Friday Flashback to São Paulo, Brazil

A couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to visit São Paulo, Brazil. One of the cool things to do is check out Beco de Batman also know as Batman Alley.  If you love the graffiti in Melbourne, you will be blown away when you get to Beco de Batman.

Apparently, well know street artists from all over the world have come here to make their mark.  The first piece of art, which was a drawing of superhero Batman, was placed here in the 80s and since then the walls have been covered by vibrant paintings that draws crowds from all over the world.

We took an Uber for only a few dollars from where we were staying.

Have you been to Brazil?  What cool places did you experience?

Walking through Batman Alley in São Paulo, Brazil.

 

Travel to a Zone That is Outside of Your Norm

Travel to a place that is full of surprise for you.  Shock others by stepping out of your comfortable surroundings. I speak to you the White American that visits only places where others speak the same language as you.  I speak to you all the races and cultures that are residing outside of their native land and when you travel, you only travel to your native land.  This message is for you.

I am so grateful for my travel adventures and every time I am in a new place, I take a moment to try to connect with a local.  For me, it’s about getting a sense of perspective and renewing my mind.  I have my own bias and have to let go and learn.

Stretch yourself to step outside of your norm. Today, you don’t have to travel to another country to experience culture.  Travel a few feet within your office and get to know someone who is from Asia, Oceania, Africa, or South America.  Have conversations with people who are a different race than you.  If your workplace is diverse, you must use the opportunity to connect with others.  Your perspective on things is not the only perspective.  Learn about someone else’s perspective to broaden your own mind and begin to think more globally.

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, peace be with you.

 

 

 

Traveling Tips from a Hygiene Freak

Ever since I was a little girl, I always showed in my behavior when I saw something icky. If someone picks their nose I stare at them because I want them to know they are spreading their nasty germs. If you sneeze without covering your mouth, I will let you know that you have to use your elbow to cover your mouth. I hate to see people clipping their nails in public spaces. If I see something grimy, I don’t want to go near it. I remember many years ago I went to a famous restaurant in Harlem with a friend and right after ordering I went to the restroom. I was washing my hands and I saw a massive cockroach nearly the size of my pinky finger. I headed straight to my table and told my friend that we had to leave and we did. I’m sure the food there was amazing, but I couldn’t stay after seeing what I saw.

I’m a germ phobic. I carry hand sanitizer everywhere I go and I am always picky about which table to sit down at when I visit a coffee shop. I travel a lot and I often question myself as to how I am able to do it. The airports and planes are probably the filthiest confined spaces around. With millions of people on the go, how do I manage to be in this environment so often? Here are the things that I have with me when I travel and I think you should too.

Things to carry on your person:

Hand sanitizer – I use this all day long between washings throughout the day.

Wipes – use these to wipe down the tv screen, the remote, the arm rests and tray table

Lysol to go spray – this is good to freshen up the air in your room. I also use this to spray the telephone, tv and remote control in the room.

Pillow Cases – I stayed at an airbnb once, and preferred to put my own pillowcases over the pillows because I wasn’t sure if someone else’s head rested there before I showed up.

Socks – wear a pair for your flight that you won’t put back into your shoes. I can’t tell you how many people I see go to the toilet without their shoes on. It’s F-in disgusting. Imagine all the pee drops they have stepped on. You don’t want that to happen to you right?

Disposable foot covers – I always grab a bunch at DFW airport. I haven’t seen them anywhere else. They are great for when you have to take your shoes off.

Don’t use the pouch behind the seat in front of you. If anyone has used a sick bag, they usually put it in there and who knows what residue has been left behind.

Tissue – I don’t understand why people pick their faces and noses and have no tissue on them. This was an awesome invention and it’s cheap! Please buy yourself some tissue paper to pick your damn nose and then throw it in the garbage like a nice human being. I had the urge to pass a tissue to the dude across from me that dug in his nose several time from Melbourne to Auckland.

We are sharing these public spaces and it would be so much better for everyone if we all behaved with respectful manners. Everyone likes to have things clean. Please do your part by cleaning yourself at home and not in public spaces or be as hygienic as you can for your care and everyone else’s.

Please and a BIG thank you.

Oh and most importantly…no matter what the situation is while I’m traveling, I remain thankful for all of the experiences that help shape who I am.  Thank you, God for travel and allowing me to grow amongst everything that you created.