The Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award

This Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award is truly a beautiful concept. How often do we think of reading more blogs, finding out what other women are writing about, but get distracted by babies, or work, or needing some no-thinking time? I was nominated to participate in this blog by Tara Wambugu of Mama Mgeni (thank you, Tara!!). Tara is a US-born super-mom who has lived in Uzbekistan, France, Haiti (to name just a few places) and currently lives in Kenya. Her nomination ensured that I take a moment to read many blogs’ posts, and also take a moment to assess some of the things I have done and want to do in my life; related to travel.

As Tara so eloquently said, “There are a few rules that go along with the award. I must acknowledge the blogger that nominated me (check!), answer her 10 questions, nominate 10 worthy bloggers, and ask them 10 questions. Read on!”

What are the top three destinations or experiences on your wish list?

This is definitely a limiting question (smile), but let’s see…

1. If it is in fact true that Machu Pichu has a higher concentration of energy than most other places on the planet, then I would love to experience that; it sounds absolutely intriguing. In Sedona (Arizona-USA) there is such a concentration as well, but as I live in the US, after experiencing it in Sedona I would like to feel it in Peru as well.

2. Another set of experiences (going to the Blue Lagoon and seeing aurora borealis) would be satisfied by going to Iceland.

3. What to pick… Ethiopia and Eritrea. Apart from the fact that this is one of the most recent places from whence my ancestors came, Ethiopia must have some pretty decent coffee! Ok, I am not really interested in the coffee, although I will be having some when I go. The history, architecture, the people & the culture, are all elements that attract me to visit both Ethiopia and Eritrea. Then, you know, when leaving Asmara, going to Timbuktu is pretty much a straight shot to the west, and that would be a magnificent place to visit!

What is the most memorable food you’ve had while traveling?

Senene would be the most memorable food I have had. Senene are a certain type of grasshoppers that are lean, green, and a great source of protein. They are a delicacy in Tanzania and although I am from Tanzania, I was first introduced to senene when we moved back there from Italy. I wasn’t as enthused about trying it as my eight year old was when she ate it, but my mom found a way to have me try it, by sneaking it in a sandwich. I was just eating my sandwich when of a sudden I bit on something crunchy. Immediately I thought ‘Wow! Mom put some crisps in here! That’s great!’ So I opened my sandwich and found that there was something crispy in there alright, but it wasn’t made of potatoes. Since then, senene has had its very memorable spot branded in my mind. I hear they’re quite tasty, though, and that they taste just like chicken.

When you are not traveling and blogging you are… 

I am mothering two small children (2.5 yr old and an 11-month old baby) (sorry, the 2.5 yr old is ‘The Baby, the baby is ‘The Boy’, per ‘The Baby’), and a 13-year old young lady. Yes, when not traveling and blogging I am executing the blessing of being a mother. I learn, I try to teach, and I learn some more. Being a mother encompasses most of what I do. I mean, I do most of what I do because I have children.

If I didn’t have children I would probably be somewhere in the world with a knapsack on my back, living with the locals, helping with whatever they needed, and earning enough to go to the next place. Maybe when the kids are older we will do this together! ‘The locals’ sounds so disconnected and I mean the very opposite of it.

Besides that I am wife to my awe-inspiring & super hot husband (I am popping my collar, right now), I am a photographer, a Kiswahili-English children’s book writer, and am always assessing and testing ways I can bring Tanzanian culture in the city in which I live.

Is there anywhere you would never, ever, in a million years return to?

Fortunately, there isn’t such a place.

What do you enjoy most in other people’s blogs?

Reading others’ blog posts encourages me to pursue my dreams and do so with ardent desire. Others’ blogs inspire me, they make me think of things I hadn’t previously considered, they help me see things outside of my ‘box’, and help me see that I am not the only one facing particular trials.

What type of carry-on luggage do you have and what’s in it?

I have a rectangular piece of luggage with a zipper and two pockets in the front. It has all-wheel drive (you know the four wheels that will roll in whichever way you push them?) and a handle that extends high enough so I don’t hurt my back pulling/pushing/walking along side the luggage. I was going to say it’s empty, but I haven’t fully unpacked it from my last trip! Haha! Typically, I pack a pair of jeans, and a pair of shorts. Depending on the weather and what I will be doing some things may vary, but I try to pack as light as possible. If I can pull off having two same-color shirts and have scarves to switch up my look daily, then that’s what I do. Enough underwear is always essential. Now, if I go somewhere where laundry is best done by hand (because of access to water or whatnot), then I pack less underwear and just wash them nightly. I pack two pairs of earrings, toothpaste & a toothbrush, deodorant, soap, coconut oil or shea butter, and a pair of heels; you never know if you have to dress up for an impromptu occasion 🙂 When I compartmentalize my carry-on to have my stuff and my two babies’ things too, then I am truly winning!

What’s the first thing you do when you get to a new destination?

I thank God for getting me there safely, I take in a deep breath, exhale, and smile. One thing that helps me, too, is remembering that my culture, my thoughts, and way of doing things are not how everybody functions. So I am to be patient with things I don’t understand and hope that inhabitants of my destination will be patient with me too.

What inspired you to start traveling?

Having traveled and having met people. There is SO much to see, so many different cultures to experience. Different lifestyles to live and experience to then appreciate my own or see the things that we could do better in the society in which I live. As a photographer all I see online when I look at the next destination, is places I want to visit and photograph. There is just too much world to see to want to stay in my four little intersections, if you know what I mean.

How did you come up with your blog’s name?

Through many failed trials! I kept entering names and WordPress kept telling me they were taken. Admittedly, I hadn’t really thought many of the names as thoroughly as this one. They were great names, but not names that were simple yet complete. ThinkSayBe came to mind and it was like a revelation! We Think, we Say it, we Be-come it. ThinkSayBe.

What do you never leave home without?

Clothes on my body.

Thank you for reading and I hope you visit some of my posts about travel & food in Tanzania. They’re actually mostly about food (I love food!), but now that I have written this, I will write more about traveling through Tanzania. It’s a beautiful place.

Also, if you’re feeling like reading about a miracle, there is a post about my son’s miracle heart. You should check it out 🙂

Write on, writers!

And the nominees are….

Lotus Menezes-Robson, who writes at Tom & Lotus Travel Pod

Talitha Anyabwele, who writes at Black Girl Speaks

Mridula Dwivedi, who writes at Travel Tales from India

Ankita , who writes at Anki on the Move

Kristin, who writes at Be My Travel Muse

Helen, who writes at Helen in Wonderlust

Marta, who writes at A Girl who Travels

Kate, who writes at Adventurous Kate

Georgette, who writes at Girl in Florence

Lesley, who writes at Bucket List Publications

The ten questions I have for you, oh ye great writers, are as follows:

1. When you travel abroad what type of sleeping accommodations to do choose?
2. Have you experienced ethnic-based prejudice and/or racism when traveling to areas where you wouldn’t have expected such an experience?
3. What are two helpful travel tips you could share for those of us who travel with small children?
4. Is there an instance in which you were glad you researched the culture of your travel destination before getting there?
5. What are the most out-of-the-norm questions you have been asked whilst traveling? (maximum of 10, please)
6. Have you ever been astounded by how wrong your perception was of any given culture?
7. Do people in your community (even if that only means your family) support your writing?
8. What is the oddest, yet best food and/or drink experience you have had?
9. Do you mostly travel for pleasure, or business? (‘pleasure’ also includes volunteer work, as long as you enjoy it 🙂 )
10. What are the most memorable proverbs or sayings you have heard in your travels? (up to 10, please)