The Girl Next Door is Black

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  • Angkor Wat and Cambodia’s Magnificent Ancient Temples

    Monday, February 8, 2016 24 Cambodia Angkor Thom, Angkor Wat, Banteay Srei, bas relief, Bayon Permalink 12
    Siem Reap, Cambodia is home to many majestic ancient temples, including the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat | Read more on The Girl Next Door is Black

    You may have heard of Angkor Wat, but it’s far from the only temple in Cambodia. Located in Siem Reap, the famous monument shares the city with at least 1000 other ancient temples that also attract curious visitors from all over the world. I had the opportunity to explore four of these incredible feats of architecture on my recent trip to Southeast Asia and each is magnificent in its own way.

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  • Tarantula Eating, Silk Spinning & Candy Making: A Road Trip through the Cambodian Countryside

    Wednesday, January 27, 2016 36 Cambodia bizarre foods, Cambodia, Cambodian fruit, cats, conversations with strangers Permalink 11
    In Cambodia you can dine on deep fried tarantulas, float along the river past houses on stilts, and watch silkworms be turned into beautiful silk | Read more on The Girl Next Door is Black

    I don’t recall seeing “chow down on deep fried tarantula” on the tour itinerary, but when our local trip guide ticked off the day’s itinerary – mouth in a wide grin, eyes dancing at the mention of “eating spiders” – there it was. Given I’m willing to try (almost) anything once, I was game. Besides, I’ve already tried beetle, scorpion, and cricket, so what’s a big ass spider?

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  • Phnom Penh, Cambodia: An Emotional Visit to S21 & The Killing Fields

    Friday, January 15, 2016 18 Cambodia black in Cambodia, Cambodia, Cambodian genocide, getting lost while traveling, history Permalink 12
    Visiting Phnom Penh Cambodia

    I didn’t really know what I was getting into when I decided on Cambodia as a travel destination. A few years ago, a co-worker’s raves of her visit to the fast-developing country in Southeast Asia sparked the idea. After watching several stunningly-shot Cambodia-centered episodes of The Amazing Race, it rocketed up my travel wish list. I envisioned magnificent ancient temples, expansive green rice paddies, picturesque remote fishing villages, and bumpy thoroughfares teeming with tuk-tuks.

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  • I Survived Crossing the Street: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in 36 hours(ish)

    Tuesday, January 5, 2016 25 International Travel black in Vietnam, Black women travel, Ho Chi Minh City, motorbike, pho Permalink 13
    I spent a little less than 36 hours in Vietnam's bustling Ho Chi Minh city and there's a lot to see and do there. | Read more in "I Survived Crossing the Street: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in 36 hours (ish)

    Stepping into the bustle of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), your senses are overtaken by the cacophony of whirring motors from scores of motorbikes zipping by, and car horns blowing at pedestrians and cyclo drivers on the chaotic streets where traffic rules seem nonexistent. Your skin dampens after mere minutes of exposure to the powerful sun and relentless humidity. In every direction you look, people occupy space, whether it’s working in one of the many retail shops, restaurants, cafes, hotels, street kiosks, businesses, and residential units that flank the roads

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  • I Could Have Used More Laughs and Fewer Tears, but 2015 Was Actually Pretty Okay

    Thursday, December 31, 2015 37 Blogging, Culture + Society, Life, Pop Culture, Travel 2015 retrospective, binge-watching, Black Lives Matter, books, depression Permalink 14
    2015, like every other year, had it's ups and downs. However, it's important not to let the year's lows overshadow the highs. | Read more from "2015 Year in Review: I Could Have Used More Laughs and Fewer Tears, but It Actually Wasn't That Terrible" on The Girl Next Door is Black

    Happy New Year!

    2015, like every other year, had it’s ups and downs. However, it’s important not to let the year’s lows overshadow the highs.

    When I considered writing an end of the year retrospective, my face scrunched up in disgust as I reflected on 2015. Not my favorite year by a longshot. So much of it felt like a continuous struggle – like I’m in the middle of a significant lesson which I’ve tired of learning.

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  • Roaring ’20s-Style Bachelorette Weekend in Palm Springs

    Thursday, May 21, 2015 23 Life, Travel, US Travel 1920s theme, Aerial tram, bachelorette weekend, California, flying Permalink 0
    20s Style Bachelorette Celebration | The Girl Next Door is Black

    Though my flight from San Francisco was only a little over an hour to Palm Springs, turbulence plagued the last 15 minutes. As I gripped both arm rests, wondering if this might be where it all ends, I scolded myself for not having made friends with the guy next to me. He might be the last person I see. I should at least know his name. I silently protested: “I’m not ready to go yet. It’s not time!” I heard a small child cry: “Mooom, I don’t like this!” Kid, we are on the same page.

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  • Four Days in Historic Warsaw

    Thursday, January 15, 2015 31 International Travel, Travel art, Berlin, Chopin, Copenhagen, pierogis Permalink 0
    Things to do, see and eat with 4 days in historic Warsaw, Poland. See more on The Girl Next Door is Black

    When the bellhop left the hotel room after depositing our luggage, I broke into a touchdown dance.

    “This room!”

    I dove onto the bed, a European double, spaced at least 3-feet away from a second bed. Larger beds and no tripping over luggage, boots and each other? Minimal upgrades that seemed positively luxe when compared to our accommodations in the past 15 days.

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  • Celebrating the New Year in Prague

    Saturday, January 10, 2015 27 Czech Republic, International Travel, Travel baroque, brunch, Czech Republic, David Černý, Europe Permalink 0
    Prague from the Charles Bridge | The Girl Next Door is Black

    Prague is known as the “Paris of the East” and though I hear several other cities also lay claim to this title, it’s easy to see why Prague (known locally as “Praha“) is a serious contender.

    As we walked toward the historic Old Town Square our first night in the city – also New Year’s Eve – scenes straight from the illustrated pages of a fairy tale dazzled our senses.. Our double-socked, insulated boots tread on cobblestone roads and sidewalks slick from evaporating snow. We strode past vibrantly-colored edifices, red tiled-roofs and magnificent Gothic cathedrals – a city oozing with charm.

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  • Getting the Cold Shoulder in Berlin

    Sunday, January 4, 2015 37 Germany, International Travel, Travel Berlin, Berlin wall, Black Travel to Berlin, Black woman in Berlin, didn't like Berlin Permalink 0
    Berlin Wall New York

    I liked Berlin when my friend and I arrived in the sprawling German capital a week ago. Our hostel was in Friedrichshain, where our cab driver told us – in heavily German-accented English – is a “good area with lots of clubs. If you come to Berlin to party, you are in the right place!” In fact, the hostel is directly across the street from a club , as well as the S-Bahn – one of the two main railways in Berlin. Not only that, the infamous Berlin Wall that divided East and West Berlin for nearly 30 years until 1989, was just a five-minute walk away.

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  • Christmas in Copenhagen

    Friday, December 26, 2014 9 Denmark, International Travel, Travel architecture, Christmas, Christmas Eve in Copenhagen, Christmas in Copenhagen, Copenhagen Permalink 0
    Copenhagen, Denmark is a delightful place to be during the Christmas holiday. Christmas is kind of a big deal there. | Read more from "Christmas in Copenhagen" on The Girl Next Door is Black

    Christmas is kind of a big deal in Denmark. In Copenhagen giant wreaths adorn formidable wooden doors, twinkly lights border shop and restaurant facades and add sparkle to trees and foliage; wishes of “God jul” (Merry Christmas) in ornamental fonts cover storefront windows, and the requisite Christmas fir trees dot the town. On Strøget, a man with an accordion plays melodies that would make the perfect musical backdrop to a romantic comedy.

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  • Exploring Copenhagen’s Beauty & Culture

    Wednesday, December 24, 2014 4 Denmark, International Travel, Travel ancient sculpture, architecture, art, best views of copenhagen, Can't miss in Copenhagen Permalink 0
    Colorful street in Copenhagen | The Girl Next Door is Black

    Despite the cloudy skies and ever-present rain, Copenhagen is still quite beautiful. We spent our third day in the city exploring stunning views of the city and some of the art culture it offers.

    Just around the block from our hostel we found plenty of architecture and design to marvel over.

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  • Adventures in Copenhagen: New Friends, New Food & Secret Neighborhoods

    Monday, December 22, 2014 10 Denmark, International Travel, Travel activities in Denmark, American travel, black girls travel, canals, Christiania Permalink 0
    "Little Amsterdam" in Christianshavn, Copenhagen Denmark | The Girl Next Door is Black

    We went hard our first full day in Copenhagen, so our second day proved a bit rougher. A few hours after the walking tour, we were on the go again, we went on a pub crawl organized by the same group.

    Magnus, our Danish tour guide from the walking tour, also led the four-bar pub crawl. That evening, our group of about 15 people, included a few familiar faces from the earlier tour and represented several nations including England, Australia, Columbia, Trinidad, Peru and, of course, Denmark.

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  • 15 Things I Learned About Denmark On A Walking Tour

    Thursday, December 18, 2014 27 International Travel, Travel activities in Denmark, black female travel, Copenhagen, danish hot chocolate, Denmark Permalink 0
    Nyhaven Colorful Fronts Copenhagen Denmark | The Girl Next Door is Black

    Did you know that Danes get minimum five weeks of paid vacation? Or that college students receive money from the government to pay for school? Check out 13 more trivia items about Denmark…

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  • Seeing Broadway’s First Black Cinderella

    Monday, December 8, 2014 12 Celebrity Sightings, Culture + Society, Travel, US Travel African American, black american firsts, black Americans, black women, Broadway Permalink 0
    Cinderella Broadway Playbill Autographs | The Girl Next Door is Black

    When I heard of Keke Palmer’s casting as the first black Cinderella on Broadway, I didn’t imagine I’d end up seeing the show in person!

    It was a girls night out: sisters and groups of friends; an adorable Girl Scout troop of mostly pre-tween and tween black girls and quite a few mother/daughter pairings attended. One little girl dressed like a little lady wearing pearls and donning an updo, accompanied by her very chic and sophisticated mother who wore an enviable black cape, melted my heart. I attend a lot of plays and as I snarked to my sister, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen this many black people at a play in my life.” I’m so used to being one of few.

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  • Eating My Way Around New York City

    Wednesday, November 12, 2014 21 Travel Brooklyn, cheap eats in New York, cheesecake, diners, family Permalink 0
    Medium Pizza at John's on Bleecker Street, New York | The Girl Next Door is Black

    One of my favorite things to do in New York is eat. The food in New York is like none other. While I appreciate a fancy multi-course meal like the next fine dining fan or food snob-in-training, those meals often come at a snooty price and I’m on a tighter budget these days. Luckily, there is plenty to eat in New York at non-frightening, down-to-earth prices and I took advantage during my latest trip to New York.

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