A list of road trips to take in the UK until you feel safe enough to go international.
Category: Travel
Problematic Travel Terms We Should Have Stopped Using Yesterday
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…
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,…
On an active volcano in Italy thinking about Trump
A day before my flight to Rome, my phone got stolen. I managed to get my hands on an old iPhone but it couldn’t download much (aka my folder of news apps). I didn’t even bother getting Twitter on it, I know, that’s drastic, but I felt so upset my phone was stolen, my heart…
Welcoming Ramadan by reflecting on some of my favourite places of worship
Perhaps what gravitates me most towards faith is that it offers a sense of community. Exploring places of worship while traveling is one of the most intimate venues to get to know communities and cultures. Yes, this piece stems from the spirit of Ramadan, but it’s also a therapeutic vehicle to reflect on a more…
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….
Why I’m Super Excited to go to Pakistan this Summer
I’ve dreaded going to Pakistan since I can remember. I’m not a fan of the Karachi heat, nor am I good at family stuff. Since our trips last less than 2 weeks, I have zero friends. This is NOT about hating my country so lay off the judgments. I remember tweeting it was really hot…
PICK-POCKETED in PARIS + PARIS VLOG
I’ve been extremely fortunate in my travels to never be a victim of a serious crime or just general “L”s from life, knock on wood. Even though I’ve made, and with no doubt, continue to make some extremely STUPID choices at airports, border controls, and with directions, I’ve walked out of these situations reinsured that…
Zahra Travels 