Comments on: U Go Gurl: Traveling as a Black Woman

By: Janice

Janice — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:15:44 +0000

hello,

have you thought about setting up a website for traveling black women? would you like some help and/or advice. please feel free to contact me on this site

By: Margari Aziza Hill

Margari Aziza Hill — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:04:42 +0000

Deborah, I was just inserting some humor in my post. Okay? But thanks for dropping by.

By: Deborah

Deborah — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:16:47 +0000

I am a black female Canadian who has travelled extensively (including stints living abroad). I really enjoyed your blog – thank you.

However, I was disappointed with this statement in your final paragraph: ‘“You better respect me, my country rules the World!” sometimes to get some of your needs met’.

Yikes!

That may only serve to reinforce the “ugly American syndrome”. Just a thought…

By: whatdidusay

whatdidusay — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 02:03:57 +0000

I was in Egypt for the summer of 2008 for a month. I was in an area where there weren’t even tourists. And let me tell you that I didn’t feel any kind of racism. Some people thought I was north Sudanese but I didn’t experience anything negative at all.

By: du7aa

du7aa — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:15:14 +0000

aslam alikum,
this is the first time for me in your blog and frankly when I started reading this entry I was wondering: why would a black woman need a special travel book!!
forgive my ignorance but i am a Saudi girl who has never been else where other than Makka and Madina and other cites near my hometown Jeddah..
i remember a blue eyed white American who lives in Saudi now complained to me that Saudi people keep gaze at him in malls and streets.
my only attempt in fighting this racism issues meanwhile is trying to cure my younger brother from being racist toward Pakistani people..

By: Marc

Marc — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:22:21 +0000

You might also consider asking Marc of the Manrilla blog about his specific financing or saving plan for his recent trip to Saudi via the Medina Institute, I believe.

baitunjamil – salaams. Margari is right. I was hired by the Madinah Institute and thus my expenses were negotiated by them. Perhaps this is something enterprising brothers or sisters can think about: an in-demand skill set that can negotiate such endeavors. But aside from that, I believe one must have a focus and a prioritization and perhaps even more importantly, a deep, deep yearning for the Prophet and the desire to visit him at his Masjid. To visit the House of Allh. Make an earnest du’ah to be put on the most exclusive of guest lists and in sha’Allah He will invite you.

By: Margari Aziza Hill

Margari Aziza Hill — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:21:48 +0000

Salaam alaikum,
Thank you for your kind words Anna.
Baitunjamil, Marc was the photographer for the trip, so that helped enable that trip.

I had a lot of people express envy. But they have little idea of the big leap of faith I took and sacrifices I made. I received funding to go abroad because I entered a graduate program and needed critical language training in Arabic for my research. I also received a few research grants since being in graduate school. Other than that, I’ve never been on a real vacation in my life. Life is hard in the states.

As for Muslim community centers, sorry to break it to you, but sisters get no love. I’m an academic whose work specifically deals with Islam, and I got very little support from Muslims even when I asked for it. In the end, I had many difficulties and challenges (some of the hardest I experienced in my life). Initially I felt let down by folks who initially said they would support my studies, but didn’t follow through. There were a few people who helped out, when I was stuck in a real bad jam. I’m not bitter, Allah made a way for me and I had to have faith. But I’d never recommend for anybody to travel abroad like I did this year. My friend told me it was like walking a path that I couldn’t see. I just had to have faith and take some shaky steps forward. Alhumdulillah I’ll be home soon.

I do agree with Imanullah and Bait, it takes careful budgeting and sacrifices. If you like lattes in the morning, you may have to just take your folgers at home for a year. You have to cut back, not go out for a while. Some credit unions have vacation loans. Also, there are some places that are fairly cheap to go. You can check out fares on vayama or if you are a registered student with a university email account, you can try studentuniverse. You can stay in hostels and crappy hotels. Traveling abroad for extended periods of time means giving up a lot of things of comfort and just taking that leap. Its worth it.

By: Anna

Anna — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:08:12 +0000

I agree so much with your post. Black women do need a source of support! In fact, that is one of the reasons why I started reading your blog. Eventually I do plan to move to the Gulf…unless my job takes me somewhere else. I can relate to many of your experiences even at home. I live in a city that has a large Muslim population so it has been an eye opening experience for me….particulary in regards to race relations. IN many ways you are my inspiration and I really appreciate the time and effort you put into sharing your experience. =)

By: baitunjamil

baitunjamil — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:47:52 +0000

Assalaamualaikum sisters!

I really enjoyed reading this post as much as it gave me little pangs in my heart for the trying aspects of your journeys.

Re Jamerican’s question:
I agree saving is very important. You might also try making contacts through local masjids. I know some people who are teaching in Egypt in exchange for Arabic immersion. Most of them got there through people here in the States who have studied there previously.

There are also good programs in Jordan and another program in Yemen. You might also consider asking Marc of the Manrilla blog about his specific financing or saving plan for his recent trip to Saudi via the Medina Institute, I believe.

By: Imanubillah

Imanubillah — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:47:39 +0000

Wa Alaikum As Salaam Jamerican:

What I did is what we usually see our white counterparts do which is to save for a year (0r more) and use our vacation to travel. If we do this, then we will have the money it takes to travel for at least two or three months depending upon our bills and such.

Another way to do it is if you know you want to travel for over a year then you work for a couple of years until you save up enough money then you make your move. This can be hard but if you have supportive family or friends in your home country then it can be done. You can also leave your job on a favorable note so that they may hire you back in the future if need be.