Travel

5 Travel Lessons Learned From 'Black Panther'

Note: This post contains spoilers, so if you haven't seen 'Black Panther', what are you waiting for? Go see it and come back!

The highly anticipated Marvel movie 'Black Panther' made its debut over the weekend and it did not disappoint. Its depiction of Afrofuturism, advanced technology mixed with cultural tradition and unapologetic blackness was everything we wanted it to be and more. I could discuss reoccuring themes in the movie like relations between Africans and African Americans or the roles of women in a modern society, but that's not my lane. I found a few travel themes that you should keep in mind for your next trip.

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1. Always show up to someone's house with a gift.

After years of preparing (by preparing, I mean lying, cheating and killing), Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) finally landed in Wakanda, where he showed up with the body of Ulysses Klaue. For 30 years, Klaue was a thorn in the side of T'Chaka and now crowned king T'Challa - Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman). We learn in the movie that with the help of King T'Chaka's brother, N'Jobu (Sterling K. Brown), Klaue had information necessary to enter Wakanda and steal vibranium from the nation. Klaue is, at some point, captured and branded as a thief, but eventually escaped -- killing W'Kabi's (Daniel Kaluuya) parents in the process. Needless to say, Klaue was at the top of Wakanda's Most Wanted List. So when Erik Killmonger shows up with his body at W'Kabi's doorstep, it gains him a 'welcomed' entry into Wakanda. 

Although I don't recommend showing up with a dead body, when visiting someone's home at home or abroad, something more appropriate like flowers or a bottle of wine will always go a long way. Be polite and show that you were raised to have manners.

2. Get in where you fit in.

After capturing Klaue, Black Panther and CIA Agent Everett Moss end up working together briefly to question him. But in the midst of Klaue escaping their grasp, Everett takes a bullet for Nakia (Lupita Nyong'o), Black Panther's ex-girlfriend and trusted member of his personal guard. T'Challa feels indebted to Everett and decides to bring him back to Wakanda in order to save his life.

The long and short of it all is that Everett becomes a member of "Team Black Panther". As Queen Mother (Angela Bassett), Nakia, and Black Panther's sister, Shuri (Letitia Wright), escape after Killmonger becomes king, they seek refuge with M'Baku (Winston Duke), head of the Jabari tribe. Everett, a white outsider, decides he has something to say about the way forward and M'Baku and the Jabari shoot him down by engaging in their signature barking, which I found to be quite hilarious. 

To me, this was a reminder that when someone invites you into their home and culture, you need to get in where you fit in. Do not insert your outsider opinions when they aren't asked for. Find yourself some business to mind unless otherwise asked.

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3. Don't destroy natural resources.

When Erik becomes king, one of his first acts is to light fire to the heart-shaped herbs, the source of Black Panther's powers. While Erik had his reasons, I found it wildly appalling he would order the gardeners to destroy such a beautiful part of their culture.

As we travel, it's important to be mindful of the destination's natural resources. That includes the typical tourist exhibits, water (see Cape Town), flowers and everything else that is native to the destination. Travel mindfully.

4. Respect the old and admire the new.

Shuri was the genius behind Wakanda's technological advancements. Quite frankly, I'm not sure Black Panther would be as effective as he was without her. (But hey, I guess that's why it pays to have a great team behind you.) At T'Challa's crowning ceremony Shuri is seen scoffing at the traditional ceremony citing the tightness of her corset. And I completely get it. Corsets are not fun. It's the reason I refuse to wear Spanx. But as the movie continues and T'Challa's situation becomes dire, a heart-shaped herb and ritual calling upon the ancestors saves his life. I'm not sure if anyone else noticed, but Queen Mother and Nakia immediately started chanting to the ancestors while Shuri hesitated at first and then later joined in.

This was a reminder to me that there is room for both tradition and technology. While we may not always have time to learn about cultural traditions while traveling, I think it's an important component if you really desire to learn about a destination. 

5. Trust black women. 

This isn't travel related but it's always relevant. The women surrounding T'Challa always had his best interest in mind and essentially gave him the strength he needed to be the best version of himself.

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We, and by we I mean the 93% of black women who voted for Hillary Clinton, tried to save y'all. If you had listened to us, the U.S. wouldn't currently be in the situation we're in. But I digress.

While not the goal of the movie, travel lessons can be learned from 'Black Panther'. Can you think of any others? Sound off below!

More Than Meets the Eye: A Weekend Visit to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

When you think of Gettysburg, you’re most likely reminded of pivotal moments in American history, namely the battle at Gettysburg and President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg address. However, there’s a lot more to this historical town of Pennsylvania than meets the eye. I had a chance to experience a holiday tour of the town, filled with custom German Christmas ornaments, tuba players & carols, and hot chocolate. After my visit, however, it became clear that Gettysburg is the perfect place for a weekend getaway no matter the time of year.

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Historical Sites

Gettysburg residents do a great job of transporting you back to the 1800’s when the infamous battle was fought. A visit to the Shriver House will give you a glimpse into what life was like for unsuspecting civilians thrust into the middle of the war. Your guide will be dressed in traditional 1800's garb, and give you a tour of the restored house looking authentic to the times, with a curio cabinet of bullets, horse teeth, and other remnants from hundreds of years ago. If you’re a history buff, you’ll also enjoy the weekend home of President Dwight & Mamie Eisenhower, where they would host world leaders and family members. The site will also take you back to an amazing time in American history, filled with antique furniture and tchotchkes from the couple’s worldly travels and gifts from distinguished guests.

Eisenhower Home Photo Credit: National Park Service

Eisenhower Home
Photo Credit: National Park Service

Food & Drinks

When you’re done taking in some of the historical sites, there’s no shortage of amazing cocktail and culinary options in the area to get into. The Historic Fairfield Inn gave our crew a good helping of history facts, along with a good helping of chicken and waffles. Although there’s an ongoing debate about where the food pairing was conceived, the inn definitely didn’t disappoint. The bed and breakfast has been in business since 1757, and was responsible for feeding hundreds of soldiers during the time of the battle, stories of which the resident inn keeper will glowingly share. He’ll also show you where he makes mead in the back room since the inn also functions as a winery.  

Another notable bed and breakfast, Hickory Bridge Farm, flexes its culinary muscles with its homemade oven fried chicken. The farm has served as a bed and breakfast since 1977, and even has its own cookbook so you can recreate some of their dinner favorites at home, like their chicken and crab imperial.

Photo Credit: Trip Advisor

Photo Credit: Trip Advisor

If you’re into a more modern experience, Mason-Dixon Distillery will fulfill that need and give you a good buzz thanks to their delicious libations. Owned by a father & son duo, the furniture factory turned distillery produces vodka, rum, whiskey, and gin, and craft cocktails made with their own spirits. Their menu includes comfort food classics like hush puppies, potato salad, and fried chicken, with their ingredients being locally sourced and produced in their back garden.

Other Things to Do

Outside of the history and food scene, Gettysburg also houses Board & Brush, the new wood sign workshop studio in town. They offer a variety of classes, including a girls’ night out, wine included, and other holiday sign making workshops for all artistic levels. Speaking of holidays, you can experience Christmas 24/7 at Christmas Haus in downtown Gettysburg. The owners travel to Germany every year for authentic ornaments and heirlooms that are sure to take your decorations to the next level. 

Visiting Board & Brush

Visiting Board & Brush

Other things to know:

  • Gettysburg is about an hour and a half drive from both D.C. and Baltimore.

  • You'll definitely need a car to get around!

  • I stayed at the Gettysburg Hotel, one of Gettysburg's most iconic hotels located downtown, right on Lincoln Square. I highly recommend it. It's also located next to Majestic Theater where you can catch a play or musical.

While Gettysburg is known for its historical significance, there's a lot more to see, do and drink when visiting. For more information on planning a trip to Gettysburg, visit Destinationgettysburg.com and tell them we sent you!

- Nyasha Chikowore 

*While this post is sponsored by Destination Gettysburg, all opinions expressed are absolutely our own.