'Tabanca' is a Trinidadian creole expression that describes the sad feeling that one may have after a breakup or separation. We have also come to use this word to describe a sad feeling of longing for many other things. It is common to hear someone having a Carnival tabanca, which means that the person is missing Carnival celebrations, and yes judging from this blog post title, I am currently having a very bad case of Summer Tabanca.

2020- "A chance to be still", I said to myself. I had been wanting this for some time and up until this year, it had been difficult to make it happen. Why you may ask? Because outside travel is essential to survival inside. Living in a city like Shanghai has its upsides, but there are also many hard factors that we have to “deal” with, so quick escapes to neighboring countries usually act as quick fixes to our woes. But this year- post COVID-19, life, has, like many, hardly allowed us to venture out. 

​Somewhere in Indonesia, is a place called Sumba. 
An island.
Called the forgotten island by some.

As a child growing up in Trinidad, I'd always get excited whenever we went to a beach that had a small cove or that involved a small hike and adventure in getting there. 
 
My sisters, friends, and I were always in desperate search of adventure by the water, and my time in the Algarve region of Portugal reminded me of that never-ending and somewhat unfulfilled quest during my childhood. Filled with coves, caves, hikes, and surprises around every corner, I felt a great sense of accomplishment for my younger self as I explored the South of Portugal.

​How do you know where to go?
 
 Maybe it starts with a recommendation from a friend, or a post you see on Instagram. A cheap flight that you randomly found online, a long layover or a crazy close your eyes, spin the globe and go where your finger lands? Whichever way it may be, I’m sure that somewhere soon after you’d Google.

HELLO, from the settled side!
 
You know, the life I said I’d try out this year?

Thus far, settled life has included the usual, discovering more about myself, acing adulting, and enjoying life even more. I have also been thinking less about life after “Hai” and focusing more on spending quality time in this vibrant city - even taking fewer and shorter trips out of Shanghai.

Traveling is awesome!
 
Going places, meeting new people, trying new foods, swimming in oceans and hiking to mountaintops. Viewing cities from skyscrapers, drinking wine street side, and checking out street style are all experiences that can make traveling somewhat of an addiction. 
 
But sometimes, the actual journey to get there isn’t as glamorous. The long flights and layovers, smelly buses, taxis and the taxi driver that rips you off or drops you off at the wrong hotel, leaving you stranded and confused.
 
Ferries that bring on seasickness, tuk-tuks in hot dusty weather, the middle seat, looking for your hotel and hauling heavy bags along the street hungry, tired, and in desperate need of a shower!!

​
​“Go with the flow, but in style.”

It’s my motto, in life and in travel, and creating a brand like BagLady Basics has made this seamlessly possible. It’s also the mentality I had when my friend Ayesha invited me to meet up with her in Prague.

She’d extended the invitation at the end of summer, as I was still in Berlin (on my “Little Shepherd Girl” shit), and I figured, why not. I’d been keen on visiting this superbly beautiful city for some time, and it was only a cheap bus ride away!

​Wow guys! My last post of 2018!!

Do you remember the promise I'd made to you on the gram' on New Year’s eve of 2017? I was livin' ma best life on Boracay Island, and I promised that I would share more of myself with you in 2018.

I've tried my best to come through on that promise!

​“What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?”
 
It’s a quote that most of us know, and a question that has been running circles around my mind for the past few weeks, and my most recent trip to Hong Kong made it ever so present and relevant. 
 
Hong Kong holds a special place in my heart, as it’s the place where my brand, BagLady Basics made its initial debut- it’s the city of “firsts” for BagLady Basics!