Need another country to travel to? Why not Belize? 

This may be the country for you if you want a relaxing, laid-back, slow-paced vibe.

The focus will be on San Pedro, a town on the island of Ambergris Caye.

With the beautiful barrier reef or the option to check out the Mayan Ruins, this should be an option to add to your travels.

Don’t make the mistake that we did. Several years ago we came to Belize City on a cruise stop and only spent about 3 hours at our destination, which was more like a tourist-inspired swim park. 

With that experience, we had no desire to return, but thanks to YouTube we saw how much we didn’t see. So San Pedro was our destination for our 20th wedding anniversary.

Getting to San Pedro

There are multiple flights you can pick to get to Belize. The major airport, Philip S.W. Goldson International (BZE) is where you fly into. 

We flew direct from Charlotte (CLT) which was about 3.5 hours. On our flight, they provided immigration documents to fill out so we would have it ready to go through immigration.

Immigration was rather quick, but since August is considered off-season it only took about 10 minutes. We also had carry-on luggage which made things faster.

Wed decided to take the ferry to San Pedro, but next time we will fly.

If you choose to fly, you can catch a connecting flight which has the door close by after you get through immigration. Otherwise, the exit door will lead you to ground transportation.

Taking the Ferry

If traveling by ferry, you take a taxi or shuttle service to the port. That is about 20 minutes from the airport. We chose San Pedro Belize Express. Caribbean Sprinter is another ferry option.

We purchased tickets online before our trip however you don’t need to do that. Once you get to the dock you can buy tickets at the counter. And it’s cheaper. 

One tip is that tickets are good for 3 months after your scheduled time. So you don’t have to use them on the same day and time you originally had set. The ferry shuttle sails multiple times a day so you have time flexibility.

The ferry shuttle was 1.5 hours long. If you add a vacation stop to Caye Caulker, the ferry will stop to let passengers on and off after the first hour. Then you have another 30 minutes to San Pedro.

Once you arrive, you can pick up your luggage after it’s loaded in the luggage claim area. Just make sure you keep your luggage tickets to provide to the attendant.

If you have transportation scheduled, you can wait for them near the San Pedro welcome sign. If not, several drivers will be in the area to take you to your destination. You can even rent a golf cart on the spot and then drive yourself to your hotel.

Accommodations

There are plenty of options for accommodations on the island. We chose the Grand Caribe Belize resort for a few reasons.

It was waterfront property, with restaurants onsite and nearby, and didn’t give off a party vibe. Honestly, I wanted a quieter resort without the big party scene. 

Each room was a condo that had a kitchenette. Our room was on the first floor with easy access to walk outside and participate in the water activities. Paddleboard and kayaking were free for guests.

The location was ideal as it was about 15 minutes from downtown and 20 minutes from the infamous Secret Beach. Grand Caribe also rented golf carts to guests.

Lifestyle

When we arrived at San Pedro, we felt the locals were warm, welcoming, friendly, and easy-going. But with the notion of “going slow”, how could anyone be too uptight?

You may ask? Will I be able to communicate easily? 

Yes. 

The official language of Belize is English. However, Spanish, Creole, German, and other Mayan languages are spoken.

That brings some familiarity when immersing yourself in various cultures and still communicating with the natives.

And don’t worry about the conversion of currency. It’s 2 to 1. $2 BZE is $1. Simple right?

It’s not necessary to convert any money before going. You can pay in USD but will most likely get money returned in BZE. 

Food

The food was incredible. Between the mom-and-pop restaurants on the side of the road to the resort restaurant, everything was amazing. 

Rain

After traveling all day, it’s nice to have a restaurant that is at the resort. Once we got settled in we made reservations for Rain. When we checked in at the resort, it was highly recommended to make reservations. However, our reservation was at 4PM and it was just us and one larger party. 

I’m not sure how strict reservations are during the off season, but just something to consider.

 At 4pm, the sun is HOT! We moved tables because the sun was just too unbearable, but the ambience was great. There was a beautiful view of the bay and the food was fantastic.

The Fry Jack House

The Fry Jack House was a restaurant I heard about on another YouTube channel and it did not disappoint. It’s small inside but the food has a big impact. It’s also part of the Belize Food tour.

We weren’t part of the tour, but suddenly 15 people came into the restaurant. Glad we got there before the tour did.

The Truck Stop

Another area we went to a few times because it was convenient and close was The Truck Stop. It’s a food truck park. You can get pizza, Asian food, ice cream, tacos and different drinks. There is also an area in the back to play games, watch tv, and swim.

It was a place to grab something quick without having to wait and sit at a restaurant. Very casual. 

Most nights around 6pm there is live music from local artists. I didn’t see people dancing but most were just watching the artists perform. 

Tipsy Lobster (Seafood Grill)

The Tipsy Lobster was about a 3 minute golf cart ride up the road from our resort. If you don’t look for it, you will miss it. It’s an outdoor seating restaurant with amazing food.

The only issue we had was with flies. The staff brought us fans to surround us to keep the flies away. A great option if you want a laid-back restaurant and amazing food. 

Garage Seafood and Steakhouse

This restaurant was quaint. At the time we were the only patrons there, but like I mentioned before this was slow season in Belize and we went on a Tuesday night. 

We pulled up and the staff valet parked our golf cart! Now that’s a first for me. You’ll notice a little red car at the top of the building so you can find it easily.

The food was awesome like everything else we had in Belize. Try this restaurant, and you won’t regret it.

Elvi’s Kitchen

Elvi’s was another restaurant that I saw mentioned several times in other YouTube videos so we decided to have it for lunch. It’s located in downtown San Pedro. The outside is misleading because when we walked in, I was amazed how large the restaurant was inside.

 When it was time to order, my husband had a question about the size of the snapper. The waiter brought over two different sizes of fish (uncooked) and Rudy picked out the bigger one. 

Let’s just say, he had no complaints and finished the entire thing.

I went a little more subtle, so I went with tacos. Still good, but not as grand as my husband’s snapper.

Beach Basket Belize

Beach Basket Belize is the on-site grocery store on the Grand Caribe Resort. It’s more like a quick shop with an assortment of household items, produce, can goods, drinks, alcohol and more. There is also a quick pizza shop inside as well when you want a snack or quick meal.

With food in Belize, you have many options. You won’t be disappointed.

Transportation

We heard about people driving golf carts in San Pedro before we arrived. Initially we didn’t want to be bothered with getting one. Well, the first day we walked to The Truck Stop, which was less than a mile. 

Big mistake!

It took about 15 minutes, but we were walking on the road as there were no sidewalks and it was HOT.

The next 3 days we made sure we had a set of wheels. You can rent from so many agencies on the island and they will come to your residence.

Grand Caribe also has their own (which we rented from). It seems to be a little more expensive than the others, but we pay for convenience. We didn’t have to gas up or pay the tolls because it was already included in the price.

You won’t have an issue finding a golf-cart, it’s more about what price you’re willing to pay. Also, in downtown the only issue is finding parking, but you’ll eventually find a spot. Just remember to lock up.

Secret Beach

The infamous Secret Beach is no longer a secret. 

If you’re looking for a popular tourist destination with a nice beach, music, beach bars, shopping and water activities, this is the place for you.

We came during the weekday around 11am and ate food at the first bar we came to. We were actually meeting a realtor to drive us around so we ended up back here after our tour around the area.

Getting to Secret Beach means driving on a rocky road. My Google Maps worked perfectly out there even though it seemed to be desolate. It’s about a 20 minute drive from Grand Caribe. 

This area is one of the few places that you can walk into the water without a barrier. There were several areas where you are able to eat in the water, but we opted out of that.

The Area

San Pedro is still up and coming. There are some areas that have been built up to support travel and tourism but there are other areas that have future plans for expansion. Because of that reason, you will see a lot of dirt roads and potholes when driving.

During our visit we did look at some land out in another part of Secret Beach to see what the area would look like. The terrain may not look appealing, but with the way the city is growing, it’s only a matter of time for the curb appeal to take shape.

Until Next Time

This was a much needed and deserved trip. While we didn’t decide on San Pedro until about 2 months prior, we are so glad we came. It was one our most relaxing and enjoyable trips.

We are ready for our next trip back. Until next time Belize!

Curious about another tropical climate country to visit? Check out this post about our trip to Cartagena, Colombia!

The post Discover Belize – Your Next Caribbean Paradise first appeared on Angela P. Banks.

Why Cartagena?

Several years ago on a trip to Negril Jamaica, we met a native from Cartagena. There was a language barrier but we were able to communicate in small doses. But her words to me, were “Visit Cartagena”. So because of our interaction, Colombia was now added to my bucket list of places to visit.

Since that trip, I kept hearing more people talking about visiting Cartagena or other cities in Colombia. It reminds me of when you get a new car or researching a particular car, and then you start seeing your car more and more whereas before you didn’t see it as much on the road. That’s how it was for Cartagena.

So with that, I did some research about where to stay, booked our flights and it was set. We stayed for 5 nights which we found to be our sweet spot for how long to stay. I also contacted Deimer who has a private FB group regarding tour services. It was great to have someone from Cartagena to give us tips and answer questions about anything. Check out his FB for more info.

Getting There

We flew out of Dulles (IAD) around 7am thru Atlanta (ATL) to Cartagena (CTG). Around 1:30pm we arrived in Cartagena, which is on Central Time. It was an easy flight. Just a tip, Delta counters at Dulles open up 4:30am. So if you have an International Flight leaving at 7am and they say to be there 3 hours prior; you may be waiting to check in since you have to verify your passport.

After our two flights we landed in Cartagena. The heat smacked us right in the face. I don’t know if it’s because we haven’t felt that type of heat in a while, but it was hot. I know Central America is hot, but that just hit us as soon as we stepped off the plane.

We were not the only flight that had just arrived. The customs line was long. It took about an hour once we got in line before our turn to be checked. If you are meeting people or have a ride scheduled, note that this process may be lengthy for you.

Initial thoughts

We were warned that some of the natives could be aggressive as far as offering their services. So that was not a surprise when we exited the airport while waiting for our driver. Our guide, Diemer was on his way and said on the phone “Do Not Give Them Your Bags”.

Well, it’s hard to heed that warning when so many people are speaking quickly and in a different language at you. Our guide and driver arrived to pick us up and it was still chaotic.

Some of the people at the airport grabbed our bags to put in our car (even though we had 2 people to come pick us up to do that) and they were expecting some compensation for their troubles of moving the bags 2 feet.

Something that is familiar but somewhat uncommon when we do travel to another country, is that Colombians drive on the same side of the road as the US. So if you move to this country, you will not have that hurdle to overcome.

But there are lots of bikes and small cars and the way they move throughout the roads takes some getting used to. Since we have traveled to other countries, we’ve seen this “style” of driving. Meaning, cars cut in front of you, pull out, and the sounds of small horns alerting others is constant. But I didn’t see any accidents. They just make it work.

AirBNB

We decided to do an Airbnb for our trip. One of the factors was being able to see the ocean everyday and have a balcony. Many of the hotels that were on the ocean facing side did not have balconies so we found a great Airbnb that suited us just fine.

It was in an area with multiple shops and restaurants that you could walk to easily and also visit the beach. They do make you wear a bracelet for your entire stay. If you lose it, you have to pay for a new one.

This two bedroom/two bath condo was right up our alley. It was an end unit on the 40th floor with only 5 rooms per floor. Each room had a great view of the city and the ocean. In addition, there is a reception desk to help with check-in, a taxi available outside and a pool.

The view at night was just as beautiful as the views during the day.

Here is the link to the Airbnb.

Palenque

Lately we’ve been trying to add in a cultural experience during our trips and not just have a strictly lazy/beach vacation. Because I had heard a lot of wonderful things about the Palenque tour, I booked it. However, I will typically go for vacations in warmer climates. I don’t like being cold.

Our guide Deimer (Cartagena Cheap & Safe), booked it for us with a driver. The drive was about 1 – 1.5 hours away from Cartagena into more of the country side. But it was nice to see some of the countryside away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Palenque is the first free town for Africans in the Americas. We learned about the history, culture, medical and healing practices, dances, food and more. The tour was about 3-4 hours with the option to have lunch at the end.

The Dancing

There is a school where young adults perform native dances and give a brief history of the dance. They even invite the visitors to join in towards the end. I realized my dancing skills have decreased over the last several years.

The History

Our tour guide Sofy, was amazing. She provided the history while we walked through the town and answered any questions that were presented. If you ever visit Palenque, hopefully you get Sofy.

If you wanted to take pictures with the women in the colorful dresses you could, but there was no pressure. But there was plenty of opportunity if you missed it the first time. There was also several gift shops to buy souvenirs at. And they accepted both cash and card.

Make sure you have comfortable walking shoes, sunblock, hat, water (which they provided) to have a comfortable time. The day was a bit cloudy so the heat was not as intense.

One stop was to see how traditional sweets were made and got a taste of it.

The Music

We got to see a native musician and his studio. He was also on the Tiny Desk series representing Colombia. The best part was having the visitors participate. My husband played the xylophone.

Featuring Mr. Banks.

Winding Down

As we were ending the tour, a traditional lunch was served. You could have the option of fish or chicken. Of course we went for fish. Having it served on a bamboo leaf reminded me of when were in India.

Before leaving Palenque, we captured one last picture with the women of Palenque.

Bora Bora Beach Club

Getting There

Although there was an ocean that you could go to right outside of the condo, we were told there were better beaches, but you just had to travel more of a distance to get to them. And if you did use the closer beach, only bring what you need.

From seeing the pictures, I booked the Bora Bora Beach Club for us to have some time to relax. We did the VIP section which also came with lunch and a front row cabana.

Getting there was a journey. We were dropped off at gate 3 and had to show ID. We prepaid for Bora Bora but you had to pay a port fee in cash at La Bodeguita port. Once we did that, we checked in, got our bracelets and waited for the staff to call “azul” Bora Bora since we had blue bracelets.

We all loaded into the speedboat. Let’s just say I’m glad I had my water shoes on for this. It was overcast and rainy off and on. How funny that the other days were like 90+ degrees and the day we have a beach day it’s probably low 80s, rainy and cloudy.

But our trip on the speedboat was about 45 minutes. My husband saw lightning and the rain started to come down even harder slapping us in the face. Let’s just say we were drenched by the time we got to the beach club.

The Vibe

Once we arrived we checked in and went to the dining area. They were also serving breakfast so we decided to eat because our cabana wasn’t ready yet and it was still raining. After about an hour it let up and we were able to relax in front of the ocean.

One thing to note is that there is a DJ that plays a mix of techno/Caribbean music so if you are looking for serenity and quietness, this isn’t the place for you. From the cabana you could just walk down the steps to the beach. Our VIP side was sectioned off so there was only a few people in the water on our side. The water was warm, however it was still chilly due to the sun not being out and the previous rain.

Around 12:30pm our lunch was ready and we were served the typical Colombian dish. Similar to what we had in Palenque but it was still good.

Restaurants

Overall, I was happy with all the food choices in Cartagena except for one, but that was my fault. I was tired of seafood and wanted some pizza and it was a little too cheesy for me. But everything else I enjoyed.

Morena

Morena is literally a 1-2 minute walk from the condo. That’s probably why we ate there 3 times. The food was great, the atmosphere was fun and the staff was amazing. The majority of the people basically spoke to us in Spanish. So between us pointing to the menu and speaking our broken Spanish, we made it work. I believe they appreciated the effort.

The nights we went, there was music from local musicians which was nice. I highly recommend checking it out if you visit.

Here is a little taste of the music from one of the nights.

La Brioche Bocagrande

La Brioche Bocagrande was a quaint breakfast spot about 5 minutes away from our condo. Despite our language barrier, we were able to get our order across without any issues. No complaints with the breakfast food. It seems to be very popular so try not to be in a rush if you eat there. Also, you can get their pastries to go.

Carulla Express

Right across the street from La Brioche, was the Carulla Express. This has everything you need from food and alcohol to toiletries for your Airbnb. We came here 3 times during our stay when we needed a few items.

Cande

Cande was more of an upscale restaurant with an Italian feel. It was on a recommendation list and we needed a last minute place to eat. The food was good here too, but we enjoyed a similar meal at Palenque and Bora Bora just a little more.

Things to Note

Transportation

There are plenty of options for transportation. We used a private driver for most of our stay and hopped a taxi from one of the malls within the city when we had finished dinner one night.

Communicating

Practice up on your Spanish and use your phone to translate. With the exception of a few people, the majority of the people we encountered spoke limited English or none. Both Rudy and I took Spanish in high school several years ago and that helped with simple stuff, but you just needed to know how to use other tools to communicate. It’s not like Costa Rica where when you go to restaurants in the tourists areas, there will be someone who can flip back and forth. It’s just something to consider.

Toilet Paper

I noticed this in our Airbnb, but thought it was referencing feminine products and not flushing anything down the toilet. However, we believe it meant all paper products. When I went to other restaurants i noticed similar signage. So I googled. To my surprise, they meant all paper products. Cartagena’s infrastructure is not as advanced as far as the plumbing in some areas, so the guidance is not to throw paper in the toilet.

Day/Night

With the amount of windows and views we had from the condo, you could definitely tell when morning came. Which seemed to be about 5:30-6:00am. My body was still on east coast time but it felt like sleeping in was not happening. The rooms had automatic blinds but I enjoyed being able to see the sun in the morning and set in the evening. On the flip side, around 7pm, it was night. Back home it is still daylight till after 8:30pm. Just something to consider if you like to be in before it gets dark when visiting a new place.

Unemployment

Due to high unemployment, you will find people that will ask for money. We were sitting at a restaurant outside and someone approached us asking for money to help feed her baby. She even had the Similac container and everything. Even with the language barrier she got her point across. The native people are friendly, but you may be approached when you least expect it while you are dining outside.

So much to do, so little time

We didn’t do everything that was offered. On vacation our plan is to relax but take in 1 or 2 excursion type events and play the rest by ear. There is so much to see or do such Salsa classes, Mud Volcano tour, Exploring the Walled City and more. We were walking out of a restaurant in Getsemani and someone walked up to us asked if we wanted a tour with a Horse and Carriage. We declined because we were tired from the day, but that could have been a spur of the moment type of event.

Night Life for Introverts

Cartagena is also known for the night life, but I am not. We did see the imfamous Party Bus from the condo. It’s bright, flashy, and drives around in a circle it seems. There is a DJ turning up the music for all those to have a great time and dance the night away. If this is your vibe, check it out.

Money Exchange/ATM

Before the trip I exchanged money from my local bank. It took about 3 business days so I had some cash before we landed without having to go to the Exchange booth at the airport. The issue I ran into is that the bank doesn’t give you enough smaller bills. So I ended up with a lot of 20.000 and 50.000 Colombian Pesos which is equivalent to $5-$13 USD. However, that can go quickly if you don’t have any 1 mil or 5 mil Colombian Pesos on hand. I only received some back as change when we went to the La Bodeguita Port for the beach tour. And when I could, I would use my card for other purchases.

It’s a great exchange rate but if you go to fancier restaurants in the touristy area, then the prices seem comparable to the US in my opinion.

Once we started to get around I saw several Money Exchange shops, although I didn’t enter inside. Most of the time I saw them in passing while we were heading some place else.

Not all ATMs will take your card if you need to withdrawal additional money. I found two ATMs that were close by the condo and it kept erroring about “Not able to Service”, but in Spanish of course. So my driver took me to a bigger bank in town and it worked better for me. If I had smaller bills, my cash would have lasted longer.

Farewell Cartagena

Our flight out of Cartagena was around 2:15pm and we had to leave our condo by 11am. Our driver picked us up and we were on our way. Checkout was simple enough. I told them the room number and they cut the bracelet off our wrist. I know that was for safety but I was glad to have that cut off.

Arriving at the airport to leave the country was a lot less hectic than the arrival. We thanked our driver and headed to check-in. We talked with a Delta rep about the trip, checked our bags, and then headed upstairs thru security.

The Cartagena airport is pretty organized compared to other airports I’ve been to in the Caribbean. It’s also relatively small. There is a few stores and a restaurant and then a lot of seats in front of all the gates.

We did have a good time and will probably re-visit again in the future, but there are still other places to visit. If you’d like to check out our adventures with another warm destination, read about out trip to Puerto Vallarta. It’s wedding season so this may give additional ideas.

~Angela

The post Lost in the Charm: A Cartagena Escape in the Heart of Summer first appeared on Angela P. Banks.

Life Can Be Funny

It’s funny how you can plan everything out, but then life has a different path. Last year my husband and I decided that we were not renewing our lease in our current apartment, but wanted to move and get a bigger place. Our thought was to get a townhome within a 5-mile radius. I was finally getting a separate office, more space to entertain, and not deal with the nuisances that come with being in an apartment.

So we made this decision around May of 2023. Every month the countdown was on. And then in December, we received the letter to renew, so with that, we put in our notice to vacate. That left us about 3 full months to secure a new place.

We assumed renting a townhome or a single-family home would be the same as renting an apartment. But it felt more like buying a house. Working with realtors, sending in documentation, waiting to see if you were selected. That process took about 1-2 weeks each time we found a place we seemed to like.

Then about a week before our lease was up we made the decision to renew our current lease because it was still available. After all the disappointments, we felt like it was God’s way of saying “Not right now”. So with that, I had to find a way to make the current place seem like we were moving into a new place. Hence, the reorganizing and decluttering took place.

Getting Organized

I focused on two main areas for the decluttering; the primary walk-in closet and kitchen. After focusing on those areas, I spent some time with a hall closet and the second bathroom closet.

We have lived in our current apartment for a little over 3 years. We moved during the pandemic from a different state. In previous moves we have had the ability to take our time and move over the course of a few weeks to a month. This time, we needed to move everything to a truck and drive.

So with the help of family, we moved in and put everything in place quickly without too much thought. The walk-in closet wasn’t a total mess, but it was not optimized. We share a closet with our own sides but then add in the linen, random electronics, luggage storage and more, it can get cluttered quickly.

You can’t organized without getting rid of some stuff. And that’s what I did. If I had not used it in over a year, I got rid of it. Here are the items I donated or took to the dump:

• Clothes/Shoes/Belts
• Purses
• Small Carryon Suitcases
• Foot Massager
• Pillows
• Blankets
• Bookbags/Totes
• Old Towels
• Paintings

Now that I had a little more real estate to work with, I took everything out of the closet (except the clothes that were hanging up) to the bedroom and only took back in what was needed. I figured out what “spaces” I needed.

For the shelves, I had these areas

• Towels/Washcloths
• Linen
• Office Supplies
• Important Papers
• Travel Accessories
• Jewelry
• Eye Care and Makeup
• First Aid and Medicine

There is top shelfing so that is where I included items that I don’t need on a regular basis.

• Photos/Albums
• Extra Blankets
• Hats/Scarfs
• Purses

On the middle shelf I have baskets for mainly clothing specific items.

• Socks
• Fitness attire
• Swimsuits

The bottom section I put the bigger items that wouldn’t fit anywhere else.

• Laundry
• Golf Clubs
• Shoes
• Luggage
• Tote of books and paperwork

I purchased another long tote for additional books and photo albums that I didn’t have the space to display. These are placed underneath the bed in the bedroom.

Here are some of my before and after pictures.

I did buy an additional organizer that most people use underneath their kitchen or bathroom sink cabinets, but I found an additional way to use it in the empty spot. I added my medicine and first aid stash.

Here is an amazon link to the under sink organizer.

The Kitchen Semi MakeOver

Now that I was happy with how the closet turned out, I could divert my attention to the kitchen. Let me say that I did not do this all in one day. I took one day for the closet, one for the kitchen and another for the smaller areas with the two bathrooms.

One area that I wanted organization around was my spice cabinet. My turn style caddy did not fit all my spices. I had ordered a spice rack that could fit in my current cabinet. I did have to move a shelf up one notch to have it fit, but it was perfect. The rack held 20 spices.

Similar to how I did the closet, I took everything out of the cabinet, cleaned it and put back only what I needed. I was embarrassed by the amount of spices I had in the back of the cabinet from 2022. The longest part of this organization was cleaning the new spice rack, labeling, and emptying what I had in the current containers into the new ones. There was some leftovers, so I put those either behind it or above. Now finding my spices is a breeze.

Here is an amazon link to my spice rack. Check out the before and after pics below.

The second area that needed attention was the bottom of my kitchen island. It was a catchall for cleaning supplies, random kitchen gadgets, face masks and a sewing machine. My vision was to only see pots/pans and have an area to store vegetables and bakery items.

I had two sets of pots and pans, so I donated one. Similar to how I started the areas, I removed everything from the bottom of the kitchen island and only put back what I needed. For the pots and pans I purchased an organizer that would fit. It works but I think I could have ordered one that was more sturdier. This allowed me to have more cabinet space for can goods and pasta.

The cabinets are still a work in progress as I still need to purchase some additional pasta containers, but I love the fact that I can see everything and not have to hunt for it in my own kitchen.

Here are a few additional organization after pics that I was able to do for the cabinets underneath the sinks and the pantry. I love the fact that everything is more visible.

Zen

When there is organization and less clutter, I’m able to breath. I can concentrate better in other areas of focus. I work from home so being able to be in an environment that is calming allows me to focus on work tasks. Being in an apartment, space is limited, but when you declutter and give everything its own space, the small footprint expands.

I hope I’ve been able to give you some tips or ideas on how to organize some of the pain point areas in your home. If you would like to read about other areas of tranquility, try starting here to view additional posts.

~Angela

The post Decluttering Can Bring the Peace you Need first appeared on Angela P. Banks.

These days all you hear about are plant-based foods or going vegan or vegetarian (yes, they are two different things). I mean with the chicken that can be made in a lab, who can blame people for wanting to find healthier ways of eating? My journey (along with my husband) started at the end of 2019.

What Started It All

We had just returned from a Bermuda cruise with our friends and I was feeling like a true glutton. I mean, things I typically wouldn’t do regularly, like eating a hamburger and fries at midnight with a side of dessert were pretty common on that 7-day trip. 

Needless to say, when we came back from the trip I was ready for some type of detox. I recall hearing about a special online called “Game Changers” and how it was about the effects of going plant-based. So we watched the special and had some eye-opening revelations. So after that day, things changed in our household.

The first couple of months were more of a discovery phase. When we went to our favorite restaurants we had to figure out what type of meatless dish to get. I noticed that I was getting a lot of food with pasta, rice, and fries.

After getting tired of the same foods, we added seafood to our regular routine. Typically it was salmon, shrimp, or tuna dishes. Not every day, but a few times a week. Plus when we went to restaurants or had friends invite us over for dinner, it was something to add as another option. 

What Would People Say

That brings me to another point. After we mentioned we stopped eating certain foods, our family and friends would routinely ask, “What do you eat again”? “Or can you eat this?”. I appreciate the thoughts that others have regarding our dietary choices, but I never wanted them to feel like they needed to bend over backward to accommodate our needs. 

For holidays, there were usually enough sides to choose from and still have a full meal. One of the benefits I felt during the holidays was that I didn’t overindulge like previously. The feeling of needing to just sit and not move is not something I enjoy at this stage of my life. I was never a big meat eater in the first place, however, I do miss the taste of fried chicken.

It’s a Process

Every once in a while I will have a chicken leg, but it still doesn’t taste like it used to. Food generally doesn’t taste like it used to, but that’s a topic for a different day.

One thing I noticed, especially during the earlier part of the pandemic was that my grocery bill was less because I bought more vegetables. However, there are some “plant-based” meats out there that cost just as much as regular meat. I buy some of the Impossible burgers or sausage but I don’t like to eat them daily. Even though it’s not made of real meat, there are still a lot of preservatives and other ingredients used to create the product. 

In the last year, the Instagram community has been a lifesaver for me. The way the foods are presented looks amazing. I’ve followed several vegan, vegetarian, and plant-based influencers and I’ve been able to create different dishes easily and within an hour or so.

Many of the dishes incorporate tofu, tempeh, chickpeas, and mushrooms, but I haven’t been bored with my options. And I can tell that my body enjoys these options better than what I used to eat in the past.

I stopped Labeling Myself

That’s why I keep eating this way. I won’t say I’m fully vegan or vegetarian but I prefer plant-based meals. My body digests these foods easier and I feel more energetic. 

If you are thinking of making a similar transition, just try it out and see how it feels for you. You are not obligated to declare your “food” choices for the whole world. Because each day may be different.

When we were in South Africa, I tried meat a few times because I heard it was better than what we eat in the States. I stopped labeling myself with my food choices, but I like to say I prefer certain foods over others.

If you want a list of 5 meals I make regularly, sign up below to download my 5 quick recipes.

The post Why I Went Semi Plant-Based and How I Did It first appeared on Angela P. Banks.

2024 is here! I don’t know about you but 2023 flew by. Every time I turned around it was a new month. Sometimes it went so fast I was trying to catch up with meeting my goals. 

One of the goals I set for myself was to read 12 books in a year, which would have been about a book per month. Some I finished quicker than others. 

Are you looking for some book recommendations?  Here are 12 books that I completed throughout 2023. May these inspire you for your reading goals in 2024.

These books were a combination of supporting authors I knew, business, spiritual growth, and writing.

I will link to each of these and give you my thoughts about each book below. 

1. The Purpose and Power of Authority – Miles Monroe
2. Bounded by Love – Rev Damone Paul Johnson
3. On Writing – Stephen King
4. Black to Ghana – Charleslisa DeJesus
5. Better Not Perfect – Dr. Shai Butler
6. Peaks & Valleys – Spencer Johnson
7. Woman Up! – Aimee Cohen
8. The Power of Awareness – Neville Goddard
9. From the Trash Man to the Cash Man – Myron Golden
10. Nothing is Missing – Nicole Walters
11. Two Weeks Notice – Amy Porterfield
12. you² – Price Prichard
13. The Bible (Bonus)

I started 2023 with what many others seek to find. What is my purpose? And I will tell you that it’s typically not in any book. I’ve looked. But it’s more of what you captured as you go through a book about finding your purpose.

The Purpose and Power of Authority focused on your Personal Authority Profile and had you look into 12 areas to understand your purpose. It took me about 2-3 months to complete this book because I wanted to work through the questions with thought. At the end of it, I came away with a summary of my authority. This helped guide my focus for the rest of the year, 

In keeping with a spiritual theme, I continued with a new book that was released by a former pastor of mine, Dr. Damone Johnson. Bounded by Love provides you with biblical stories around love and how you can use those in your day-to-day life. 

Earlier in 2023, one goal was to focus more on writing and improving that skill set. So after researching, I came across On Writing by Stephen King. I knew of his movies but I had no idea the plethora of books he had written over the years. The first part gave me the background to the legend himself such as his upbringing and early writing years. The second part was geared toward writing techniques but in a book format. 

If you have read any previous blogs, you would have seen several posts regarding my trip to South Africa in March of 2023. Soon after we returned, a good friend, Charleslisa DeJesus, published a book about her recent trip and experience to Ghana. The timing was perfect to read about another country in Africa. Black to Ghana, gives tips and knowledge regarding how to travel to Ghana. 

In keeping with my theme of knowing the actual author, a fellow church member had published a book as well. Better Not Perfect by Dr. Shai Butler was based on her story from childhood to adulthood. It’s based on not having to focus on always being perfect and what happened when being perfect was at the forefront of her life. A great read for anyone needing to stop with a perfectionism mindset.

Peaks and Valleys took me about 2-3 hours. It’s from the same author who wrote Who Moved My Cheese. The main character in this book gets solid advice from a successful man and helps him navigate through a difficult time in his life. Life will throw you some curve balls, but how you handle it will be the key.

I purchased Woman Up several years ago but never read it until this past year. This talks about 7 reasons why you sabotage your success. I felt like it was directed toward a woman who is navigating the corporate ladder versus being a solopreneur or entrepreneur. However, there are good nuggets to help anyone succeed in business or on their regular job. 

Getting back into more of a spiritual realm, the Power of Awareness was geared toward being aware of your thoughts and how those thoughts can become reality. This was harder to get into. It probably took me longer to read because there were many times when I would read a sentence or two and then realize I wasn’t sure what I had just read. So I would re-read the same area to understand. You need to read every word to make sure you don’t miss the point.

For the last year, I’ve been following Myron Golden’s YouTube channel and gaining lots of insight and knowledge about wealth using biblical principles. So when I saw he had authored books I decided to invest in one of them. From the Trash Man to the Cash Man gives you the building blocks to start from the beginning and build wealth. It was written around 2007, so some examples relating to technology may be a bit dated, but there is still pertinent information to set you up for success.

Nothing is Missing by Nicole Walters was one of my favorite reads of this year. I could not put this book down. I have been a follower and customer of Nicole’s for a while so to get the backstory on her life as a child and through adulthood raising adopted children was inspirational. The message for me was that you have everything you need right now to do amazing things with your life.

If you are ready to create a digital course for your business, check out Amy Porterfield’s book, Two Weeks Notice. It is a comprehensive view of everything you need to get started. No matter the size of the course you want to create, Amy’s book has the foundation that you need to get started. It also contains a workbook-style approach so you can get your ideas and processes in order. 

Another short read is you² by Price Pritchett. There are 18 principles to follow to level up your life. If you are playing too small, then it will take you longer to get where you need to go. Be bold and make quantum leaps to get to success faster. If you need a quick guide to get started on your reading journey, this is it.

And as a bonus book, which I’m still in the process of reading all the way through, is the Holy Bible. My goal was to read the entire Bible in a year. I did not meet that goal, but as of the time of this writing, I made it to Jeremiah which is more than halfway. You’d be surprised how you can elevate yourself just by doing a daily reading of the bible. I did a segment in a post about what happens if you read the Bible 4 times a week based on a study.

These were books that were either suggested or some that I came upon because of where I was at in my personal growth. I hope this list gives you a starting point if there are certain goals you are looking to obtain for 2024.

The post 12 books 1 year: Growing My Mind first appeared on Angela P. Banks.

Are you searching for something, but not sure what it is? Are you feeling stagnant in relationships, a career, or even finances? This could be the time that you start to look inward and develop a personal development plan for yourself. 

If you say that you don’t like to read or there is not enough time for you to add that to your day, then don’t worry because you are not alone. However, if you want to make changes in your life and don’t know where to start, then it’s time for you to invest in yourself and make space for it.

Personal Development

What is personal development? Well for starters, it’s not something that is a 3-week course. It’s a lifelong process. And the more you learn, the more you realize you don’t know as much as you thought you did. 

Personal development is self-improvement in various aspects of your life and is typically gained through reading books or listening to speakers who have insight on the subject at hand.

I’ve been on my personal development journey for at least 15 years so I’ll share below how I got started.  In this post, I give you why and how I started on my journey so that it can help you as you start yours.

“The only journey is the journey within.”—Rainer Maria Rilke

Who Moved My Cheese

If you are new to personal development, you may not have heard of a book called “Who Moved My Cheese” by Spencer Johnson. It’s an interesting title for a book, but it’s relevant because the main actors are four mice.

Mice you say? Yes. But we won’t focus on the fact they are rodents, but the lives they were living.  I was introduced to this book by my husband several years ago and very early in our marriage. Let me tell you about where I was mentally at this time in my life.

I was about 27 years old and I had been at my government job for at least 3-4 years as a full-time employee. I’d worked there part-time while being a college student, so probably 8 years total. As you can imagine, I was working with colleagues who had been there 20, 30, and even 40 years. At that time, having a government job was what we call a “secure” or “good” job.

But the security was dangling over my head and so was about 400 hours of Sick Leave and 120 of Annual Leave. I liked the people that I worked with, but I was not happy in the environment. It seemed like everywhere I turned, someone was unhappy. And I just didn’t know if I could stay there for 30+ years of my life. 

So, back to the book. My husband told me to read this book. It was about 70 pages and looked like an easy read. Now I had never done any leisure reading other than Sweet Vally High and the Baby Sitter’s Club (Yes I’m dating myself). Once I left college, I didn’t have the energy to just read for the fun of it unless it was a magazine.

I finished the book in about 2-3 hours. It was an easy read (which is why I recommend it for newbies). It brought to light what I was feeling. Like I was scared to change and what would happen if I didn’t. I won’t spoil it for you, but let’s just say 2 mice figured it out and the other mice kept reliving Groundhog Day.

Needless to say, that book was the catalyst I needed to start applying for jobs and updating my skills. A few months later I secured a different job where I was in a much better place mentally.

Personal development is about changing yourself. I didn’t do a complete 180 degrees just because of this book, but it started the movement because it was easy to read and understand from a mouse’s point of view. 

Zig, Jim, and Les

These 3 character names are legends in the realm of personal development. But let me tell you their full names. Zig Ziglar, Jim Rohn, and Les Brown. 

It’s funny how you can be around certain things, but until you’re ready to receive it, you may not even notice it’s there. My husband was more advanced in his personal development journey than I was. He had already listened to these 3 speakers multiple times, but in my early years, it just wasn’t a priority for me.

I can’t recall if he introduced me or if it was the MLM I was a part of at the time that led me to that path. A few years after I had started a new position, something happened on the job that made me want to pursue another source of income.

So I joined a fitness MLM. Now say what you want about MLMs, one of the best things I took away from it was the personal development aspect. And there was my quest to listen to different speakers. So you can’t say personal development without hearing Zig Ziglar and Jim Rohn. 

What I liked about their presentation in their recordings, is that I felt like I could become more. The positive mindset they portrayed and their delivery was something I didn’t mind listening to in the car or just cleaning the house.  

Great for new learners on their personal development journey. 

Les Brown is more current (and still alive as of this writing). His jovial personality and upbringing can make you feel that if he can do it, you can do it. And sometimes that’s all we need is the push to get started. Check out some of his recordings on YouTube to get the full effect. 

Now of course there are hundreds of great personal development coaches and leaders and podcasts out there, but if you are new to this, I’d recommend starting with these 3. You can’t go wrong. 

The Bible

Now if you just met me, then let me tell you that I am a believer in God. However, it wasn’t until recently that I decided to take on actually reading the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. My goal at the beginning of the year was to read the Bible in a year. 

Now I will say that for complete understanding, please consult with a better authority figure because I’m still understanding a lot of it myself.  But there is a reason I have this as a good start to personal and spiritual development. 

Something I have noticed over the past year has been a change in how I think about life, people, and circumstances. I wish I had started daily readings several years ago.

According to a study published by the Center of Bible Engagement, there are many benefits to reading your Bible only four times a week. For example, getting drunk decreases by 49%.

I’m not saying you are going to understand every single word but there are a lot of gems in there to help you in your journey for personal growth. Myron Golden, a successful entrepreneur and business owner often relates his teachings to passages in the bible.

As Myron says, if you want to be successful, use the Bible as your guide.

Journaling

One of the last items I want to mention is the concept of journaling. Now this isn’t a particular resource to gain from like a book or podcast, but it is a resource to pour into. When you are reading or listening to something that has given you an aha moment, jot it down. 

You’ll be surprised what you write down when you come back to it a week, month, or even a year later. You’ve heard at some point that writing down your goals helps you meet them. Writing down positive affirmations and tips to help you in life will make you remember them more when you need them the most.

Start Now

Now it’s your turn to start investing in yourself. This type of self-care may not be a trip to a day spa but you are starting the journey to care for your mental well-being.

If you need another good reason to start, check out Tom Corley’s research. He is the author of Change Your Habits, Change Your Life. He spent years studying the habits of wealthy people.

A couple of takeaways from that study were that 55% of wealthy people read for personal development and 63% listen to audiobooks on their commute. Why not start today to be part of that percentage?

Once you get started, you’ll never want to stop and watch your life take on a new direction and meaning. Now go pick one to start!

If you liked this post, check out my writing on having an Abundance Mindset.

The post Unlocking Growth: 4 Newbie Tips to Begin Your Personal Development Journey first appeared on Angela P. Banks.

The Perfect Staycation

What’s the point of summer if there is no travel? If you have seen the prices of summer flights (especially out of the country) and airline issues like cancellations, delays, and lost luggage, booking a last-minute vacation is not appealing.

So let’s talk Staycations. For our 19th anniversary, I wanted to do something. I didn’t want to go far away from the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) area, but I came across a boutique hotel in Baltimore about 40 miles away.

The Ivy Hotel is a Black-owned luxury boutique hotel, offering an inclusive experience to guests. From top-shelf alcohol to tea time, games, and even car service, they have thought of everything. There is an on-site restaurant that is not included in the price, but you don’t have to leave the premises if you don’t want to. 

Our stay was for two nights during the low season. I’ve been told that it picks up around September. So the hotel stay was relatively quiet in the mansion.

Arrival

Before we arrived I received an email from the hotel inquiring about any special occasions, dietary restrictions, and arrival time. When we pulled up the staff was waiting to take our bags and car away. At the Ivy, there is valet parking that comes with the stay.

Once we entered the main part of the hotel, another staff member greeted us by name and handed us a glass of champagne. Normally when we go to a hotel in the States, there is not a free welcoming drink. I only see that in an all-inclusive resort in another country. During that time, our guide gave us the history of the various rooms and how everything is run in the mansion.

The hotel was very warm and inviting. It felt like you were at a family member’s house. The furniture was amazing to sit on in the common areas. And as noted previously, this is an inclusive hotel. That means guests can indulge in all the alcohol during normal hours.

Sweet 16

After our tour of the downstairs, we went to our room, #16.  Each of the rooms in the mansion was slightly different. There are 4 suites and the rest are bedrooms. What impressed me the most was the attention to detail in the rooms. It may be an older home, but the renovations were amazing.

On a small table was a wine and cheese plate for our pleasure with a bottle of wine. It was a nice addition to help us celebrate our anniversary. And the bed was top tier. Lots of pillows and very comfortable.

In the mini-fridge were various snacks that were replenished daily along with water, champagne, and various beers. How many times have you been at a hotel and got hungry when everything was closed but you had to go searching for a snack machine? Well, not here, just open up the drawer and it’s covered. 

I love a place that has books especially as I’m on my journey to 12 new books in a year, so in the room, there were several books to choose from. The closet had everything you needed. I really appreciated how they attached the ironing board to the door and included starch and a heavy-duty iron. The closet included an extension cord which came in handy when we wanted to charge additional laptops but still use them on the bed.

Of course, the bathroom was amazing. It was spacious and the shower was like giving your head a massage. Room #16 was pretty quiet. The view from the bedroom was of additional buildings in the area. Keep in mind this is located in downtown Baltimore.

Magdalena – Onsite Restaurant

Both Ivy Hotel guests and the public can visit the onsite restaurant for dinner. Magdalena can get busy so it’s always good to have a reservation. The hotel staff will make the reservations for you. This dinner is not included in the price of your stay, however, Ivy guests receive a complimentary breakfast. 

The food and drinks were on par but you also will get what you pay for. I would recommend eating there at least once but be ready to pay.

Tea Time & More

This was my first time experiencing tea time. I don’t even remember pretending to have it as a kid. However tea time is 1.5 hours every day and the Ivy provides a selection of sandwiches, sweets, and teas. You can get as many as you want. The display was amazing and the food was outstanding. As I mentioned before, it felt like you were at home while eating and relaxing. Of course, if you don’t want tea, you can always pour some whiskey or brandy on the house.

Relax and Enjoy

One of the reasons I booked this stay was to relax, not have to worry about anything, and be in luxury. Since we didn’t have our car handy, the staff had a car to drive you within a 3-mile radius. We went for an early dinner at a restaurant in the National Harbor. The best part is we were dropped off and picked up at a specified time and didn’t have to deal with parking.

After coming back from our early dinner, we relaxed on the terrace and also hung out in the room with the pool table before heading back to our room.

I would recommend staying at least 2 nights to enjoy a full day at the Ivy. We enjoyed the downtime and the chance to try something new. This was our first boutique hotel and after doing this, I’m not sure if going back to chain hotels will be my first choice anymore. If you are ever in Baltimore, please check out the Ivy Hotel.

If you enjoy staycations, check out my post about our trip to the National Harbor.

The post Awesome Staycation at The Vibrant Ivy Hotel first appeared on Angela P. Banks.

When you think of the word abundance what comes to mind? More than enough, overflowing, or plentiful? Well, it’s certainly not scarcity. Abundance is a large quantity of something or having more than what you need. 

When we think about an abundance mindset, it is the belief that there are enough resources in the world for everyone – and of being grateful for whatever the universe provides.

if you come from a place of struggle or a place of just making ends meet, it’s hard to understand an abundance mindset because you may not have seen your life play out that way. Always looking at it from the outside can take on a different perspective when it’s always someone else who gets to enjoy their abundance.

By being closed-minded to this approach you are shutting yourself off from your blessings. If you feel others will receive a promotion, a new car, or a new relationship, but not you, then that’s a limited or scarcity mindset. 

Our minds are powerful. If you keep telling yourself whatever you want will never come to pass, then it will never happen. The world is limitless. Ideas are limitless. Money is limitless.

Get yourself on the right trajectory of life. If you are surrounded by family and friends who are always complaining about the lack thereof, then find some new friends and limit your family time with those individuals. 

Grow your knowledge. Read a book, listen to a podcast, feed your soul, and work on your mind. Stop saying phrases like “I’m broke” or “I won’t ever be able to afford that”. Speak life into yourself and any words that come out of your mouth. If you keep saying you are broke, then you will be broke.

Check out this video from Myron Golden on Abundance. You don’t lack Abundance, you lack Awareness. If you have never listened to personal development videos, you can start now.

Also, be grateful for the little things. If you receive a refund check for $5, then cash it. How will you be blessed with the big things if you aren’t grateful for the small things? 

Every morning when you wake up, write down 5 things that you are grateful for. It can be having the ability to get out of bed without being sick or the fact that you are still employed when so many people have just lost their jobs. 

An abundance mindset does not always have to revolve around money. Having an abundance of quality friends to share ideas with or an abundance of quality clients that come into your business establishment to request your services can be just as amazing as unlimited income. 

The next time you sit down remember to internalize that feeling and mindset to set you on your way. You’ll be surprised what can happen in your day to day just by adjusting your attitude.

Every day won’t be a walk in the park. However, starting your day off with the right mindset can change your whole outlook on what happens throughout your life.

If you found this helpful, check out 7 ways to get balance in your life.

The post Having an Abundance Mindset for an improved life. first appeared on Angela P. Banks.

(Originally posted on HarmonyBanx.com)

Why travel outside of your country

Why would you need to travel internationally, if you have everything in the United States? That’s the question that gets asked by those that have never left the comfort of their home country. Well, keep reading to find out at least 5 reasons why you should travel internationally.

As Americans, we tend to view our way of life as the standard because that’s all we’ve been around. If you are able to travel, get a passport. Why read about it in books or on the internet, just experience it yourself at least once in your life.

Travel Internationally 

What does it mean to Travel Internationally?  It is traveling to a different country from where you reside. It is one thing to leave your city or state (which is a start), but it takes on a different dynamic when you have to get on a plane for 8 hours. Not to mention flying internationally has better perks than flying domestically.

Data Points

How many people have ever traveled outside of the US? Over 24 million US citizens have traveled internationally for 2022 (as of Nov 2022) with the top 3 regions being Europe, the Caribbean, and Asia (trade.gov).

There are approximately 302 Million citizens living in the US as of 2021 data (kff.org). So there is still a vast amount of people who have never left the US. Don’t let that be you.

See different scenery (1)

Take some time and learn and discover new terrain and climate. In the US there are different terrains and climates depending on where you live. In Arizona, it will be dry and hot but in Upstate NY, it will have its fair share of snow. The same can be said for different regions with a new country.

Seasonal differences

Consider leaving the US East Coast in December and flying over to the Eastern Hemisphere. It’s easy to get into the thought process that December means winter, however over there it is their Summer.

Different Beaches

Of course, there are beautiful beaches within the US but go and experience a different beach in a different country. The Caribbean has beautiful crystal clear waters and soft sand, however other locations such as Seychelles, and Maldives have water you can see through too, and present a different vibe.  

Driving

Ever wanted to drive on the opposite of the road? Well in the US it’s illegal to even try, but you can experience that somewhere else. 68 countries drive on the left side (worlddata.info). To experience that change can be nerve-racking but exciting at the same time.

Vehicles

Looking to see different types of vehicles? Toyota and Hyundai may be seen in different countries but there are different car manufacturers that are popular too. Ever heard of a DACIA or a PEUGEOT? No, well travel internationally to see them in action for yourself. 

Change of pace, chance to slow down (2)

Escaping the day-to-day usually only happens with a vacation planned out. You are forced to stop repeating the same norms that you are used to. Being on a plane for several hours (especially if traveling further than the Caribbean islands or Mexico), gives you time to decompress, at least once you’ve been thru all the airport shenanigans. 

Adventure

Breaking out of the daily routine also provides a path for an adventure. The planning can be just as exciting as the adventure itself. Excursions, tours, and sightseeing can open your eyes like you are a kid at Christmas. Seeing a lion at a US Zoo is not the same as seeing a lion on a Safari ride. 

Fast and Furious

In a lot of areas in the US, the norm is everything is fast. Fast food, fast service, fast answers. Leaving that may be a bit of an adjustment but it provides an opportunity to step back and slow down without the added pressure of needing to make something happen quickly.

Island Time

The words Island time have a real sentiment to them. The laid-back vibe can be a wonderful change for someone who is part of the Fast Lane vibe. This is apparent in Caribbean countries. Enjoy the scenery, and slow down, because everyone is.

Experience a different culture that is not Americanized (3)

When traveling internationally, look for authentic areas and those that are not commercialized and marketed for Americans only.

Touristy areas

Certain locations seem to be a beautified resemblance of the US. Cancun, MX especially near the resort areas has the US feel but in a tropical place. All the guests are just like you. It’s a comfortable place if you want to dip your feet in the travel waters, but you may look around and find you could have easily gone to a local beach in the states.

Food

Experiencing the food in a new country is one of the best ways to see major differences from the US. France for example has wine as their standard beverage and brings out different glasses depending on which part of the dining experience you are in (appetizer, meal, dessert).  The portion sizes are generally smaller, so don’t be surprised if your entire plate is not packed full of food. 

Native rituals 

Due to the internet and social media, there are certain dances and music that have become popular overseas due to the US popularity. However, the native dance rituals that have been around for centuries continue to live on and as a visitor, you can see that first hand. 

Ceremonies

Marriage ceremonies are not your typical bride dressed in white. In India, the more brightly colored the garment the better. In contrast, wearing black when someone has died in the US is normal, but wearing white is a tradition in countries like Ethiopia and India. What is considered normal by US standards is not for other countries in the world.

Tipping

In the US the majority of restaurants, tipping is the norm, but in Europe, it’s frowned upon. It takes some time for a US citizen to understand that it’s really not okay to tip their server in a European country. But you would never know the feeling unless you went yourself.

Sports

If the World Cup has taught you anything, it’s that futbol can bring multiple countries together. American football is well just for the US. But what about those other sports that are not popular in the States? Wouldn’t you like to see a game in person to experience how fans of different countries and sports come together? 

Languages

If you have ever wanted to learn a new language, the fastest way is to immerse yourself in that native country. And it also helps with enhanced memory and critical thinking. What is fascinating is that within certain countries, multiple languages are spoken. For example, India has about 22 official languages (https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org). In Aruba, they speak a minimum of 4. So travel if you want to learn a new language quickly.

Meet new people you would never have met before (4)

If you want something different you have to do something different (Jack Canfield). Are you tired of seeing the same people, and having the same type of friends, do you want to level up? Well time to get out of your comfort zone. Visit a new country and meet a new friend. Sometimes we are more alike than we are different. This new friend can share their perspective on how it is living in their country versus what you can read on the internet.

Get a different view than what is on the news (5)

Ever hear gossip about someone and already form your own opinion but then meet them in person and discover they act nothing like what you were told? That’s exactly why you need to visit a country for yourself instead of getting second-hand information. Form your own opinion. 

The media tells us what the media wants us to know. When you visit a new country, turn on their local news and then compare it to what we hear and see in the States. 

Go For It

No country is perfect and there are pros and cons to every country. But experience it for yourself. Don’t look for others to tell you, get your own perspective. The internet is vast, but it can’t give you the “feeling”.

Look for good flight deals to a new place you’ve never been to. If you don’t have a specific timeframe, then your options open up. If you’re afraid to go alone, look at some group travel options.

Get out of your comfort zone, book that international trip, and experience new things!

 Happy Traveling!!

Click to read about our trip to South Africa.

 ~Angela Banks

References

https://www.trade.gov/sites/default/files/2022-02/US-Outbound-to-World-Regions.xlsx

https://www.worlddata.info/left-hand-traffic.php#:~:text=Out%20of%20241%20countries%20around,dependent%20on%20the%20British%20Crown.

https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Languages_of_India

KFF,org

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Have you ever been in a situation where you were anxious and nervous about the outcome? You may have had a deadline for a school assignment, or you were working on a project at work and you were on the hook to make the system work.

 Your gut starts feeling queasy. Maybe you get stress headaches. Or even start having dreams about how you will solve the problem. But whatever it is, it seems to consume all your thoughts.

This happened to me several times, but one event stands out. I was working on software configuration to make our company chat functionality more versatile with the global regions. And the SaaS software I was working with had this particular feature.  I was on the hook to figure it out. 

Of course, there was documentation on how the feature worked, but I had to map out and design the best configuration. I lamented about this for weeks. One day in the shower, my lightbulb moment happened. It’s probably because I had been reviewing this scenario for a while, so I finally got a revelation on how to solve it, or at least a way to start. 

Now the solution worked which was such a sigh of relief. I look back and think did I stress over nothing because now the company moved on and it’s not as big of a priority as it once was? Funny how that happens. 

During that time, doubt was front and center. Doubt makes us think we aren’t capable. Doubt makes us second-guess ourselves. Doubt makes us believe it’s time to quit and let someone else handle it. 

But somehow it all works out, it all comes together. And then 2-3 months down the road it’s not even a thought in your head (or at least not 24/7) and you are on to the next item that takes all your time and energy. 

My point in telling you this is that even with all that apprehensiveness and angst, getting through that and achieving it puts another rung on the ladder of your success. You have grown in your ability just a little more.

That’s why it’s good to challenge yourself and get out of that comfortable place, because if you don’t, then how will you grow? Stretch that muscle. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. 

That’s not something we like to hear, but what has ever happened that was so great while you were in your comfort zone? Not much.

There is a quote by Robert H. Schuller, “Tough Times Never Last, But Tough People Do!”. That software problem I was getting through didn’t last, but I did. And that’s what I want for you.

Mindset matters. Make up your mind that you will figure out your situation and you aren’t going to give up. No phoning it in.

Here are five ways to tackle your problem instead of festering about it in your head.

1 – Write down all the possible solutions as a starting point. Pick one and map out a strategy. It’s easy to pick from a list than nothing at all.

2 – Understand the worse possible scenario and strategize what to do if it happens. If something does go wrong, you have a plan.

3 – Focus on what you can change. No need to worry about something if you can’t fix or solve it.

4 – Start on one of the solutions bite by bite. As you work on it,  other solutions or creative ways will come to mind.

5 – Ask for Help! This is the hardest part for me. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness even though that’s usually the first thought in our head. But if you have exhausted yourself and your current resources, seek guidance. 

Life is going to throw you into unexpected and uncomfortable situations. But it’s how you react and handle it that will propel you through life. It’s not just about you, but once you get through something, you have the experience to help someone else who could be going through a similar situation. 

This doesn’t only have to be on the job but can relate to relationships, personal health issues, family matters, etc. 

Don’t run away from the hard times, but find the joy in the journey.

Interested in more ways to find inner peace, check out my article about finding balance in your life.

The post Resilience: 5 Reliable Ways to Get thru Scary Times first appeared on Angela P. Banks.