How the Travel Bug Bit Me

After the initiation of my social media pages for Globetrotting RN, and looking at my memories through captured images, I realized that I was blessed as a child! My parents who immigrated to the United States from Haiti were by far NOT rich but provided opportunities for us to travel domestically and internationally. I am also incredibly thankful to my family members who live in beautiful travel destinations! 

Ayiti Cherie

According to my mother, I was about the age of 4 or 5, when I boarded my first plane to visit their home country of Haiti. Unfortunately, due to my age, I do not recall much but was told I spent valuable time with special family members.

During my preteen years, I went for summer vacation and had the time of my life. My Haitian-Creole was tested and I played games that I never heard since I was born in Etazini, the United States. Let us talk about the food on that trip! Our family house, at that time, was in the heart of Port Au Prince, which meant street food was everywhere. We ate akra (battered and fried Malanga), griot (fried pork), banan peze (fried smashed plantains), and freshly squeezed ji sitwon (limeade), yummy!

Around the age of 12, I ventured on my first SOLO trip, with the help of the flight staff of course, to the mountainous Arcahaie, Haiti. This trip was special to me because I got to baptize my first godchild.

Finally, we arrive to 2009, and I am at the age where I can take pictures!! During this trip, we visited the city of Jacmel and its well-known beaches. After an interesting car ride, we made it to my mom’s childhood land of Anse-á-Veau. Seeing her facial expressions as she recounted her childhood was my favorite part.

My last trip to Haiti with my parents was in 2014, where I got to see a Haitian wedding, in Haiti. One of my cousins was getting married and it was such a memorable experience, especially the processional. Although this was my last trip to Haiti with my parents, this will not be my last visit to Haiti. Stay tuned for my parent-free ventures to Haiti.

International Road Trip

Summer 1996 my cousin was getting married in the beautiful Montreal, Canada! Seven family and friends rented a van and drove over 1400 miles from Florida to Canada, giving me one of my most memorable childhood road trips to date! The group decided against hotels and drivers rotated shifts to get us there safely. The only time that van stopped was to eat, use the restroom, and gas up. I guess that’s where I got that motto, no stopping while I’m driving.

The City of Lights

Our next overseas trip was to the romantic city of Paris. It was the summer of Y2K, I mean 2000, and my first year in high school. During the first half of the trip, I was a typical teenager with an attitude, because I missed my first few days as a freshman. WOW, I feel so ashamed typing that, lol! Paris was amazing! We took pictures outside of the Louvre, drove many times around the Arc de Triomphe, and ate croissants EVERY millisecond of the trip.

The Friendly Island

Our next trip was to the Friendly Island. We went to both portions of the island, the Dutch being Sint Maarten and the French being Saint Martin. This trip provided another opportunity to visit special family members. Our beautiful resort was in Sint Maarten. Divi Little Bay provided us with many enjoyable activities such as jet skiing, tours of the country, and more.  What I will always remember most about Sint Maarten was hearing my parents pronounce, the resort’s name in their Haitian accents.

Is the Travel Bug Still Biting?

So, when my parents ask me, Nathalie, why do you feel the need to travel so much? I simply remind them of how they allowed the travel bug to bite me at the tender age of 4 or 5.

Disclaimer: My next posts won’t be quite as lengthy, I just had to catch you up on my childhood travel memories. What are some of your favorite childhood memories of traveling?

Once the travel bug bites there is no known antidote, and I know that I shall be happily infected until the end of my life

Michael Palin