-eater anymore).

Imported Chocolate: OMG! That sounds yummy! What is it exactly?

Arielle: it’s like a gumbo, but lighter and yellow. There are tomatoes, peppers, and onions served with it and this special sauce made out of corn meal I think. I can’t really explain it, but it’s delicious!

Imported Chocolate: I want some now! Waaaaah! Have you checked out the beaches yet?

Arielle: lol…I’ve basically been to most of the beaches in Barra, but that’s it. They’re beautiful and the sound of the ocean is therapeutic.

Imported Chocolate: Sweet! Any good places to shop?

Arielle: I honestly haven’t been looking to shop much, but there’s all sorts of cool cultural/artistic spots in Pelourinho, which is the historic center of the city.

Imported Chocolate: I always love when there is a historic part of a city. Sometimes it feels like the past whispers to you when you walk old streets. Have you claimed any favorite spots yet?

Arielle: I’d say that the more secluded parts of Barra have won my heart. But I need to venture out more. There are a few islands that surround the city, so I plan to do that in a week or so.

Imported Chocolate: Awesome! What’s it like traveling in Brazil as a black American woman?

Arielle: Well, I can only speak for Salvador, but the biggest blessing is that I blend in with the people and therefore, get to see things that most tourists don’t. For instance, when I was walking that off beaten path to Barra, I could’ve easily been robbed. But because there’s such a strong African diasporic influence in Salvador, most assume that I’m Bahian and thus, I’m not treated any different than a local. I also try to dress down and wear no jewelry. The style here is very simplistic. Colorful, but nothing flashy.

Imported Chocolate: Wow. That’s good to know. What will you be doing for the remainder of your stay in Brazil?

Arielle: I’ll just be “living.” I don’t have a particular plan, just going where the universe leads me.

Imported Chocolate: And that is the perfect way to travel. The way I prefer, actually. What’s next on your itinerary? Do you plan to explore other parts of Brazil?

Arielle: I do, but I’m not in a rush. I’d like to see Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, Sao Paulo, and other parts of Bahia. In due time though. When the opportunity or urge arises, I’ll go!

Imported Chocolate: Cool. How did you make this opportunity to travel to Brazil happen?

Arielle: I honestly didn’t plan for Brazil. I quit my job, prayed for more freelancing opportunities, and trusted the universe. Everything worked out, I’ve been surviving as an entrepreneur and full-freelance writer, and now I’m living my dream in Brazil.

Imported Chocolate: Do you have any advice for the everyday woman of color who is still on the fence about traveling?

Arielle: I’d just say GO! Traveling only changes you for the better, so what do you have to lose? Get some life experience and see other cultures. I promise it will be worth the effort.

Imported Chocolate: Any travel safety tips for women?

Arielle: I tell women to use common sense as you would in any situation. Don’t go out alone at night. Dress according to the local culture, so you don’t become a target. Learn the basics of the local language. And try to explore in general with at least one other person. That’s it!

Imported Chocolate: Thanks so much Arielle!

NOTE: Photo is Arielle’s own. I do not own any rights.

Imported Chocolate of the Moment: Monica Williams

1. Who She Is: Monica Williams is a journalist for a New York newspaper known for its dot drawings. She grew up in Detroit and Philadelphia and has also worked as a journalist in Boston, Detroit and Cincinnati. Sometimes, she blogs about her insatiable wanderlust at www.blackbroadabroad.blogspot.com. 2. Imported To: Most of the 50 United States and Central American countries, South Africa, Zambia, Iceland, Poland, Italy, Belize, Denmark and more.

3. Imported Wish List: How much time do you have? The thing about traveling is that it makes you want to travel more. I NEED to explore more of Africa. I want to visit Asia. Beyond that, the salt flats of Bolivia, most of Colombia and Ecuador, the Plains states and Alaska in the U.S., Turkey, Croatia… You name it; it’s probably on my list.

4. Inside My Imported Chocolate Box: I think lots of people over pack (myself included). You really need only a passport; everything else can be bought. But I must have a camera, 2 SD cards (in case one gets lost), two credit cards (in case one gets lost), lots of batteries (can be expensive abroad), books and cash.

5. Top Five Places I Recommend You See: Paris for shopping; Rome and the U.S. south for history; New Orleans and Charleston, S.C., for food; Belize and Costa Rica for natural wonders.

6. First Three Hours In A New Country/Place: I convert my money, throw down the suitcase or backpack, grab a map and start walking.

7. First Three Days In A New Country/Place I: visit the must-see touristy sites, eat street meat and try to meet locals.

8. How Do You Mane Tame Your Hair When Abroad: Mostly braids or go natural. I used to carry a straightening comb but it was always flagged by airport security.

9. Chocolate For Your Thoughts On Women Of Color Traveling: Don’t listen to the naysayers who will tell you that a woman of color doesn’t belong in [insert country].

10. Chocolate For Your Thoughts On Women Traveling: If you wait on someone to accompany you, you might be waiting forever. People always ask if I’m fearful of going to “strange places” alone. Of course I am, but passion trumps fear every time.

11. Best Imported Moment: Recently, I went to Poland, a place that definitely took me outside of my comfort zone. I’ll never forget my visit there to Auschwitz, where an estimated 1.1 million died in the concentration camps.

12. How Do You Make Your Dream Of Travel Come True: I tend to eschew a lot of material possessions: expensive shoes, cable, iPads, fancy cars to save for traveling. I also stalk airfarewatchdog and Kayak for flight deals and stay in budget lodging.

If you’re an Imported Chocolate of the moment, or know one, I would love to profile you! Email me at jennifer@imported-chocolate.com

Traveling with Natural Hair: My Signature Monroe Braid Out Step By Step

NOTE: Photo found VIA. I do not own any rights.

Imported Chocolate Finds: The Best Ultimate Travel Sale Ever!!!!!!!!!

Did I ever tell you I love fall? It’s one of my favorite seasons and the perfect time to snatch up good travel deals! Liberty Travel is having an “ultimate Europe sale” and a limited time only Hawaii sale. For $1245 you get 5 nights in London at the K+K Hotel George and buffet breakfast daily. The bonus 5th night is free. The pound is a killer on most of the currency out there, but a deal like this one makes London so doable! They have a deal for Dublin Ireland as well. $1365 includes a 7-day Globus tour, which features many cities. Don’t even get me started on their Italy deals because I will be at this desk writing forever.

The Hawaii sale gets you an eight day stay starting from $1489. You get three nights in Oahu with hotel transfers, three nights in Maui and 2 nights in Kauai with car rentals, inter island flights and round trip airfare. Or you can just do Kauai for 4 nights at the Kauai Marriott Resort with breakfast for two free daily starting from $645!

These are some great deals non? Now hurry to the website before all the deals are gone!

NOTE: Photo found VIA. I do not own any rights.