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April 29, 2020

From Travel to Politics And Back: Lessons Learned

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It’s been almost 4 years since I wrote about how I was left feeling after our last presidential election, both personally but also as someone immersed in travel blogging and media.

Since then, and it feels like 100 years have passed instead, so much has happened. So many communities – already vulnerable – have lost loved ones due to racist, ineffective, and/or weak policies while many others remain threatened. Nations around the world seem to be divided between progressive, forward thinking leaders and others who embrace nationalist, draconian rules.

It became more and more difficult to embrace the travel narrative in a way that promoted escapism – as much as so many of us need those moments in our lives.

Instead of escaping, I got in deeper.

I started to volunteer as an interpreter for a non-profit organization of lawyers who work to help represent the many asylum seekers detained by ICE and trapped in the system without representation or hope. That work further exposed the many ways in which that same system violates human rights and safety, and too often fails those who need it most, even after asylum is granted. I am working with a friend to start a non-profit to help acclimate new asylum recipients to a life of freedom in this foreign land.

I found that my travel writing felt incomplete if I didn’t focus my experiences more and more on the local narrative. I became less apprehensive about asking the direct questions that exposed the truth of the lives of others, not just in our country but around the world. I found that people wanted to talk, to tell their story, to step out of the restraints of marketing messages and just speak their truth. I haven’t always published those stories – mostly to protect those privacies, but I have learned and been changed by them.

As I traveled around Montana, indigenous groups were struggling (and still are) with the increasing number of Native women vanishing from their communities; and their pain, frustration, and activism began pushing politicians and the press to finally talk about it.

Traveling through North Dakota, I couldn’t help but think about the valiant protestors against the pipeline who fought so hard to protect their land there and wished I could tell that story too.

As I traveled through Peru, its neighboring Bolivia was in political upheaval and the violence between protestors and police escalated in such a way that it impacted movement and travel for many – not to mention the safety of its citizens.

While “influencers” snap Instagram shots posed over the rubbles of war-torn Syria advocating for the return of tourism to the country as a way to help restore its economy and normalcy, on trips funded and/or monitored and controlled by Assad, Turkey and Russia continue to throw bombs, over hospitals, homes, and villages, further minimizing the “safe zones” and increasing the already uncontainable number of refugees in camps and elsewhere.

Even travel to visit family in the Dominican Republic or Puerto Rico meant coming closer to the protests and rising voices of a people tired of corruption and abuse at the hands of their government.

Suddenly blogging about travel, without a deeper purpose or meaning became something I was no longer interested in. And so I gravitated towards people and groups that I felt are doing it – with a greater good in mind. Such as Intrepid Travel and their focus on sustainability and empowering local voices and communities wherever they travel and tour through. And I further committed myself to incorporating these ideals with clients, such as Finger Lakes Wine Country, so that the stories we share are insightful and educational, just as they are beautiful and fun, and highlight those who create ways in which travel to the region is positively impactful not just for the traveler but for the locals.

It became easier and easier to focus on things in a way that felt like I could make a difference, add something good, even if that work took me away from the spotlight of influencer media.

And then, as if someone understood that I could and wanted to do more, I was offered the opportunity to become politically involved. I was offered – and accepted the role of communications director for a Democratic congressional candidate in upstate NY who was running to unseat a Republican incumbent. I did it for a few months, and have since moved on, because though important, it wasn’t the work that I felt made the difference I wanted to see – and maybe that’s politics in a nutshell.

But I did learn something really important in the process: the change we need and want – the change I want to see doesn’t actually lie in the hands of our politicians. It is in ours.

We, the people, are the ones who not just with our vote, but also with our voices, our willingness to demand and protest, and advocate, and push for change over and over and over, relentlessly – we are the ones with the power to change everything. These are the things that will push them to do better and be better.

It took being in the weeds of all of it to really see it and it empowered me with insight I needed to keep going. To use my voice to stand up for those who need it most and to encourage all of you to do the same.

I entered the world of travel blogging because I felt there were voices, like mine, that weren’t being heard or represented. I wanted to make a change, in my own small way. Never would I have imagined all that it would lead to and how much it would change my life. This industry has given me so much.

I’ve traveled from South Korea to Peru and so many places in between. What is always consistent is how happy people are to tell their stories to those who care enough to listen and learn from them. It’s what we do from those lessons learned that matters most.

I want to continue to use my voice, all that this incredible industry has afforded and gifted me, and anything else I can bring to the table to continue to make change, in any way that I can, whether in my travel stories or in my community, and I really hope that more of us will do the same.

I feel like all the lessons I’ve learned, both over the years and through this pandemic and from the political job, will make me a better writer, better advocate, and better storyteller. Let’s all take the lessons that we learn from this journey and do something great, as only we can.

Let’s also stay connected. Follow me on Twitter at @ImCarolCain.

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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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12 Comments
  • Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting
    February 29, 2020

    Proud of you, sweetheart! Way to go!!!

    Reply
    • caincarol
      Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting
      February 29, 2020

      Thank you, Lisa!

      Reply
  • Patricia King
    February 29, 2020

    You got this! Tracy is blessed to have you. Hard work ahead.

    Reply
    • caincarol
      Patricia King
      February 29, 2020

      Yes! And we are ready! #resist

      Reply
  • NiTiN ShaRma
    March 17, 2020

    What a fantastic post! This is so chock full of useful information I can’t wait to dig deep and start utilizing the resources you have given me. Your exuberance is refreshing.

    Reply
    • caincarol
      NiTiN ShaRma
      April 30, 2020

      Thank you!!

      Reply
  • myline
    April 15, 2020

    Hi Carol! I’m going to follow your journey. I hope you this global pandemic crisis would be over soon so you can continue your journey and make new blogs. Thank you so much for sharing your memorable experience.

    Reply
    • caincarol
      myline
      June 29, 2020

      Thank you! Stay safe!

      Reply
  • Guy Reading
    April 24, 2020

    Super post, we’re with you!

    Reply
    • caincarol
      Guy Reading
      April 30, 2020

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  • CJ
    June 26, 2020

    This country and this world are beautiful and worth exploring. But it’s not always about the glitz and getting glamourous shots for the internet. Good for you for really diving deep!

    Reply
    • caincarol
      CJ
      June 29, 2020

      Thank you. Completely agree.

      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 and 2 puppies. 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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Hubby and I recently went to check out office spac Hubby and I recently went to check out office spaces for our business. We (I) started getting caught up in the perceptions of what other people might think about our business, or rather, how successful or serious it was with us operating it from our home. So, in order to keep up with the Joneses, we went out and searched. And immediately were like, "Nope."

One, it was an additional expense that we were taking on to convince other people of whatever we (I) thought they needed to be convinced of. And two, it felt like....well, like working out of an office, something which I personally haven't done in over a decade (almost two now) and which my husband just escaped from!

And lastly, we like to go out into the communities that our clients serve, but also that we live in, and get to experience it all ourselves. It makes us a great agency.

I share all of this because I am slowly coming to accept that there will always be those who will make a determination of who we are as people, as professionals, as a business simply from what they think they know, not from actuality...and..we (I) am still working on breaking down the toxic traits of corporate / professional influence and narratives.

As once a full-time travel blogger, I experienced first hand what it is to be dismissed and not taken seriously. But, because of my travel blogging work, I have visit over 40 countries (and still counting) and have been published and spoken on stages around the world. That doesn't just happen.

All this to say, as I (we) move away from renting an office in order to be taken more seriously by the corporate world...and save ourselves some money in the process...we are reminded to work on ourselves and on being our own biggest cheerleaders and advocates. Sure, we seek out support and mentorship and always work on learning and refining our skill. But can't pay attention to what others might be thinking. It will never be an accurate portrayal.

And a lesson to never, ever spend more money than we have to just to convince others how serious we are in our commitment to our work. In the meantime, our current office spaces are working out just fine.

#entrepreneur #smallbusiness
A band of misfits on a beautiful Finger Lakes nigh A band of misfits on a beautiful Finger Lakes night.

Life is too short and time too precious, so make sure to spend it with people who bring you joy and make you laugh. Whether it’s one person or more…it’s not the number of people, but the quality and kindness of their hearts that counts.

Here are some of the kind, sweet friendships we’ve been so lucky to have cultivated in our new home. Kisses and hugs @haejones32, @sarahloublagg, @nevetsretlaw, and @jerakahheady.

Till our next gathering! 

#friends #fingerlakeslife #fingerlakes
My happy place: the farmers market. It’s the sea My happy place: the farmers market. It’s the season for all the fresh, local, delicious goodness of the Finger Lakes to take center stage.

The region has a lot more than fried and fast food to offer locals and visitors. The vast amount of organic and locally sourced food is something that is really celebrated here. Even more so the fact that it is accessible and not exclusive to the privileged.

From cider to cheese to meats and veggies…all local, all from a passionate farming community. 

Oh, then, the artisans. *swoon* So much handcrafted beauty. For example, this beautiful hat from @easylivinghats. I have been wanting one of her hats forever and finally got not one but two! And her team, seen here, is so sweet and helped me find the right fit. Support local, shop small, be happy in the process. 📸@ithacafarmersmarket. 

#fingerlakes #myflx #farmersmarket #shoplocal #shopsmall
Hey, wanna come to a cool event in one of the cool Hey, wanna come to a cool event in one of the coolest places I know in Ithaca? (Read on!)

Today I took a stroll into the pavilion of the @ithacafarmersmarket. There was no market today, and though still a lovely space when empty, nothing compares when the market is buzzing with food purveyors and food-lovers! It is exciting and a favorite pastime of ours. Even more fun is when there is a special event happening!

And with that, I want to let you all know about the upcoming @tasteoftheflx taking place on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at the Ithaca Farmers Market and offer you a discount code for your ticket! Use BRAVE20 for $20 off of either ticket tier.

The event will feature 50 + vendors, music in 3 acts, and a full evening of celebration! Taste of the Finger Lakes serves the dual purposes of showcasing the dynamic Finger Lakes food and beverage industry while raising funds for 3 non-profits doing the important work of improving access to healthy food across the region. Local, good food for a good cause...the best combination!

If you already have your ticket or plan to take advantage of this discount code to purchase it, let me know! I hope to see you there!

#fingerlakes #tasteofthefingerlakes #flxfood #flxeats #farmersmarket #ithacany
Cheers and Happy Pride to this beautiful, inspirin Cheers and Happy Pride
to this beautiful, inspiring, proud community full of people that I love so much.

To my LGTBQIA+ family and friends, know I adore you, would fight for, and support you always. You make my life and the world a more beautiful place. I celebrate you today, this month, and always. 

Thank you for being you. 🌈

#pridemonth #loveislove
What a stunning day to be on the lake with my fam. What a stunning day to be on the lake with my fam. We missed spending time with each other and it was time for us to slow down and bond. Even the surly teens eventually gave in to the fun and smiled a few times. Have I told y’all how much I love our new life here?

#lifeintheflx #fingerlakes #lifeinthecountry #soflx #thisissoflx #Lakelike #myflx #keukalife #winecountry

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