Here's To Your Health

Monaco, France

Traveling have often caused havoc on people's nutritional habits and overall health.  We talked in a previous post about health precautions to take in consideration as you head to your destination. Now we want to address staying on top of your nutritional health at your destination.

Often times, people are quick to go off their diet or nutritional plan when they are on vacation.  Sometimes it's because they are in unfamiliar surroundings, and they don't have the time to find an appropriate place to eat.  Other times it's because they are on the go, go, go, and it's just easier to grab a bite to eat from a popular fast food chain. Or maybe you are on a nutritional regiment, and vacation is a time to "blow it off".

We're sure you've heard these "excuses" before.  So we thought we'll give you some tips on how to stay healthy on the road and at your travel destination.

Sandwiches & Peanuts

#1 Bring drinks and snacks. The items may differ based on mode of transportation, but the ideal foods to have on hand are fruits, hand-made sandwiches, nuts and trail mixes, and water.  Carbonates, cookies, and chips should be consumed in moderation.

#2) Shop at the local grocery store for fresh foods.  It is interesting to find foods that may not be readily accessible in your hometown. We have tried fruits, veggies, and local delicacies that we never heard of in South Carolina during visits to Italy and China food markets. This is also a great time to learn the local language if you're in an international destination.

#3) Keep food allergies and nutritional plans in mind.  There are so many variety of foods to be found in restaurants, and whether you order by the plate or eat from the buffet line, there are bound to be foods you may question as it relates to your health.  If you know you have a food allergy, it may be best to order from the menu.  Those on specific nutritional plans such as vegetarian, vegan, organic, etc should identify restaurants of their liking with a simple Google search or by utilizing a travel guide.  It also helps if you have an advance look at the menu via the restaurant's website or by talking to the host.

#4) If children are with you, make sure they eat a well-balanced meal.  Sugary drinks, burgers, and pizza are common place at amusement parks and other major attractions.  They can also break the bank and make your child "less energetic" in the long-run.  Limit the amount of these foods your child(ren) consume, and bring along plenty of fresh fruit and water, as long as they are permissible at the venue.  Check the website in advance.  If it is not permitted, bring what is (often a sealed bottled water), and once in the venue, seek out places to eat with a wide selection of foods.

The Pizza Rhonda made while in Italy (2009). Please eat in moderation.

What other tips or advice do you have to help you stay nutritionally healthy on the road?

Rhonda & Sharee Washington

Flying High with Medical Conditions

As many of you know, we have completed over 15,000 thousands miles in the air over the last 6 months.  China, Italy, NYC, and Los Angeles.  Whew, it's enough to make one sick, and it did.  I don't want to go specifically into either of our medical health conditions, but it was very serious, and it will change the way we travel in the future.  Pill supplements, compression socks, changes to diet, and exercise, etc. If we want to continue our jet-setting ways, it's imperative to understand our bodies.  Even the most healthiest individual can take on a condition that is onset by frequent travel under varying circumstances (cabin pressure, altitude, etc).  However, it doesn't have to be the end-all.  It's important to know and understand your medical condition before taking an airline flight, cruise, or lengthy car/train ride. You should share with your doctor your upcoming itinerary and make adjustments as he/she sees fit.  Here are a few tips that can apply to almost any circumstances, whether it's related to travel or not.

1) Don't cross your legs over thigh; if need be, cross ankles.

2) Walk around every 90 min- 2 hrs. This applies to anyone who sits in a chair at work; and air/train/automobile travel.  Walk to car, break room, a co-worker's office, etc. Walk the aisles on an airplane or train.  Walk around the car a few times if traveling long distance more than 2 hours. Switch drivers often.

3) Drink water at high altitudes; avoid alcohol and carbonates

4) Elevate feet- use foot-rest, purse, carry-on bag, etc.

5) Under Doctor's care, wear compression socks during long flights. Your feet should be measured and the socks fitted properly. Many CVS stores have this service. Certain medical conditions related to poor blood circulation, including anyone who suffers from anemia, may need to avoid them, as it could make the condition worse.

6) If you're prone to motion sickness (air, train, automobile, boat, etc), wear a  prescribed patch or ointment; take a prescribed tablet; or wear a wrist-band.

Rhonda & Sharee
Take A Leap

Take A Leap Webshow

The time has come to premiere the Pilot Episode of Take A Leap.  No further introduction is necessary-- here it is!!

Also, check out the full line of videos on our YouTube Channel, including all four of our short films; several Take A Leap teaser videos; and the two short films by the youths who participated in our Summer Film Camp in July 2012.  Yes, the Holidays have arrived!!

All the best!!
We Connected Productions, LLC
Rhonda & Sharee Washington

Arreviderci

We're back!! Today was travel day or as I kindly note as the longest day, ever.  The 10 1/2 hr flight from Rome to DC was our longest to date.  Our trip to China in December will clock in at more than 12 1/2 hrs in flight time from Los Angeles to Beijing.

Yesterday, Friday, our last full day in Italy was spent traveling from Firenze (Florence) to Roma (Rome). While everyone else toured the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica, we hopped in a taxi to a Mediterranean restaurant called Obika to meet with Arlene Gibbs, screenwriter for Jumping the Broom. We sat around for a little over an hour and gabbed about everything from filmmaking to politics to living and working in Italy. Per a special request, we did not film our conversation, and will be using a previous Skype recording for the show. Nevertheless, we did take the time to take a picture, and will share it during the Rome segment of Take A Leap webshow.

We then rushed back to meet up with the group to head towards the hotel. We were to film our second interview at the hotel prior to dinner, but due to unfortunate circumstances, it did not take place. We will conduct the interview with Ashley S., a 20-yr old Claflin University student, via video Skype next week. We will add her commentary about her 2 month duration in Rome as a United Nations intern to the Rome segment of Take A Leap premiere webshow.

We finalized the night with more than 40 persons at a farewell dinner. The pictures speak for itself, but in case you could not tell, the food was DELICIOUS!!

Lazy Days of Fall

Yesterday we had a lazy day around the hotel.  We walked the streets of Montecatini Terme, the small town outside of Florence where our hotel is located.  What's so funny is that the hotel we stayed at 3 years ago, Augustus, is one block over.  Here's a picture of Hotel Ercolini & Savi during our last night before heading back into Rome in the morning.

Hotel Ercolini & Savi

Today we went back into Florence and made it in time for our hair appointments that we set up two days prior. TravelistaTV's Andrea Adams gave us the recommendation of Nails & Co. near the Piazza Della Stazione.  We are now ready for our final interviews set for tomorrow in Rome. Ciao Bellas!!

Repping Clemson Univ.

Firenze!!

Bridge over Arno River

Seafood Pasta

Duomo in Florence

We spent the day in Firenze (Florence's Italian name) on Tuesday.  We toured several Piazzas and interviewed Andrea Adams of TravelistaTV.  Check out her personal blog of life in Italy.

                          

                                          Cali native Bria (center) with fellow travelers as models at leather shop

Florence American Cemetery, San Gimignano, and a Winery Tour

We had a world wind couple of days. I'm going to post Monday's events. Tuesday's activities will be posted in the morning. Collette Vacations took us on a surprised tour to the Florence American Cemetery and Memorial. It is at this location where we were able to see the grave of original Tuskegee Airman, Captain Erwin Lawrence. His grave is among the more than 5000 men and women, including names on the Wall of the Missing, who died during the last phase of the Italian campaign from June 1944 to May 1945.

San Gimignano

From there we went to the windy, but very scenic San Gimignano. Lots of shops, including La Buca for salsiccia cinghiale (wild boar sausage) which we read about in Doing Italians...Oops...Italy by The Delusional Divas'.

Finally, the part of the day that everybody was waiting for: WINE TASTING and it didn't disappoint. Chianti is the wine made in the Tuscany region. This particular brand was produced by Tenuta San Vito.

Tomorrow we will post about our visit into Florence and our first of three interviews here in Italy for Take A Leap with BET/AOL Travelista Host Andrea Adams.

With those who are not familiar with Take A Leap, we are chronicling the lives of African-American expats. The pilot episode will feature our interviews in Italy.

Grazie,
Rhonda W

Rainy Day in Siena

We were awaken this morning by rain tapping at our window.  It then followed us during our two hour coach ride into the small town of Siena.  There we found ourselves ducking and hiding away from the continuous raindrops.  The sun made sporadic appearances from the darken skies.  However, our mood was not blue, in that we had a humorous guide that led us on a tour of Siena and it's beautiful Duomo and fountains.  Here are a few pictures from our trip to Siena.

The Dumo in Siena.

Reflection of the Duomo.

The Duomo.

Lost in Translation

Today was a day that can be best said was “Lost in translation”. That being said, even with the few words and phrases we knew, we were able to get by on our first day in Rome after being sent out by ourselves within an hour of our plane landing. Going on “fumes” with 8 hours of sleep within a 48 hour span of time, we were on a mission to:

1. retrieve money from a local ATM
2. eat lunch at an authentic restaurant where we ordered from a menu not printed in English
3. capture some key footage for B-roll and getting lost a zillion times in the process... and yes we had a map
4. shake off tired feet and eventually took a cab back to the hotel after more than 7 hours wandering around the city to make it in time for dinner
5. find the best gelato the city offered

We did it all and capped the night with a five-course meal and all the vino (wine) one can drink. Our tummy was thankful. Tomorrow we venture into the Tuscany region. We will visit the small town of Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis and the Basilica named after the patron saint. Check out some other exciting pictures.

Dinner is served!!

Rhonda at Colleseo in Rome

UK Black Girls- Charlene, Jessica, Tolen, Tobi (Bday girl)

Sharee at hotel

Dinner entertainment- Evi & Enzo

Mail Delivery & Italian Cuisine

We had a nice surprise in the mail the other day: our travel documents from Collette Vacations.  More specifically, our airline tickets and hotel reservation confirmations.  We also received our itinerary, tote bags, and a little booklet with travel tips.

Collette Vacations travel documents & tote/bag

I'll share more about the travel tips on an upcoming post as a part of the Traveling Brown Girls Blog Carnival set for Tues. Oct. 16.

Over the next few weeks as we countdown to departure, I thought I'll share some tidbits about our travel destinations of Florence and Rome, Italy.

Italy is famous for it's delicious food.  Italians eat their meals in courses during lunch and dinner.  Courses include an antipasto (appetizer); primo piatto (first course) - which is often the pasta or risotto dish; second piatto (second or main course)- which is the meat or protein; contorno (the side item); and dolce (dessert).  While you may not have all courses at each meal, you often will have at least three.

Italy is known for pasta, and it comes in many different shapes and sizes.  There is also a variety of sauces that vary from region to region.  Thin pizza with an array of toppings is also a local favorite, as well as grilled meats or seafood and fresh seasonal vegetables.

The Tuscany region is known for its hearty vegetable soup know as ribollita; pappardelle pasta with wild boar sauce; local sausages; and sheep milk cheeses.  And last, but not least, Tuscan wines.

This is short excerpt from our Collette Vacations travel guide.  I'll share more as we countdown to departure.  Less than 20 days and we're off through the skies...Take A Leap!!

Coach G Returns to the States

A few months ago we interviewed Coach G, a personal fitness trainer residing in Rome.  He's recently returned to the United States after 3 years abroad. We thought it'll be nice to catch up with him about Italian customs he maintains, the expansion of CoachG Fitness, and why Blacks don't travel internationally.

Take A Leap...Moving Fwd Part II

The Indiegogo campaign has ended and we raised $480 ($420 with fees taken into consideration).  We have our entire hearts into this project and will see it through.  We paid the final payment for our trip to Italy in November last week.  We have received our airline details, and airline tickets will be sent within the next month.  It's interesting to note that daylight savings times will be going on during our travel to Italy. We'll actually get to stay in Rome one additional hour.  How exciting!!  We are in the process of getting our funds together for the final payment of our December trip to China due in early October.  God is our provider and will make our provisions. We do believe!!

I've entitled this post moving forward part II because there is so much more that is needed to make Take A Leap get off the ground (pun intended) other than money.  We are revving up our efforts to put into play our next initiative.  One of the points that I made early on when I started this blog was how it was more than about chronicling Black Expats.  Yes, that's our premise, but our mission is so much more. We want to encourage more people to obtain Passports, take a Gap Year, or make career transitions.

A story many people don't know about is that last year this time we helped a friend Take A Leap by following her passion to head out to Los Angeles to become an actress.  Her story does not have a fairy tale ending with her landing "the role of a lifetime", but she's constantly knocking on doors, and ever so grateful for our help to get her there.  We were able to utilize hotel bonus nights points and although we didn't quite have enough frequent flier points, we were able to provide funds for a low-cost one way flight to LA.

Via Sean Kelly, LA Times

I share this story because our next initiative is to start a Take A Leap Hotel Bonus Nights and Frequent Flier Miles Club.  We want to make it possible for people to donate either unused or expiring points from hotel stays and airline flights.  We'll share in a later posts how the new initiative will work but it will essentially benefit two fold.

One--half the hotel and mileage points donated will support Rhonda and I in future Take A Leap travels.  We have been asked to consider France, UK, Latin America, and S. Africa as future locations to chronicle Black Expats.  This is exciting for us, but also overwhelming because of the costs involved and we don't want to constantly be asking for money time and time again.  Having our flights and accommodations covered via donated points seems like a less invasive way of asking for HELP!!

Two--half the hotel and mileage points donated will support people who we either know personally or will extend an invitation to.  The purpose will be to help someone Take A Leap to travel domestically in US or internationally in pursuit of career goals; Gap Year or Sabbatical; cultural experience; Volunteer opportunity; or other.

Do you have a Take A Leap experience that you've taken or plan to take? Would you like to benefit from the donated points of our new initiative? Please comment or email us weconnectedprod@gmail.com.

Sharee

12 Goals to Reach by Year End 2012

Martice with Black Girl in the Big World put out a challenge to create a list of 12 goals to accomplish by the end of 2012.  With 4 1/2 months to go before the year ends, we came up with our own list.

#1 Brand Take A Leap as a go to source within the travel blog community.  This includes establishing relationships with travel bloggers in an effort to promote each other's initiatives.  We supported Martice by purchasing Black Girl Travel T-shirts.  Our next effort will be partnering with Jennifer P of Imported Chocolate.  She will be assisting us in setting up a screening of our pilot episode of Take A Leap in NYC in early December.

#2 Sharee will obtain her first real estate client (outside of herself), and sell her townhome in Columbia, SC. She'll then use the monthly savings to fund her Roth 403b.

#3 Rhonda will start a blog dedicated to financial education, obtain 25 referrals for her ValuTeachers reps, and facilitate 10 solo financial education presentations.

#4 Speak the local language when we travel abroad to both Italy and China.  We're nervous about this, although we have taken a few months of Rosetta Stone's online lessons in Italian. Ciao!!

#5 Get to know Bronx, NY family members.  That's a side of the family we know very little about, and just as it is a whole lot of us down here, there are tons of cuzzos up there.

#6 Attend a Clemson University (our Alma mater) football game this Fall.

#7 Raise an additional $5000 for Take A Leap webseries with approaching September 1 deadline.

#8 Sell 100 copies of our four short films on DVD or via online.

#9 Establish a financial emergency fund.

#10 Pay down credit cards. It helps that we have 0% interest for more than a year.

#11 Do what we love.  The Holstee Manifesto states that "If you are looking for the love of your life, STOP; they will be waiting for you when you start doing the things you love".  Whether in work or play, hopefully we'll both be able to find that special someone.  Sharee's story is in the travel blog section.

#12 End the year in Shanghai, China!!!

These are our 12 goals, both shared and individual.  The year isn't over yet. What do you hope to accomplish??

Take A Leap Logo

We officially have a Take A Leap logo. We want to personally thank former magazine Art Director Errol Alger and Graphic Designer Allen Johnson for collaborating on the logo. We will be using it as much as we can to market the Take A Leap Webseries.

We have until September 1st to raise $5,500. We recently added a new perk of 2 XL Black Girls Travel T-shirts for a donation of $50, plus the $20 donation level perks.

www.indiegogo.com/takealeap

Rhonda W.

Focus Focus ..Time Away ..Refocus

My family is getting together for an upcoming weekend trip to NYC. For some, like my nieces and nephews, it'll be their first time. For others, it's been a while.  We've sketched out an itinerary that will include food, shopping, sight-seeing, and entertainment.  We have been focused on the activities and logistics of the trip for the past year, and in the midst of it all, a relative became seriously ill.  We had to take some time away to deal with her health scare.  But now the weekend is upon us.  Do we cancel the trip? Do we gather at the family home?


It has been decided that the trip will go on. However, some of the family have elected to stay behind.  And that is their choice, as it is those that have decided to continue with the trip.  Though it is best believed, our hearts, thoughts, and prayers will be with our dear Aunt/Sister/Grandma.  She has regained much of her strength, and the Lord has and will continuously watch her day by day.

So we have now refocused our attention back on the trip. The hotel rooms are confirmed. The chartered bus has been paid for. The banquet hall and DJ has been booked.  We're a few days away from embarking on our very first true family gathering outside the state, and we're rolling about 30 persons deep.  Our mother, brother, aunties, cousins, nieces, nephews...fun and laughs for sure during our 12 hour journey from SC to NYC.


With our Take A Leap 10-day trip to Italy a little more than three months away, there is some concern and apprehension.  We have travel insurance because we are utilizing a vacation tour package.  But for those who have made life abroad their "career", I would imagine there is no insurance of this kind.  Further, I've wondered how these expats respond to news at home while they are abroad. Do you hop on the next plane "back to the States" or do you remain focus in your "international home" and pray that everything is settled after awhile? Do you miss out often on major family events..weddings, births, funerals, etc? Is there a right or wrong way to handle such sensitive matters? Do you focus focus, take time away to deal with family matters, and refocus on life at hand, as we have done? I would appreciate any comments or advice.

Thanks,
Sharee

It's Bigger Than Us!!

I've had a thought on my mind the last few days when I think of what Take A Leap and We Connected Productions, LLC represents:

It's Bigger Than Us!!

I envision the Take a Leap webseries in the near future reaching back and giving young kids and teens the opportunity to travel. Travel will break your fear of the unknown and of other people by learning about their culture.

I follow blogger Tracey Coleman, a former Columbia, SC resident. Her blog, which is on our Blog Roll, is entitled the Brooklyn Travel Addict.  Currently residing in Brooklyn, NY, she will be hosting a Passport Party.  The Passport Party Project is a travel-theme event that gives ten girls age 11-16 their very first passport.  It is on our radar to implement a similar concept in Columbia, SC area in the near future.

We hope you will enjoy the webseries once it airs next year. It will inspire and educate you to the world that is out there.  Support: www.indiegogo.com/takealeap


Thank you.

Rhonda W.

"To Whom Much Is Given, Much Will Be Required"- Luke 12:48

Happy 4th of July! Take A Leap is 4 Months Away Until Our Adventure Begins

We Connected Productions, LLC are EXCITED as we are 4 Months away until we begin our Adventure to Italy in November and China in December. Find out how you can support Take A Leap by going to: www.indiegogo.com/takealeap Enjoy your 4th. Rhonda W.

Saving For Travel

"You can’t accomplish anything worthwhile if you inhibit yourself.  If life teaches you nothing else, know this for sure: When you get the chance, go for it.” -Oprah Winfrey

When I think of travel, this quote resonates with me.  I have the chance to travel while I have health and strength, so I might as well go for it. Then the questions that comes up are, where do I want to go, and how will I pay for it.  And what I found out is that travelling doesn't mean breaking the bank.  Obviously there are costs to any type of travel. Transportation, food, and lodging are just a few of the major expenses to consider.  Rhonda shared with me some information from a blog reading that had a few tips for saving for travel.  Many that I currently use, and others I plan to implement. 

Open a dedicated savings account-name the destination and the time frame/year.

Think about what you're spending that you can slash- coffee and fast-food add up.

Put all extra money into the savings account- pocket change, work bonus, etc.

Get a side job- Whatever your talent, use it. In addition to maintaining full time careers, both Rhonda and I are pursing professional "side hustles" that we'll operate part-time.  I'm currently pursuing a real estate license and Rhonda a retirement financial specialist license.  We take our separate exams next month and the extra money from our "side hustle" will go towards the business, travel, and retirement accounts (ROTH, 403(b), etc).  We also want to "give back" in our community and help out family in need.

Connect to the savings- pictures, read articles and blogs. Keep end goal in mind.

Know how much it's going to costs- budget your travel in advance by writing it down, and sticking to it. Research destination and all identifiable expenses. Also consider an all inclusive package of 10 days or more. It often includes transportation/airfare, food, lodging, and attractions entrance fees.

Sell your stuff- Rhonda and I did this yesterday by selling our stuff at the flea market. We made enough to cover the table and a few "extra" bucks. A little adds up to a lot, and we have less clutter in the house! Yay!!

Keep track of what you make and what you spend before you go- use spreadsheets or sites such as mint.com.  I've personally used http://readyforzero.com to mark my credit card and loan payoff progress.  It keeps me accountable, and allows me to set goals.

The best advice I can give- Keep eye on prize, make sacrifices, and SAVE, SAVE, SAVE.

Why Int'l Travel?

“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.”

I'm not sure where this quote came from, but Rhonda and I have lived by this motto all our lives.  Our parents have always put an emphasis on travel. During the summer we'll make our way along the East Coast to visit family and friends, and a few attractions along the way (Six Flags Amusement Park, Howard University, Virginia Beach, etc). Neither of us took advantage of major travel during college because of lack of finances, and it's one of our biggest regrets. It wasn't until my first professional job did I realize that there was such a thing as business travel. Hence, in the past twelve years, we have both taken advantage of professional development opportunities that haven taken us from the East Coast to the West Coast.  So when our local community college advertised a tour to Italy via the Humanities Department four years ago, we couldn't let the opportunity pass us  by.  Our 8 days of international travel in May 2009 was very enjoyable, and to this day, I would look at my Passport and say, where to next??

In the past year Rhonda and I have followed several blog sites of African-Americans who have traveled abroad extensively. The idea for our show came about because we were fascinated by their outlook on life and the different journeys that led them to Take A Leap. Everyone we've talked to said that faith played a huge part in their journey. Yes, they missed their families like crazy and it can get expensive to live abroad (depending on destination), but many would not trade their experiences for the world.  

Another interesting take about international travel is that you can be yourself even in the midst of "cultural shock".  Or as is often the case, a better version of yourself.  Rhonda and I can be quite reclusive outside of work, but when we were overseas we found ourselves enjoying  "la mia dolce vita" which means "the sweet life". We woke up every morning eager to meet new people and explore new sites.  We kept that feeling going as we returned to the US, and it propelled us to do any and everything God set on our paths, no matter the obstacles.  Gone were the worries about finances. God has and will continue to make the provisions. Gone were the doubts that our family wouldn't understand. They are our biggest "cheerleaders" and "prayer warriors".  Gone were the demands of time, because tomorrow isn't promised. Take A Leap and show your support by donating to our funding campaign at http://indiegogo.com/takealeap.  $20 will get you a souvenir from a destination of choice that we'll be visiting, and copy of our DVD compilation of four short films.

$Exchange Rates$

Rhonda and I have been observing the exchange rates in both of the countries we will be visiting later in the year.  China uses the Yuan (CNY) and Italy uses the Euro (EUR).  Currently the Euro is going through a downturn (YAY for the US dollar) and makes it possible to get more bang for the buck.  The rate is as low as it was three years ago when we first visited Europe.  A gelato that costs 3 EUR is worth approximately $3.74 USD today relative to $3.92 USD a month ago.  That may not seem much, but it makes a big difference. Especially if I want to purchase 2 gelatos. HA!! The CNY is going the opposite direction, so the dollar is weaker.  But the costs in China are pretty inexpensive so it's not so outrageous. And I read somewhere that many restaurants in China don't accept tips.  Now that's a custom I wish the US would adopt. But on the flip side, I would pay the American restaurant staff higher wages. That's only fair.

So in our effort to be budget conscious, we will be using my sister's Capital One card when we make purchases abroad (food, souvenirs, etc).  It's a good card for traveling internationally because they charge NO fees.  Also, we will use an ATM that will allow us to draw money with minimal charges.  I've located several banks in both China and Italy that will utilize my bank card without the outrageous fees.

Another consideration point is international phone calls.  I'm a little nervous about that one.  Three years ago I had a plan where I talked all of 10 minutes and it cost me over $30.  I can not have that happen again.  So I'm researching other options that could be utilized in both Europe and China. I've heard that global phones are a viable option. I'm with AT&T.  If anyone has any suggestions on this and other matters that will help the budget conscious traveller, please leave a comment.