This week's featured crush is Zelia. This avid traveler has visited over 22 countries and 4 continents so far. Her gorgeous beach shots have us longing for a tropical escape.
Keep reading to discover some of Zelia's best travel tips and tricks.
Are there certain things POC should keep in mind when traveling abroad?
I think we should be open-minded when traveling. Don't judge countries just based on what you've heard. When traveling abroad, we need to remember that other countries have a different culture and customs we may not be used to. So we have to adapt to our surroundings. We are the visitors to their country so we should be respectful of their culture.
But at the same time, some countries are not as accepting of POC so we need to keep that in mind as well. We may get stares in some places especially where there isn't a high population of POC. Ex. Asia and Europe. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't travel there. There are still many nice and welcoming people in each country.
What do you love most about traveling?
Going on adventures & exploring beautiful new places. Learning about and experiencing new cultures.
What’s been your favorite place you've traveled to?
Costa Rica
It's tough to choose just one thing I loved about it because I loved everything so much. I'm from Jamaica and it reminded me so much of back home. All the nature, the vibe, people, culture. It's like a mix of Latin and Caribbean.
The people were so nice and welcoming. They made is feel like home. The locals gave us great tips and even showed us around and took us out and everything. We kinda felt like celebrities sometimes. I guess they love darker skin there.
If I had to choose I think maybe I'd say my favorite part was the beautiful scenery and all the nature there. There were so many natural hot springs to see, volcanoes, waterfalls, beaches. We didn't have much time there but we made the most of it all. I would definitely go back there. I'd even live there.
How would you describe your travel style?
My vacation style would be the adventurous type. All my trips I plan a full itinerary of activities.
What’s a must-have you keep in your carry-on?
My portable battery to charge my phone.
What’s your favorite travel hack?
Always exchange money in the local currency. Usually, you get charged more when you use USD.
What’s your secret to taking such gorgeous shots when you travel?
My secret to taking gorgeous pic: A good phone or camera as well as my tripod with portable remote when I travel solo. Or traveling with people who can take good pics for me.
Where to Find Zelia
Check out Zelia's Instagram
Here are some more of our favorite travelers and their gorgeous shots.
Ellee is in the building - and this week she's showing us what it means to be a globe trotting Travel Crush. This native New Yorker has climbed the pyramids of Egypt, took her whole life in her hands on the swings in Bali, and she's still pumped for more challenging, new adventures. Read on for her tips on having magical experiences without breaking the bank, her favorite hack for buying cheap flights, and how she stays in villas without the hefty price tag.
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