From concepts about cash and accessibility to perceptions of Africa, journey has modified how Rahiem Johnson sees the world. Now the proprietor of a journey enterprise, Tray Desk Seat Again, Rahiem sees the distinction journey makes to others’ lives and what a distinction illustration makes. We requested him about locations, perceptions of journey and Africa.
Describe your expertise of journey rising up
Rising up, we didn’t journey a lot, moreover our bi-annual street journey to Virginia Seashore which is about six hours away from Philadelphia. I grew up in a blended household of eight, my mother has 4 youngsters and my stepfather has 4 youngsters, so we couldn’t actually afford to journey far and sometimes.
What gave you the impression it’s important to be wealthy to journey?
My first impressions of journey got here from the media. On tv, it solely appeared that wealthy individuals have been travelling, and so they have been at all times non-Black households. One other factor that influenced my notion was my household. We didn’t journey a lot, and I knew it was resulting from cash, which put me within the mind-set it’s important to be wealthy to journey. My sister and I grew up loving Residence Alone, a few household who in the course of the holidays, travels to locations like Paris and New York. These have been locations we may solely dream of going to. I keep in mind my sister and I at all times thought they should have some huge cash.
Why did you need to see the world?
There was a lot on the market I hadn’t seen, and I wished to see the world. In round 2012, I made the aware choice to discover a good work-life steadiness, and it wanted to contain journey. As soon as I went to my first nation, the Dominican Republic, I used to be addicted. One nation turned two, two nations turned 10, 10 turned 20, and now I’ve visited greater than 50 nations.
The 50+ nations you’ve travelled to incorporate some on the African continent. Describe your fondest reminiscence from every of your prime three.
South Africa
My primary favorite nation on the planet is South Africa. Simply occupied with South Africa brings a smile to my face. There’s a vibrant vitality that this nation breathes that’s unmatched. The mountain views and seashores in Cape City, the vitality of Joburg. I find it irresistible. I additionally love that it goes in opposition to each stereotype individuals attribute to Africa. I like the richness, the vibrancy, the sweetness. Cape City is so totally different to Joburg, Joburg is so totally different to Pretoria, Pretoria’s totally different to Durban.
Kenya
I’ve been on just a few safaris, however the safari in Kenya was palms down top-of-the-line experiences of my life. I feel what I like most about is that it felt conventional. Kenya’s what I imagined Africa to be. I’d been on safari in lots of different locations, however there was simply one thing concerning the vitality, the great thing about it … it was a sense that’s actually arduous for me to explain. However I keep in mind feeling like, that is Africa, that is the place I’ve seen on TV for many years, and being right here, having fun with this simply seems like the place I’m alleged to be.
Morocco
It’s not historically the way you’d think about Africa. You get that Center Jap really feel coupled with this African really feel. Relying on what metropolis you’re in, Marrakech, Chefchaouen or Casablanca, it’s so totally different to what we understand Africa to be. It’s even totally different to the African locations I’ve been to, and I like that as a result of it reveals how multifaceted Africa is as a continent. I feel many People discuss Africa as if it’s a rustic, not a continent.
What misconceptions of the African continent did you’ve earlier than you visited?
As an American, I’m responsible of listening to what the media says. So I imagined Africa as a spot with nothing however poverty and malnourished youngsters as a result of that was what American media pushes. I’ll say that I used to be ignorant as a result of I had that notion of Africa till I visited. I realised it was nothing like I assumed it’d be, nothing just like the media had made it out to be.
I used to be nervous as a result of I didn’t know what it’d be like. After I instructed people who I used to be going to spend just a few months in South Africa, individuals mentioned, oh, you’re going to be staying in huts. I used to be glad to be able to drag out my cellphone and present them photos of the place we have been staying and what it regarded like. To say: That is in Africa, yeah, that is in Africa.
Your top-three bucket-list worldwide locations, and why?
1) The primary place on my checklist is Namibia. From pictures and what I’ve learn, it’s breathtaking, with deserts that rival a few of the finest on the planet, to not point out the oldest desert on the planet!
2) I’d additionally like to go to Nigeria, the African nation with the most important inhabitants. I’ve heard nice issues about it from the numerous Nigerian individuals I’ve met.
3) I’m wanting ahead to visiting Switzerland. I hear it’s such an ideal and wealthy nation. I’ve been to many European nations, and I usually don’t actually care a lot for travelling in Europe, however, for some purpose, I’m intrigued by Switzerland.
Look out for Rahiem’s views on illustration in journey within the Might challenge of Getaway, on cabinets 14 April.
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