5 Tips For Planning a Romantic Getaway: Romantic Vacation Advice
5 Tips For Planning a Romantic Getaway
Passionista Principle: “A girl can wait for the right man to come along but in the meantime that still doesn’t mean she can’t have a wonderful time with all the wrong ones.” ~Cher
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Brooklyn Tourist Advice: Abiola’s Passionista Travel Guide
Brooklyn Travel: Where to Go for Dates, Fun, Shopping & Food —> Inside BK For Residents & Tourists
As my Rockstars know, I contribute lifestyle broadcast, video and written content to several different sites, including my recent Harlem, Atlanta and Berlin Travel Guides for American Airline’s Black Atlas & Hello Beautiful.com, love vlogs for Luv Em Or Leave Em. Or my personal Guyana and LA travel guides created for my blog right here! One of the new places I contribute local lifestyle content is Yahoo.com, where my current beat includes Brooklyn, New York.
Full Disclosure: There was a time that I avoided Brooklyn like the plague. It was nothing personal against Brooklyn. It was my own issue with growing up a bridge and tunnel outer borough baby. But I have expanded my love of NYC total (including Brooklyn) over the past couple of years and here’s where to go in Brooklyn, baby.
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| In Brooklyn last summer… |
Hey Brooklyn! Here’s where to go, what to eat, where to drink and shop in the borough of kings.
(Click the links for my thoughts on each Brooklynite location.)
Offbeat Date Night Locations: Brooklyn Dating Ideas
- The Brooklyn Superhero Company
- Brooklyn Homebrew – Make Beer
- Etsy Labs at Etsy Headquarters
- The Brooklyn Heights Promenade
- The Brooklyn Historical Society
- Rent Bikes at Brooklyn Heights Bike Shoppe
- The Transit Museum
- Brooklyn Bowl
- Loading Dock: Mexican Food & Art Gallery
- Diamante’s Cigar Lounge & Bar
Where to Eat & Drink
- Ghenet Restaurant – Ethiopian Food in Park Slope
- Joya – Lychee Martinis in Cobble Hill
- Bombay Masala – Indian Food
- The DUMBO General Store
- Anima Italian Bistro – Brick Oven Pizza
- The Brooklyn Inn – Boerum Hill Bar
- Los Papis – Vinegar Hill Latin Food
- Gowanus Yacht Club – Hot Dogs & Beer
- Almondine French Bakery
- The Chip Shop in Park Slope
Indulge in the Arts
- A.I.R. Gallery of Women Artists
- Brooklyn Museum Pop Artists
- tArt NYC & Brick Brooklyn
- Danny Simmons’ Corridor Gallery
- Artist’s Receptions at Gnarly Vines
Brooklyn Sports & Other Cool Classes: Learn Something
- Learn Capoeira at Crunch Fitness
- Winter Jam – Free Skiing Lessons
- Brooklyn Boulders – Rock Climbing
- Cobble Hill Yoga
- Jewelry Making Classes at Gumbo
Bibliofiles
Offbeat Shopping for Clothing & Antiques
- Dangerous Mathematicians – Custom Clothing
- Brooklyn Flea Winter Market
- Shibui Japenese Antiques
- Dewey’s Candy
- Darr – Taxidermy & Antiques
Sell Stuff
Etcetera
- The Gallery Players Theater Group
- Dhaga Threading Salon
- Grocery Delivery from Fresh Direct
- Tazza – No Cell Phones, No Laptops
- Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory
What more do you need? Grab your subway map and have fun in Brooklyn, Rockstar!
Sexy & Single in Berlin, Germany: Travel Advice
Single Women in Europe: Black Girl in Berlin, Germany Travel Guide; Where to Go For Fun and Culture
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| On my Berlin film set with my shooter Ines. |
I was happily engaged went I when on my solo trip to Berlin. I have had to travel a great deal alone because of work so I have the Single Woman Traveling thing down to a science. However, I didn’t think that I would get along with Berlin, Germany.
Between the Berlin Conference where the European nations met to divide the African continent for colonization and the fact that at least 25,000 Afro Germans were killed in concentration camps, I felt no connection. Plus, how much techno music can one woman take?
So when I received an invitation to shoot my short film “Stranded” in Berlin I was wary. Would Berlin even be safe for me as an African American woman traveling solo?
Well, I am pleased to report that I found a thriving Afro German community and became an official Berlin Homegirl. Some Afrodeutsche families have lived in Germany for a couple hundred years. Afro-Berliners are not only descendants of African American World War II GIs, but many biracial people are the children of African fathers who left them to be raised by their German mothers.
Are you ready to travel? More than 75 percent of Americans don’t have a passport. Do you have yours? The world is yours. Claim it. Here’s what to do in Berlin, Germany– and my Berlin Homegirl Travel Diary.
PLUS watch the short romantic comedy film “Stranded” directed by me, Abiola, in Berlin, Germany. Yay!
Sex & Porn Laws for Travelers: Pornography Travel News (HUMOR)
Amusing Porn Laws Worldwide!
Just because I know that you were wondering as you travel about pornography laws worldwide check out this hilarious Red Tube Infographic…
In Iraq you can apparently be kidnapped by anti porn vigilantes for checking out erotic sites. If you are an aspiring porn star in Australia and you have A-cup sized boobies, you’d better keep your butt at home or make a plastic surgery investment. In Japan genitals and pubic hair must be censored in all print publications. I see my country Guyana on the map for “no data”about porn legality. That sounds about right.
Bravo for Brazil for promoting safe sex! They require all adult actors to wear condoms on camera. In Uganda you can even get in trouble if your music sounds erotic. I guess that they don’t play much hip hop. Marvin Gaye, Usher and Barry White may be unwelcome too!
Sexy Atlanta Hotspots: Where to go in ATL (Get Your Tourist On!)
As a native New Yorker and resident of the greatest city on the planet, no bias at all, it’s fun to play tourist in other cities. Recently I got to check out Atlanta hot spots and Hello Beautiful and BlackAtlas at American Airlines asked me to compile a brief Atlanta travelogue after my Harlem Hotspots Guide.
Check out my Where to Go in Atlanta list – enjoy your trip — and yes, Georgia natives may be hip to the fact that Gladys Knight has a local ATL soul food restaurant chain called Gladys and Ron’s with Chicken and Waffles but us Yankees have NEVER heard of it! Express your wander lust…
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Harlem Tourist Advice: Abiola’s Passionista Uptown Travel Guide (VIDEO)
Harlem Tourist Advice: Where to Eat, Party & Shop Uptown Style in Harlem
The wonderful folks at American Airlines’ BlackAtlas and Hello Beautiful asked me to share a few travel guides with you because I so love being “on the road.” I have driven across America with my peeps twice just to see this huge country. We don’t travel enough. Only a very small percent of Americans even have a passport.
Let’s start exploring in our own backyards. I have been a long time Harlem resident and although I am not a Harlemite by birth, the black capitol of the world is my adopted home. In my debut novel Dare (Simon and Schuster) I paint a glossy picture of “new Harlem” that has in many ways come true.
Harlem today is a rich historical treasure trove inhabited by proud people who have lived and struggled there for generations combined with new people who are excited about revitalizing the community. This is a travel guide for “tourists” who live in New York City and elsewhere. That’s right. Many New Yorkers have yet to discover all that Harlem has to offer. Come and visit but come with respect and reverence for all that Harlem represents. See you there!
Abiola’s Travel Guides to Harlem
Don’t forget to also check out my travel adventures in Guyana, Germany and Los Angeles. Nigeria and more coming soon.
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Los Angeles Travel &Tourism: Passionista LA Travelogue (VIDEO)
TOP 5 THINGS TO DO IN LOS ANGELES
1. Film Festivals.
2. Good food! Counter Burger, Fresh Oranges, Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles..
3. Venice Beach.
4. Wacky People & Fun LA Characters.
5. Girls’ Days and Nights Out.
In April 2010 we shot two AbiolaTV video episodes in Los Angeles: Our LA Travel Diary PLUS When to Meet The Kids. Don’t forget to also check out my LA Flickr Photo Diary.
Guyana, South America: Passionista Tourism – Yes!
I just returned from an amazing trip that included a tour of my motherland of Guyana, South America, family “reunion” with fabulous people closely related to me who I’d never met, a celebration of the 170th emancipation anniversary of the village of Buxton, and an insane allergic reaction! Behold…
TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN GUYANA
1. Eat.
Guyanese food is a delicious blend of African, Indian and Chinese cultures. My faves are pepper pot, roti and curry, pine tarts and sorrel drink. This is a rice and chicken Halal Meal that I had near the border of Surinam. Look for Guyanese recipes coming soon.
2. Visit Berbice Beach
Yup. That odd boxy figure is me in a weird tank top at Berbice Beach on my birthday! It was a lovely spa-like experience that included a rainbow and finding coins in this warm, sandy, Atlantic Ocean. The water was brown – but not dirty at all. Just different. Loved it.
Special Video Note: YES – my skin is a mess. It happens in Guyana. I go from Naomi Campbell chocolate to Alek Wek ebony, which is nice, but then the mosquitoes, eczema and allergies get the best of my skin in the sun.
3. Geek it Out at the National Museum.
I enjoyed the Guyana National Museum in Georgetown. It included slavery artifacts and history which I enjoyed and stuffed animal taxidermy which I did not. However, despite a plea to increase tourism, they don’t allow photography. That’s why I am sharing a photo of the Emancipation Celebration Buxton Campfire instead.
4. Flora and Fauna at the Botanical Gardens.
As I said I have super sensitive skin and crazy allergies, especially in the jungle, which is essentially what my beloved Guyana is. My body was covered with an uncomfy and gross rash reaction to the mosquitoes, chiggers and shower water. Therefore I couldn’t go to the zoo or botanical gardens but I hear they’re fun. Instead, here I am at my mom’s grandma’s house which has lovely enough flowers for me!
5. Hang Out at The Guyana Sea Wall
The best time to go is Sunday night. Because there are no sidewalks in Guyana I don’t recommend walking. Especially if you have a fear of loose wild dogs. I’m just sayin’.
Here’s Damali describing the experience.
6. Drink Coconut Water
7. Dance at Club Mojo.
Mojo’s Cocktail Lounge on Main Street in Georgetown is hot! I went with my sisters Damali and Diana. This is us on my birthday, which was a Thursday, but we checked out the club on a Friday. Be prepared to dance your face off…
8. Fashion.
This is my oh-so-fierce lil cousin Delisa. That is all.
9. Wrestle an Alligator!
That’s my bro and the gator is real.
10. Stop by the Castle at Anandale.
Why live in a regular home when you can live in a castle? That’s what these people decided. Yes, the castle is a private house. When I build mine you’re invited!
Find more photos and videos from my Guyana 2010 family trip and Guyana 2008 Fashion Weekend Trip.
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berlin homegirl blog #12
My production company in Germany was so incredibly supportive. If I could always work like that I would be one very happy director. Now, it’s about getting my super-producer Anna a list of opportunities, and watching her market the heck out of our little movie– a delicious romantic comedy. Yay!
