When you think of the Bahamas, you likely think of white-sand beaches, endless rum-filled cocktails and steamy Caribbean nights complete with island music and cool breezes. But you probably don’t think about the women slaves who first came to the island, or the group of women who helped free others from the confines of their constraints.

Welcome to the Bahamas, an island originally of pro-British loyalists and enslaved Africans who set up a plantation economy in the early 1800s. When the slave trade was abolished in the British Empire in 1807, many Africans liberated from slave ships and settled in The Bahamas during the 19th century. Today, the Bahamas’s population is largely made up of descendents of these slaves and while the times have certainly changed, the history is not forgotten.

On a recent trip to the Bahamas, I took some time off the beach and set off to explore the history, culture and art of the Bahamas, thanks to the Bahamas Department of Tourism. What I discovered was a monumental tribute to the women of the island that was inspiring and powerful.

The community art in the fields and in the New Providence Community Center was a declaration of the struggles the Bahamians faced during the late 1800s and into the early 1900s. The wood-carved statues of the women are reaching for the sky , while standing close together in circles – a poetic display of the maternal instincts of women and their outreach for salvation.

Next time you’re in the Bahamas, take some time off the beach and get to know the people who inspired the proud island lifestyle.

Side trip: While you’re here, stop by the National Art Gallery (www.nagb.org.bs). The gallery is housed in the restored 1860s Villa Doyle and focuses on local Bahamian artists, but there are other artworks, including Winslow Homer landscapes. The collection includes ceramics, paintings, photography, sculpture, and textiles, mainly from the late 20th century onwards.

I saw them walking slowly out of the corner of my eye. She moved at a crawling pace, carefully shuffling her feet one in front of the other while still holding on to him. Dressed in casual tan pants, a bright orange sweater and matching cardigan, she was perfectly put together from head to toe (even with the thick white orthopedic shoes that looked heavier than she did). Her hair was snow white and coiffed to her shoulders, her makeup fresh and her lipstick a darker shade of red to compliment her orange attire but not match it — this was a woman who, in her prime, made heads turn. Her bright blue eyes still sparkled when she looked at him, despite him not being able to see her anymore.

He wore a brown suit and matching fedora hat, and walked with help from her and a cane that was likely as old as he was. Never once letting go of each other, they slowly made their way into the elevator.

I held the elevator open until they were safely on board.

“Are we all in?” Rudy asked. “Yes, dear, we’re all safe and sound,” Eileen replied, patting him on the hand. “Our new friends here are going to make sure we make our weekly beautifying appointment.”

The elevator opened on the ground floor of Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City. Eileen and Rudy checked in for their weekly Saturday appointments – two manicures and two pedicures. The staff greeted them as if they were family, and they probably are. Eileen and Rudy have been coming to Saks for their treatments for over a decade – partly to ensure he’s well manicured and groomed, since her frail hands can’t hold a nail clipper steady anymore; and partly to provide her with a few moments of solitude before guiding him back home through the busy streets of Manhattan.

She led Rudy through the rooms filled with ladies in curlers and fake coloring; some under heat lamps, some on their cell phones. Shopping bags were placed neatly next to the chairs where clients sat waiting for their beautician to finish primping. If Rudy could see, I have to assume he would be in awe at how things have changed over the years. But I believe the image of a woman he holds most sacred is Eileen. (more…)

“She dreams of mermaids and motorcycles and meeting a man who can dance.”

I met Jason by accident. While driving through Tralee, Ireland, I hit a curb, which resulted in a flat tire and left my friend and me stranded on the side of the road. We were two women in a strange country without a spare when a four-door sedan pulled up. If this were a John Grisham thriller, the story would take a turn for the worse and end with the neighbors testifying in front of a jury that they saw nothing but an abandoned car when they woke the next morning.

But this isn’t fiction — this is Ireland…

Read more from my column in The Boston Globe Magazine

“Love is a promise, love is a souvenir, once given never forgotten, never let it disappear.” -John Lennon

Alexander McQueen, Harpers Bazaar

It’s no secret I have a passion for scarves. Whether it’s from Canal Street in New York City or a boutique shop on the Via Condotti in Rome, my wallet knows no limits when it comes to the comfort of a scarf. From my cashmere pashminas to my Gap special, scarves hold a unique place in my life – they are the security blanket I reach for on a long flight, or the wrap I seek on a cold night. But, but it’s my Alexander McQueen scarf that is the most special.

The devastating loss of Alexander McQueen rattled the fashion world and rendered me speechless. I remember the day I bought my first McQueen…

I was in London on a business trip with my co-worker and fellow McQueen-fiend friend, The Missus. In fact, it was this friend who first introduced me to McQueen, and this friend who was with me when I made my first McQueen purchase. We arrived in London on a Saturday and after a quick nap and a cup of coffee, we went straight to Harrods. We made our way through the Jo Malone, Anya Hindmarch and Mulbury, passed the tea and chocolate shops and found our way to the McQueen accessories. We dug through the coveted skull scarfs until we found what we wanted. I held up the black and purple silk skull scarf and proudly declared it mine. Within minutes I was checking out, claiming my VAT tax and wrapping my McQueen around me. To this day, that scarf is in every suitcase on all my travels, because you just never know when you need to spice up an outfit with a few skulls.

At 40-years-old, Alexander McQueen was a designer who knew no limits. He was a stylist beyond our wildest dreams – he pushed the envelop and made people rethink they way they approached fashion. He was known for taking risks and creating controversy.  He made skulls sexy.

His life was cut short but he’ll forever live on as one of the most influential designers of our time.

Hope for Haiti

The best part about being a travel writer is meeting inspiring people from around the world. The people of Haiti are no exception.

Those who know me well know there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for a child- I’ve written about the Nightwalker Children in Uganda and continue to pray for the orphans in Haiti – these kids need our help. While people around the world await word from loved ones after the 7.0 earthquake that rocked Haiti and Port-au-Prince, the death toll continues to increase. Thanks to Haiti relief funds set up from airlines, hotels, non-profit organizations and government agencies, you can help in the Haiti relief efforts.

Every little bit helps. Thank you for all that you can give.

November 23, 2009

It’s fascinating to be part of Sir Richard Branson’s world. The uber-entrepreneur turns dust into gold, and rarely comes across a challenge he can’t solve. When Richard Branson puts his mind to something, creativity knows no boundaries (don’t believe me? see: Virgin Galactic). So what does this man do when he’s just being Branson? You might be surprised…

I’ve had the privilege to talk to Branson on a few occasions. The topics usually involve the airline industry, his newest adventure or invention, or a quick chat about upcoming trips, and they usually take place as we’re running through an airport. But our latest conversation was a little more intimate. I had the unique opportunity to join Branson at the dinner table on Necker Island (Branson’s own private island in the British Virgin Islands). There was dining, drinking, dancing (yes, all on the dinner table), and conversation on one of the most private islands in the world. Simply put, my one night on Necker Island was a travel writer’s dream come true…

It all started with a little invitation to attend the kick off to the first annual Kite Jam in the British Virgin Islands, a kite surfing extravaganza set to launch in March 2010.

I hopped a flight to San Juan and weighed in for the Cessna flight to Tortola, where the festivities were set to begin. The first night was at Maria’s By The Sea, a helpful little hotel located right in the center of town. The hotel is perfect for business travelers needing quick access to everything, but if you’re staying for a few nights be sure to request a room overlooking the water (otherwise you’ll have a great view of the parking lot). I met my fellow press trip reporters for dinner and tucked myself in for a good night’s sleep after a long day of travel.

The next day we set sail for Norman’s Island, courtesy of Sunsail fleets. The catamarans took us to the island said to harbor the treasure chest of Blackbeard. Sadly, I didn’t find the loot, but I did leave the island with a hat that reads, “Where’s your booty?” After a nice dinner at the hotel restaurant, I packed my bags and set up a wake-up call for 6 a.m. the next morning. Destination: Virgin Gorda.

Sailing the BVIs

On our way to VG, we detoured at the undiscovered and beautifully unspoilt island of Anegada. (more…)

Note to readers: Medical travel and volunteer travel (voluntourism) is fast becoming an important way to help those less fortunate, and it’s a program that is near to my heart. What better way to spread good health than by helping those less fortunate? The Nightwalker Children are a group of kids in Uganda who walk from town to town in the dark of night to avoid being trapped into a life of violence. Thanks to medical travel volunteers, these kids are cared for and put on the path to a healthier life…

The ‘nightwalker’ children in Northern Uganda travel from town to town in the middle of the night to avoid being abducted and forced into a life of violence. They sleep on dirt and their clothes are tattered. They are orphans seeking refuge from a life of constant running and torture. They haven’t had a good meal or a proper night’s sleep in years. In fact, most of them don’t know if they’re sick, infected, or carrying a virus. Most have never seen a doctor or, just as importantly, a dentist.

Uganda smiles!

But imagine a world without toothbrushes, bubblegum toothpaste, or mint-flavored floss. Imagine a mouth full of cavities and so painful that you aren’t able to properly chew your food. Imagine not having your teeth at all. It’s a familiar reality for children around the world, but thanks to volunteer efforts from our local dentists, underprivileged kids in impoverished countries—including the nightwalker children—are being treated to free cleanings, free supplies, and a new outlook on dental hygiene. Continue reading on Medical Travel Today…

Summer nights sizzle in Boston. The city oozes with heat as people crowd the streets in the North End.

Friends congregate on the corner of Parmenter and Salem streets to plan out their next destination for the night. Parents hold tightly to their kids; kids hold tightly to their ice cream cones and Italian ices. Couples are unfazed by the drips of sweat that trickle through their entwined hands.

Cell phones sing in the background of the neighborhood band, which presents the Lady Madonna as she’s carried through the streets. People crowd the statue to add their dollar bill to the Society.

Scene: North End Fisherman's Feast

Sausages and peppers sizzle on the portable grill. Mike’s Pastry welcomes a long line of tourists eager to get their hands on a cannoli or almond cookie. The sounds of carnival games get louder as the night gets longer. We slowly make our way down Hanover Street to check out the buzz, weaving our way through the hundreds of people who flock to the feasts. The not-quite-teen-not-quite-adult boys stand perched in a corner, eying the the newcomers to the area and wondering which of the young ladies might be back next weekend for another feast. I love watching the excitement on the faces of little kids the first time they knock down all the soda bottles and get a prize, and the proud expressions on the faces of elderly residents who have been part of the feasts for 50 or more years. (more…)

I remember the first day I volunteered with the Special Olympics. It was in high school and I coached track for the 8-10 year olds. The kids were inspiring… full of hope and excitement. Nearly two decades later, I remember the feeling I had when I handed one athlete a medal. He was so proud.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver, 1921–2009

Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s passing reminds us all that hope, hard work and a little faith can turn obstacles into miracles. While her brothers, John, Bobby, and Teddy, all tackled politics, Eunice tackled people. She lent a hand to those who had no strength and made them heroes. John F. Kennedy once said he feared seeing Eunice in the White House because ‘she always had an agenda.’ Thankfully, her agenda was heard.

I remember just a few years ago helping out the Special Olympics in Boston. I made sure each of the athletes had enough water, enough food and enough fun to carry them through their day. The reality is that they didn’t need any of the handouts from the table — they were given a gift from Eunice a long time ago, and every year the Special Olympians re-open their gift and make their patron Saint very proud.

When Eunice Kennedy Shriver passed on Aug. 11, 2009, a silence fell over the people she gave a voice to, but her legacy lives on in all who maintain their dreams.

“You are the stars and the world is watching you. By your presence you send a message to every village, every city, every nation. A message of hope. A message of victory.” ~ Eunice Kennedy Shriver