South of the Bridge: Welcome to the Vibration and Energy of Brixton, London
Experienced by Kimatni D. Rawlins The observance of life led me to the diaspora and Caribbean flavor of the Brixton side of London. Energized with Black culture from Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad, and nations all across Africa, such as Ghana and Nigeria, the town was sprawling with positive energy, one love, vegan eateries, and people vibing […]
Welcome to The Huntington of Pasadena: An Oasis Disguised as a Botanical Garden
Experienced by Kimatni Rawlins There’s a particular alchemy that happens when you cross the threshold of The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens outside of Los Angeles. The noise of Pasadena succumbs to the enchantment and the reverence of Mother Nature. I arrived at the naturally orchestrated habitat at the behest of Hyundai Motor’s […]
Costa Rica’s Plant-Based Haven: Mother Earth Vegan Hotel
Experienced by Kimatni D. Rawlins Guanacaste, Costa Rica has a way of humbling you with its turquoise Pacific stretching past the horizon, tropical dry forest pressing right up to the sand, and endless hiking adventures. It’s the kind of landscape that makes you slow down and enjoy the vibe, the healthy eats, and the spiritual […]
Revisiting the Brutal History of Senegal’s Gorée Island and The House of Slaves
Experienced by Kimatni D. Rawlins and Randolph Payton Nanga def (hello in Wolof) and welcome to vibrant Dakar, Senegal in West Africa, also known as the Land of Teranga. Our father-and-son journey to Senegal became both a cultural and historical immersion, revealing layers of resilience that continue to define the Senegalese people today. We travel […]
Senegal’s Immaculate African Renaissance Monument
Experienced by Kimatni D. Rawlins We travel as often as possible to The Motherland to gain cultural perspective and deeper interconnectedness with our African brothers and sisters. For this reason and more, my father and I visit an African nation once a year to become closer to our ancestors and learn what the beautiful continent […]
The Samurai & His Katana: Japanese Sword Shopping in Tokyo
Experienced by Kimatni D. Rawlins During my latest Nomadic Journey to “The Land of the Rising Sun,” I dedicated myself to researching a katana to bring home for my historical exhibition. Yet, I required a blade that aligned with my spiritual energy. Many of these handmade art pieces are centuries old and were mastered by […]
Pompey Museum of Emancipation & Slavery: Educational History of Bahamian Servitude
By Kimatni D. Rawlins The Bahamas didn’t receive independence from the British until July 10, 1973; however, the prolonged period of torment, bondage, and colonization was not without resistance. I’m enamored with culture and history, so during my first visit to Nassau I made a point to visit the educational Pompey Museum of Emancipation & […]
Ethiopia’s Battle of Adwa: The Fight for Independence
By Kimatni D. Rawlins With intrigue and methodical engagement I just finished reading The Battle of Adwa: African Victory in the Age of Empire by Raymond James. The decisive war of 1896 kept Ethiopia from being colonized by Italy. Ethiopian Emperor Menelik II defeated the Italians in an epic sequence of historical consequences, leading to […]
Colombian Art, Music, and Dance in Medellin’s Comuna 13
It was a humbling day in Comuna 13, the most dangerous neighborhood in Medellin, Colombia a decade ago. Initially controlled by guerrillas and then gangs, there was a point when 20, 30, to 40 people were killed daily in Comuna 13. However, today is a different day as foreigners are invited to revel in the […]
Visit the Chinese Gardens in Zurich during your Swiss Getaway
The Chinese Gardens in Zurich is lauded as one of the most respected Temple Gardens outside of China. Its main tenet—the Three Friends in Winter—is hidden within the garden and provides an in-depth analysis of Chinese culture: bamboo, pine, and the winter cherry, which brave the cold season in unison. Located at a tranquil green […]