Hello!

I hope you’ve been doing well and taking advantage of the summer! We had a bit of a heatwave where I live but this week the temperature has returned to normal.

I haven’t been doing much other than working, getting things together for Kilimanjaro and Nigeria, and trying my best to look into freelancing, remote jobs, and travel UGC.

This is going to be my last year at the organization I work for. Which means, I’m looking to transition into something new (after I’m back from Nigeria). Hence why I’ve been looking into the aforementioned areas, because that is the type of path I want to be on right now. So, I’ve been trying to be proactive, do my research, and slowly make moves to make working remotely, while continuing content creation, possible.

The Process…Traveling to Tanzania and Nigeria

If you’ve seen last month’s newsletter, you’ll know that I’ve been planning to go to Tanzania to do the Kilimanjaro trek to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro. It’s been in the making for 2 years and in a couple months, it’ll finally happen!

I’m planning on going with a fellow solo traveler I met while solo traveling in Seattle back in 2023. We’ve been communicating, planning, researching, getting travel insurance, flights, vaccinations, and visa secured for this trip. Both for Tanzania and Nigeria.

While we’ll only be in Nigeria for 2 days, it’s still a process as we need e-visas and necessary documentation to be allowed into the country. Now that I’m not traveling anywhere for the remainder of the summer, this is what I’ve been focusing on.

If you’re looking to visit Tanzania to do the trek to summit Kilimanjaro and visit Nigeria, I recommend you:

• Do your research into a notable and great trekking company that’s an KPAP (Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project) approved operator
• Do your research on what’s needed for the trek - tour operator will provide this but it’s good to also do additional research
• Start your planning and research for this trek 2-3 years in advance
• Research visa requirements to Tanzania from your country
• Get all your vaccinations and travel documents for Tanzania and Nigeria at least 2-3 months before your trip. But get them much sooner and don’t wait until the last minute

Remote work, Freelancing, and…Travel Agent?

I know I sound like a broken record at this point but I truly think that speaking and writing with intention can bring out the change you want to see. And once you see it on paper (or on a screen lol), then it becomes more real and you start to create a game plan to accomplish your goals!

So, this is me putting my goals out there in the open. Not only to give you an update on how I’m trying to create the life I want but to also hold myself accountable.

For the past few months, I’ve been hard at work. I’ve been doing a lot of research, downloading apps, a lot of trial and error to find more paid travel opportunities. Whether that’s through freelancing, remote work, collaborations, etc., I’ve been trying my best to search for opportunities that align with my travel and career goals.

One of these opportunities is becoming a travel agent! That’s right, a TRAVEL AGENT! I’ve thought about doing this for a few years now. Almost everyone in my life has questioned why I haven’t become a travel agent by now, or they’ve encouraged me to become a travel agent.

The truth is, I haven’t had the time for the last few years. I had two full-time jobs since 2023 and prior to that, I was a full-time social worker who’d start out driving to home visits at 8am and wouldn’t return home until 8pm. I just didn’t have the time or energy to commit to starting the process.

Now, in 2026, I can confidently say that I’ve done my research and started the process! I’m going to start the travel agent training this week and I’ll continue from there! After I return from Tanzania and Nigeria, I’m looking forward to becoming a dedicated travel agent! Though, I also do plan on having a consistent, full-time job that’s remote. But being a travel agent is something I can do on the side at my own pace and time. I know it’ll be a lot and even if you are a travel agent part-time, it’s still a commitment and a lot of work. However, I’m fully dedicated to doing this as a career.

It’s a career I never thought I’d have when I completed by Bachelor’s and Master’s degree. But it’s a field I’ve always loved and had a passion for. This year, I did a lot of reflecting and realized that being a travel agent is a career I actually want to have!

Travel Content Goals

As for travel content, my goal this year is to create consistency and weekly goals that are realistic and attainable.

That means, creating tasks that I can achieve in a week and creating a system to create content that I can consistently stick to. I know I've slacked a bit the past couple of years with creating content. However, I'm truly dedicated to creating consistent content across my social media platforms, YouTube channel, and blog!

I'm still trying to find that balance of consistency with content creation. Each week looks different for me. Depending on what I've got going on, how I'm feeling, how tired I am, if I pick up extra shifts, it all affects my ability to be consistent with creating content. I'm still trying! However, I think that trying to balance this while working 3rd shift isn't working. I was more consistent when I had a day job and could work on my travel content in between work sessions, before, and after work! Nowadays, I can't keep my eyes open long enough to create something because I'm coming off 3rd shift hours.

Regardless, I'm still committed to creating content no matter if it's only a few times a week. Something is better than nothing, and consistency is something I'll always be working on.

Which, if you're not following me, any support would be appreciated. My handles are @jojoscupofmocha. I also started a new photography page on Instagram! My handle is @jcmtravellens. I wanted to dedicate separate platforms and pages to showcasing my travel and landscape photography, and the stories behind each location.

Check out the digital store for packing lists and Google digital maps. Perfect for trip planning! JoJo's Cup of Mocha​

Check out my latest YouTube video! I went with a small group of lovely ladies to visit Semuc Champey and the Kambu Caves! It was quite an adventurous tour and I enjoyed these ladies a ton! 👇🏾

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Happy July travels!

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JoJo Hall

JoJo's Cup of Mocha

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