The Travel Seven: Nadia Sesay

Name: Nadia Sesay

Home City/Country: Washington, DC
Occupation: Writer, editor, pro traveler
Website/Social: Blanc Modern Africa / IG: @nadia_sesay

My Passport Stamps Include Japan, St. Kitts, Jamaica, Argentina, Peru, Panama, Mexico, England, Italy, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Morocco, Sierra Leone (where I was born!), South Africa, Senegal, Canada & cities all across the US.

1. My best travel memory so far is… Visiting Japan! I went to Japan in May 2019 - SOLO! It was my first time visiting Asia and also my first time being in a setting where the language was based on characters instead of letters - I knew that would present some challenges for navigating but I was eager to take this head-on. I even booked a stay in a capsule hotel that was also totally different as I have always stayed in traditional hotel rooms. Sharing such a small space with other travelers definitely tested my comfort limits but I have no regrets. I travel the world to see art exhibits by artists from Africa & the diaspora, so in addition to visiting Tokyo, I also flew to Fukuoka, in another province in Japan. Taken all these new and different experiences, not to mention amazing food and navigating a brand new city, made Japan my best travel memory.

2. My favorite hotel & why… I absolutely love staying in boutique hotels when I travel... I call them my "travel guilty pleasure". But on a recent trip to Miami, again traveling to see an art exhibition, I stayed in my first ever bed & breakfast, The Copper Door B&B, which to my delight I learned is black-owned. The host prepared a homemade breakfast each morning and guests ate together at a communal table. This was a welcome pause to my otherwise hectic schedule in Miami. As an added bonus the rooms were minimal & comfortable and decor was modern, which gave all the feels of the boutique stays I adore so much.

3. My must-haves on any flight are… Rose face spray to stay hydrated, anti-bac wipes (a must!), and any device to cancel noise (Bose headphones, ear plugs... whatever does the job!).

4. When I’m on the road, I absolutely hate… Slow moving people at the airport.

5. My dream destination or vacation is… Lamu, Kenya.

6. The three things I can’t travel without are… I always pack dry snacks (come in handy for unexpected delays), a credit card with travel rewards and no foreign transaction fees, and clean underwear - mom was right to always pack an extra pair.

7. The top lesson I’ve learned while traveling is… Travel with an open mind. That perhaps is the best travel accessory. Also, as a solo traveler I've learned to trust my instincts both for being cautious/keeping safe and for curiosity - discovering new and unplanned experiences.

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