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BEHIND THE TRIBE RV TOUR 2013: 'nola.' EP.6

Hard to believe the RV Crew pulled off from New York City, only to drive into New Orleans, Louisiana on this episode. The retrospect of Katrina hits the crew head on, as they are surrounded by water heading into the city. They are introduced to the city, the food, and have their stops at High Council member, Macario's house, as well as the appearance at Xavier University. 

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30 HOUR SALE 30% OFF! Japanese Translation T-shirt dropped today!

When I tell you High Council has been ITCHING to get this debut out...it's been crazy!

In light of the Tokyo NomadnessX 2013 trip hitting at the very very end of August, we had to rep correctly for my second home. It's been 3 years since I have stepped foot in Nippon and that is all about to change in a few weeks ;-) It's about to go down!!

So, to be fresh we dropped the first in our Translation Series of T-Shirts. We've translated (ever so gently) 'I have more passport stamps than you.' into Japanese just in time for the upcoming trip!!

The Mission:

I want to reconnect and newly connect with all the ALT's/English Teachers/Vagabonds out in Japan. I want this shirt to be the tie that bonds us, our memories, our time in this amazing ancient country, and the Tribe. Many, like me, haven't been back in years...it's time for us to show it some love, no matter where we are!

 

LIMITED EDITION!! ONLY 111 MADE, and THEN NEVER AGAIN! These will sell out! Cop one now, as the 30% Off Sale is going until 5pm EST tomorrow! Move fast!


 

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Heinekin #Dropped": Jon Buscemi but peep the contest though...

The Heineken Dropped campaign is a global initiative to launch the Heineken Voyage, the fifth chapter of Heineken’s global Legends campaign. Heineken will search the globe for four men who embody the “Legendary Traveler” and send them on voyages around the world to challenge them to travel outside their comfort zone. One of these travelers will be from the US.

BOOM!

 

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fame...

Was telling a friend how I wanted fame for the power of influence. I believe I come from a positive space in what I do, and want to achieve. Outside if that fame scares the shit out of me. It is a theory that in my personal hours, I try to dissect before it truly hits me. Little by little, I am inching forward, towards my meeting with fame. Until then, I prep for it. Jay-Z speaks on it here!!

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barcelona day tours...

Yes, Nomadness Travel Tribe is still Barcelona obsessed!!!

So we want to give you some tips on the best way to get around, not just Barcelona, but the majority of Spain. 

The Nomadness recommendation for seeing Barcelona and surrounding areas in a tour format: Barcelona Day Tours 

You have to check them out while trekking around Spain. Not only do they service Barcelona, but also Madrid and surrounding Port Cities like Lisbon, Cadiz, Malaga, Almeria, Tenerife, Palma de Mallorca, and Seville to name a few. They definitely have the entire country covered. 

One of the coolest tours they offer is from Barcelona to Montserrat Monastery in which you can overlook all of Barcelona while taking in all of the history and the architectural masterpieces. Absolutely breathtaking. They pick you up from your hotel or apartment and take you directly there, guide you during the day, and bring you back safely at the end of your tour. One of our favorite all day tours they have available also includes a Cavat wine tour. Don't worry, the transportation allows you to really indulge in the winery itself. No worries, no designated driver needed-- just relaxation and comfort in that everything you need is already taken care of. 

Some of the sites you can look to experience on their tours are:

* La Sagrada Família – world-famous architectural masterpiece
* Park Guell - Gaudí’s Park with beautiful city views
* Passeig de Gracia - Barcelona’s most luxurious strip
* La Pedrera / Casa Mila - Gaudí’s famous building in Barcelona
* Casa Batllo - Gaudí’s astounding contribution to Modernisimo

* Plaza Espanya – the most impressive plaza in Barcelona
* The National Palace – an impressive site with great views
* The Olympic Ring – see where it all happened in 1992
* Montjuïc Castle – with history and overlooking the port
* The Columbus Monument –  for the world-famous explorer
* Port Olympic – marina, shops, restaurants, galleries, & more
* Plaza Catalunya - in the heart of Barcelona

When in Barcelona, definitely check out Barcelona Day Tours!!

 

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barcelona, my love...

 

Sitting on this small area that our ten foot tall windows open up to in Barcelona, red wine sipped at the equivalent of 11:30am in New York City, yet 5:30pm here in Spain. I'm overwhelmed with all this trip has been. My second time to the country, something I'm not known for doing, and an entirely new experience it is indeed.

Barcelona, my love-- I am seduced.

It isn't so much a not wanting to leave, as it is a prepartory gameplan on how to come back on a more permanent basis. I think back to the brief encounter I've had here with a man named Scott. He is Japanese, and unintentionally drawing. I have a little crush- but I digress. He spoke about living all around the world, specifically Cali and NYC, but how Barcelona has been home over the last three years. He used a word I'm used to -- hustle -- in thecontext that one can do so in Barcelona, legally, and live. I'm still a bit skeptical and awe-stricken, but we exchanged information and I look forward to the point where we can chop this up, because I'm seriously giving some things consideration. I'm learning...

I can be calm. I realize more and more the S&M relationship I have with NYC is like a constant assault on my senses, particularly the neighborhood I live in. My stresses are still the same here. I worry about the same things, yet I finda space not to here, and it's much more difficult, on the verge of impossible in the spot I call home.  

My paradise involves more than water. About a year ago, a tribe member posted a photo (I want to say) of Maldives and asked where everyone's personal paradises are. I remember writing that the water would grow to bore me day in and day out and that I needed the energy of a city nearby to keep me inspired, creating, and stimulated. My paradise includes culture, street art, wine, attractive human beings, diverse human beings, and water somewhere easily accessible. Well...... in an alleyway close to Placa Reial, I sit writing this post with a glass of red wine, my laptop, and inspiration for a number of posts and status updates to come. I am at my best when creating...like, right now. I am in the middle of my personal paradise, and I don't know what it's supposed to make you feel like, but I have been smiling for no reason a lot. A lot like NYC in the summertime, but not so much in the winter.

My life will consist of three B's. Brooklyn, Bali, Barcelona. I have visited all three-- yet, it's time to live. These will be homes.

Traveling with an ex can be awkward if not checked properly. Again, just a personal observation.

Topless beaches, where thirst is to a minimum, are kind of my thing.

Tattoos create a lust unbareable for me. I was taken by surprise at how dope the ink culture is here. there are tattoo parlours all over the place and the amount of work I've seen done on people is amazing. I see half and full sleeves more than any other tattoo type out here.

Dining in the dark is a LIFETIME MUST DO EXPERIENCE.......but only with the right people. The term, shit gets real comes to mind. Dans Le Noir in Barcelona was absolutely amazing. It's anxiety producing, sensory overload in many ways, as your most dominant one is stripped from you. The emotional state you are brought to when having a conversation, in the dark I feel is rare and unqiue to that specific circumstance and those around you. You must be free and embrace. The fact that the waiters are blind, is such a powerful element to the entire experience. In life, they rely on us. As the host said to us "In the dark, the blind is King. Listen everything they say." And that was the truth. When lining up to go in they say the person with the least amount of fear should go in first. Before I was even able to gauge my level of fear, the Tribe had thrust me to the front. Alex, our waiter, turned around and instructed me to put my hand on his shoulder, as that is how we all walked in, forming a line. When Alex turned aroudn I couldn't help but read his shirt.

"There is no blindness, just ignorance."

That was my silent cry moment, walking in, behind curtain one, then curtain two, into complete (can't see your hand in front of your face) darkness. That, was the beginning...

This trip, these people, this city. Nomadness.

 

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dealing with death, as a nomad...

...got the text message saying my Grandfather passed away in one of those odd train stations between Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. So it hits me like a bomb and I immediately lose reception. Frustrated. Trapped in the subway cart, on the way to a meeting, that I am both not sure I can concentrate in and welcoming so I can think about something other than this. 

Calls, to New York, Miami, and Jamaica commence. My brother is the one I am most concerned with and at this moment the one I still cannot reach. 

I sit here remembering writing in the Tribe, last May, about making sure I made a trip to go see familyintermittent with all these NomadnessX trips and personal trips. It was my brother who checked me on that. And last May my then boyfriend and I met in Montego Bay and I saw the whole family. My step father's family, yet none the less, these people raised me a good part of my younger years until they themselves moved back to Jamaica. I was warned, 'He may not remember you.'

What I was not ready for was the emotional toll that I would take looking at someone suffering from moderate to sever Alzheimer's. He mentally floated between me, my mom, and a stranger. Not knowing which I was depending on the moment. Rougher than I ever imagined. It was then that I realized how important this trip was. I needed to see them. They needed to see me and I am never more grateful than today for taking that trip last May. It had been about a decade before then. 

Now the nomad is hit with life. This is the 3rd death I have had to deal with in the last three summers. Rudi, Shalanda, Grandpa Williams. I am learning to dread this season. This is also when being a travel oriented entrepreneur gets tricky. This happens as I am supposed to fly out to Spain next Tuesday night for the NomadnessX trip. Now, it is all about how to get to Jamaica for at least a day before then. Trying to breathe and pace myself. Just breathe. 

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Nomadness on Arise TV in one hour!!!

Today it goes down!! 

1-2pm EST tune into Arise TV to check out both myself and Tribe member, Kelly P talking travel on their show "Our Take". 

If you are in London or Johannesburg, South Africa you can watch live on your television set in 1 hour!!!

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BEHIND THE TRIBE RV TOUR 2013: BLACK GIRLS TRAVEL EP.5

The Nomadness RV tour spends some time in Atlanta, Georgia. There, Evie visits both Spelman and Morehouse, with a night presentation to the ladies of Spelman College. Atlanta also gives way to another RV Crew member rotation and Ghana and Keisha join the group from Atlanta on through to the finish line of the tour.

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innovation: evie's word of the week

I'm drawn to innovators. The people of the world that I look up to, didn't go the generic route. In fact, they had to make the conscious decision to refuse to go the generic route. Trailblazers. Iconoclasts. The beings that recognize the sheepish route, and dip out the back of the herd. The people who don't play by the rules, but recreate them. The Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerbergs, Oprah Winfreys, Seth Godins, Kanye Wests, Malcom Gladwells, Jay-Zs...artists in their own rite, but innovators to the world we know.

I am cut from this mold. I fit among these names. Nomadness is described with the same adjectives. I am merely where they were, when they started to pick up steam-- when their immediate community began to take notice.  When sh*t started to get all the way real. When grass was cut and snakes scattered like roaches. When the Universe has to start ushering people in, and filtering people out, the process gets messy. Super messy.

I said to my friend the other day, 'I don't think famous people get paid millions for what they do. I think it's collateral for all they have to put up with in order to still effectively do what they do, at the level of fame."

I cannot, and will not, front, the last few weeks have kicked my ass and lifted me higher than ever before at the same time. The pendulum has shifted, swiftly, daily, from one said of the spectrum to the other-- to the point where in a matter of hours I've gone from elation to depression at the epicness greatness,  and epic fails, that have presented themselves... daily. In this space I thought, 'This is why they get paid the way they do. Who needs this sh*t?"

I need it. Innovators need it. Iconoclasts need it. It is our fuel for hunger, and our survival. We don't fear, instead thrive off change. We need to break down walls, question authority, and make our own way...then show the way to others and be their leaders. Our tribes need us to be this individual. They need us to rise to the occassion of fame, and be the trusted one to represent them well when the bullsh*t hits the fan. As an innovator, you are the first in line of fire AND the clean up crew. 

I am getting used to how my life is changing, evolving, augmenting, manifesting and it's very stressful. But very necessary. I am tougher than even I thought I was, and when I'm weak, I pull from those who had to ride this road before me. The chose few, that the Universe has annointed to strike a nerve with status quo, and just go! You don't need to be a physical fighter, but hell if you don't have the mental capacity to house all that is thrown your way, you'll psychologically die. 

To anyone who once was in this position, is currently in this position, or are the next generation of innovators, I am here to tell you, sometimes it f&*king sucks and you want the big red button to make it stop. It will not stop, and you CANNOT stop!It is your duty and responsibility while on this Earth, to help change it. 

Even when in tears, feeling victimized, consulting with your elders and mentors, under attack, mimicked, chastized, misunderstood, mistated, and needing to show face for all those following you, never ever forget:

You were built for this shit. 

Here are words from your forefathers:

 

"Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes... the ones who see things differently -- they're not fond of rules... You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things... they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do."
Steve Jobs

 

"People think focus means saying yes to the thing you've got to focus on. But that's not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully. I'm actually as proud of the things we haven't done as the things I have done. Innovation is saying no to 1,000 things." - Steve Jobs (Apple Worldwide Developers' Conference, 1997)

"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower." Steve Jobs ("The Innovation Secrets of Steve Jobs," 2001)

"It's easy to say that entrepreneurs will create jobs and big companies will create unemployment, but this is simplistic. The real question is who will innovate."
Guy Kawasaki 

“Success is a function of persistence and doggedness and the willingness to work hard for twenty-two minutes to make sense of something that most people would give up on after thirty seconds.” 
― Malcolm GladwellOutliers: The Story of Success

"When you innovate, you've got to be prepared for everyone telling you you're nuts."
Larry Ellison 

"Would you believe in what you believe in if you were the only one who believed it?"
Kanye West 

 

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a connection of dots... Blogging While Brown: The Recap

Clearly one of the most epic days of Nomadness' life. 

You all already knew how psyched I was to be able to speak on the Blogging While Brown panel, but to be there in the flesh, was a whole other type of energy altogether. A connection of dots if you will. 

Once off the stage, the most poignant point of the conference was the final panel. 

One of the reasons I am writing the memoir on starting the Tribe, right now, is because there are so many backstories that no one knows about. For the final panel, of four female entrepreneurs, to sit there and talk candidly about receiving cease and desist letters (ahem!), having an accountant that prepared but didn't file their taxes for three years, depressions, and moments of living beyond broke, was an affirmation. Yet again, I'm reminded that the road I am paving is difficult, but that's a part of what I, both directly and indirectly, signed up for. I thank them all. 

Necole Bitchie was one of the most candid, and nothing but respect flowed towards her from the crowd. She shared the moments where it all only made sense in her mind-- when family didn't get it. These are the stories that fuel my journey, and let me know through all the bullshit, that I'm on the right track.

 Necole with her Nomadness Newbir Package gift

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Blogging While Brown: Evie on 3:30pm Panel About Crowdfunding

 

It's going down in a couple hours!!!

It really and truly is an honor and privilege to be a part of the awesome roster of speakers at this year's Blogging While Brown. Crowdfunding is definitely a platform many of you know I rock hard for, as I see it as a leveling of the playing field for haves and have nots. 

I can't wait to rock the house today and be able to speak one on one with everyone who has questions about the amazing platforms out there to help get your unique ideas off the ground. 

 

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BEHIND THE TRIBE RV TOUR 2013: PRESENTATION AND CONVERSATIONS IN AGGIELAND. EP.4

The Nomadness RV Tour stops in on North Carolina A&T for the HBCU tour. It's a full day, with Evie conducting three presentations for students. Get a glimpse into the history of the Tribe starting and what it's like being a creative entering the world of business. Also, listening to current students, you gain a perspective on how their own travel has impacted their lives, learning that travel is not exclusive to the affluent. There are ways!

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The Tribes We Lead: Seth Godin TED Talk

Funny how Tribe member Ruby posted this today as I get back into the memoir writing. With that said, Seth Godin's book 'Tribes' is exactly how the Facebook group was started. It's insane to think back almost 2 years now and see the amazing growth and progression. This man is an inspiration, directly, to my life. 

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BEHIND THE TRIBE RV TOUR 2013: 'We Are F.A.A.M.' EPs. 3


The Nomadness Travel Tribe RV Tour hits Virginia State University's campus. Getting a real feel for what life is like at an HBCU, the VSU birthed group F.A.A.M. (Future African-American Millionaires) hosted the Tribe during one of the most exciting days yet. F.A.A.M. itself was started by some of the brothers in the Tribe, thirteen years ago, when they attended the school themselves. Now, thirteen years later, they are able to see their legacy live on in generations after them, pushing the emphasis of entrepreneurship and being each other's keepers. 
http://nomadnesstv.com

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BEHIND THE TRIBE RV TOUR 2013: 'Campus Kickoff'

The first week of the RV Tour was fueled on pure adrenaline. Five schools in five days, this episode shows the RV Crew starting the tour by revisiting Morgan State University, and planting roots down on Hampton University's campus, as well as getting some impromptu interviews at Howard. 
Morgan State and Nomadness have a history together. The ladies of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. first opened their arms to us in September 2012. During that time, Evie was able to have her first run at the Travel/Diversity Workshop she'd created. With just under one hundred people in attendance, it proved to really be the kick off to bigger ideas, like bridging the RV Tour with the workshop. That first trip became an accidental catalyst for many moves Nomadness has made after it, including having the first Tour specialized for HBCUs. 
The stop at Howard was very impromptu. With time to kill before the DC Meet Up event, members Evie and Shavaun headed over to the Yard and got some one-to-one conversations going about what it's like attending an HBCU, and what makes Howard stand out from the rest. 
Concluding the 'D' and 'M' part of the area, the RV Crew got their first glimpse inside the 'V'irginia leg of the tour. First stop was on the Hampton University campus where the RV was stationed literally right in front of the Student Activities building. This being the first school in which Evie had to give her actual presentation, the day was used to navigate students to the session that night. 

Next stop..... VSU. 

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BEHIND THE TRIBE RV TOUR 2013: 'Overground, Underground' Eps. 1

Time to take you on the first bit of our journey...

 

The first episode of the Nomadness RV College Takeover 2013: HBCU Edition. Tribe Creator, Evie, along with members Shavaun and Jason start the first leg of the trip off driving from NYC to Delaware for their first Meet Up stop on the way to Los Angeles. 

 

 

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