Hey, I'm JoJo! I'm a full-time social worker, part-time travel blogger and vlogger! I love to travel and explore new places, while providing tips, recommendations, itineraries, digital resources, and more from my travels. Specifically, budget travel, solo travel, and traveling with a 9-5.
✈️ Was I safe Traveling in Guatemala? Travel story, news, updates, FREEBIES! ✈️
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Happy June! It is officially June and we are half way through the year! Can you believe it? All I can believe is how next month, I’ll be traveling again, how this month my blog will be LIVE again, and how I cannot wait to get back into blogging. This month, I’ll be sharing safety while solo traveling in Guatemala. I’ll talk about if it was safe to travel as a solo female traveler and some tips for safely traveling Guatemala. Plus, I’ll be sharing the plans for for blog going live this month, my favorite items to help me solo travel safely, my travel plans for July, photography plans, and travel news for the month of June. As always, there’s a freebie for you to help you with some travel inspiration! Is it safe? My experience solo traveling GuatemalaThis is just my personal opinion and experience solo traveling Guatemala. Personally, as a black female who was solo traveling, I felt that Guatemala was safe. I felt completely safe, even if most of the time I had some difficulties communicating with the locals. I traveled throughout different parts of Guatemala. I stayed in Guatemala City for a few days, I went to the mountains, small villages, and more. At each point of the way, I didn’t feel as though my safety was in question or at risk. I honestly felt more safe here than I do here in the states. Of course, everyone’s experience will be different from mine. So, I will not invalidate anyone else’s experiences or opinions on safety. As two things can be true at the same time. Speaking for myself, I felt safe. Even when there were times where I was out in the evening after the sun set, or early in the morning before the sun had risen, I felt safe. I will say, you always need to be safe no matter where you are. Especially for solo females, safety is a priority. Though it happened at times, I tried my best to not be out on the streets when it was dark, go out drinking to the point where I was drunk, and never told anyone I was solo traveling. I knew the number for emergency services, knew some words and phrases to use if I needed help, and tried to not have my electronics out and about that much (hard to do when you’re vlogging lol). These tips definitely helped to keep me safe while traveling solo. Favorite items for Safety!If you’re ever solo backpacking or traveling, it’s important to exercise caution and safety no matter where you go. Especially for females, it’s important that we’re always vigilant and aware of our surroundings. Here are some items I love to take with me when I solo travel: Travel Items!
Travel Content & Blog UpdateIt’s been two months now of doing Only in Your State, which is a site that’s meant to showcase hidden gems, local finds, unique hikes, and much more from travelers in their local area(s). So far, I’m LOVING this program. Not just for the fact that I’m getting PAID to create content but I genuinely love creating content that’s more intimate and local for those who are looking for those type of finds. I love finding things like that when I travel, as I love hidden gems and local stuff. So, I love being able to bring such content to a bigger audience! It’s been a few weeks since I’ve been accepted (again lol) into the NewsBreak Creator Program and I’ve already posted my first article. On here, I try to post thing; ideas, content, areas, etc. that haven’t made it to the blog and may be a bit more local and hidden from mainstream viewers. Like the Witch’s Pavilion? Yeah, that’s a cool one that’s unique to my area! And I’m happy I’m able to write articles on here again. Finally, let’s talk about my blog. For the most part, the main parts I was working on are complete. That is, creating new pages for the menu, customizing those menu pages, website theme, and new blog name layout. Now, I just have to go through each new menu page, and the older stuff as well, and double check it looks good with the new theme. I’m not used to the theme editor for this new theme, so I’m slowly but surely learning how to edit certain things in there to my liking. Like, when I created the menu pages, in the page editor itself it was how I wanted it. But when I go into the theme editor, for some pages it’s not looking right. So, I’m trying to figure that kink out but I’ll get there! I’m looking to have the blog LIVE again by June 12th. This gives me ample time to figure out the theme editor and layout, and get everything up and running. News in the travel worldReal ID needed for US domestic flights New International Routes for June 2025: Virgin Australia, Delta, United Airlines Updated travel flights, protocol, StarLink Wi-Fi on United Airline flights Photography Plan!One of my goals I set in the beginning of the year was to work on my photography skills. I wanted to learn how to shoot pictures and footage in manual mode. This means, learning more about aperture, ISO, shutter speed, white balance, and how all of them work together to create beautiful compositions and footage! I’ve been working here and there on shooting pictures in manual mode. The hikes and activities I’ve been doing throughout the spring, I’ve taken my Panasonic LUMIX GH5 camera with the 12mm-35mm lens. I’ve been slowly but surely getting better because I’ve been practicing a lot more. However, I’ve found that the lens that I have is very limiting. It’s great for portraits or close up travel/landscape type of scenery. Yet, if I’m trying to capture more wide range, long distance, landscapes on my travels, the 12-35mm lens falls short. So, I’ve been thinking about buying the 30-100mm lens from Panasonic! I need a better zoom lens with range and this lens has a bigger range for what I’d use it for. Hopefully, I’m able to get it in time for my next trip coming up in July! I just love travel and landscape photography, so I’d love to get a lens that’ll suit my needs. ✈️ July Travel Plans ✈️In July, I’m planning to go to Las Vegas! This will be my 4th time visiting Las Vegas. While I’m not a gambler and I’m not about the night or party life, I love how there’s a variety of activities there. There’s lots to see and do, not to mention all the beautiful national parks you can visit that are outside of Vegas. Why am I going back? Ever since I went to Vegas back in February, I’ve had this itch to visit Vegas on my own. There’s something about the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas. It makes me very happy and I cannot wait to return! Though, I’m visiting during the hottest point of the year. Temperatures will get as high as 120F! But I’ve visited Vegas in July a few years ago, so I know what to expect and that I’ll be ok. As long as I stay hydrated and I’m not out for too long, it’ll be fun! May Freebie!As always, here is your June freebie! Here’s the freebie! June Travel Vision Board.png. I hope you have a wonderful month, enjoy the summer weather, and enjoy your travels! JoJo Hall JoJo's Cup of Mocha |
JoJo Hall | JoJo's Cup of Mocha
Hey, I'm JoJo! I'm a full-time social worker, part-time travel blogger and vlogger! I love to travel and explore new places, while providing tips, recommendations, itineraries, digital resources, and more from my travels. Specifically, budget travel, solo travel, and traveling with a 9-5.
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Hello August! In a few days, September will be over. My apologies for the late newsletter, as I've been incredibly busy with work and I was on vacation for a week. Speaking of which, I just returned from Orlando and had the best time! I'll touch on it in a bit. I wanted to have a blog post up on the blog but that didn't happen. I managed to type it out but haven't edited it, added photos, etc. But now that I'm back from my vacation, I'm going to work on that. But if you haven't checked out...
Hello August! In a few days, September will be over. My apologies for the late newsletter, as I've been incredibly busy with work and I was on vacation for a week. Speaking of which, I just returned from Orlando and had the best time! I'll touch on it in a bit. I wanted to have a blog post up on the blog but that didn't happen. I managed to type it out but haven't edited it, added photos, etc. But now that I'm back from my vacation, I'm going to work on that. But if you haven't checked out...