Wait! So, I get the chance to connect, create, collaborate, and discover the magic of one of the world’s most inspiring landscapes…and I get to do it with people who look like me?!? Oh, absolutely, yes! Traveling as a group of Black people through unfamiliar spaces feels powerful. We won’t be navigating as “the only one” but as a collective that sees, celebrates, and supports each other. That kind of presence is revolutionary. We’re Black and we’re abroad because we deserve to see the world and ourselves reflected in it!
“Habibi, we’re going to Jordan!”
As someone who enjoys experiencing new cultures, trying new cuisines, meeting new people, and has a personal quest to see all the World Wonders, applying for the BTA Creators Weekend in Jordan was a no-brainer. It was one of the best decisions I made last year!
PREPARATION
With only one week to prepare for the trip of a lifetime, this self-proclaimed fashionista had to shop-my-closet for the perfect looks I felt would complement the beautiful backdrops I was soon to experience. I also created a checklist and did some shopping on Amazon for my power plug adapters, portable chargers, extra camera batteries, and SD cards. Making sure I had everything I would need for a week and a half in the Middle East was at the top of my to-do list! I also did some content planning in my journal ahead of time, so I’d have an idea of what I wanted to capture at every location with enough time to still enjoy being in the moment. Upon arriving at the airport, I finally got the opportunity to meet my fellow creatives and BTA experts who would be traveling to Jordan as well. After exchanging some currency and grabbing a few airport snacks, I boarded our ten-and-a-half-hour flight on Royal Jordanian Airlines which would give me the first introduction to the culture I’d be immersed in over the next 10 days.
FOODIE MOMENTS
Once we landed in Amman, Jordan we hit the ground running! Our 10 day-itinerary was jam-packed, courtesy of the Visit Jordan Tourism Board, and we didn’t have much time to waste. I was so excited to visit the Citadel, Petra, Wadi Rum, The Dead Sea, all the places you imagine when you think of Jordan but as a lifestyle and food content creator, I knew in addition to capturing everything, I wanted there to be a bit of focus on Jordanian cuisine as well.
Boy oh boy, the food!
One thing you won’t be while on a Creators Weekend in Jordan, is hungry. The portions are more than generous, and the flavors are delectable. One of my favorite memories is the unforgettable lunch we had in the middle of Wadi Rum Desert. After a 4 x 4 jeep ride across the red, sunbaked terrain, we hiked up a sand dune to discover a beautiful picnic spread in the middle of the desert!
Talk about a bucket list moment!
There we enjoyed Maqloubeh, an impressive upside-down rice dish filled with veggies, meat, and all sorts of deliciousness and it was truly a delight!
CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS
I could go on and on about all the amazing things we were able to experience while on the Creators Weekend in Jordan. Things I honestly don’t think I would’ve done had I planned the trip myself. It was the destination I never knew I needed. The local culture, the history lessons that came to life, the people of Jordan, and the new things I learned truly enriched the experience for me. Did you know there are Black Jordanians? Yep, they’re referred to as Afro-Jordanians or Nubians and reside mostly in the Al-Ghor region of the Jordan River Valley. Their ancestors migrated to the area through different routes including trade and enslavement and we caught a brief glimpse of them passing through on the way to our hotel near the Dead Sea. It brought me a deep sense of joy, not because it was surprising but because it was affirming. It reminded me that Blackness is global and that Africa and the Middle East are not disconnected. Their presence reminded me that there is a rich and layered tapestry that makes up the Arabic world.
CONTENT CREATING
From exploring and hot air ballooning across the beautiful landscapes of Wadi Rum desert, traversing across ancient ruins of Jerash, beholding the phenomenal new World Wonder, Al Khazneh in Petra, dipping my toes in the River Jordan, and snorkeling in the Red Sea, I was afforded a unique canvas to help elevate my content creation. Additionally, traveling with individuals I didn’t know allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and utilize the unique opportunity to learn from others, share best practices, and network.
Although our schedule was tight and our itinerary left little time to spare, I did appreciate the moments I was able to learn from our BTA experts. Tomiko dropped some gems about the importance of SEO, especially when it comes to monetizing our platforms. These are gems I’ve started incorporating on my blog and YouTube. Rick gave me tips on how to capture the best photographs at night and as a camera novice, this was so very helpful. Thanks to Rick, yall can’t tell me nothing about the night sky I captured here in Wadi Rum!
I learned from other creators as well and currently have an Amazon cart up to $7K with gadgets I need to purchase to up my content game. I kid, I kid, but they all left me so inspired and a DJI mini-drone and Osmo Pocket 3 are most definitely on my Christmas Wishlist. Because of this Creators Weekend, I personally have new tools in my content creator toolbox that can help expand my creativity, elevate my storytelling, and potentially open doors for other collaborative opportunities.
WHY IT MATTERED
As my time in Jordan came to a close, I not only gained a new network of like-minded creators, but I also left with unforgettable memories and a renewed sense of purpose as a creator looking to elevate in the world of travel content creation.
The BTA Creators Weekend in Jordan was a transformative experience where adventure was met with inspiration. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to collaborate in an amazing location with other creatives, don’t miss out on the next BTA Creators Weekend. It’s an invaluable experience that will push your creativity further than you may have thought possible and is something I would recommend for every Black Travel Creator.
About the Author: Katrice Shorter, creator and writer of High Heels and Good Meals, is a lifestyle content creator with a passion for food and travel. She is also an award-winning educator by day. Her love of storytelling, exploring new destinations, and discovering new cuisines, is in the hopes to inspire women to embrace adventure, confidence, and savor the world around them. She has been featured in several local Jacksonville, FL publications including Jacksonville Magazine, Affluent Lifestyle Magazine, First Coast Living, River City Live, and BabeCast podcast. Follow her on social channels: Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
