Now that I’m back in the USA and have settled back into my normal routine I thought I’d write something to sum up my whole experience.  In some ways I feel a lot different but in other ways I feel like I never left.  I often find myself reminiscing about the places that I visited such as London, Rome, Amsterdam, and Paris and missing the energy.  In these places, although I was a foreigner, I somehow felt at one with the energy levels.  Here in Seattle, things are really laid back and culture is really lacking compared to other places that I’ve been to.  I’ve realized even more so the need to be somewhere different, somewhere that I can truly unleash myself, my talents, and let my ambition run wild.  I am definitely going to give it a shot and see where I land.

Things that I have learned

• I have learned that although people say English is the universal language there is an abundance of people outside of the USA, Canada, and the UK that don’t speak fluent English
• That driving on the streets of Cairo is true chaos and crossing the street there requires a lot of courage
• That I have the ability to blend in amongst the natives in many parts of the world and the street intelligence to survive in all of them
• That being black in this world is a gift and a curse.  A gift because you have an unspoken camaraderie with other minorities and are deemed as very strong so you don’t have a target on your back for perpetrators of crime; but a curse because you share in the same discrimination amongst all people deemed as lower class simply because of their skin color.
• That there is beauty as well as repulsive things amongst all cultures
• That people are people no matter where you go.  For every type of person in America you will surely find their counterpart in Europe
• That the food in Europe is not a life changing experience.  The same food you get there you can get here in America.  I think some people just get jaded by the fact that they are having a meal in a different country in my opinion.
• That you truly need to look both ways before you cross the street in London.  Forgetting that cars drive on the opposite side of the street and looking for oncoming traffic could be perilous as they will not stop and WILL run you over!
• That many more people travel alone than you might think.
• That the world is not such a dangerous place as many think.  Just get out and explore and you may surprise yourself.

Overall, I have to say that my maiden voyage abroad will live within my heart for the rest of my days.  I know that this will not be the last trip but as one of my favorite musicians Sade says, “It’s never as good as the first time.”  I collected some great souvenirs, met some great friends who I hope to stay in contact with, and now have memories that will last forever.  Many have asked me would I do it again and I say I WOULDN’T TRADE IT FOR ANYTHING.  Like I said in previous entries, traveling alone is something that everyone should do at least once in their lives.  Forcing yourself out of your comfort zone makes you grow as a person and inspires you to do things that you never thought that you could.  With that said, I’m also glad to be back in America.  As much as I love to travel there is nothing like coming back home.  I am truly an American in my heart and soul.  No, we are not perfect, but in my opinion this is the best country in the world!

Stay tuned for other entries.  I still have much more material, videos, and thoughts to post.  This blog will continue to be updated.

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