Hello Kigali!
Finally! Two years after choosing to travel in Africa rather than renew my Brooklyn apartment lease, I've made it to the continent. Between administrative visa errors, questionable Airbnb experiences, and moving five times in just one year, I dramatically thought I'd never make it. Still, here I am — in Kigali, Rwanda!
Africa has always been on my travel list. I just never made it — because, well, life happens. But as Anthony Robbins says, "Life doesn't happen to you, life happens for you." And now, looking back at all the U-turns and bumps in the road, I feel this is the perfect time to explore the mother continent.
At first, Africa seemed like just another interesting travel destination. But the more I learned about our history — and the more I witnessed Africa rising from under its colonial yoke — the more my vision evolved. My natural hair journey — from relaxed to Afro, and from natural hairstyles to locs — sparked a deeper desire to reconnect. I wanted to understand the Africa beneath the surface, the Africa behind the stereotypes.
Then, the global takeover of Afrobeats, to Ghana's Year of Return, and now Burkina Faso's Ibrahim Traoré boldly challenging Western power structures, only strengthened my urge to understand how we got here.
I don't expect to find all the answers. But instead of vacationing, I chose to live here — to experience different cultures and learn more about the continent that continues to give so much to the world. Not only is Africa where we all come from — it's where my ancestors come from. These are my roots. My follicles' origin. And I realized I know almost nothing beyond what I was taught through a colonial lens.
What was never taught is that the Western world didn't just benefit from free enslaved African labor and land — it was built on it. Africa has always been the backbone of global wealth — but never the beneficiary. First, its people were stolen and enslaved, forced into centuries of unpaid labor. And today, the world still lives off the continent — on the cheap.
From cobalt to coltan, gold to rare earths, Africa supplies the raw materials that power our phones, cars, and clean energy — yet remains trapped in cycles of poverty and exploitation. The truth is, the system was never dismantled — and the exploitation never stopped. Decades of poverty-focused donation campaigns only deepened the stereotypes we still live with today.
It's not even a week in, and already, being here feels so, so good. Kigali — the city of hills — is stunning. The weather? Near perfect. And the fruit? Sweet, juicy, and gloriously organic.
There's so much more to explore, and I plan to do just that — with my camera in hand and curiosity as my guide. I'll be walking, talking, and dancing as I capture this journey in all its layers: the beauty, the complexity, and the quiet revelations in between.
This is more than a trip. It's a journey. A reclaiming. A beginning.
If this resonates with you, follow along. Like, share, or drop a comment. If you want to support this journey, grab a copy of one of my books, donate, or just let me know what you'd love to see next. Because this isn't just my story — it's ours.
Liong is a traveling e-commerce specialist, author, and creator of "BAD Hair Uprooted," a documentary in production. To follow her travels and work, Locs & Stuff WhatsApp Channel:
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