Matador Network's Blog, page 2064
August 25, 2015
Dilemmas only Parisians understand
Photo: Marianne Fenon
1. Renting an apartment intramuros or in the proche banlieue.
We, Parisians have an annoying habit of starting a conversation with two questions: what do you do and where do you live? We seem to think this will give us all the insight necessary into understanding who you are. The geographical location of your apartment will tell us immediately if you “really” live in Paris, or if you’ll be leaving the party early to get the last RER home. An apartment within the figurative walls of Paris puts you at the heart of the action, while your banlieue-dwelling friends have to contend with longer commutes to work and, heaven-forbid, a dearth of speciality coffee shops in the quartier. Then again, life is cheaper on the other side of the périphérique and some say the grass–because there actually is some over there — might just be greener.
2. Getting up early on the first Sunday of the month.
Faire la grasse mat’ or take advantage of the one day a month when entrance to the city’s major museums is free: quel dilemme!
3. Deciding whether to take the metro or walk.
If there are only two or three metro stops between you and your destination, you might be better off walking. If you’re headed to one of those metro-deserts in the 12th, you’ll probably have to walk anyway. On days when you have a lot of extra time and don’t mind being late, you might even opt for the bus.
4. Deciding whether to rent or to buy a one-bedroom apartment.
Ha, just kidding! No one can afford to buy an apartment that big in Paris.
5. Determining if you should take vacation in July or August.
Most French employees are expected, to a more or less strict degree, to take a minimum of two consecutive weeks of their five weeks’ annual vacation in July or August. The question is when to leave? Flights and lodging tend to be higher in the peak season between July 15th and August 15th, so those who can, ditch the city in the last half of August. But then they miss out on the one time of the year when the streets are quiet, the bars aren’t bone-crushingly packed and there’s room on the terraces–well, on those that haven’t shuttered their doors for a month-long repose.
6. Taking a half day of RTT to sort out the mess with your impôts.
In the Kafka-esque world of the French administration it usually pays to do things in person. A phone call leaves no trace — it may as well have never happened. You’re much better off addressing things face to face. Make sure you leave with signed and dated proof of your visit.
7. Going for a run by the canal or in the park.
With the rise in popularity of running in Paris, Lycra pants and fluorescent trainers have found a way to be fashionable. Le jogging du dimanche has become a Parisian tradition and each runner has his or her preferred terrain: there’s the Monceau crowd who go round and round in a flat, dusty circle, huffing and puffing as picnicking families look on; fans of the Canal Saint Martin work up an appetite for brunch on rue des Vinaigriers while taking in the water view; and the most dedicated athletes go for altitude at Buttes Chaumont or Parc de Montsouris, the only place to find serious hills in Paris, unless you want to stairstep up to Sacré Coeur.
8. Finding somewhere decent to eat.
Brace yourself: Paris is full of bad food. It’s hard to understand how one of the world’s culinary capitals could be so riddled with low-quality fare, but it is. It pays to do a little research before you go out, to avoid overpaying for soggy fries, canned vegetables, and industrial beer.
9. Telling your visiting friends you won’t be accompanying them to Versailles.
Once really is enough. A trip to Versailles means paying 30€ to take the RER C, stand in long lines, and subject yourself to masses of tourists and general discomfort. You’d rather just treat your visitors to a really good dinner.
10. Finding a garant.
You might be 35, in a well-paying job and have a great credit record, but none of that will help you in your quest to rent an apartment if you haven’t got guarantors — most likely your parents. And good luck if you’re self-employed.
11. Mentally preparing yourself for the bike ride to work.
In some way, Paris is perfect for biking: it’s mostly flat, the number of bicycle lanes is increasing all the time, and the public bike share system means you’ve always got a ride (except for when the three vélib’ stations nearest your apartment are mysteriously empty. Every day. For a month). In other ways, Paris is a living hell even for the most conscientious of cyclers. Three words in order of their fury-inducing capacity: taxis, scooters, and buses. 
Watch: The coolest Colorado ski town to spend your summer in
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Filmmaker Brian Lewis shows the summer side of Crested Butte, Colorado.
More from filmmaker Brian Lewis:
youtube.com/user/ElCapitan
facebook.com/blewis888
vimeo.com/blewis8
bjlmedia.com
Locations:
Crested Butte
Lost Lake
The 401 Trail
Gothic
Secret Stash
Montanya Distillers
Big Al’s Bicycle Heaven
Three Rivers Resort
Gear:
Panasonic GH4
GoPro Hero 3
Music:
Twirl, “So You Think You’re In Love”
Special thanks: Rebecca Filice, Marketing Director at Visit Gunnison-Crested Butte 
6 reasons women shouldn’t be afraid to travel to India
Photo: mattjkelley
Editor’s Note: This article was written as a response to the previously published article “4 uncomfortable truths about traveling as a woman in India.” Have you read an article on Matador that you want to write a response to? Send it to editors@matadornetwork.com.
India, as a travel destination, doesn’t have a great reputation. High-profile cases of rape and molestation have had travellers asking whether it’s really worth the hassle. Women travellers can be especially put off by all the advice and warnings available online, and may ultimately decide that as the world is so large, they’d rather go elsewhere.
India is not easy, it’s true. If your idea of perfect travel is pristine beach resorts and trouble-free relaxation, then India is probably not the place for you. But if you’re interested in the culture, cuisine, landscape, history, don’t mind roughing it a little, and are only being held back by safety concerns that come with being a woman, here are six reasons why you shouldn’t be afraid to travel to India.
1. India will toughen you up.
I’ve never had a problem being assertive, but my first trip to India was made immediately after living in Japan for 18 months. In Japan, speaking one’s opinion too forcefully — especially if you’re a woman — is frowned upon, and assertion is certainly not a desirable character trait. After a year and a half, this attitude drove me mad, but India was just the antidote I needed. What do you do when there’s no break in traffic and you really need to cross the road? You step out in front of it, slowly, and the cars will go around you. (Just don’t try this with a bus.) What do you do if someone brushes a little too close on the street and his hand grazes your butt? You swear at him, loudly. What do you do if someone blatantly cuts in front of you in a line, thinking you’re a meek foreigner who won’t say anything? You shout at them to get behind you. What do you do if someone short-changes you, thinking you won’t notice? You demand what you’re owed. Indians generally expect this behaviour from each other, and will be dutifully cowed if reprimanded by a foreign woman. Every time I’ve returned from a long trip to India, I’ve had to re-tame my ever-bubbling quick temper.
Having said that, it’s important to recognise when someone is really acting out of line and when they’re not. The worst example of obnoxious tourist behaviour I witnessed in India was from a Belgian woman, who shouted at our tour guide when he asked for her entry fee for the palace we were visiting in Tamil Nadu. He wanted to gather everybody’s money so he could buy the tickets on our behalf, rather than all of us waiting out in the hot sun. But her rude behaviour spoilt his gesture for everyone.
2. The modest dress code isn’t necessarily to keep women down; it’s actually very practical.
Many women, understandably, don’t like to be told how they should or shouldn’t dress. As a feminist, I fully support a woman’s right to wear whatever she wants, in whatever situation, without fear of assault. But needing to dress conservatively while a guest in someone else’s country shouldn’t be a reason not to visit.
India is huge and culturally diverse, so what is considered appropriate female dress varies widely. In Kolkata, many younger women still wear saris, whereas their counterparts in Delhi or Bombay generally prefer Western clothing or kurtis (tunics) and leggings. In the big cities, it’s fine to show your shoulders, upper arms and lower legs, whereas in smaller or more conservative towns, it may not always be a good idea. Foreign visitors are less likely to recognise these variations immediately, so are better off erring on the side of modesty. Cotton or silk tunics, baggy trousers and a light scarf are easily available, cheap and attractive, and have the added benefit of protecting from the intense sun and copious dust.
3. The harsh truth is, India is safer for foreign women than it is for Indian women.
Most cases of rape, molestation or other violence in India happen to Indian women. In 2014, over 300,000 crimes against women were reported to the police. Domestic violence accounted for more than a third of these cases. In 2013 and 2014, a handful of foreign tourists reported being raped in India. Even taking into account that many cases of rape, domestic violence and molestation go unreported, it is overwhelmingly clear that Indian women are far more at danger in India than foreign women. Indian women — particularly those who live in rural areas, or who belong to lower castes — encounter much more violence, much more often.
This doesn’t mean that as a foreign woman you should pretend this doesn’t happen. But it does mean that as a visitor to India, you’re unlikely to get caught up in the caste-based or domestic violence that happens every day. If it bothers you — and it should — there are many ways that you can help in a small way, such as shopping at charity-run organisations that employ female artisans, such as the Hansiba clothing boutiques run by the Self Employed Women’s Association, or buying feminist-oriented books from one of India’s feminist presses, like Delhi-based Zubaan.
4. In many situations, you’re going to be treated with more respect than you’d think.
When staying alone in the southern city of Hyderabad, which has a large Muslim population, I found that many restaurants had a separate ‘women and families’ section. This might sound patronising to some people, but they’re intended so that women can go out in public without male relatives and still feel comfortable. At my favourite dosa restaurant in Hyderabad, I was always ushered directly into that section, which I shared with veiled women with their faces temporarily uncovered, and playful children. It didn’t feel like segregation, it felt like respect. It felt like recognition of the fact that being a woman in India can be challenging, so reprieve will be given when it can.
The same applies to public transport in many places. In Delhi, entire carriages of the Delhi Metro are reserved for women, and the Kolkata Metro has designated seats for us. On already-crowded, long-distance buses, room has been made for me — alongside local women — at the front of the bus. Some train and bus stations — again, especially in cities with large Muslim populations, such as Lucknow — have separate lines for women. The intention is not to treat women as invalids, but to recognise that for women, trying to cram into a crowded carriage full of men can be daunting.
5. India has a vibrant — and successful — feminist movement.
One of the most frustrating, ignorant comments that frequently arises online when discussion turns to the treatment of women in India is “why don’t they have feminism?” Newsflash: they do. It has been active and vibrant since at least the 1970s (depending on where you want to draw the lines around the ‘waves’), and on some issues, has been very successful. For example, the giving of dowry was made illegal after feminist campaigns, and women artisans were successful in creating powerful trade unions that fight for the rights of home-based workers. The focus of Indian forms of feminism has largely been on issues that affect women there, rather than the wholesale import of feminism from Western countries. If you’re looking for Liberal Feminism, you’re unlikely to find it, but if you learn to recognise Third World Feminism, Postcolonial Feminism and so on, you will see that it’s there in abundance. Like everywhere else in the world, though, there’s only so much that feminists can do without the widespread support of those in charge, which still happens to largely be men.
6. You wouldn’t want to miss out on all the beauty.
India is, in my humble opinion, the most beautiful country in the world. People often ask me what surprised me most the first time I visited, expecting me to say the poverty or the crowds. Actually, I was most surprised by the sheer beauty. I had expected India to be interesting, but not for it to be so attractive. I fell in love on my first day, visiting the Mughal-era Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi, with its geometric landscaped gardens and intricate stone carving.
India is as diverse as Europe or North America, so whatever you like, you’ll find it there. For partying at the beach, head to palm-fringed Goa; for relaxed backwater cruising, try laid-back Kerala; for jaw-dropping historical monuments, try Delhi; for erudite literary culture, try Kolkata; for big-city glamour, try Bombay; for wildlife-spotting, try the lion and wild-ass sanctuaries of Gujarat; for glitzy desert palaces, try Rajasthan; for fresh air and mountain views, try Himachal Pradesh.
And these are just a handful of the highlights that make India, as challenging as it can be, a very rewarding travel destination. We shouldn’t miss out on these experiences just because we are women. 
18 signs you were born and raised in SW England
Photo: Jodie C
1. You know that being called a cock isn’t an insult.
In fact, it’s a term of affection your Grumps has been calling you since you were six.
2. Emmets & grockles are a real thing.
And you have an unlimited amount of hatred for them.
3. Shorts are acceptable clothing all year round.
Even when it’s horrible and mizzling outside, your legs are bare for all to see.
4. If you’re unfortunate enough to be working, lunch is a pasty.
And you know where to find the best pasty in the land. Unlike this guy. Ain’t no Greggs here, my love.
5. You know at least one farmer.
Scrap that, you’ve been to at least one Young Farmer’s party and only just lived to tell the tale.
6. You are a cider connoisseur.
And know that your favourite local brew is the best. We don’t want your Magners.
7. A beach day is acceptable any time of year.
Whether the weather be good or whether the weather be bad, it’s always a good day to go for a stroll on the sand at Whitsand, Portreath, or Teignmouth. In fact, you prefer going to the beach in October when all the tourists have gone home.
8. You always know where the nearest beach is.
Or riverside, woodland, hill or cliff. Just so you can escape your daily duties and get some fresh air if needed.
9. You have an opinion on how a cream tea should be made.
It’s jam before the cream.
10. Accents. You have one.
You have one of the many south west accents, but everyone from up north thinks we all sound the same when they impersonate us.
11. You hate the southeast.
And begrudge any time you have to go to London and the rat race. The southwest is so calm and laid back it may as well be snoozing the days away in comparison — just how you like it.
12. You have a serious opinion on second-home buyers.
And they can all go back to the southeast.
13. You know where the best beer gardens are.
And which ones to be in at any time of day to chase the sun from breakfast through to sun down.
14. Sunsets never get old.
You have so many photos of the same beach/hill/river at sunset that you have an entire photo album dedicated to them.
15. You tell the time by the tides.
So you know the best time to go surfing, diving, SUP, beaching and can make your excuses at work/social engagements/family commitments accordingly.
16. You can nav small country roads better than the late Colin McRae.
Because how else are you going to get to work on time during the summer months?
17. You’ve bonded over Dartmoor.
Whether with your school friends or those living in yonder southwestern lands, Dartmoor has hardened the souls of the majority of SW inhabitants by battering us with stinging rain and scratching winds. It’s also really damn beautiful and the only place you can legally wild camp in England.
18. You have a very strong opinion about what actually counts as the SW.
Cirencester!? LOL. 
8 ways travelers humiliate themselves in Buenos Aires
Photo: douglasjonesjr
1. Leaving in a “bomba de humo.”
Doing a “bomba de humo,” or “smoke bomb,” is leaving a party without saying goodbye to anyone. Also known as an Irish Exit, what may be acceptable in the Emerald Isle is a big No-No in Buenos Aires. Vanishing without doing the rounds of kissing everyone farewell, even those you don’t know lurking among your friend group, will leave people thinking you are rude and they will definitely take you up on it the next time they see you. Just suck it up and say “Chau” to anyone and everyone. It’ll keep you on the right side of wrong.
2. Crossing paths with someone you know in a telo.
Telos are pay-per-hour hotels that people go to to…well, you know. It’s not uncommon for these to be used at all times of the day, usually for people who are indulging in a bit of adultery. So needless to say, running into someone you know in the car park or reception of a telo can make for a red-faced encounter, especially if it’s a relative or the significant other of a friend, in which case it can cause more than embarrassment. So play it safe and don’t go to the one across the road from your office. Duh.
3. Getting hammered.
Getting super drunk IS NOT THE DONE THING in Buenos Aires. Sure, people party til 6am midweek, but they do it nursing one Fernet and Coke for the entire night. You won’t see people wrapped around lamp posts, puking in the street or getting into bar brawls. This kind of cringeworthy behaviour is reserved for American college students, the Irish, and Australians, and it’s looked down upon here. Argentines maintain a dignified composure when they dabble in drinking, so avoid being the drunkest one at the party, because people will remember and you’ll be known as “el/la borracho/a” for the rest of your days.
4. Dressing inappropriately in “winter.”
“Winter” in Buenos Aires usually constitutes sunny days with temperatures that average about 12 or 15 degrees Celsius, i.e. not fucking cold. This isn’t Canada people, it’s not necessary to bulk up with sheepskin parkas and ski masks. However, leaving the house in anything less than 5 layers of clothes and sturdy freeze-proof boots will result in sideways glances and outburst of “No tenes frio?!” from gobsmacked natives, shocked at how foreigners from less forgiving climates can possibly fathom that the weather in winter is anything less than baltic.
5. Following through on plans made when it rains.
Be warned: when it rains, people do nothing. So forget actually showing up to any plans that were made before it started raining. Lunch with the girls? You’ll arrive and the restaurant will be closed. Paintballing for your birthday? It’s not that people don’t want to celebrate your birthday, it’s just that they hate the rain more than they love you. So save face and get your hermit game on, because even leaving the house will open you wide up for some serious rain-shaming.
6. Driving like you don’t own the road.
If you are unlucky enough to have to drive a car through the city, buckle up and act like you are the king of the highway, because you won’t get anyhere acting like a wimp on the roads. Even if you’re freaking out and are stumped by the one-way system, behave like a boss and fake it to make it. No one wants a shivering ninny at the wheel, so Vin Diesel that shit and be prepared to shout out the window at other drivers that get in your way or you’ll be the laughing stock of the back seat.
7. Being oblivious to the mate rules.
Sharing a mate is one of the best ways to integrate yourself into Argentine culture, but don’t be the gringo who fucks it up. Drinking mate is a ritual and as such comes with some unbreakable rules: Do not move the bombilla around trying to stir the yerba. Don’t take your sweet time on your turn and chit-chat when you should br drinking (otherwise known as ‘microphoning’). Do pass the mate back to the server when you have finished your serving and do say “Gracias” if you don’t want to be included in the next round. Otherwise, you risk running the gauntlet of mate misery, shimmying down the shame spiral like the dregs of yesterday’s gourd.
8. Awkward greetings.
This is probably the easiest way to humiliate yourself in Buenos Aires, and will happen on a regular basis until you’ve got this saying hello stuff down. Oblivious Yanks and Euros will be perceived as frosty for shaking hands instead of kissing, and this whole kissing thing can cause particular embarrassment for some foreign guys not used to the custom of kissing other men. A few words of advice — don’t smooch. No tongues, no wet embraces, no lip-on-lip action — just a firm cheek-on-cheek plant and you’re good to go. 
August 24, 2015
How to piss off a Brooklyn native
So which Brooklyn is the true Brooklyn? Is it the hipsters who have taken over parts of the city? The generations that have battled it out in the housing projects? The waves of immigrants who created the cultural characteristics that define each neighborhood? Or is it the people like me whose families have lived here for generations?
It’s never been easy to pinpoint. Yet despite all these differences and newcomers, there are some things that would piss off someone who is really from Brooklyn, no matter the neighborhood:
Ask us where we’re really from.
It’s difficult to find someone who was born and raised in the City, but the same isn’t true for Brooklyn. The “where are you really from” game is a good way to piss off someone from Brooklyn:
Me: “Where are you guys from?”
Hipsters: “Brooklyn…well, [the middle of nowhere] originally. Where are you from?”
Me: “Brooklyn.”
Hipsters: “Ok, but where are you really from?”
Me: “Brooklyn.”
Yes, we do exist, we are very territorial, and we are everywhere.
Ask us if Brooklyn is, like, the ghetto.
People commonly associate Brooklyn with gangstas, shootings, and stabbings, Jay-Z — which is a compliment anyway — or anything dangerous. That’s not what Brooklyn is; those are just parts of the whole. Brooklyn is an enormous city, and like every city in the ENTIRE world, it has its good and its bad parts.
Tell us that Brooklyn is so hipster.
If it’s not ghetto, then it’s hipster. More people are starting to associate Brooklyn as being the mecca of hipster culture because of Williamsburg. Their big beards and paisley shirts, combat boots with skirts and artisan cheeses don’t represent what Brooklyn is all about. Again: Brooklyn is huge. There is more to it than one group of people.
Disrespect the stoop.
I remember when my dad dropped me off at college in Pennsylvania, he said to me, “Tell your friends you hang out on your stoop. See what they say.” It was then I learned that a stoop is unique to Brooklyn.
Growing up, if I wanted to find my friends, I could find them hanging out, sitting, or playing manhunt on someone’s stoop. That’s just what we did — gangs of us congregated on one another’s stoops. It wasn’t just like we owned the block; we owned the world. Our lives unfolded on those stoops.
Ask us if Brooklyn is a part of New York City.
People tend to think Brooklyn is New York City’s neighbor (especially taxi drivers, who deny us rides and act like driving from the City to Brooklyn is crossing an international border). Actually, Brooklyn is New York City. New York City is made up of five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island (which really only semi-counts).
Call the City “Manhattan.”
Manhattan is not referred to as Manhattan; it’s the City. Yes, Brooklyn is a city, but don’t let that confuse you. It’s “I’m going into the City,” not “I’m going into Manhattan.”
Tell us that pizza and/or bagels are just as good in [insert somewhere that isn’t Brooklyn] as they are in Brooklyn.
Don’t ever insult our pizza and bagels by trying to compare them to anywhere else’s. Ours are the best — all we’ll tell you is that the secret is in the water. For that matter: Don’t try to compare any of our food to yours. It’s an argument you’ll lose.
Mess with our parking spots.
Parking is a constant struggle here, and no spot is as precious as the spot directly in front of your house. There is an unspoken law that the spot in front of your house belongs to only you. God help you if you break that law.
Tell us that life is better in the suburbs.
Don’t ever try to tell us that life is better out in the suburbs where there is ‘space.’ What the hell is space? There is no such thing as space in Brooklyn; we live on top of each other, and everybody knows everyone else’s business. We learn early on that anywhere that’s not well lit — like the suburbs — is a place not to trust. Also, if you have to get in your car to go anywhere, then you’re too far.
Say things like, “How you doin?” or “BROOKLYN IN THE HOUSE!” when you meet us.
Sometimes I hate telling people I’m from Brooklyn because they’ll cup their hands around their mouths and let out this long “BROOOOOKLYN” howl. Or they try to do a Mickey Blue Eyes accent with a “How you doin?” It’s not funny: it’s annoying.
Make fun of our accents.
We have our own, accurate language here in Brooklyn. Don’t make fun of me when I say coffee (caw-fee), water (wuh-der), because (be-cauwze), or dog (dawg). We aren’t the ones with accents — you are. Also, don’t come here calling it ‘motz-a-rella’ or ‘mara-nara.’ It offends our fathers and grandfathers before us, and it sounds highly unattractive.
This:
Photo: Michael Tapp 
Traveling made me realize that I am privileged. Here’s how.
Photo: Gloria Atamno
PRIVILEGE.
Why is it such a sensitive subject when it comes to admitting and accepting that some of us carry so much of it?
As a general rule, privilege is usually something you’re born into or naturally obtained from pre-established circumstances. It’s not something to feel guilty about if you learn how to let it humble you while appreciating the opportunities you’re afforded.
That being said, the most common privilege in America is White Privilege. And although so many people still love to deny it exists, I’m not here to argue with them. I’m here to show you the privileges I became more aware of from traveling abroad, as a solo, African-American female. Yes, African-American because both my parents were born in Nigeria, while I was born in California.
In me revealing the privileges I became aware of, I hope you too, can come to terms with yours.
My English-speaking privilege
This was revealed to me during a dinner in the Czech Republic with a girl from Hong Kong. She was telling me about her life back home and as she recounted story after story, I was so impressed with her incredibly fluent English level, that I had to ask what age she started learning the language. She told me she began in Kindergarten and I told her Dora the Explorer was my Spanish Professor for a few years, but even then, I was already a teenager.
She told me how lucky I was to be born with English as my native language, as it’s spoken and understood practically everywhere — including her hometown. The majority of places I travel to, will always have an English translation, whether on the menu, ATMs, or street signs. That is a privilege.
My millennial privilege
Although we tend to make the worst type of tourists with our need to take a selfie with everything we think has a foreign element to it, we’re lucky and fortunate to grow up in this digital era. We have access to offline maps, traveling networks, and all kinds of resources to make every step of our trips as easy and manageable as possible.
I can’t tell you when was the last time I was able to navigate, book, or do anything without the help of the Internet, my phone, or some robot machine that I’ve deemed smarter than I. The truth is, we’re spoiled rotten and generations before us never traveled like we did because it wasn’t as affordable or as accessible as it is now. An incredible privilege.
My religious freedom privilege
I’m a proud, born again Christian who can practice her religion freely and openly without fear of judgement, criticism, or discrimination.
Many times I’ve been to parks or plazas around Europe and walked into the middle of a live music set of people singing gospel or praise songs. You can see others joining in, dancing, and worshiping without a care of their surroundings.
People pass by, smile, clap along, and enjoy the music, but of course, not every religion will get this same reception.
My religion isn’t associated by bigots with terrorism, and there isn’t a day I have to fear about my safety because of a direct correlation with my religion.
My access to internet privilege
According to NPR.org, over 50% of the world still does not have access to the Internet. You know, the World Wide Web. The thing you’re currently using and have probably been perusing through for the majority of your day, and maybe even the better part of your life (looking at you, Millennials).
My ability to access any information I need in the world to not only ease my travels, but navigate and connect with others makes my life so easy.
I have to remember that when I visit small villages and get stared at, I may very well be the first person of color they’ve ever seen up close. They might not have any knowledge about my kind existing, let alone in their village at that very moment in time. While it can be extremely uncomfortable and even disheartening, it’s also a great opportunity to turn it into a lesson.
The history textbooks, the global news stations, and the overall access to the Internet gives me a world of knowledge at my fingertips. Some have no idea what exists outside of their home town or village, and it’s a privilege if we can turn this into a beautiful cultural exchange.
My African-American privilege
If you’re black and you’re reading this with a “GIRL, NAH!” look on your face, let me explain. In America, this privilege doesn’t exist. But remember, I’m talking about the privileges I’ve experienced from being abroad.
It’s no secret African immigrants get treated poorly in many European countries. Many of them just want a better life for themselves and their family, but the jobs they’re able to get barely keep them above the surface.
I’m of African descent, but being born in America means I have an American accent, which alone, gets me better treatment than an African immigrant.
Despite my Nigerian cheekbones and nappy hair, Europeans can almost immediately recognize that I didn’t come straight from Africa, and because of that, I don’t get discriminated against as much as African immigrants. They won’t judge as hard or fear me as much. I’m westernized (or civilized in their eyes) and that alone has prevented me from getting randomly stopped and asked to show my papers while living in Spain, when I know this happens quite often to Africans.
There is also another positive aspect of being African-American in Europe. A much more unexpected one.
While I was buying beer from a street vendor with another African-American friend in Barcelona, and asked how much the purchase would cost, the man said, “€1 each.” But not more than five seconds later, a tall, blonde couple, presumably from a Scandinavian country asked the same question with a hint of a European accent in their English and without skipping a beat, the vendor replied, “€3.50”.
Whether he thought we wouldn’t be able to afford it, or he knew he could capitalize on people who looked like they had money, that is indeed a privilege. Morally wrong, but still a privilege of not being treated or looked at like a dollar sign.
My foreign job market privilege
While living in Spain for a year during the peak of their economic crisis; there was never a time I was without work.
Whether I was au pairing for a family, playing semi-pro basketball, teaching private English classes, or working at a hostel, the fact that I could walk into a country and find work when almost half of the people in my age bracket who are natives couldn’t, is indeed a privilege.
This doesn’t discount their work ethic, but being a native English speaker can open so many doors for you in a foreign country, that the fact that I never had to search for work was indeed, a privilege.
My health & able body privilege
How often I find myself racing up thirteen flights of stairs of castles or cathedral towers to get that beautiful, envied skyline photo of a city, or trek for three hours up a mountain to get that breeze and overlook the town like it’s my kingdom.
But then only to pass by others with canes, in wheelchairs, and the most touching, a blind man, crossing the street in Berlin.
I was moved by his fearlessness and ability to navigate better than me as I can’t even take a few steps, map in hand, without getting lost or missing a turn. So I gently and nervously wrapped my arms around him from behind — guiding his arms to continue beating the ground with his cane as we both slowly walked forward in front of traffic.
How humbling and inspiring to see the confidence in his stride from simply tapping the ground and slowly gliding his way down the street. The path opened up for him as people just watched in awe, and I hope that same type of gaze is the one I continue to have as I keep traveling and letting these sporadic humbling moments take my breath away, reminding me that as a 25-year old, female, African-American, college graduate, I’m absolutely honored, blessed, and privileged every day to travel and live the way I do. 
You know you live in Norway when...
You’re not Norwegian if you don’t know how to ski. This is a nation that perfected skiing, and they sure as hell are proud of it. As soon you show signs of walking as a child, you’re sent outside with a pair of cross-country skis to begin the process.
If you don’t know how to ski when you land in Norway, you’ll immediately be sent out to one of the famous ski resorts — Beitostølen, Geilo or Hemsedal — and forced to learn how to ski until it hurts.
2. You’ll start wearing one of those Norwegian sweaters.
They are massive, thick, itchy, woolly, and mostly come in one of the characteristically Norwegian colors (blue, red or white). They have quirky patterns and look like something your great grandfather may have worn back in the day.
After spending a month or so in Nordic weather, you start to see why you need one to survive and somehow convince yourself that they suit your style. Plus, now you’re one step closer to fitting in with the otherwise fashionable Norwegians.
3. You’ll cherish the sun.
The sun rarely gives a wave to Norway, but when it does it feels like everyone is burning to go outside. It might be 5° Celsius, but as long as the sun is out you’re sure to be found outside with your Norwegian friends at Akerbrigge (enjoying a beer in the sun).
If it’s slightly warmer, you’ll slowly start to realize that it’s not that weird to be in your bathers around the public parks of Slottsparken and Frognerparken with all the other Norwegians…well no, that’s still fucking weird.
4. You’ll learn to pay WAY too much for everything.
Norway is one of the most expensive countries in the world, and at the beginning you’ll feel like booking the next flight out of there. But after a while, you’ll find that it’s perfectly normal to pay $20 for a pint of beer, $10 for a loaf of bread, and $8 for a cup of coffee. On top of that, you may also want to watch out for those nasty tax rates averaging about 40% of your pay — they’ll definitely bite.
On a slightly positive note, not everything is exorbitantly expensive. For one, Norway’s social system is one of the best in the world, and includes free education and healthcare. Also, thanks to all that oil, Norway’s one of the richest countries in the world. So long as you have a job in the country, you’ll be fine no matter how big your tax rate is.
5. You’ll somehow learn to like fish soup.
Sounds really appealing hey? Don’t worry, I felt the same way when my girlfriend’s father invited me for some of their Fiskesuppe. Surprisingly, this rich, creamy soup, filled with vegetables and generally two kinds of fish (salmon and torsk), is a yummy, warm, filling treat. A beer and some Fiskesuppe will become a favorite delicacy, and can be found anywhere in the country.
6. You’ll have to drink cocoa, and eat kvikklunsj when it’s cold out.
Kvikk Lunsj, or “Quick Lunch,” as it sounds to the English-speaking native, is Norway’s version of a KitKat (but not). At first, you’ll fight every Norwegian, arguing that it’s a terrible knock off of the original candy. But then, once you find yourself blindfolded with both a KitKat and Kvikk Lunsi to prove that “KitKats are better,” you’ll embarrassingly pick the Norwegian version.
These candies are a must for any Norwegian cabin trip, along with a hot cup of cocoa.
7. Pre-drinks will become VERY important before heading out.
You don’t head out for a night of revelry without a heavy session of pre-drinks, usually involving at least 4 mates round your apartment and a bottle of vodka, tequila, 4 cans of Red Bull, and no less than 12 beers for a bargain price of $240.00.
But us foreigners — who are still trying to grasp the concept of this ‘slightly’ pricey country — have to drink a shit ton more before going out. Otherwise, we’d go broke after buying more than two beers and end up with a rather disappointingly sober night.
8. You’ll become fascinated by Norway’s crazy rite of passage for high school graduates.
Russ is the rite of passage for high school graduates. Celebrated before the end-of-year exams (from the end of April until the 17th of May — Norway’s Constitution Day), students dress up in colored pants (mainly red), decorate a bus, and party on the decorated bus every night for three weeks. They get super drunk and have sex challenges BEFORE the end of year exams.
For non-students, if you’re drunk enough, you’ll find yourself partying on one of these buses as well. Good luck.
9. You’ll learn the exact times when alcohol can be purchased.
Alcohol, as you soon learn while living in Norway, is monopolized. This sort of sucks, as it means that it can only purchased at certain hours on certain days: Monday to Friday 8 am to 6 pm, Saturday 8 am to 3 pm, and on Sunday the shops are closed. Those hours become morphed into your brain like clockwork. Just make sure that you stock up on Saturday afternoon, otherwise the Sunday BBQ you’re hosting could become pretty dry.
10. You’ll give up on ever learning Norwegian.
Because:
Everyone speaks English, and
Trying to pronounce Ø, Æ, or Å as a foreigner makes you sound like a deranged sea lion playing a broken tuba
However, the one word that you will have to master (I still haven’t) is skål, or cheers!
Image by Geir Halvorsen
6 uncomfortable truths about Thailand
Thailand is a source, transit, and destination country for victims of sex and labor exploitation, and according to the UN Office of Drugs and Crime, it’s one of the top 10 destinations for victims of human trafficking. The Trafficking in Persons Report estimates that in 2014 at least tens of thousands of victims trafficked from Thailand’s neighboring countries were forced or defrauded into labor and exploited in the sex trade.
Many trafficked females are sold into Thailand’s thriving sex industry; they endure poor conditions and debt bondage in brothels along Thailand’s borders and in cities like Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket, which cater to meeting the demands of sex tourism. The World Health Organization estimates that Thailand now has as many as 2 million sex workers, and some are children. The trafficking report found that trafficked children were covertly exploited in places like bars, hotels, and private residences, and of the identified trafficking victims in 2014, more than half were children. Trafficking is big business, and because of widespread corruption, and involvement of high-profile individuals, trafficking often operates above the law.
2. Up to 50% of hill tribes members lack basic rights.
There are over 1 million members of different ethnic hill tribes living in Northern Thailand. However, the United Nations Human Rights Council estimates that there are 500,000 stateless people in the northern region, which means that almost half of the hill tribe members are not considered Thai citizens. Without citizenship, hill tribe members are not able receive hospital treatment, attend school, earn a fair wage, vote, or travel freely. Additionally, the government does not officially recognize many tribes, so they often face forced removal from their land and conservation policies have placed limits on traditional ways of life which have lowered sources of food and income.
These government policies have marginalized hill tribes and left them as the country’s most disadvantaged group with an income far below the average Thai citizen. Poverty and absence of basic civil rights leaves hill tribe members more vulnerable to trafficking. Lack of citizenship is the single greatest risk factor for a hill tribe girl to be trafficked.
3. Corruption is present in all levels of Thai society.
If you’ve traveled to Thailand, you’ve probably been told that you can get out of trouble by bribing police officers with a couple hundred baht. Unfortunately, police aren’t the only citizens guilty of perpetrating corruption. On a scale of 0-100, with 0 being highly corrupt, Thailand’s perceived level of corruption in the public sector is a low 35, and 46.6% of citizens who participated in Transparency International’s Global Corruption survey believe that the government is ineffective at fighting corruption.
Thailand’s Report on Human Rights Practices describes weak implementation of criminal penalties for official corruption and little progress in high profile cases, which are often purposely drawn out to encourage bribing. The Anti-Corruption Strategy echoed a weak judicial system influenced by the Thai mafia, politicians, and other influential figures.
Bribery and corruption were additionally found within police and tax departments, land development companies, customs and trade checkpoints, businesses, schools systems, and even water management projects.
4. In the past century, Thailand has had more coups than any other country.
Thailand suffers from chronic political instability; at least 18 coups have been attempted since 1932. The 12th successful coup happened in May of 2014. (Thailand is still currently under martial law, and it’s expected to last until late 2015 or beyond.)
Coups have been used by the military as a ‘necessary’ way of restoring stability after months of political demonstrations and protesting which have led to casualties in the past. Many attribute Thailand’s coup culture to extremely polarized political groups, the military’s large role in Thailand’s history, and the fact that democracy has not yet taken root. Power is seized by the military on grounds of corruption and abuse of power, and ideally, constitutional reform for a more free and fair Thai democracy will take place before power is handed back to politicians. But as Verapat Pariyawong asks, how can you be sure the Military Regime is less corrupt?
5. There has been a small-scale war in the southern provinces for over 10 years.
Though Thailand is stereotyped to be peaceful population of Buddhists who are always smiling, many are unaware that small-scale war has been raging in the southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat for over 10 years. The Malay-speaking Thai Muslims, who make up 80% of the population, reject the authority of the government and rebel against forced assimilation and alienation while seeking independence from Thailand.
In October 2004, the Thai military opened fire and killed 7 demonstrators in Tak Bai, Pattani, and another 80 died of suffocation while being transported to a military camp, which further radicalized Muslim insurgent groups in the south. Since 2004, insurgency has left more than 5,300 dead and over 9,000 injured. Southern Thailand has become one of the most dangerous places to teach; 157 of those killed have been teachers, and there have been over 300 incidences of schools being set on fire. The 2013 Report on International Religious Freedom for Thailand outlined continued violence and killings from both the Thai government and major Muslim insurgency groups, which has increased tension between Thai Buddhists and Malay Muslims.
6. Thailand is an international hub for the illegal wildlife and ivory trade.
Thailand is very convenient for the illegal trading of animals; there are several land and water transit points in and out of the country and there’s poor enforcement at these spots. From 2011 to 2013, at least 46,000 animals were captured from traffickers, vendors, and trappers. In the same years, between 79 and 81 wild elephants were illegally captured for use in the tourist industry. More recently, World Animal Protection and the Thai army rescued 150 pangolins being smuggled to China, where their body parts are in demand for Chinese medicine. A mass illegal sale and distribution of wildlife also happens in Thailand’s Chatuchak Market, where endangered and rare animals such as pangolins, exotic birds, slow loris, and different species of reptiles — and sometimes even wild cats and primates — are available for purchase.
Chatuchak and other markets in Thailand sell ivory too. Currently Thailand has the world’s largest unregulated ivory market. Old Thai legislation allows for legal use of ivory from domesticated elephants, so Thai markets have created a huge loophole for laundering illegal ivory from Africa. Ironically, elephants remain one of Thailand’s national symbols.
Photo: Uitgebeeld.nl
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