Back in August, I had the immense pleasure of getting to host dear friends with whom I had traveled the year before in my home country of Malawi. I was so touched by the post that my dear friend / brother, Calvin, wrote up after the whirlwind time in Malawi. What made the journey and time together even more special is the way I had originally connected with Calvin and the Monsooners years prior-- basically encouraging travel to the African continent! Even more awesome was the fact that I got to connect with them in South Africa AND Namibia after Malawi.

Here we, the Monsooners are =), having visited 11 of the continent's beautiful countries and experiencing the diversity and culture that each have to offer. Check out more about the Monsoon Diaries, trips and framily here: all are welcome.

I was recently home in Malawi and had the immense pleasure of watching a little monkey eat (and reaaaallly enjoy) a lollipop. That monkey, while smaller than the other around it, did not let go and happily licked away at its prize. 

There is a place in Miami called Wynwood. Wynwood is a mecca, of sorts, for street art. The legacy of the artists can be seen on the streets, on walls, on buildings, and felt throughout the area. It has translated beyond the street art to inspire creative culinary, fashion and interior design cultures in the area, as well. My sister and I had the opportunity to have a mini-adventure in Wynwood, basically eating our way through the area.

​Check out some photos below. Maybe you can guess which ones are my favorites!

I recently took a brief trip to NYC and stopped by the Met to see the exhibition on Photography in West Africa called In and Out of the Studio. Just outside of the Met, on 83rd and 5th Ave (if facing the steps, go towards the right), I came across Eric Ajama and his artwork. Based on his sketches, Eric remixes iconic images through the use of paint and textiles. His work is definitely worth checking out...or even better...including in your own art collection!

I had the awesome pleasure of getting to join a group of fellow travelers and adventurers through the Monsoon Diaries. I fondly refer to them as the "framily". I met up with the framily in Helsinki, Finland on what was the end of half of their trip through Scandinavia and the Baltics. We had a short but fabulous time together. One of the memorable adventures we had together was to Soumenlinna Island. Soumenlinna was an old Finnish fortress that had been used to try to combat the Russians many years ago. Today, the island is a popular site for tourists and locals alike. There are spots for relaxing, a beach, places to have picnics, cute cafes and museums.

This album chronicles some of our adventures, including my getting lost from the tribe in the Shire but fortuitously rejoining them upon departure from the island.

To get to and from Soumenlinna, one needs a boat...or should be a very, very strong long distance swimmer. There are ferries that leave Market Square in Helsinki proper regularly, and it is only 15 minutes from there to the island.