Black Travels.com
An Original Guide to Exploring the World for the Adventurous Black Traveler
Canada & the Caribbean
Suddenly, I remembered that I was in a foreign country. For a moment I was
overwhelmed.  Water filled my eyes. What on earth was I, an African
American woman, doing here all alone?  Elaine Lee, editor of “Go Girl” The
Black Woman’s Book of Travel & Adventure, had said,”We as Black women
have been reluctant travelers for far too long.  The world is waiting for you.”   
Well here I was out in this world that was waiting for me scared to death...
Growing up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, I would go out on the Chesapeake
Bay with my father, who would fish from the first day the boats started running until
the water froze over.  But after my first day-trip in the Caribbean I was hooked on a
totally different definition of sailing...
Along the way, we were struck by the politeness and kindnesses of
Vancouverites, there were quite a few people milling about going about their
daily activities even though it was well pass dark by now.  I couldn’t help but
contrast it to our neighborhoods back home when most people would be
tucked safely behind their doors at that time of night, but not so there.
Montreal, the second largest city in Canada and the largest city in the
rogue French-speaking province of Quebec, is often referred to as the Paris
of North America.  This reputation is well-earned: it is the second largest
French speaking city in the Western world after Paris.  Its rues (streets) are
lined with cafés, shop owners with often greet you with a hearty bonjour...
Year round, Montreal has something exciting to offer for first time visitors
or experienced travelers.  My first trip to Montreal was New Year’s Day
2003.  I wanted to ring in the New Year in a new destination and
Montreal sounded perfect...