Another big discussion several people felt the need to have with me before leaving, was preparing to experience travel as a black American man. After living in the United States for so long, it's easy to feel that moving throughout the world as black can be dangerous for several reasons. One of the biggest takeaways I'd like to share from this experience, however, is that those concerns should not stop anyone from feeling free to explore this Earth we all share with others. I'm sure everybody will have experiences different from my own, but I've been welcomed and greeted into this country with much hospitality. There are definitely misconceptions about black American culture that I've had to clear up from time to time, but that is not enough to advise any black would-be traveler to let fear of discomfort prevent them from trying something new. At most, people are fascinated by my hair, which makes sense after all: these locks are luxurious!
Taiwanese culture has a lot more in common with me than I'd once expected. I've run into reggae and dancehall quite frequently in the music scene, and hip-hop has a strong presence here as well. The tropical food and fruits have often reminded me of the Chinese-influenced Jamaican cuisine I grew accustomed to back home. And finally, the respect shown to others - strangers or not - on a day to day basis, has been enough to feel like I'm not missing out on the community experience I enjoyed in the States.
As a whole, I'd definitely recommend a visit to Taiwan to all of my friends, family and acquaintances. Even without knowing the language well, I can almost guarantee a learning experience like no other.
