#3- Travel to Africa

 

Black Professionals (BPs) distinguish themselves by visiting Africa and tracing their roots. Popular destinations include Tanzania, Kenya, Gambia, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Egypt, South Africa, Ethiopia, Mali, Cote D’Ivoire, Togo, Benin, Morocco and Senegal. BPs know that Africa is a vast continent with an incredibly complex history. Despite shared histories and ancestral ties, differences in culture, language and religion have sometimes divided Blacks and Africans.

BPs enjoy buying souvenirs like musical instruments, decorative masks, tapestries and art work from Africa in open marketplaces. Prior to the trip, BPs research historical sites to visit in each country and memorize key phrases in the native language of their destination. Unfortunately, some BPs are disappointed when they realize that the people they meet may speak some English.

BPs also must participate in the mandatory photographic safari excursion where they can capture the Big Game on digital cameras. BPs do not want to appear to be travel novices…so they are careful to pack garments or cloth made with traditional African fabric and not wear them on the return trip to the States.

Also, in some places like South Africa, vineyards (or wine farms as the are known locally) provide a great opportunity to kick back enjoy the sun and have a glass of the local wine. Africa wine is growing more popular and a tour of a vineyard is a good excuse to try some and meet more of the local people.

Additionally, BPs take pride in combining volunteerism with their vacation travel to Africa, like working with orphans or a health center. This activity serves the dual purpose of explaining the purpose of the trip to non Blacks who might not understand the whole “tracing roots” angle.