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January 4, 2011

The mindful traveler

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As a child growing up in the Dominican Republic one of the things my family and I did the most was go to the beach. On long weekends or Summer breaks we would go to the resorts and enjoy all the things so many tourists do on a yearly basis.

However, because I started my life growing up in extreme poverty and have always been sensitive to it, and because I also lived in the country, I wasn’t blind to how important the jobs of the many men and women who worked the grounds of Casa de Campo or served the food at Club Med, were.

I knew that past the crisp cleanliness of their flawless uniforms and gracious, friendly smiles, theirs was a world of poverty and struggle bigger than any one job could ever get them out of. I knew that this job, this very low-income position with long hours took them away from their children, sometimes for days at a time, but provided much needed food, books and shelter.

I knew that at the end of their shifts many would ride on the over-crowded buses into the poor barrios or shanty towns sometimes not too far from the luxurious resorts, yet hidden away from the relaxing tourists.

This awareness was never far from my mind. My tips were always greater. My demeanor always friendlier. My gratefulness for the sacrifices they made to be there, to serve and entertain me, was obvious in my gestures. At least that was my intention, at least this is what I hope.

With every trip that my family and I made to the various local resorts  and villages during my teenage years, we understood that even with the fun came the opportunity to give back, to have an impact if only in a small way, to those who made it their lives to make this moment a memorable one for us.

But I am also familiar with the selfish traveler, the one who lacks awareness or concern, who is irresponsible and rude, who lacks respect, and is blind to his surroundings. Whose constant negative impact can lead to the crippling of an entire society, whether it be physically, environmentally, or morally.

No matter who we are, no matter where we go or how we travel, our very presence, regardless how brief, leaves a mark. My hope is that we are more conscious of this and strive to make it a positive one.

Janice Waugh, a travel writer who I most admire and the voice behind Solo Traveler, recently brought together a group of seasoned travel writers asking them to share their thoughts on traveling for a common good. The responses are what I consider to be the most beautiful representation of what being a traveler in this world is.

These are only two of the wonderful thoughts shared on the post, which I encourage you to read more of:

“Talking with locals on the bus can lead to a new understanding about your destination.” Pam Mandel of Nerd’s Eye View and Passports with Purpose

“As members of democracies, we want our leaders to reflect the lessons we learn from travel: that we are part of a global community, that though we have differences (sometimes very beautiful ones) at basis we are brothers and that it is our job to protect and preserve this planet for our children and grandchildren.” Pauline Frommer of Pauline Frommer Guidebooks

You don’t have to build a school, or restore a village. You don’t even have to travel overseas. There is a lot we can do as travelers and community members right in our own cities and neighboring states.

There are stories we can share, not only with our readers, but with our hosts. There is hope and happiness we can bring, and satisfaction we can give others for the jobs that they do each day. It isn’t always about giving money, but when you have it, spare it. A smile and courteous behavior can do wonders, not only for the receiver but for the giver as well.

Thank you to Janice and all the wonderful travelers who inspired this post. Their message is one I felt needed to be repeated and one I hope to keep alive in the many journeys I embark on in my lifetime.

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

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5 Comments
  • Janice
    January 4, 2011

    Hi Carol,

    Thank you for writing so eloquently on this topic and spreading the message further. I hope that all travelers will keep your ideas and those of the contributors to the post on Solo Traveler in mind as they enjoy the privilege of travel.

    Janice

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Janice
      January 4, 2011

      Thank you Janice for continuing to be such a wonderful inspiration!

      Reply
  • Kirsten
    January 5, 2011

    GREAT post Carol!!!! Thank you so much for writing this, for taking the time to put such positivity out into the travel blogging world. There is not enough of it I often feel. You are truly so right on with this post as was Janice when she wrote hers.

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Kirsten
      January 5, 2011

      Thanks Kirsten!

      Reply
  • Travel Tuesday: Weekly Favorites
    January 11, 2011

    […] The Sdventures of An NYC Mama: The mindful travelerGood reminders! […]

    Reply

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About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

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A message about yesterday’s event: Happy Monday A message about yesterday’s event:

Happy Monday, y’all. Woke up in time to enjoy the soft glow of sunlight that shines its way around our house in the morning, and sipped on a cafecito without being rushed for anything. So already today is a win. 

Yesterday we worked our longest day yet for our little coffee cart that could (7 hours!!!) at the Heritage Fiesta in Ithaca, NY. 

Though we were ready for a crowd, the reception was also unexpected because there was a popular coffee shop just steps away. 

But we had Cómodo Fam stop by, family (who also fed us 🙏🏾), and soooo many members of the Latinx and BIPOC community who were just excited to see a small business like ours representing. 

I want to share that we were ALL worried about potential harassment and assault by 🧊and fliers were handed out to prepare us. And you would think that it would’ve intimidated the community enough to not come out…BUT WE DID. In numbers. 

And for hours that little parking lot next to Press Bay Alley was packed with all sorts of Latinx and non-Latinx community members, eating, laughing, dancing, singing, and drinking all the cafecitos and refreshers we had to offer. Literally. We went home cleaned out!

All this to say that we are all aware of the threats but we also understand the power and importance of coming together as a community and a people. By no means are we all the same, and Lord knows a lot of Latinos have a lot of self-reflecting to do based on the choices they made, but yesterday was a testament to the best of us, and I thank @yenospina and @lcatompkins for putting together such a wonderful event, for inviting @cafecomodony to be a part of it, and to all the friends, old and new, who came out to support us and la cultura. 

#fingerlakes #newyork #cafecomodo #coffeelover
Finally taking a break to enjoy one of my favorite Finally taking a break to enjoy one of my favorite lazy day pastimes of the season: market shopping for fall goodies - which in the Finger Lakes is especially bountiful. 

📍Joseph’s Wayside Markey, Naples, NY

#fingerlakes #newyork #octobermood #fallday
Our neighbors are harvesting the grapes. The proce Our neighbors are harvesting the grapes. The process is busy and noisy but also exciting and fun to watch. 

This cloudy morning seems to have calmed things down a bit, but not for long I am sure. These families work hard!

Bonus: they set up roadside stands so we can purchase and taste them 🍇 I highly recommend picking some up if you see some in your drive. 

#fingerlakes #lifeinthecountry #newyork
The rain has been so good. More, please. ❤️ The rain has been so good. More, please. ❤️
I want to take moment to send out love to my fello I want to take moment to send out love to my fellow Latinx and immigrant community. 

To send strength to my community of glorious misfits who are out in the world making good trouble and emboldening us to not give up hope on our dreams, our livelihoods, our future, our country, our people. 

The country our parents worked so hard to get to so that we could fly. A country they helped build and bring to prosper. A country our communities help to feed and house and care for. 

I am my immigrant parents dream come true, and my children are a continuation of that dream. 

I just want to remind all of us who represent the targeted, of our worth. Of the value of our contributions. In our languages, our culture, our insights, our work ethic and skills and knowledge. Of the things we bring to the table.

I don’t know what will happen tomorrow, or to us. But, as someone whose family lived through a dictatorship, I have an idea of how this story will end. And all I can advise is that we remain on the right side of it, our convictions unaltered, our core values untethered. Our spirits unbroken. In these stories, the monsters might scare us, and even harm some of us, but they never, ever win in the end. 

I am living proof of that. ❤️ And every time you succeed and feel joy, you are too. Pa’lante, mi gente.
Signs of autumn 🍂 in the Finger Lakes. Signs of autumn 🍂 in the Finger Lakes.

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