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Girl Gone Travel

Girl Gone Travel

About Girl Gone Travel

GirlGoneTravel_Blogger, Photographer, and Traveler of the worldWelcome to Girl Gone Travel!

I have always been fascinated with the way people from different backgrounds and experiences interact and take in the world around them and how it influences the way in which they share their stories. As a once terribly shy child who moved around often, I found comfort in observing how others navigated their environment and related to it. This blog is a collection of stories as I travel and grow through life, and the many ways in which the many people I meet and places I go inspire me.

GirlGoneTravel_Blogger, Photographer, and Traveler of the worldThese are my people and my top priority. 

Thank you to you, my community of readers and friends, for making this catalog of adventures all that it is today! I hope you enjoy but most of all I hope it inspires you and informs you.

Girl Gone Travel® is a registered trademark. All rights reserved.

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38 Comments
  • Mrs_Fire
    December 15, 2008

    Hey-Mama! LOVE this new blog. So great and exciting! Send me an E-mail -Love to chat sometime 🙂

    Reply
  • amiller01 (Annie)
    December 15, 2008

    Hey girl!! love the new blog! What a good idea! Maybe (once the baby comes) I will start one. lol awesome though!!! 🙂

    Reply
  • FITFreshNY (Christin
    December 16, 2008

    Love the blog Mama! You make me feel like I was there with you guys!

    Reply
  • MrsFids (Marcie)
    December 16, 2008

    Hey Mama – LOVING the blogs : )

    Keep'em coming!!!

    My hubby & I are always looking for new and interesting things to see and do in the Big Apple.

    Reply
  • Our2Boys
    January 4, 2009

    I love getting to know you guys even better through this blog! Thanks for sharing! I look forward to more entries. TTYS
    Beth

    Reply
  • Doris M Bachand
    August 13, 2009

    Was terrific to meet you Carol… I had so much I wanted to talk about… but the time was too too short.

    David was a gem looking after the boys in the pool… he deserves the credit not Ted and/or me!!

    Enjoy the trip home… it is good to get away but HOME is best I have found..

    Love doris

    Reply
  • Nanette Hartley
    October 16, 2009

    Love this blog site and I love NYC, especially during the holiday season. Great picture of the Rockefeller Christmas tree! I must pay NYC a visit sometime soon!

    Reply
  • Blog Thief Defeated By Twitter Army | NYCityMama
    January 5, 2010

    […] About NYCity Mama […]

    Reply
  • Jane
    January 29, 2010

    Hi: Just wanted to enter the $24 contest. Love the spa and gym at Affinia. Definately is the way to unwind after a wonderful day in NYC. I want to come back and do it again! Please!

    Reply
  • The Healthy Apple
    April 13, 2010

    As a fellow Manhattan gal, I love your blog…keep up the great blogging…I'm a huge fan!

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      The Healthy Apple
      April 15, 2010

      Thank you Healthy Apple! It's always great to hear from our fan readers! Thanks for your support!

      Reply
  • cassie
    May 23, 2010

    new to your blog and just wanted to say as a fellow new yorker and fellow brooklynite, i absolutely love it.. working on becoming a mom and this site will definitely be a "go to" source for me..

    Reply
  • Carol Cain
    May 23, 2010

    Hi Cassie!

    Fist of all GOOD LUCK on becoming a mom! And second, THANK YOU for your comment and for reading my site! Wish you many happy adventures!

    Reply
  • Barbara
    May 24, 2010

    Have really enjoyed getting to know you through your blog and twitter. About to read your foodspring piece and bote! Best of luck, Carol — you deserve it 🙂

    Reply
  • Tamara Walker
    June 1, 2010

    Have been following you on twitter and facebook for some time and now that I get to go to NY for the first time ever (Blogher) I am loving all the advice and insider info you give!

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Tamara Walker
      June 2, 2010

      Thanks Tamara! Excited to have you visiting my hometown! Please feel free to send me a tweet with any questions you may have : ) And thanks for reading : ))

      Reply
  • Cheryl - itty bitty
    January 4, 2011

    Great resource Carol! So many things to do in my favourite city in the world. Thanks for putting this together.

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Cheryl – itty bitty
      January 4, 2011

      Thanks Cheryl!

      Reply
  • Luisa
    March 22, 2011

    I love this website….Great info for moms…Thanks

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Luisa
      March 22, 2011

      Thank you!

      Reply
  • Imani
    July 10, 2011

    Thanks for the great tips Carol! I headed straight down to 6th Avenue and Carmine Street specifically for Gelato pops after reading your blog! Next time I'll actually bring the kids with! LOL

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Imani
      July 10, 2011

      That's wonderful Imani! So glad to hear : ) And today especially called for a nice, cold gelato pop!

      Reply
  • Haidee Garcia
    June 12, 2012

    Hello… I'm new to your blog and I happen to come across it from looking up info on splash down… I just have to say that your blog is awesome and it was the kind of blog Ive been on the search hunt for… Its motivating me to start getting out more and venturing out to different adventures with my family….wish you and your family many blessings…

    Reply
  • Thaddeus
    January 10, 2013

    Nice work here Carol. I can see it's a labor of love and a lotta work! Well done!!

    Thaddeus

    Reply
  • Carol Cain
    January 10, 2013

    @Thaddeus: Thank you so much!

    Reply
  • G. Peter Jemison
    March 17, 2013

    Carol really enjoyed your visit to Ganondagan and the Iroquois White Corn Project . Really like the look and info on your blog looking forward to following your travel tips. Peter Jemison

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      G. Peter Jemison
      March 17, 2013

      @G. Peter Jemison: Thank you so much Peter! It was so wonderful meeting you and hearing about the project. I look forward to hearing more and please stay in touch! Thank you so much for your hospitality and all the information your shared : )

      Reply
  • Susan Noble
    March 19, 2013

    Loved talking with you yesterday both here at the Tech Farm and at the awards show last night. will now become a regular reader. Travel safe today.

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Susan Noble
      March 19, 2013

      @Susan Noble: Thank you Susan! What a joy it was meeting you. I love the work you are doing!

      Reply
  • movers los angeles
    July 4, 2013

    Traveling is a hobby and adventure gives a unlimited fun. Thanks for sharing the post and picture of your travel. And be safe..

    Reply
  • AmandaH
    November 18, 2013

    Love the site. Can't wait to follow more adventures. next time I'm in New York, I'll hit you up for recs. Feel free to check out my site too, if you wish.

    My recent post Seattle’s First Secret Supper, All the Juicy Details

    Reply
  • thebritishberliner
    January 27, 2014

    Hi Carol,

    I'm aware that award nominations are usually for "fresh" bloggers like myself however, I nevertheless, just wanted to give you a head’s up that I’ve nominated you for the Dragon’s Loyalty Award. I’ve also written a few words about you and your blog. Feel free to take a look. Thanks!
    thebritishberliner.wordpress.com/2014/01/2…

    My recent post Fashion or Passion, Green or Mean: Berlin Fashion Week

    Reply
  • Happytraveller
    March 21, 2014

    Very impressing resume! And your blog sais it all, I can see how much effort and pleasure is in it! You are very inspiring and I was pleased to read that half of you is from the country I love most, Puerto Rico!

    Reply
    • caincarol
      Happytraveller
      March 22, 2014

      @Happytraveller: Thank you!!

      Reply
  • Ellen Orchid Mausner
    June 17, 2014

    Love your blog and wish I could travel with you on your “team”. Are you hiring, by any chance?

    Thanks and happy travels!

    Reply
    • caincarol
      Ellen Orchid Mausner
      September 24, 2014

      Hi Ellen – my apologies that I just saw this! I often recruit contributors to for travel assignments, but I will say I\’m pretty selective. It has happened though!

      Reply
  • Debi
    December 4, 2014

    I’ve read many of your posts & obviously we’re connected via social media but this was my first time reading your about page. What an amazing adventure you’ve made your life into. You inspire me to be more fearless and try new places. My favorite thing to do is to travel the world with my family. Thanks for always reminding me how important that truly is:)

    Reply
    • caincarol
      Debi
      December 4, 2014

      Thank you so much Debi!

      Reply

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About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am a Communications professional, an award-winning travel blogger, a public speaker, a social media marketing and branding agency owner, a wife, and a mom of 3 boys 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!

Carol Cain

Categories

  • Asia5 Post(s)
  • Caribbean17 Post(s)
  • Central America4 Post(s)
  • Europe53 Post(s)
  • North America309 Post(s)
  • Oceana1 Post(s)

Contact

  • carol@girlgonetravel.com

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I have received such an overwhelming number of DMs I have received such an overwhelming number of DMs, emails, and texts from friends who have not heard from me in awhile. I’ve replied to as many as I could then decided this was easier. So much of my joy is shared so here’s some of the not so fun stuff...with a word of advice. I have been in the hospital since Sunday, so 4 days at time of this post. I ignored the pain that led me here for 3 days before. I had a small pimple on my thigh and tried to get rid of it. I then proceeded with my life - which included working out and sweating on said “no big deal” pimple. I felt the area bothering me. I ignored it. Saw it sort of swell up a bit. Ignored it. Went to beach with my girlfriends, got sand on it, it hurt, I ignored it. Woke up the next day with a golf size inflammation on my thigh and a massive headache. Went to urgent care, got antibiotics, and that’s it. When I started getting weak, and my husband said we should go to ER, I said no. When it got bigger and the pain made me cry, I still said no. When my fever reached over 101 he just took me. I’ve been here since. The diagnosis: a bacterial infection that has taken a hold of the tissue along the upper section of my thigh. It’s called cellulitis. I was told any longer and I would have ended up in ICU fighting for my life as it would’ve entered my blood stream. I have such issues with care for myself from others. With doctors. With all of it. I think I can fix it - except when it comes to my kids or husband. I rush them to the first specialist at the first sign of anything. I am not proud of this, and it almost cost me my life. So, while I heal, and yes, I am clearly much better now that I can post this, please know that not all care is SELF care. Sometimes it has to come from others, with the help of many, and the willingness to trust many more. And thank you for your messages of missing me. I won’t reply much more till this is all over but as I hope to always leave something to ponder and learn from, I hope that this can be one of those times. Listen to your body. Listen to those who love you. When you need help, let others help you. I feel loved, supported, and very, very much cared for. ♥️
I have amazing friends. Beautiful, gorgeous in fac I have amazing friends. Beautiful, gorgeous in fact, and smart - so much smarter than me in so many ways, and strong, and compassionate and brave. And even when one of us doesn’t feel any of those things, the others lift her up and walk her to the light again. Find yourself those people. Surround yourself with strong women who inspire you and educate you and help you grow. The ones who make you laugh so much your sides hurt, and for whom you would cuss a bully out. Find yourself friends who will always be honest, even when you don’t want to hear it but kind even when you don’t think you need it. I love my peeps. And they love me. No matter what. That makes me pretty lucky. Here are some images of our time in @asburyparkbeach. . . . #jerseyshore #newjersey #girlfriends #beachescape
There’s this narrative that has taken a hold in There’s this narrative that has taken a hold in travel, across the board: that our travels, our presence in places, and our stories are somehow God’s work, valuable beyond measure, worthy of all the attention and praise because it is so special. I am a first generation American in my family. First to graduate from college. First to own her own business. And certainly first to travel as I do. But my mother started this journey before me as a travel agent in the 60s with no English, no degree. Before her, my family fled a dictatorship. Before that, slavery. I have ancestors that accomplished greater things. My story is personal and empowering and beautiful and significant to me. Maybe to my siblings as I am the oldest of 10. Maybe to some in my family. Maybe to some readers and followers. Maybe something I said or did touched someone deeply, inspired them, motivated them. So much of my travels, like this trip to Thailand, is significant to me and my family’s storyline. But I am by no means doing God’s work here. I am not saving lives. Feeding the homeless or saving the tormented with my travels. So, while our travels are important and valuable to us and our journey - let’s relax with this BS narrative as if ours is the first, most important, most worthy of all the stories or that we are over here saving the world one passport stamp at a time. Embrace humility. Center yourself in gratitude for the privilege you hold, even as POC, to have made it this far. Remember the suffering and struggles of those before us, understandings we are not alone. Or first. Use your time to tell the stories that don’t center you. And praise those who truly make your story complete. I look back at these pics and all I can think of is about @tammileetips. How she cared for me after I had given up my hotel room hours before my flight to the U.S. and fell ill. I was in really bad shape and she let me stay in her bed, gave me meds, and really made the journey home a safe one for me. I will never forget the friendship and support, and the many people like her who have complimented all of my travels and made much of it possible. . . . #thailand #travel #travelstories
‪What are your favorite road trip destinations? ‪What are your favorite road trip destinations? Thinking about some of our favorite #roadtrips in the states and #Montana is up there on our list. Such a gorgeous destination year round (yes, winters too) and a highlight for nature lovers. @visitmontana
This is my family. Both personal and professional This is my family. Both personal and professional (missing is our newest team member @fromannettewithlove). I left the corporate world because it just never felt like it was for me. I would go in all ambitious and eager to work, full of fresh ideas and solutions, only to be stifled and limited. I learned so much from my many years working in these incredible organizations but most of all, I learned about the kind of leader I would be if I ever had the chance. I always thought that chance would come from climbing the corporate ladder but that ladder isn’t for single working moms of color - which is what I was during the most successful years in this environment. I got pretty high up there but it came at a cost of years not fully committed to my family. Then as a freelancer and blogger, I got a chance to learn going at it alone. And seeing areas that were still falling short and failures in the systems, and even more ladders not meant for me. And so @braveworldmedia was born to fill the gaps I saw, to make better the things I think I can and to build my own damn ladder. I asked myself a gazillion times if I was crazy, and told myself I was scared, and allowed myself all the emotions so that I could move past them and forward. And here we are, 3 years later with a roster of clients we truly love, making every work day such a gift, and with a team of creatives that inspire me every day to be the best leader I can be. I place joy and self care above all. I encourage individuality and team work, creativity and learning. I never assume to know it all and am learning to lean on them more so as to not take it all on. And I want everyone to feel like there is a ladder for them to climb or build too, with me or with my help. It is exciting and scary and not for everyone, this insane thing I’ve done with the support and help of so many. And I’m so happy I didn’t force myself into spaces where I didn’t fit but instead built a space that was meant to be mine. I want my legacy to be represented in the success that I helped others achieve, whether they be my children, my friends, my clients, or my team. Hopefully our little agency can help me do that. ♥️
There are a lot of things I miss about traveling. There are a lot of things I miss about traveling. I miss the discomfort that comes with the unfamiliar - language, foods, places. And the excitement of learning new things and meeting new people. I love the hard lessons and the emotional journeys. Not taking anything for granted and trying not to miss the value of anything offered. Travel media is a different journey. On one hand, there’s the opportunities to travel that it offers and the access it can give - without travel related work I would not have been able to afford all the travel I have done. Travel media, at least travel blogging, allows for unheard and underrepresented voices to carve a space for themselves, their stories, their voices, their truths. But travel media also encourages greed and the yearning for glory and fame. It creates competition and infighting, as if the world weren’t big enough and there weren’t enough people to share our stories with or stories to be told. And places become a thing to sell, under the guise of love, measured by how much you’re paid. I love travel and am eternally grateful to travel media. But to work in travel is not the same as to be lost in the journey of travel and grow from it or be humbled by it. I try to balance both, because both have given me so much. But the travel I miss most doesn’t come with a price attached to my narrative. Or promises me the insignificant prominence so many foolishly associate with self worth and relevance. To travel is a privilege and a gift. You are no more special or worthy because of it. Your voice doesn’t matter more because of the mileage you garner, and truth be told, sometimes it actually can make you a worse person than when you started. Trust me. I know those people. But yes, I miss traveling. I miss all the places I’ve traveled to and have kept to myself. I miss the opportunity to see all the places I’ve yet to visit. And I can’t wait to feel uncomfortable and excited and moved and enlightened again. . . . #travel #ohtheplacesyouwillgo #lifeonpause

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