Hatshepsut was the second recorded female pharaoh of Kemet (Egypt, the first was Sobeknefru) and one of the most successful leaders of the dynasty. Last name Jenkins? Something a lil' ethnic, you feel me?

Photography: Warren Alexander Photography

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I crossed it off my bucket list and went on my first international trip and attended my first official Caribbean carnival!

Traveling has always been on my list of things to do, but I honestly barely made time for it. Plus, for some reason it always seemed like a big, overwhelming chore. But once you do it, and see how easy it is, it's a piece of cake! I'm legit ready for the next trip. Here's the rundown on the journey:

Getting The Passport


The process was easy as pie. I applied for it in September and received it the next month, earlier than expected seeing that I had to wait about 6-8 weeks. I filled out an application, had to take a picture, pay $140, sent in my birth certificate and social security card with the application. By the end of October, I received my passport with my certificate and card sent back. I looked a hot mess in the picture, like...very much giving the girls mugshot from stealing out of Moo & Oink realness. Tragic.


Airfare 


I wanted to find a "layaway" type payment plan to pay for my ticket. It was about $959 for a round trip ticket from Chicago to Basseterre. I wanted to at least put majority of the money down. I remembered hearing about a flight layaway installation plan called Airfordable a few years ago. Checked out some reviews (all great and legit, by the way), registered, put down about $350 and the rest is history.

I made a payment every month until a month before the trip (November) and it went super smooth. I was given a confirmation e-ticket with American Airlines. I'll do a separate, more detailed review on that. Sign up with my code here if you're looking to book your next trip.

The Journey


Food

As you guys know, I'm vegan. I wasn't too pressed on finding food because a lot of Caribbean food is pretty plant based in comparison to American cuisine. I was lucky to find two exclusively vegan spots: Life Span Organic Vegan food truck in Independence Square and Ital Creations.



I visited this spot frequently. The owner is super cool and would always call me "princess" when I slid through. My first time I visited I got chickpea stew, quinoa, salad and okra. Although I didn't get any pictures, I had some absolutely delicious sea moss banana cake and spelt flour Johnny cakes. Oh my Gawd. You talkin' about somethin' good? I'm still dreaming about those two dishes. Lastly, the owner gave me a sea moss drink to try. I've been wanting to try it for the longest. Let's just say I'm a fan and a believer now.










History 

St. Kitts & Nevis is extremely rich in history. The island was founded by indigenous Kalinago Carib peoples over 5,000 years ago. They named the island Liamuiga meaning "fertile land". Colonizer Christopher Columbus landed on the island in 1492. By the 1620's, British and French colonizers landed on the island and later collaborated in murdering the native people. Enslaved Africans cultivated the nation's economy by working on sugar cane plantations. The descendants now make up the majority population of both islands.





After visiting the Hermitage Plantation, our tour led us to an old sugar cane plantation. Most of the contraptions and tools enslaved Black people used to create sugar into molasses are still set in stone. Much of the buildings have been destroyed, however it's still an echo on the realities of chattel slavery and how it contributed in forming nations like St. Kitts & Nevis.



Culture

Enjoying, participating in and exploring the culture of the Caribbean had to be one of my favorite parts of my travel journey. I've always loved and adored Caribbean cultures, but to be in the actual space was amazing. I felt comfortable (although a little homesick the first couple of days) and got in where I fit in.