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How My Mother Inspired My Passion For Travel!

by Nadeen
August 5, 2016
A A
"Hang Loose"-With My Mother in Oahu Hawaii!

"Hang Loose"-With My Mother in Oahu Hawaii!

My family is from the sizable (mostly in strength of its people, influence and culture) of Jamaica. My parents immigrated to this country in their early twenties and would not settle for less than the American dream. They provided a middle class upbringing for my brother and I and I am forever grateful and proud of their success. While growing up in Catholic schools in Jamaica, my mother learned 3 languages including Latin and Spanish. She relished in her education about the world, its people and their cultures. She was brilliant (if I do say so myself) and given different economics and opportunities in Jamaica I have no doubt she would have fulfilled her dreams of being a NASA astronaut, physician or anything she put her mind to. I remember watching jeopardy with her both as a child and even after I had obtained my medical degree and my mother, not me, answered 98% of the questions with ease. I teased her that she needed to go on the TV show to win us some money!

Mom trying her luck on slot machines on a cruise ship!

My Great Aunt and Uncle also migrated to the US and opened up a successful travel agency in NYC. Along with close childhood friends of my mother, they all began traveling together to conferences around the world. Working in travel was not only a great opportunity for my mother to do something beyond her 9-5 payroll job at a NYC hospital but it provided her the chance to see all those places she had learned about as a child. All the same places she had answered questions about on Jeopardy!

mom10

Growing up I remember every fall my mother would take off on an adventure to a new place around the globe. Although my father enjoyed traveling and they did many trips together including going on safari in Africa, these fall trips with her family and childhood friends as part of the travel agency conglomerate is what stuck with me the most. Maybe because my father was left to take care of my brother and me for 7-10 days or maybe because my mother would always return with bags and suitcases full of goodies from exotic locations (well exotic to me at that age) 😉 such as Korea, Italy and Budapest. With exuberance she would speak of the people, the food and the historical sites. I remember in particular her trip to Italy when I was a teen because she returned with my first petite blue and grey Luis Vuitton bag! I also recall the shelves in my room filled with dolls representing each nation she visited. There were places in particular that held special meaning to my mother whether it was for its beauty such as the Isle of Capri in Italy, Alaska, the Greek Isle of Santorini or for its people such as Australia or for its historical significance such as visiting the Berlin wall and the City of Pompeii. She was also in Phuket, Thailand 1-2 years prior to the tsunami and was distraught by the destruction and loss of life there as a result. It was also fun to hear her speak of being in so many different cities as they prepared for the Olympic Games such as Barcelona and Athens.

My Mother with a good family friend riding an elephant in Thailand!

My mother succumbed to cancer in 2011 after her second fight with breast cancer. While going through her things I came across her passports. Stamps galore!! Stamps that signify so much happiness, accomplishments and memories. People often comment on how much I travel. I tell them I have a lot of catching up to do to make it to all her countries and continents! Throughout her travels there were a few places she had not been that we were able to go to together. Paris and Hawaii!

 

"Hang Loose" in Oahu!

I treasure those memories as well as the other times we were able to travel together including cruises which she also loved and did many of! I just returned from a Mediterranean cruise which stopped in Naples, Italy. I was able to visit two of the places she spoke so highly of-The City of Pompeii and the Isle of Capri. They were both everything she described. Interesting, amazing and beautiful! Whenever I get to a place my Mother spoke highly of and told me “I just have to go and see it to believe it”, I feel as if she is there with me. I say to myself “Mom I made it” and I know she is proud.

N.S.W.

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Tags: globetrotterjetsetterTravelwanderlust
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Nadeen

Nadeen

Dr. Nadeen White is a "Blogger by Day, Physician by Night". She is an award-winning travel blogger, Amazon bestselling author and speaker. The Sophisticated Life Blog covers affordable luxury travel, culinary travel and wine. Her domestic and international travel guides gets people to the destinations of their dreams. So, if you are living the sophisticated life or desire to do so, this is the blog for you!

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Comments 36

  1. kim warren says:
    8 years ago

    Aww this made me cry !! 🙁 I am sure she is smiling down on you !!

    • Nadeen says:
      8 years ago

      Thank you cousin!

  2. Franz Warren says:
    8 years ago

    Great article. Happy to see you being able to travel as she did.

    • Nadeen says:
      8 years ago

      Thank you! She continues to be an inspiration!

  3. Keshawn says:
    8 years ago

    *Tears*

    This is a beautiful post Nadeen and what a great tribute you are to your mother, exploring the world and sharing your experiences like she did. Your story reminds me of how influential parents are and how their lessons and actions shape who we become. Your parents did a wonderful job with you. Keep up the great work living life as you do, with flair and sophistication!

    • Nadeen says:
      8 years ago

      Such kind words! Thank you for reading and commenting! I will try my best to keep living life to the fullest as she did!

  4. MJ says:
    8 years ago

    So beautiful Nadeen. The love of travel and wonder your mom passed down to you is beautiful. I know she gives you a hug, a “yeah mom” and a warm smile whenever you say “Mom, I made it.” Thanks for sharing your story. Take pics of her passport and yours and chronicle the stamps. XOXo

    • Nadeen says:
      8 years ago

      Such a great idea MJ! I am sure she is looking done and partaking in my Travels!

  5. Lydia says:
    8 years ago

    Love this tribute to your mom, and loved learning more about her! What a woman! The apple certainly doesn’t fall far from the tree 🙂

    • Nadeen says:
      8 years ago

      Thank you Lydia! She was an amazing woman and her spirit definitely lives on!

    • Nadeen says:
      8 years ago

      So sweet Lydia! Thank you! She definitely passed on that passion to me!

  6. Nadeen says:
    8 years ago

    What a great idea about the passports! Thank you for reading and commenting!

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  9. T. MicheLle says:
    8 years ago

    Nadeen, this post brought tears to my eyes. I also lost my mom to blood cancer in 2011. She was my frequent travel partner and we had so many places we intended to see together. Now, she’s my inspiration to make it happen. I’m sure both your mom and mine are looking down and smiling at us as we explore the world. Keep on doing what you do!

    • Nadeen says:
      8 years ago

      I am so sorry to hear about your Mom. I know you are right about them looking down and smiling at us! Thank you for reading and those kind words!

  10. Dana Carmel @ time travel plans says:
    8 years ago

    I love this post and can relate on so many levels in part because my parents introduced me and my brother to world travel at a very young age. You’re so blessed to have had a mom who passed her adventurous spirit on to you, and you honor her memory with each new trip you take!

    • Nadeen says:
      8 years ago

      Thank you Dana! I read your post about your parents and what a wonderful tribute to them! The gift of travel given to us by them is one that will last a lifetime!

  11. Chanel | Cultural Xplorer says:
    8 years ago

    That is beautiful and I hope that I can provide the kind of experiences you were given as a child to my future children 😀

    • Nadeen says:
      8 years ago

      Thank you Chanel! I am sure you will!

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  17. Aarti Kamath says:
    6 years ago

    Good one Nadeen!.. Loved the pics and a lovely post to see around Mother’s day :)…

    • Nadeen says:
      6 years ago

      Thank you Aarti! I am glad you enjoyed it!

  18. Mariella says:
    6 years ago

    What a beautiful read!

    • Nadeen says:
      6 years ago

      Thank you for reading it! I am glad you enjoyed it!

  19. Sara says:
    6 years ago

    Such a beautiful post! Mom’s are so important to us and they share some great things with us (including travel)! Happy Mother’s Day!

    • Nadeen says:
      6 years ago

      Thank you! I agree!

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