United States
Flags of the United States line both side of a road.
“The diversity of America is a strength of the country, and I don’t think that we use that. We don’t talk about our strengths. I mean, having so many diverse people in this country from all aspects of all over the world, and we don’t use that. I think we should talk about who we are – that melting pot that we’ve become.”
–Steve Stoute
The lyrics in the anthem America the Beautiful expresses it best–the United States of America really is beautiful.
O beautiful for spacious skies…For amber waves of grain…For purple mountain majesties…Above the fruited plain!…America! America!…God shed His grace on thee…And crown thy good with brotherhood…From sea to shining sea!
The United States really is a beautiful and wonderfully diverse country. When you travel to each of the 50 States and even within each State you will feel as if you’re traveling to another country.
The United States is a country built by immigrants and each corner of this country is influenced by a variety of cultural diasporas including former enslaved people from Africa and the West Indies. Even traces of Native American culture can be found despite earlier efforts to erase them from the narratives of American history.
The United States has not always been the land of the free but it has always been the home of the brave.
As Paul Tsongas said, “America is hope. It is compassion. It is excellence. It is valor.”
Do you wonder who will tell your story and how you’ll be portrayed? Author and Publisher Ardre Orie joins World Footprints to discuss the power of storytelling, narratives on race and, of course, travel.
The coronavirus pandemic has treated the world to new norms that have never before occurred. The total shutdown of essential services and normal life during the total lockdown directives and a massive meltdown of economies leading to job losses and restructuring of revenue streams are scenarios that have not been witnessed in the recent past. Borders were shut down and airline companies parked their airplanes in airports. However, the pandemic infection rate is receding and most countries are considering a phased return to normalcy including the United States. Flights are reopening their services but Americans have had to adapt to new ways of air travel. Protection Guidelines Some of the major guidelines that have helped bring down coronavirus new infection cases are social distancing and wearing a protective mask. The airline industry is maintaining the same as a precaution against the spread of the virus. For some airlines, passengers are [...]
As 2020 dawned, my travel calendar filled with big plans. The St. Olav Festival in Norway, gorilla trekking in Uganda, and truffle hunting in Croatia were among the adventures scheduled for the coming months. Sadly, those plans came to an abrupt halt thanks to COVID-19.
As travel journalists who happen to be people of color, we celebrate the cultures of the world.
From the violations of the Constitutional rights of peaceful Black Lives Matter protesters, to the unlawful killings of black citizens--George Floyd, Armaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor (and many more before them), to the global pandemic that is taking lives and undermining the economic security of millions of people, and now Americans facing further threats to freedoms and civil liberties not seen in generations, recent events are begging the question: how are we supposed to heal?
During this pandemic Erin created a challenge called #OurGreatIndoors. This challenge called for other creative and travelers who were under stay-at-home orders to create outdoor using common household items.
When travel writing is your profession, adjusting to a new normal of not traveling can be tough and even downright weird. The Covid Pandemic has caused massive changes in our daily lives and it has surely affected the way we used to travel then and now. The lifestyle changes have been abrupt and too quick.
Anybody out there ready to hear some good news, for once? 2020 seems to be all about the bad news. I see it all the time on Facebook, TV, and even in my inbox. It seems the only thing anybody wants to talk about these days is COVID-19 and why we should all be terrified by what it brings. However, there is some good news out there! In the middle of this storm, people are reaching out to make this season a bit more survivable—particularly for first responders. I had the opportunity to talk with J.J. Bukowski, one of the founders of AZ Face Shields. This organization creates face shields to donate to first responders. In just a few short months, this organization has given away thousands of shields! J.J. told me how the idea for the organization was born and what the group has done to put a dent [...]
This mandatory pause that’s been imposed on us because of COVID-19 is very challenging; especially for those of us who travel frequently. But a fellow travel journalist, Terri Marshall of Tripping with Terri says that technology has offered us ways to feed our wanderlust at home even during Covid-19. Learn more about virtual travelling from Terri as she talks about travel choices you can choose from post the pandemic. Terri writes a lot about multi generational travel and, in fact, she told World Footprints that the first trip post-Covid-19 she takes will be to treat her grandchildren to a theme park trip to a theme park. So, as a multi-gen traveler she had some great suggestions for families who are eager to travel post Covid-19. ************ Based in New York City, Terri Marshall is an award-winning writer covering cultural travel, multi-generational travel, food, drink, road trips, cars and characters. From [...]
As I write this, the majority of the world is in isolation; the pandemic of COVID-19 has forced us indoors and away from each other.
Even an island paradise is not immune to the coronavirus as we learned from San Juan Islands' Barbara Marrett. But the virus has not significantly impacted the San Juan Islands despite the islands proximity to Seattle, Washington – a coronavirus cluster.
Imagine a bi-partisan dinner with U.S. Senators and Representatives at the Library of Congress with leading contemporary historians and a billionaire patriotic philanthropist. Then image an evening of enlightened discussions about American history without the presence of media or political jockeying.
