Off the Runway, Onto the Beaten Path

Everyone everywhere wants to travel. Some people want to spend endless lazy days on the beaches of the Caribbean, while others would prefer to climb mountains in knee deep snow. But we all want to feel good while doing it, and a part of feeling good is looking good. Now we all can’t be America’s Next Top Model, I know I’m not, but there is a way to for us to find a style that works for us no matter where we go or what we are doing!

Make-Up

              Alright ladies, let’s break it down. When you are traveling you do not need cake on concealer and smear lipstick on every single day or at all. That takes away too much time when you could be exploring! You need 2 simple things: Noxzema and chap-stick. Noxzema is facial cleanser than I and my whole family swear by. In the mornings I actually mix a small amount with water to use as a facial lotion. I suggest the Moisturizing Cleansing Cream in the blue jar with the purple band for your traveling needs. If you can’t stand not to have make-up on, then limit it to waterproof mascara and a tinted lip moisturizer like Vaseline Rosy Lip Therapy.

              Guys, I know you don’t wear make-up; kudos if you do though; but you need chap-stick and Noxzema too! Try Carmex Original Lip Balm, it has no fruity smell and it won’t look like you’re wearing lip gloss.

Hair

              With all the different hair types in the world and the confusion as to which hairstyle is best for that texture, we sometimes forget that the simplest way, is the best way.

Ladies!

• Long straight or loosely waved hair: I suggest the fishtail braid. It’s attractive flirty and EASY!
• Long curly hair: Stick to a messy bun. Super simple but also endearingly cute.
• Mid-Length straight hair: Go for that high pony! If your hair is just a little too short for that, try a low pony or see the next bullet.
• Mid-Length waved or curly hair: Grab a stretchy headband and hit the road. As long as it isn’t in your face so you can clearly see the world, you’re all set!
• Short straight/wavy hair: go for gold with a layered pixie! This look has sass written all over it.
• Short curly hair: This is my texture and I suggest finding a curl enhancer to boost your coils. My personal favorites are OGX Quenching Coconut Curling Hair Butter for a looser curl and As I Am Coil Defining Jelly for a tighter kink like mine.

Gentlemen!

• Long hair: Please, please, please give in to the man bun! Man buns are, dare I say it, downright sexy! If you don’t feel you can rock that, braid it. No harm, no foul!
• Mid-Length hair: Low Ponies will always be your friend. Soulful in a way, they are also practical with a capital ‘P’.
• Short hair: Wear it the way you always have. It works best for you!

If you have the capability, I also highly suggest letting the beard take over. Shaving is a pain! Just keep it combed and clean and everything will be A-OK.       

Clothes

              There is only one rule in dressing for travel. Layer Up. Think about it. You’ve never been to these places so you don’t know what the weather will be like. Pack so that you are prepared for anything! Bring:

•        A light weight, water resistant jacket
•        Tops of all shapes, textures, and sizes
•        Bottoms that make you comfortable. I suggest Leggings for the women and sporty shorts or pants for the men
•        Bathing suit/swim trunks
•       Basic underwear and socks, nothing fancy. Sports bras are a must if they aren’t already an addiction ladies.

Try to wear clothes that transition through the day. For example. Let’s say Minnie and Mickie have traveled to New Zealand. They’re day starts with a rugged hike, to a picnic in a meadow, and onto dancing at a nearby club that night. The easiest way for them not to make multiple trips to their hotel to change is to have a quick change of either the top or bottom portion of the outfit on hand.

• Minnie: She should wear the leggings throughout the entire day but change her shirt. Hiking, wear a short sleeved shirt and keep it on for the picnic. Hit the bathroom and change into a dressy tunic for that nightclub.
• Mickie: Should change his bottoms. Keep a short sleeved shirt and bring along a pair of his favorite jeans to change into after those sports shorts are drenched by sweat.

If the thought of changing into clean clothes after a sweaty hike freaks you out then good. Because it should. I suggest bringing a packet of cleansing wipes with you to wipe down with before the change. Nobody likes a stinky dance partner.

Shoes

              One thing that is always a pain to pack are shoes. They are bulky and take up space which is why you should only ever carry 2 pairs of them on any trip. You know what activities you plan to do. If it’s an active trip go for ankle high hiking boots and a pair of running shoes. If it’s a casual trip full of lounging and sightseeing, go for laid-back shoes; like ballet flats for women/casual sneakers for men; and sandals. If it’s a mix of both, go with casual shoes and running shoes.

              We all have an idea of what our perfect vacation should be like but the truth is, no vacation is perfect! Flights are canceled, or delayed, that cooking class was postponed, and luggage gets lost! Luckily everything listed above can be replaced without destroying your vacation savings. Things happen all the time to get in the way, but at least when it comes to looking good, you know you’re ready! So go find your new happy place! Enjoy it and your new traveling style.

Inside The Mosque

Since 9-11 Middle Eastern men and women have been placed under a microscope, but examined with clouded lenses. People have made many assumptions about Islam that are very racist in nature. The biggest problem (aside from the prejudice) is that people do not actually know what the religion of Islam is about, what the Quran says, or what the main principles of this religion are. Originally, I planned to visit a mosque, a synagogue, and a Buddhist temple, but I felt the misunderstandings people have for Middle Eastern men and women was more prevalent. Instead of trying to convince people that being racist is wrong, providing information on what a typical weekly service is like at a mosque should provide honest information for people to reference.

I decided to visit the Diyanet Center of America in Goddard, MD, a beautiful Turkish style mosque that acts as a safe-haven for Muslim families to flock to when practicing their religion. There’s not only a mosque, but a cultural center, a restaurant, and even a bathhouse! 

People are even able to live on-site permanently in their residential housing options! All-in-all, the Diyanet Center of America is a central place for Muslim people to come together and feel comfortable being who they are and carrying out their religious practices.

Jumu’ah services normally begin Fridays at 1pm. When you first walk up the stairs into the open-air courtyard, you are in awe of the spectacular architecture that makes you feel as though you stepped out of Maryland and into Turkey. 

The understated blue and gold against the white walls promote calm serenity. It is respectful if you are female to cover yourself and your hair before entering the sanctuary so wear something long sleeved and floor length if you are female and intend to visit.

The first step is to wash your hands, face, arms, legs, and feet before entering the sanctuary Wudu. At this mosque, there is a fountain in the middle of the courtyard that people use to complete this task. 

Before stepping on the carpeted area, people remove their shoes as well so bring a pair of socks to be polite. The inner temple is just as incredible as the outer courtyard. 

At this point the men file in towards the front of the mosque, nearest the speaker and the women towards the back on either side of the room.

While people are still filing in, young boys are up front singing scripture from the Quran one at a time, these snippets are called Nat. It does not matter what time people arrive, the first thing they do is complete the traditional bow and pray. When 1:30 rolls around, the speaker begins a nat of his own then moves on to give his sermon, first in Arabic and then in English. Once his sermon is over he sings another nat. At the end, everyone stands up and completes the traditional bow as they follow along with the prayer. The men would occasionally respond to what the speaker said. Afterwards, people leave or continue to pray on their own terms.

That is all that happens during a typical Jumu’ah. The sermon was very like sermons I have heard in a Christian church. Preaching on righteousness, honesty, and right vs wrong. There was nothing sinister or suspicious about it. The Nats were beautiful and it must take strong vocal ability to be able to sing them the way they do which is impressive at such young ages.

At the end of the day, a Jumu’ah is the same as any other service. The only difference is the language its spoken in. hopefully, this will provide insight for those curious enough to research the truth before inventing it.

Rough Poster (VERY ROUGH)