I’ve had it with travel being described with lazy, cliché, and most importantly, problematic terms that carry colonialist or patronizing connotations. I’m not writing this so you stop using these terms, I’m writing this so we can think more about word choice and whether the diction we’re using actually means what we’re trying to convey. Not…
Category: Ideas
An Open Letter To Anti-Black Pakistanis
With all that has been going on in the US lately, from a white woman calling the cops on bird-watcher Christian Cooper, to the chilling murder of George Floyd, many of my Pakistani friends are showing support over the Black Lives Matter movement. Some marched in solidarity in the streets while others posted black squares…
What I learned in my first week of self-isolation
Before the closure of borders, a total collapse of the global economy and a loose therapy session with a newspaper about being stranded in a pandemic ridden epicentre, I was living my best life. This time last month, I gave my family a tour of London on their visit. The following week, I was in Munich eating…
Leaving reviews ‘helps travel community,’ says Google’s Local Guide
There was a local cafe near my Airbnb in Havana that I visited every day. It didn’t have an accent flower wall or an extravagant menu, but it was one of the highlights of my trip because it had great service. The bar staff and waiters made it a point to ask about our day,…
Going to grad school as a broke ass bitch
It was always clear to me and my sisters that our parents didn’t exactly have a “tuition” plan for their three kids. With that in mind, I started working in high school to prepare to save for a post-secondary loan I hadn’t applied for yet. That’s nothing new, though. Most people in my circle did…
Third Culture Kid: ‘A Regular Way of Life’ that Extends to More than Elite, Expat Kids
The longest and saddest goodbyes for me often took place over summer breaks. It was a time where my friends and I usually went “back home” to see our families. As an immigrant from a country 14 hours and a couple grand away, we could only afford it once every few years. This situation is…
The Best and Worst of Travel in 2018
With a full-time job in the first chunk of the year and grad school for the last bit of it, traveling in 2018 seemed grim. But the universe is a magical system and somehow always finds a way to align you with your goals if want them bad enough. This year I managed to take…
Harassment and discrimination in the clouds: My interview with a flight attendant
Sweatpants, hair tied, chillin’ with no makeup on – that’s not exactly the first thing that comes to mind when we picture a flight attendant. But I’d caught Jessy* on her day off in her hotel suite near Pearson Airport. With comfort in her attire and a soda in the hand, she invited me in….
Ideas For Gifts That Travelers Actually Want
Christmas (and my birthday) are around the corner and I’m reminded of it every living breathing minute as a mall girl. Yes, I’ve taken up retail now. What can I say? I’m just a sucker for corporate holidays that I don’t even celebrate. Personalizing gifts for individuals is something really important to me and watching…
Privilege Check: Let’s Stop Saying “Anyone” Can Travel
I often ask myself what it is about travel I love so much. Initially, I thought it was all the new places and experiences. Though this is true, there’s more to it. I’ve only recently put the pieces together. The real reason I love to travel so much is because I get to indulge in…
Zahra Travels 