Namaste: A Guide to Yoga in the Caribbean

by Damaly

Yoga has been a form of spiritual and physical healing dating back to 3000 B.C., originating in ancient India. It was first brought to the Western world in the late 19th century by Hindu monks. In the ’80s, yoga became extremely popular as a form of physical exercise. Since then, yoga has spread rapidly. It is unknown by many that yoga in the Caribbean is indeed present. Cubans, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico have welcome and embraced this foreign practice.

Each Caribbean island has developed their own way of cultivating yoga into its culture. In Haiti, there are U.S. non-profit organizations that allow teachers to provide yoga to children. In the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Puerto Rico there are various yoga retreats as well as yoga studios and centers that offer locals and travelers daily access to the practice. In Cuba, things are a bit different. Because of limited access to resources and exposure, yoga is not as prevalent but the interest is increasing. Continue reading “Namaste: A Guide to Yoga in the Caribbean” →

Language Courses: Study Spanish, French or Creole in Caribbean

by Damaly

Knowing the language of a country is in direct correlation with comprehending the culture.
Although language is one form of communication a traveler can utilize, it is still one of the most important factors while traveling. I’ve noticed many travelers interested in language courses in the Caribbean. Specific interests are learning French and/or Creole in Haiti, and learning Spanish in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, or Cuba. Continue reading “Language Courses: Study Spanish, French or Creole in Caribbean” →

Travel Safety Tips from Four Times I was Robbed Backpacking the Caribbean

by Damaly

In the three-month backpacking trip that inspired this website, I was robbed FOUR times. Traveling throughout Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico was one of the greatest adventures of my life. But to say it was perfect is a lie.
Three of the four times I was robbed happened in ONE WEEK.
By the second time, I was robbed my family and some friends told me to come back home but I replied with a big, fat NO. These things can happen anywhere in the world, even in your own hometown. I wasn’t going to stop just because I had some bad juju.
Continuing my trip taught me not to run away from places or situations when it is not working out in my favor.
I learned some valuable lessons on how to be careful and keep my things safe when traveling. Continue reading “Travel Safety Tips from Four Times I was Robbed Backpacking the Caribbean” →

Volunteering in the Caribbean

by Damaly

Volunteering is an act of kindness where someone gives their free time to others and/or a certain cause. Although, at times, our kindest actions aren’t the best choices when it involves other people, this act of kindness is human nature.
In a 2009 New York Times article, biologists had recently discovered a distinctive side of humans, besides the common theory that we are vicious and selfish.
After testing very young children, they came to the conclusion that helping others is innate. Continue reading “Volunteering in the Caribbean” →

How to Save Money for Travel

by Damaly

I was recently interviewed by Travel Latina, a platform that features women of the Latin American and Caribbean diaspora traveling the world. One of the questions, Alexandra of TL asked me was what advice I would give to those who have traveled a bit and want to travel more but don’t feel like they have the money to spend on traveling. How to save money for travel?

This is such a common question that merits its own post or maybe even five. There are so many ways to save money for travel and during traveling. It’s all a matter of finding the best way that works for you. I’ll give suggestions for both, all of which I use myself. But first, I want to give you a helpful tool that has helped me since I invented it. Continue reading “How to Save Money for Travel” →