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10 Places to Visit For the First Time Solo As A Black Female

I am always asked what countries are safe to travel as a black solo female. If we are real with each other, being a black female in this world can be extremely hard sometimes. So, it always makes sense when I’m asked what countries are safe to travel solo for the first time! I recently spoke on Travelling Perceptions & Safety: Why I don’t Allow the Experiences Stop me From Seeing The World?

As I said in that post and will say again … the media often likes to label black females, particularly in certain countries, that I won’t point out. We are often labelled as prostitutes, or even worst ghettoized for the colour of our skin. The melanin can be hard for them to handle sometimes.

When I travel by myself I never feel like I’m on my own. I have never really understood why, but I believe it’s because I always end up meeting someone on my solo travels. That’s not to say that I don’t emphasise with people that travel solo for the first time. I can imagine if you haven’t travelled solo before, it can be quite daunting. There are several countries or even places you can visit solo as a black female.

My cousin suggested that I write a post on places black females feel safe to travel too. So as I do. I have tapped into 10 black female travel bloggers, who share places they themselves felt safe travelling too! If you are a black female seeking to travel solo for the first time, I’m sure this post is for you. 

The melanin can be hard for them to handle sometimes.

10 Places You Should Travel Solo For the First Time As a Black Female Traveller

1. Char of Memoirs and Musings says – Dubai

Dubai is safe because the crime rate is low. You won’t find much petty crime here because it’s not a walkable city. Unwanted attention does exist but it’s more common in Deira and Bur Dubai. I’ve been to Dubai twice solo and not had any issues! ???

2. Aitza of Petitely Packaged says – Porto

As the second-largest city in Portugal, Porto offers a friendly and vibrant atmosphere. From wine tours in the Douro Valley, hiking at a nearby national park, hopping on a boat, or simply eating one’s way through the city their countless activities to meet people or get lost on your own in Porto. The public transportation is easy to navigate and English widely is spoken, so even if you find yourself unintentionally lost you likely won’t need Google to translate.

3. L of Franglais27 Tales says – Paris

Central Paris is rather compact and so it is easy to navigate by foot which makes it relatively safe for a solo woman traveller. Plus, there are lots of museums, galleries and other sights that are easy to visit or cinemas as well. There are also neighbouring cafés and restaurants in most locations meaning that it would not involve a long journey if venturing out in the evenings. You would just have to be as vigilant as you would be in London when travelling alone.

4. Elisha of Elisha Jade says – Shanghai and Bejing

I felt super safe in Shanghai and Beijing. Whether I was riding in the back of a tuk-tuk at 4 am or jumping on the metro, the Chinese metropolises were very secure. It is a surveillance state so you do trade off privacy for that sense of security.

5. Chi of Thoughts Of Chi says – Prague

I believe that Prague is safe due to it being a popular destination for tourists so it’s rare for you to feel secluded during a solo trip. Also from my trip, the attraction staff are very accommodating for solo travellers in terms of taking pictures of you and giving you in-depth talks about the city in general.

Also, the fact that there are a ton of attractions to go throughout the city and the transport links are reliable and easy to use.

6. Tay of TaytheTravelista says – Cartagena

I recently took my very first solo trip and as nervous as I was I couldn’t have made a better choice of destination – Cartagena. The people are extremely warm and welcoming and although they don’t speak much English, the love is felt! The streets are ALWAYS full of people, so you never really feel “alone”; and Uber/taxi makes it very easy to get around the city.

Cartagena is also very budget-friendly, so paying full price for things you’d normally split with a friend isn’t a big deal. Not to mention, Cartagena is pretty popular among solo travellers so the likelihood of you connecting with other solo travellers is extremely high. Just an FYI – you will fall head over heels in love with the place!!!

7. Joyce of Diy With Joy says – Phucket

I travelled to Phuket, Thailand for the ultimate solo birthday trip and purposely chose to stay in Patong for the first half of my trip as this beach resort town is famously known for its bustling nightlife, variety of activities, markets and plenty of restaurants. Although I was by myself, I never really felt alone because I met a lot of friendly faces from around the world and the Thai locals made me feel welcomed into their country. I felt really safe venturing out at night, often strolling through the night markets and had my first solo nightlife experience in Phuket which was surprisingly amazing!

8. Ri of Ri The Blog says – Colombia

I thought Colombia was safe because there was constantly police around everywhere (granted its Colombia they could be corrupt cops). The people seemed so relaxed about their belongings and that that to me was a sign that the city didn’t have problems with petty crime.

9. Tateendah of Footprints and Poetry says Tanzania

I found Tanzanians really friendly, no one catcalled me either in Dar Es Salaam or Zanzibar which is very rare. I didn’t book any tours and the resort I stayed in the capital helped me to arrange them, in Zanzibar they even walked me to the beach for my prison island tour.

Someone even offered to go with me to the South Island (as they were also going there) so I can get on the right public transport but I couldn’t stay that long. People were open to conversation if they spoke English, from the restaurants to the taxi drivers. The only issues I had was trying to convince people I don’t speak Swahili.

10. Victoria of The Stylish Trotter says Japan

I went to Japan solo but meeting people was a breeze with Couchsurfing & I felt so safe. This country is one of the most safest countries in the world because it is indeed safe. Transportation is accessible & easy. People are very cordial in Japan and you don’t feel people staring at you because you are a foreigner and black. It’s a win-win all around in my book.

Oh and one more! It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t suggest one of my own countries right?

Adebola of MyBreakingViews says Singapore

I think ya’ll get tired of me speaking about Singapore. It was the first country I travelled too as a student and to some degree as a solo traveller. As a student, I ended up living there with no trouble for 7 months! Honestly, Singapore has been the most welcoming country for me as a black female! I went back again this year after six years and couldn’t believe how welcoming it was. I wasn’t bothered when I walked around the city by myself.

P.S Get yourself some durian and tell me what you think? hahaha

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10 Black History Month Events to Attend in 2019

Black History Month was first celebrated in the United Kingdom in 1987. It was organised through the leadership of Ghanaian analyst Akyaaba Addai-Sebo. He had served as a coordinator of special projects for the Greater London Council (GLC) and created a collaboration to get it underway.

Black History Month happens in October every year. Although it started 30 years ago, I never felt like celebrated the month as I should. Which for me has always been a shame. Throughout historyblack people have been discriminated against and treated badly because of the colour of their skin.

This year I wanted to dedicate my blog to Black History Month. I want to shed light on the good things we are doing as a community. I will be posting a blog feature called – Black History Month: 10 Black Bloggers Making Modern Black History

Today I want to share a few Black History Month Events that will be happening across the UK.

10 Black History Month Events in 2019

1. Launch of Civil Service Wide Black History Month Celebration 2019 – London

Interested in Civil Service? The Civil Service Race Forum and the BEIS Faith and Minority Ethnic Network (FAME) are bringing to you the launch event for Black History Month 2019. With a theme of ‘Involve to Evolve’, join us for a day full of keynote speeches and panels. It will address important questions of how we should be tackling race issues. To evolve the Civil Service into a more representative, diverse and inclusive workforce. For more info and tickets.

Cost: Free

Date: 1 October

2. Black History River Cruise 5th October – London

A three-hour cruise along the Thames from Temple to Vauxhall to Greenwich. There will highlights on the hidden African/Caribbean history on display. For more info and tickets.

Cost: £36

Date: 5 October

N.B I will be going to this event myself. If you would like to join me please do let me know.

3. Black History Month African-Caribbean Fusion Festival – Portsmouth

The African-Caribbean Fusion Festival will be held at the University of Portsmouth Eldon Building from 12:00-5:00 pm. It is being organised by the Portsmouth Black History Committee. A day to celebrate the heritage, culture and diversity of the local African-Caribbean community. For more info and tickets.

Cost: Free

Date: 5 October

4. What’s Her Story? A Black History Month Workshop – London

Black Women’s History- What’s Her Story? aims to raise awareness of the key African and Caribbean female figures in British history from the Roman era to the present day. Through discovery and discussion that celebrates these women’s lives and their contributions to our history. For more info and tickets

Cost: Free

Date: 15 October

5. One Africa Networking – Birmingham

One Africa Network (OAN) will be holding an event for like-minded business professionals and entrepreneurs in Birmingham. Attending our monthly events is an excellent way to strengthen relationships, share innovative ideas, insights, career and new business opportunities. Opportunites to speed network with other delegates and share inspiring ideas. For more info and tickets

Cost: Free

Date: 25 October

6. Comedy Shutdown Wolves Wolverhampton

Check out some of the best Urban Comedians in the great settings of the Belgrade Theatre Coventry. On the night you have the ferociously quick-witted Kane Brown. The veteran comedy Host Kat B, Smash Entertainz from Belly Buss Comedy and our favourite Auntie Maureen Younger. For more info and tickets

Cost: £15.00

Date: 26 OctoberWolverhampton, 19 October Leicester and 18 October Coventry

7. ”African Cultural Event 2019” Cambridge

Cambridge African Network, as part of its celebration of Black History Month 2019, is hosting a full day two-part family event. For more info and tickets.

Cost: £0 – £13.52

Date: 12 October

8. Telling Tales: Black History MonthNorthampton

From poets to storytellers, The University of Northampton and the wider Northampton(shire) community is filled with artistic talent.

On October 28, will be celebrating some talent with the latest session of Telling Tales, the Library’s very own Telling Tales: Black History Month. For more info and tickets.

Cost: Free

Date: 29 October

9. Pressure – London

Celebrate Black History Month with our screening of Britain’s first black film. Set in 70s London, Pressure tells the story of Tony, a bright school-leaver and son of West Indian immigrants, who finds himself torn between his parents’ church-going conformity and his brother’s Black Power militancy. A vivid account of the cultural tensions between the Windrush generation and their children, now native to Britain, Pressure is powered by raw, authentic performances and political bite. For more info and tickets.

Cost: £8.50 for under 25s £5.00

Date: 9 October

10. Discussion Panel – Saying it Proud, Saying it in Black – London

50th Anniversary celebrations for Bogle-L’Ouverture. Publication for a radical London-based publishing company founded in 1968 by Guyanese activists Jessica Huntley and Eric Huntley.

Chaired by Beverley Mason, this discussion with guest speakers Eric Huntley and Leila Howe will explore the radical power of Blackness. Black publishing and the role of bookshops in the Black community.

Cost: £10.00

Date: 6 October

A Bonus Event: My Experience With {Pastor Of Comedy} MCOJB – Kent

An award-winning international stand up comedian, event host, Master of ceremony, actor, an entertainer and mentor. Mc OJB is a household name, and humour merchant. He began his comedy career in the university, where he got his name Pastor Of Comedy and has since graced stages with international comedians like Julius Agwu, Senator, Alibaba, Gordons D Berlusconi, AY (Ayo Makun), Comedian Accapella, Bovi to mention a few. For more info and tickets.

Cost: £20.00 VIP £50.00

Date: 13 October

Will you be celebrating Black History Month this year? What will you be doing? Do you have any events that you would like to share?

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