"I'am Africancrab" Africancrab's Profile

Me in Amsterdam 2009

Why Africancrab?

Perhaps you are wondering too, "why Africancrab?" Well there is nothing to it really. It was one of those online user names I came up with many years back after spending almost an hour trying different user names only to find they were taken. Google was only just becoming popular and the Yahoo usernames had just about everything including my traditional African name that I thought at the time, was exclusive to me. So I had to think outside the box, and thought I did. I went back to my heritage of Africa and to the person that I'm in relation to others. Well what do you know? I'm 'Crabby' if you believe in the zodiac sign of Cancer. The two worked pretty well; African + Crabby, there I was, "Africancrab".

I guess I will start by introducing myself and telling you a little about my passion for travel. I will say, for me the most exciting thing has always been and will always be the fact that I was born African, in Africa. As you continue to read about my travels, you will begin to understand why being born African is exciting. For those who are already my friends, you know how excited I get when I talk about the places I have been to, and those I long to visit. I have traveled long and wide, starting at the age of 16 riding on buses and spending nights in buses, hostels and with friends. The best part of it all, is that I started doing this of my own accord and learned the hard way, how expensive and trying it can be to have the passion for travel. But there is nothing as empowering as the knowledge that comes with exposure through travel.

Family Travel

At the White House

I recently began to travel with my family; after many years of traveling solo or with only one child, I was afraid that my wings had been clipped with the addition of my son and husband to the pack. A family of four now verses one. It has been an eye opener and the challenges of family have become my new adventure. I figured I’m either going to enjoy it or I’m not going to do it at all. Travel has been an integral part of my adult life. Right out of high school and for the past 24 years I have traveled to hundreds of cities and countries. My husband is a very supportive, or should I say an enabler (smile), this has made it easier to continue doing the one thing I love doing; travel.

My son was only born six months ago, I felt like I was in a prison without walls being pregnant with him. Not travelling for more than a year was perhaps the most difficult part of my last 18 months. I’m happy to report that I have started traveling with my son at the same age I started traveling with my daughter, he has been a trooper through it all. I figured if I get him conditioned to it now, it will make it easier for when we go on our many long road trips. I have never been a backpacker or budget traveler, but with the children in play now, I find I have to budget more and plan more. This is not a problem of course; it helps me understand a different aspect of travel that I had not experienced before.

I’m more of a cultural traveler; I love understanding different cultures and can just as easily move from ‘en suite’ to a tent in the middle of nowhere. I love traditions, history, architecture and art; cathedrals, monasteries, mosques, temples and churches have such a strong appeal for me. I will do the crowds as well as the ‘off the beaten path’ travel and be just as comfortable. Nature, great scenery, sunsets, bizarre foods and song birds are like music to my soul. My husband says I’m a people person, but I’m really an introvert. I like to have my own space and will sometimes just stay away from people. But if you meet anyone who knows me, they will swear I’m an extrovert.

Why do I travel?

With my husband at the Blue Lagoon, Iceland 2010

When I take my family places, I do so with the hope that the exposure will challenge their outlook on life, their ideals, morals and beliefs. I do so because I know travel will cause a discovery of self for each one of them (especially my daughter who is increasingly becoming a young lady). Living in the United States, it is so easy for children to get caught in the 'self' and forget that there is a whole other world out there. It is easy for even adults to think the United States is the world.

I know I have come to a better understanding of myself because of my experiences with what could be categorized as ‘strange’ cultures. One of the most profound ways in which Travbuddy has influenced my life, is by encouraging me to share my experiences, and prompting me to see what I took for granted as familiar through the eyes of other travelers.

To date, I have traveled on 6 different continents, visited 89 countries, more than 760 cities, sampled numerous cultural/ traditional foods and I'm currently trying to complete a tour of the 50 states of the US. I also have a "Bucket List" that I look forward to knocking out before my I "kick the bucket" Someone might think I was born with a passport in my hands, but no, I was born of a father and mother of limited means, and have over 22 siblings from three mothers. I guess the dream was always to travel, even as a child, my dreams were always in unknown places with unknown people. I guess one can say I realized my dreams and my only challenge now is to see as many places as possible given the limited time that is life.

My work: Self Employed and loving it

One of the scarves I knitted for Christmas

I run an at home business designing and hand making scarves, hats, beanies, neck warmers, leg and hand warmers in knit and crochet. You can check out my work or purchase one you like from my online shop

Family Travel is Adventurous, Trying, Expensive

Udvar Air and Space Museum

Washington National Cathedral

Gettysburg

Intro Updated Dec 29, 2012
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Comments (16)

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rudysmom626 Mar 18, 2013 at 12:10 PM

Hey Africancrab! Just wanted to let you know we featured some of your wildlife photos on Friday when we announced our list of Top 10 Places to See Animals in the Wild on Facebook! You can see your photo here: https://www.facebook.com/VirtualTourist

Hope you're having a great 2013 & have some fun trips coming up!
Blake aka Rudysmom626
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  Africancrab Mar 18, 2013 at 8:47 PM
  
  Thank you very much, i feel privileged
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rudysmom626 Jan 9, 2013 at 9:50 AM

Hey Africancrab! Just wanted to let you know we featured one of your gorgeous photos from the Seychelles on our Facebook page yesterday! You can check it out here: facebook.com/VirtualTourist?...

Keep up the amazing photos and tips!
Blake aka Rudysmom626
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  Africancrab Mar 18, 2013 at 8:46 PM
  
  Thank you. I saw it and commented on a few other features.
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raykey Dec 31, 2012 at 12:55 PM

Happy New Year to you and your family. Raykey
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  Africancrab Dec 31, 2012 at 3:10 PM
  
  A Happy New Year to you and yours as well. Harriet
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Basaic Dec 28, 2012 at 12:18 PM

You are making some great contributions to VT! Think I have seen you around town.
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  Basaic Jan 2, 2013 at 12:23 PM
  
  Let me know if you and your family want to "do lunch" or soemthing.
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  Africancrab Jan 2, 2013 at 12:51 PM
  
  We are on San Antonio until 7th. We can definitely dine when we return
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jekins Sep 4, 2012 at 11:59 AM

Hi nice to meet you at VT family,greeting from cameroon.
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  Africancrab Sep 11, 2012 at 8:55 AM
  
  Thank you.
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giampiero6 Sep 4, 2012 at 9:21 AM

I love it! You're doing some really cool stuff here!
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  giampiero6 Sep 11, 2012 at 2:42 PM
  
  You have a knack for appealing images!
  "Saguaro National Park" - Arizona Things to Do Tip by Africancrab
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  Africancrab Oct 1, 2012 at 7:33 PM
  
  Thank you for the compliment,much appreciated.
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loraChaidora Aug 14, 2012 at 9:47 AM

thanks for accepting as well! my pleasure to meet you here in VT!
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nat2yawson Aug 14, 2012 at 2:46 AM

I am also much obliged.
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dkatsaros Aug 14, 2012 at 2:13 AM

hello! a lot of travelling for you. hope to visit greece also
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brevinb Aug 13, 2012 at 11:07 PM

Thx for the add , happy travels to you .. make time to see South Africa