On this episode of Never Date a Traveler I discuss feelings of being exotified with dear friends and guests, non-profit exec Jennifer Estrada and writer, creator and university faculty member, Naomi Bishop. These brilliant woman and I discuss our experiences around the world and within the US with the placement and questioning of our identities and how we feel about the word "exotic."

**NOTE: When sharing my anecdote about the man from the Dominican Republic and I say "their history." I mean the island's history of racial politics / tensions stemming from Trujillo's systemized racism and the current policies (mass deportations of Haitians) on the island.

Season 2 - Episode 1

Sorry for the long hiatus but I am back! With a new season, and a new guest that I've been dying to share with you guys. I'm chatting with non-profit exec Jennifer Estrada about traveling around the world for work and navigating dating on work trips, dating fellow New Yorkers and "Is Your Person American?" Thanks for listening and see more at NAPerfectWorld.com

This past Spring, I had the honor of speaking at Women’s Travel Fest about traveling as an American woman today. I wanted the discussion to run the gamut from safety, to perks, stereotypes and most importantly, using your travel as a way to be a global ambassador, to represent your “tribe.”

This was in March, right after the election. Emotions were raw. It seemed like everyday a new policy like the “Muslim ban” was being rolled out of the White House. Even watching this video was great for me to look back and reflect. Watch / listen to my talk at Women’s Travel Fest on traveling as an American woman today.

"Damn, I should have brought my tripod." It was my first day touring around Lima, Peru and I was checking out the beautiful murals of the Barranco art district. Some of the walls were truly incredible and I really wanted to get some shots in front of them. Eh, I rarely ask strangers, I'd rather just do it myself. But this time around ended up being different. Listen to my latest Never Date a Traveler, with a first, actually audio of our first encounter!

This was one of the hardest podcasts I've done. I noticed that I switched into present tense more than I ever had with any podcast. Friends, food, lifestyle, for so many reasons, Sayulita has become my home away from home over the years. Sayulita Nneya is a rare glowing gem that comes out for a short time. This next fellow traveler met Sayulita Nneya as I was figuring out 'N A Perfect World. It was a time of transition in my life and seemingly his; it was like kismet when we met and it was one of those moments that I'll be reliving the passion for years to come, until I'm a little old lady, like Rose from Titanic. Here's the latest of my Never Date a Traveler podcasts, Sayulita and the Ballsy Ballplayer.

I'm the first to say it: that message request section of the DMs can be a pretty scary place, but once in a while, you can meet someone pretty amazing. Here's my story of how it went down in my DM in paradise. No really -- Kauai, Hawaii is like visiting the Garden of Eden.

Music

Kent Jones - Don't Mind

Yo Gotti - Down in the DM

One of my favorite travel romance memories, times like these are my favorite experiences meeting people traveling. It started at an Italian diplomat's home in Tel Aviv and has even come here to Crown Heights (how fitting, right?)and there's chocolate drizzled foie gras and Netanyahu in between, naturally. Here's the latest story on Never Date a Traveler of my trip to Israel.