Travel Noire has always been devoted to showcasing black travelers that inspire others to see more of the world. Tosin (@tosinfinityandbeyond) shares how she learned to savor life’s greatest moments through traveling.
Travel Noire: Where are you originally from and where do you currently live?
Tosin: I was born in Libreville, Gabon but grew up in Nigeria, Hungary, and the United States. I was raised with very traditional Nigerian parents so no matter where we were in the world, it’s like Nigeria was with us. I am currently making Medellin, Colombia home.
Travel Noire: When did traveling become more than a hobby for you?
Tosin: When I graduated from University, my dad bought me a ticket to Australia as my graduation present. It was my first experience with backpackers. The more I heard their stories and asked questions, the more the fire began to spark inside of me. After returning back from that trip, I moved to Thailand and the rest is now history.
Travel Noire: What are your favorite domestic destinations and why?
Tosin: Chicago has to be my favorite domestic city. I am such a city girl and Chicago delivered in every way. I could get on the metro and go anywhere. I could be anywhere in the city in a matter of minutes. The food was delicious and the people were so nice. I always say if I was to live in the USA, I would choose Chicago.
Travel Noire: What are your favorite destinations to travel abroad and why?
Tosin: London is one of my favorite places to travel to abroad. I have a long list of reasons on why I love London but I will name just a few. I love Nandos, Ribena, the accents, the tube, and I have made lots of friends while traveling that live there. It feels like home in a way.
Travel Noire: What are your top three travel secrets that black travelers should know?
Tosin: A big travel hack that helps me while searching for flights is incognito mode. Both laptops and phones have the option of a private tab that erases all cache and cookies. It helps flight prices stay true to their original price. I also type in the option for everywhere for arrival airport. With doing that, most sites will list the cheapest flights they have to most expensive. It makes it easy for me to plan from there. The last secret would be to search every single website. Sometimes flights are cheaper on the actual airline site and other times it is not. Do not buy the first flight you see unless the price is truly a steal.
Travel Noire: How did traveling change your perspective on life?
Tosin: Traveling has taught me the importance of enjoying every single second of this life we live. Whenever I visit a new country, I find myself wanting to slow down time. It’s simply impossible to do that, so I make myself present. I will myself to soak in each accent, taste, smile, and experience. I enjoy life.
Travel Noire: What has been your most inspiring travel moment?
Tosin: I have so many. I sit here having a hard time narrowing it down to one because in every country, there is an experience I have that simply takes my breath away. I have drunk tea and pet elephants with locals in India and I have stayed up all night pouring out my soul to complete strangers while staring at the stars in Morocco. Every moment, conversation, experience on the road inspires me.
Travel Noire: What’s one item that you always have in your carry-on?
Tosin: My journal is something I always either have in my carry-on or in my backpack. As much as I love traveling and flying, I know these moments are fleeting. When I journal it makes me feel like I can return right back to those moments and feelings. It makes me feel like I never actually left.
Travel Noire: What advice do you have for black travelers traveling abroad?
Tosin: No time will ever be the right time. Some of your friends may never be ready to take that trip with you that you’ve been planning. You have to do it anyway. If it’s something you can’t stop dreaming about, thinking about, talking about, it is important for you to make it happen.
Travel Noire: Where are you off to next?
Tosin: I am headed back to Atlanta, Georgia in a couple of days. Going to spend some time with my mom before going to the U.K. for a couple of months.