Travelogues of an African Girl

One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things

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Category: United Kingdom

London like a local: a pictogram

By africanagirl on November 30, 2016 • ( 6 Comments )

As far back as I can remember, we sang English nursery rhymes as little babes, about London bridge falling down, and a ring-a ring-of roses; we read tales authored by Charles Dickens and […]

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I salute folks who can do night shifts and go about their days all smiles and dandy. Two weeks ago, I had to moonlight. I took it on feeling energetic and spunky. It was my "can-do moment!" However, those five days were grueling. I'm an early bird, not ever a night owl. I could hardly sleep during the day, and came to work each evening all grouchy and ill-tempered, looking like a truck had hit me, like a female version of Frankenstein. I was glad to take this shot one evening, on a bridge atop the canal. The Netherlands is practically under water, so canals are everywhere you look. The moon, the clear sky and the lights felt like my companions, like I was not alone...like they were urging me on, just as my mum used to do when I would call her and mostly mop about life here. I miss her tons. Some days are better than others...I sometimes wonder how she's doing on the other side. Are you a night owl or an early bird? 🌙 #moon #moonlight #fullmoon #earlybird #nightowl #themoon #nightshift #goodnightmoon #sky #skies #nature #instamoon #ig_moon #nightsky #luna #theuniverse #cosmos #ig_tilburg #VisittheNetherlands #ThisisHolland #photooftheday #nightphotography

While I'm not one to fawn over celebrities, I absolutely loved and looked up to hardcore traveler Anthony Bourdain. He was different; he went everywhere and ate everything. He listened intently to the locals when they met him in restaurants, in hole in the wall bars, in the desert, on ships, in war zones..and hosted him, introducing him to their respective cuisines. He brought us along on his intrepid escapes, and we felt as a fly on the wall; seeing, hearing, tasting...Anthony encouraged us to live a little, "that without experimentation, a willingness to ask questions and try new things, we shall surely become static, repetitive, and moribund.." oh how we will miss him. Rest easy Anthony! 😢💔 #intrepidescape #RipAnthonyBourdain #foodie #lonelyplanet #NationalGeographic #traveler #travelogues #celebritychef #bestsellingauthor #instago #instatravel #worldtraveler #globetrotter #CNN #CNNGo #partsunknown #noreservations

You learn something new everyday...this morning, I discovered a word, 'Coddiwomple..' which means 'To travel in a purposeful manner towards a vague destination.' Other words I stumbled upon which are travel-related are; 'Fernweh' which is German for, 'A craving for travel. Being homesick for a place you’ve never been.' 'Hodophile' has greek origins and can be defined as “Lover of roads”, or better “love of travel.” I think I identify with, 'Resfeber' which has swedish roots and is, 'The restless race of the traveller’s heart before the journey begins, when anxiety and anticipation are tangled together.' How about 'Vagary' that originates from Latin and means 'An unpredictable instance, a wandering journey; a whimsical, wild or unusual idea, desire, or action.' How many travel related words fascinate you? Which do you identify most with? Share them and let us know what it means? #wordsmith #travelogues #travelblogger #travelwords #wanderlust #worldtraveler #globetrotter #travelnoire #travelogues #travelstories #sunsets #hobo #bibliophile #wordsoftheday #poetryinmotion

I love my shags (ancestral home)..I really really do. I didn't always love it, mostly because I hardly visited it, and thus was dismissive of it as I didn't really understand it. We were Nairobeans through and through. My folks visited regularly though, especially towards the end of the 90s. Now being so far, I sometimes feel nostalgia for times past. I have a longing for the stories. The few times I visited, to see my kwara (grandpa) and dana (grandma). The times we took trips across the border to Uganda and ate bananas, mangoes and groundnuts until we became sick. Now that I've been to a few places around the globe, I can truly say that shags is where I feel most at home. Shags is where I feel recognized, celebrated even..where I'm not stared at like I'm an alien or ignored like I have a cloak of invisibility. The air is fresh and everything is green. We've come full circle. What do you love most about the countryside? #homesweethome #happydays #green #farming #ancestralhome #travelblogger #travelogues #travelstories #siayacounty #Ndere #instatravel #intrepidescape #TembeaKenya #MagicalKenya #fullcircle

Little Miss Ashley sometimes thinks I'm crazy...good crazy that is..motherhood has been a work in progress. My mum was good crazy too..said the most hilarious things but didn't know how funny they sounded..😂😂😂😂.but at the same time was the most pragmatic and helpful person I knew..here's to all the good crazy women out there...Happy mother's day!😂🤣⚘🥀🎉🎊🎁 #bestjobever #crazymom #HappyMothersday #runsinthefamily #travelblogger #travelogues #wehavecomealongwaybaby #family #love #geneology #melaninpopping

NEW BLOG POST: It's been four years since my first post. It's been quite a milestone, an adventure..there've been ups and downs along the way, laughs and losses, there's been lots of growing up and then some..ie how I handle trolls, what has been my hardest post and what post has has been most popular..We've come a long way baby.. Link in bio.. #fouryears #travelblogger #lifelessons #anniversary #newplaces #internettrolls #bucketlist #travelphotography #igram #igers #platinumblonde #worldtraveler #natgeo #lonelyplanet #wanderlust #globetrotter #melaninqueens #blackgirlmagic #blackgirlstraveltoo #travelnoire #travelogues

"When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to have it." I wanted a calabash so bad. Got this one from a random hawker who was walking past my mum's house when I was there in January. I wrapped it "with utmost care" and flew it out here with me. It has held steaming fermented uji (porridge), which I have sipped quite happily. I'm an uji person. Chai (tea) has nothing on me. Coffee out of question, gives me palpitations. Looking forward to the day a guy will invite me for an uji-date. I will skip happily, camp there and let the scalding hot liquid slowly go down my throat 😉😂😂😂😂... Anywho.. Speaking of Wakanda, (I know this is belated and folks have moved on to #beychella and #royalweddings) but, what did you guys think of Black Panther? I loved that that the black females had tough roles. They were warriors; considered guardians of the kingdom, and they, bald, black and beautiful kicked ass in the movie. Yaas! 💃🏽💪🏽👊🏽 I went gaga over the costumes and the #natural hairstyles. Totally my thing.💋 Shuri left me with a feeling of "that could have been us but.." She was this techie brainiac inventing and fixing things in her lab, treating injuries with vibranium. Whoa!😲 Like what if our countries were left untouched, what if we weren't colonized? Is there hope that there would have been a living, breathing #Wakanda out there...? In full control of mineral resources? A girl can dream.. For all my appreciation of Hollywood's unique display of black power in this movie, a refreshing trope out of Africa where the combo of strength, wisdom and science are presented in a positive light...I was somewhat miffed by the accents. Except for Chadwick aka His royal highness T'Challa who delivered a strong South African accent, the rest not so much..a little watery..accents need to be strong.. Lupita should have just talked like a middle-class #nairobian a la "shuga." Did you guys love #BlackPanther? Or did you yawn and 😪😪😪😪😪right through it? Exotic earrings: @foundobjects Skirt: Moyale mall, Eastleigh #spring #seasons #Wakanda #melaninqueens #melaninpopping #crazyhair #Africancontinent #africangirl #africanthemedjewelry #blackisbeautiful

#TBT It's Thursday and I just had to throwback to this time a photo op was arranged for us all with our paternal gramps. I can't recall this day, else I'd have an answer for why we all have the 'deer caught in headlights' look. Ahh...memories! My grandpa was tall, ruled his household with a strong hand and all his life was married to one woman. (So close was their bond that when he died in 1989, she followed suit two weeks later). I remember him having a no nonsense demenour, being harsh, talking fast with a rasp and abit of gruff in his voice. He also had a short fuse. We kids feared and respected him enough not to be naughty in his presence. He was quite prayerful however, and always wore this navy blue maroonish long robe and had a crucifix with cowrie beads he would quietly roll in his fingers whilst praying (he was legioMaria). I wish I got to know him much more than I did. That aside, how could I miss #nationalsiblingsday❤️? This post as everything else I do (even getting to watch #BlackPanther) is a tad bit late but no matter, as siblings are important.🐾😊😊 They are our link to the past and most likely to stay with us into the future.To the outside world, we all grow old but to our siblings, we are remembered as we were. We know each other's hearts and share private family jokes, griefs, embarrassments and joys...We live outside the touch of time. Did you celebrate national siblings day? How's your relationship with your siblings? #family #love #closeknit #celebratinglife #naturalhair #knappyhair #teamnatural #memories #ThrowbackThursday #Blackandwhitephotography #vintage #vintagephotography

Rise and shine, spring is here!!!..🤗🌹🌞🌞🌞 "Little Miss Ashley decided to free herself, dance into the wind, create a new language. And birds fluttered around her, writing “yes” in the sky." @thequeendebs #dance #music #SultrySaturday #love #family #melaninpopping #melaninkids #blackgirlmagic #youth #travelblogger #ig_Tilburg #ThisisNetherlands #Europe #influencer #snapchat #socialmedia #youtuber #armygreenjacket #fashionsense #spring #globetrotter #wanderlust #worldtraveler #tweengirls #tweenfashion #girlpower #camouflagedlikeachameleon

Amazing words of wisdom! "You will never have to sacrifice your dignity for your destiny!" #quotes #quotestoliveby #sultrySaturday #travelblogger #life #choices #lonelyplanet #worldtraveler #globetrotter

#TBT A couple of you guys asked why I'm always "hiding behind monstrous sunglasses and huge hats..", so for this one time, I will spare y'all. 😀😁😂🤣 I love my accessories, but mostly wear them whilst on my gambols, so not everyday wear. As well 'eyes are windows to the soul?' I'm quite averse to folks gazing through my soul so I keep my eyes and (and soul I hope) safely tucked behind shades at times. There's the benefit of having the liberty to stare, without anyone knowing you're doing so.😊😋😋😆😲🤓 This was a throw back to the time a uni-mate, Orsolya Toth (who doubled as a campus photographer) came to my place and took a couple of shots. Was wearing a strapless camisole and a pair of trousers, so this was not a (gasp!) nude shot. It was a lovely afternoon during springtime, when the weather acts so confused and grumpy; warm spells interspersed with chilly breezes. How's your weather like today? #Tilburg #VisittheNetherlands #sepia #blackgirlmagic👑 #staycation #homesweethome #disclaimer #melaninqueens #melaninpopping #photography #potraitshoot #Africanah_Girl #hardstare

NEW BLOG POST: Ever been to Nairobi, commonly referred to as 'Nairobae'? Each time I visit, it seems the city has evolved a little bit. It's vibrant and interesting, and sometimes you'll be warned that it's dangerous. I penned down 10 things you will observe about Nairobi. Link is in the bio but a small excerpt follows below: " You will cringe at Nairobeans who feel that wading through the crowded streets of Nairobae is beneath them, so very often in a rush, they will jump onto the roads, cross haphazardly and miss by a whisker…rumbling mkokotenis (carts drawn by men), speeding matatus and bodabodas (motorbikes) that ride in-between and sometimes against the traffic.." #nairobaeigtour #Nairobae #VisitKenya #TembeaKenya #ThisisAfrica #bodaboda #natgeo #worldtraveler #globetrotter #travelnoire #travelstories #travelogues #travelblogger #travelgram #media #ig_Nairobi #Nairobitraffic

First time I've been away during Little Miss Ashley's birthday. She understood. It was for good reason. I promised her a belated birthday celebration. I got back and we stuffed ourselves with food; good food, bad food, fried food, fast food and spicy food; basically calorie-adding food. 😉😊🎂🍰🍫🍬🍭🍦🍩🍾🎈🎉🎊🎁😊😎🤣 Then we went out on a mini-shopping spree, bought clothes and handicrafts for her...so for everyone that asked, yeah I promised and delivered. When Little Miss Ashley was a wee baby, I never imagined her to grow up to be this excited happy dancing being. She turned out to be that and more. She's also a techie at her wee age, so she helps alot in taking pictures, editing, making video clips and so forth. I miss her when I have to travel to a location without her. Heck, sometimes I feel a little lost..who'll help with snapchat or take the perfect shots? She also has a youtube channel..Link in bio. Have you or a loved one ever traveled and was away during your birthday or other important occasions? Share your experiences and what was done to make up for that absence? #family #love #hobbies #prepubescent #Friyay #almostateen #11thbirthday #birthdays #celebratinglife #LittleMissAshley #melaninkids #blackgirlmagic #travelexperiences #lonelyplanet #travelcompanion #travelblogger

Just love rocking up to conferences in African wear. Long before #Wakanda was even thought of, I did #African. Well, mostly when the weather was better. Right now it's headed to spring but we have our bouts of wind, rain, and breezy weather; and sometimes 'the beast from the east; a chill that freezes your toes, fingers and the tip of your nose. The weather notwithstanding, I have met some great friends thanks to residing in this part of the world. What are some positives or negatives of the town or country you live in? #friends #WCW😍 #conferences #TheHague #VisittheNetherlands #WakandaForever #Africanfashion #AfricanDay #AfricanGirls #melaninqueens #melaninpopping #blackgirlmagic👑 #travelexperiences #winter #spring #wanderlust #worldtraveler #globetrotter #travelnoire #MyAfrica #Diasporatales #ankara #kitenge

You learn something new each day.🙄🤔🤔🤔 I know a little about the sea-bird albatross but I had no idea they were carnivorous until today when I saw them flying about, gathered around this truck and fighting over chicken morsels and egg shells.. Somehow twenty-two species of albatross are currently known to science, and every single one is considered vulnerable, threatened, near-threatened, or endangered by conservationists. Some quirky facts about these birds: 1) Depending on which species they are, an albatross can reach 35 to 51 inches in length and weigh between 17 and 22 pounds. 2) Albatross has a big head with a strong, hooked beak. Since Albatross mainly eats slippery prey, beak has sharp blades on the side to prevent loss of the catch. 3) Albatross has excellent eyesight and sense of smell. It can find the prey even in the dark. 4) Albatross is diurnal animal (active during the day). 5) Albatross is a carnivore (meat eater). Its diet consists of different type of fish, krill, crabs and squids. 6) Albertross searches for the prey from the sky. When potential target is detected, albatross rushes toward the water and dives to grab it. Albatross can also catch the prey located on the surface of the water. #facts #birds #albatross #birdkingdom #birdsofafeather #AmsterdamBijlmer #IAMsterdam #Bijlmermeer #carnivorous #igers #igram #ig_worldclub #postcardsoftheworld #animalplanet #lonelyplanet #natgeo #NationalGeographic

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Category: United Kingdom

London like a local: a pictogram

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