Something magical happens when Black women decide to travel the world. We experience various cultures, cuisines, and lifestyles, contributing to our understanding and acceptance of others. In addition, people who may not have had the pleasure of encountering Black women get to bask in all of our glory. I’ve visited countless countries worldwide, and every time I return home, I am filled with memories that last a lifetime and a better understanding of how people exist in other parts of the world.

Black Girls Travel: What you should know before you travel abroad

Researching a country before visiting plays a significant part in your experience. There’s nothing worse than landing in unknown territory with no knowledge of the lifestyle or public offenses. Before traveling to Zanzibar and Dubai, I packed loose clothing that covered my legs and shoulders. Exposed skin can be offensive to the natives outside of beach and tourist areas. Chewing gum is illegal in Singapore, which is vital for an avid gum-chewer like me to know.

Every now and then, I visit a country that feels unwelcoming. While I am proud of my Black skin, some people still carry biases that affect how they treat people of color. For example, the men in Portugal and Spain loved me, and the women gave me dirty looks; the men in Dubai treated me like I didn’t exist, and the people in Singapore were downright rude. Each experience, good or bad, taught me the importance of leading with respect and adapting to cultural norms.

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I spent the last week traveling through Bangkok, Thailand, and Singapore. Although both countries are located in Asia, their polar opposite lifestyles provide an interesting contrast. From the food to the entertainment choices, both destinations had rich customs and unique cultures. Thailand feels like an open-minded friend who dibbles and dabbles in a little bit of everything, and Singapore is the type-A, OCD friend who follows all the rules, no matter how absurd they are.

If you’ve ever toyed with visiting parts of Asia, you’ll want to keep reading. Here are eight things I learned while traveling in Thailand and Singapore.

What you need to know before traveling to Thailand and Singapore

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