What MLK, Jr. & Boyz in the Hood Means to Me

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr Day! This is one of my favorite holidays, as he is my biggest hero. It is easy to be inspired by a leader that influenced the United States and much of this world with his nonviolent tactics for equality. Many of my personal and professional philosophies are influenced by his principles, in hopes that we, all global citizens, can keep his “Dream” alive, and work together to be a better connected and more united world.
This weekend, I threw my annual MLK Birthday Bash party, which also served as a fundraiser for our H.U.G. projects in Guatemala, Kenya, and Austin, and collected food for our local Austin food bank. I enjoy throwing this annual party, as it is a chance for my different ‘groups’ of friends to come together to connect with one another’s well-being, and post-holiday catch-up.

My MLK group celebration started back in college. I remember seeing “Boyz in the Hood” in the theaters back in 1991, and thought it was such a great movie. By my Senior year at University of Maryland, I lived in a house with seven housemates, and every MLK day, I would rent the video and invite friends over to watch the movie, and have dinner and drinks. If you have seen “Boyz in the Hood”, you probably know it is not a warm and fuzzy, feel good Hallmark type of a movie. So why do I continue to watch it on MLK weekend, when we are supposed to be celebrating a man that promotes non-violence, peace, and conflict-resolution? Exactly the point! We have issues and struggles in our own streets of America, and abroad; but if we continue to ignore society’s problems, and look the other way, hoping that it will resolve itself, or that someone else will deal with it, we’re not being effective human beings. According to Martin Luther King, Jr. “He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.” Watching thought-provoking movies like “Boyz in the Hood,” “Crash,” “Motorcycle Diaries” (three movies that I watch annually) fills me with more drive and compassion to take a stand and make a difference in this world…my world…our world.

As Ice Cube’s character, Doughboy, says at the end of the film, “Either they (media) don’t know, don’t show, or don’t care about what’s going on in the hood.”  I have many more words and opinions of media, especially how it’s changed for the worse since 1991, and may need to share my attitudes and feelings for another series of blogs. But as MLK, Jr. stated, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” I continually believe that until we put our feet in someone else’s shoes, and understand where they are (or were) within their situation, we cannot judge or discriminate against them. We may not see eye-to-eye and agree on opinions, but to be open to and listen to him/her/them, share our thoughts of wisdom and guidance (if applicable and needed), and to be a friend, providing a lending ear, hand, and heart. In the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr., we must ask life’s most persistent and urgent question, not just this weekend, but everyday, “What are you doing for others?”...and actually do something.    

Wrapping up 2010

The end of the year always fills me with a mix of emotions. I am bewildered that yet another twelve months have past, as each year seems to fly by faster than the previous one. I’m also confused of what season it is, as I just spent the past 10 days in Guatemala in tank top and shorts, and returned last night to mid-70s weather. (This native Maryland girl doesn’t consider it to be ‘winter’ without a wool coat.) And then I’m discouraged that that I didn’t get to accomplish everything off of my 2010’s goals list, yet trying to stay optimistic and eager to ring in the new year with a fresh outlook and new and revised goals.

There are always things to do, and more to achieve when you own a business, particularly in the service and travel fields. So my aim for 2011 is to eliminate the mile-long resolutions list, and pick just a few realistic goals and set two or three strategies to effectively execute them.  Seeing my goals get completed and met are a lot more motivating (to do more) than running on the endless trail, trying to find the finish line.

So as I reflect on Cultural Embrace’s year-end accomplishments, it has been a busy 2010, and I can understand why it’s flown by. We sent over 210 individual and group travelers to embrace their world as well as their own passion. We sent 7 participants to work as a nanny/au pair in Europe, 23 professional internship placements from Argentina to South Africa in a wide variety of fields, 33 teach placements (mostly paid) throughout Asia, Latin America, and Europe, 107 volunteers with 78% in Latin America, 12% in Africa, 6% in Asia, and 4% in the Oceania. 23 participants lived and worked in hospitality, non-technical jobs throughout Australia, New Zealand, and Spain. And we had 23 travelers that embraced Costa Rica, Mexico, and France through cultural language classes. Additionally, we tailored our travelers’ (individuals and groups) requests for excursions, housing, and ground transportation.

We also launched our H.U.G. projects, designed as a personal and corporate commitment to partner with select non-profits and provide additional financial, emotional, and logistical support to their causes. We will continue to tailor our programs and services to meet your goals and requests with the availability and needs of the local community; but Cultural Embrace will work together in the under-served communities of Guatemala, Kenya, South Africa, and Austin to improve their living conditions in five key areas: 1) Education, 2) Diversity & Leadership, 3) Environmental Conservation & Awareness, 4) Healthy and Balanced Living, and 5) Creativity.

“The Social Network” wasn’t only a hit on the Hollywood big screen this year, but a means for us to stay connected to others. We have embraced social media via Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Blogs.  We granted partial and full scholarships to 7 participants travel on our programs and serve as Travel Advisers in the destination and to share their adventure and photos to our social media community.  I highly encourage that you read and view their blogs, as it exemplifies a day in the life abroad, and is an inspiration for all of us to live each moment to its fullest.

And isn't that the best outlook on life...to live it to its fullest and seize the day?! I hope you have a wonderful, safe, and peaceful 2011!

The Spirit of Christmas in Guatemala

It has been exciting to return back to Guatemala from our inception of Cultural Embrace’s H.U.G. project exactly one year ago. What is our H.U.G. project? In 2010, I wanted to establish a way to offer support on a more personal and corporate level, so we may work together to Help, Understand, and Grow select local and global non-profits. Cultural Embrace will continue to connect our participants with the best suited local placement for our volunteer, teach, intern, work, and travel programs, but I wanted to have a more meaningful commitment to causes that personally touch my heart.

In 2010, we sent 52 individual and group volunteers to Guatemala to support our H.U.G. project. Our participants have built a library, pharmacy, garden, helped build a new home for a family, painted seven homes in the village, created a jewelry-making co-operative, and spent hundreds of hours tutoring their school work, and being positive mentors.

We wanted to throw a party to start the Christmas holiday weekend right. On Thursday, my niece, Alexa, and nephew, Michael, picked out two piñatas that we filled with candy, and we bought little toys and presents for the kids. There is something so special about the H.U.G. children, as there is a sense of family, love, and togetherness.  The older children would look after the younger children when they sang songs and danced for us. The children that grabbed more candy from the piñata would share it with the other children.  One of the boys handed Michael a lollipop without anyone requesting him to be generous. But isn’t that the true spirit of Christmas? To laugh, care, share, and give back to others.

Back in Guatemala for the holidays

Hola y Feliz Navidad! I’m back in Guatemala enjoying another Christmas in one of my favorite cities, Antigua. I decided to return back this year to check out our H.U.G. (Help Understand Give) Guatemala project, and to share this beautiful country and holiday season with my family and friends.

Although I usually travel alone or have a friend meet up while I check out or create new business developments for Cultural Embrace’s program, my oldest sister, Ann, brother-in-law, Bill, and 12 years-old niece and nephew, Michael and Alexa wanted to go on a meaningful vacation during the holidays. They currently live in a town right next to San Mateo, California (near San Francisco), so they thought it would be fitting to spend the holidays sharing it with children from our H.U.G. project in San Mateo, Guatemala (near Antigua).  So this is a rare, yet very special treat to have my family join me on this holiday adventure.

I have customized this trip a bit from our typical Volunteer in Guatemala week program, or our popular requested Group Travel itinerary, so we can have a family fun-packed week.   We are spending the first 5 days in Antigua…one of the most charming cities in the world. It is foreign-friendly city, with cobble-stone streets filled with delicious restaurant, cafes, shops, and hotels; yet it still maintains the local Guatemalan culture (indigenous and modern) and charm.

Most of our participants take 4 hours of one-on-one Spanish lessons with our partnering language school in Antigua, and I was thrilled when Michael and Alexa agreed to take lessons during their ‘vacation’. We enrolled them for two hours of Spanish a day for the past three days which is perfect for younger children and their attention span…and they had a blast! I loved hearing that they had more fun and learned more Spanish in the first two hours than all the years that they have been learning Spanish since age 3 at nursery, elementary and now middle school.  To be honest, their attitude and confidence in Spanish showed immediately after their first class, as they were trying to speak Spanish to the locals.

Ok, I can go on and on, but it’s 7pm on Christmas Eve. I certainly don’t want to miss a meal in Antigua, as the restaurants and cafes are delicious and beautiful. And then we will join the locals and celebrate Christmas by attending a service at the Cathedral located in the town square.  Feliz Navidad to you and your loved ones!

Discover China

I'm rounding the corner for my final stretch in China, and heading to Shanghai before my return back to the States. I just spent the past 5 days in one of my favorite areas of China—Guilin/Yangshuo area. This is one of the most aesthetically beautiful parts of China that provide inspiration to many artists, poets, and is printed on the 20RMB Chinese currency bill. Yangshuo has been known as a backpacker and adventure travel haven for years, and the infamous West Street has developed even more to be a hub for bars, cafes, restaurants, vendors, and discos to appeal to the Chinese and foreign markets alike.

The beautiful Guilin/Yangshuo area

The reason I came out here was to meet up with and check on our Discover China – Travel, Volunteer, and Cultural Exchange program. Cultural Embrace has partnered with a local non-profit to provide a wonderful blend of Chinese cultural, educational, adventurous, and humanitarian aspects in the area. We have created weekly programs to offer a diverse opportunity to experience the 'real' China, allowing our participants to: integrate within the local village, learn more about the Chinese culture, including several ethnic minority groups that live in and near the area, embark on some fun and adventurous recreational activities, and give back to the communities.

Our local coordinator, Isabella, is a delight, one of my favorite coordinators that we work with around the globe. She is a former English teacher in the Northern region, and genuinely cares about the community, participants, and village people. Plus, she's fun, adorable, and has the most pleasant 'hao de' (translated okay or alright) and smile that will make anyone reciprocate her happy demeanor. My brief description does not give justice to the a la carte week options you may choose, so go see for yourself, to gain a better understanding and experience of fascinating China.

Isabella!

Cultural Week: Participants will fly or take the train in to Guilin. You will be met by a local representative, and depending on the time of arrival, you will either overnight in downtown Guilin, or go straight down to Fengyan village. The gender divided bunk bed accommodations is a highlight of the Fengyan experience. Our base is home to an ancient building, over 100 years old, that has been recently renovated to include wi-fi, Western toilets, and hot water, yet preserves the ancient old ambience. All meals are included and cooked by a private chef and served family style. This cultural week orientates the traveler with Chinese culture, basic and essential Chinese phrases, social habits, and expectations of our participants in China. The week is filled with sight-seeing excursions, such as: Confucius and Buddhist temples, farm lands, ancient Chong Shen village, Li River cruises, and much more. Participants will get a chance to have tea and visit local homes and families, and a chance to meet local farmers, students, and decide what type of work they want to do if they are on the volunteer week.

Yangshuo Adventure & Travel Week: As I mentioned earlier, Yangshuo has been a backpacker and adventure traveler refuge in China. Rock climbing, mountain biking, white water rafting, tubing and much more are available during this weekdays, and your evenings are at leisure to relax your muscles, or check out the hip nightlife scene of Yangshuo. Our accommodations in Yangshuo are upgraded dormitories in a local private school. All of the foreign participants are situated on the 3rd and 4th floor of a hall, and have wi-fi, Western toilets, hot showers, and included meals.

Trekking Week: Three hours North of Yangshuo is Long Cheng, home to the Yao minority, and a spectacular area for trekking and hiking. We include a week-long trek, led by local minorities to maintain sustainability within the local community, and they will take you through farmlands, local villages, and the backroads of China. These spry older ladies, aka as Longhair villagers, will wear their minority clothing (not sure how they don't get hot), skipping along the steps without catching their breath. These ladies are also known as Longhair minority, since they do not cut their hair after 18 years old, and wear their floor-length hair in an unique bun. Every day's trek ranges 4-8 hours of leisure-paced hiking. You will overnight in comfortable, clean and conveniently located hostels/hotels each night, with all meals included.

Me with a Longhair villager

TaiQi/Kung Fu Week: There are two kungfu and tai qi academies located near Yangshuo district. Participants that want to learn, practice, and discover the beautiful art form and disciplinary workout will love this opportunity. Be the "Karate Kid" during your time in China, and learn from nationally praised kungfu masters. Participants will live on site in clean, comfortable, and Western friendly accommodations, with all meals included and instructions in Chinglish.

Volunteer Week: Giving back to the community is a major part of our mission and passion at Cultural Embrace, and we provide several opportunities for our participants to volunteer in China.

If you wish to stay in the Yangshuo/Fengyan area, you may opt to:

1. Tutor and teach basic oral English at public elementary, middle, or high schools (depending on your age preference)
2. Help local villagers and farmers during their harvest season (seasonal). 

I recommend joining our Teach in China program http://www.culturalembrace.com/4444669_24622.htm if you are able to commit 14+ weeks, as we may be able to offer you a paid stipend for your longer-term teach placement.

If you wish to spread your wings and visit other parts of China, we have a fantastic opportunity for you to work at a Panda Conservation Reserve in Chengdu, and help at a local orphanage in Henan Province. There is a local coordinator in each destination that will inform you of your duties, schedule, and expectations, and assist with all ground transportation, language translations, etc. Both sites have shared clean and comfortable accommodations for the foreign volunteers with all included meals.

All of these weeks are available throughout the year, and you may choose the weeks and types of travel and program you want to do. Come and join us to Discover China!

Greetings from Beijing, China!

Ni hao! Greetings from Beijing, China! I have been here for exactly one week, and FINALLY feel like my brain and body are working on the right time zone. I attended a 4 days conference for the youth travel industry, and will spend the next two weeks visiting our site projects for our Teach, Intern, and Volunteer in China programs, and work on some new business development. I’ll definitely share more details and insight of my experiences here, and how I hope this visit will improve our programs and services to this fascinating destination.

I am giving the ‘touristy’ things to do in Beijing amiss, as I have been to Beijing numerous times, either as a tourist, or having lead group tours. So now, I get the pleasure to sit back and embrace the local culture. Ironically, I am sitting in a Starbucks, in the HouHai district, which is in the heart of Beijing’s Lake District. I know, Starbucks isn’t really a ‘local’ thing, and in fact, I avoid the green and white chains back in the States, but not only is this one of the only places that offers free wi-fi, but it’s everywhere in Beijing, and dominated by Chinese and foreign people alike. In fact, I’m sitting next to three local young Chinese girls, sitting around their netbook watching videos, giggling, bopping their heads, and singing along to Eminem and Rhianna. At a table across from them, there are three young Westerners peering over each other’s shoulders, looking at a Mac screen with earphones on. Do you think they could be listening to the same thing? Who knows, but for me, at this moment, this coffee shop is a true representation of how we continue to Discover the Similarities and Share the Differences. Whether through food, coffee, music, people and ways to spend a lazy, chilly, Saturday afternoon…that’s no lie.

I Wish I May, I Wish I Might...Have the Wish I Wish Tonight

Since my early twenties, if anyone ever asked me where my dream vacation would be, Seychelles would always come to mind. I’m not really sure why-I never met anyone from there, or any visitors for that matter. It sounded so exotic, because it’s located so far far away…and that’s what dreams are supposed to be, right?

Well, pinch me...because I just returned back from visiting Seychelles! If you recall my earlier introduction to Liz & Dex, Liz works at the Four Seasons, and wanted to use her employee benefits at their Seychelles resort. Seriously...on this trip...which meant I got to go to Seychelles! And my accommodations were taken care of...suh-weeeet!! So off we went, Liz, Dex, and I bought round-trip tickets from Johannesburg, South Africa to Seychelles, to experience four-nights on a slice of heaven.

It's sad to say, we didn't see much of the island besides the drive from the airport to Four Seasons resort, which was located on the Southern tip of the Mahe Island. I know, I know, I own an experiential and immersion travel company that focuses on humanitarian and cultural aspects of a destination...so how could I have stayed in one of the world's finest hotels and not explore and embrace the natural beauties of the rest of the island?

Um, take a look at the photos attached, and you will see why I didn't leave the resort...

Need I say more? After four straight years of not going someplace or doing something that involves Cultural Embrace (in fact, come to think of it…it was another trip with Liz, when she invited me to a Four Season's award trip to Hawaii...man, I have the greatest friend!) 'shutting' off for four days on a remote island in a luxury resort, without an agenda, meeting, or schedule, was justifiable, or more importantly, a necessity.

I have to admit, I fell short of my goal to not check my emails and reconnect with the 'real world.' But I proudly did not turn my netbook on, and discovered the library with two computers and internet access, I mean, c'mon, I had to try all of the facilities this resort had to offer, right? But my days consisted of hanging out at the beach, catching up on several books that had accumulated beyond piles back in Austin, snorkling, swimming, turning before I burn, ordering fresh mango coladas, and joking around with the resort staff. I think the hardest decision of our time there, was whether to wade in the resort pool, or return back to our private pool in our villa.

I often write and set goals for myself, sometimes a bit far-fetched that they should be defined as dreams. But for me, goals are essentially dreams with deadlines, and you never know, like my visit to Seychelles, dreams do become a reality!