Travel Tales by Afar

We sent Fake the Nation host and comedian, Negin Farsad, on a last-minute trip to America’s Heartland, aka Kansas City, Missouri. The author of How To Make White People Laugh, is six months pregnant and doing stand up in a comedy club that hasn’t had a woman on stage in five weeks. From waddling on the “wrong side of town” to sharing her experiences as an Iranian-American Muslim in an interracial relationship—she moves past the pleasantries of ribs and fountains and glimpses the heart of Kansas City. They Stared At Me While I Waddled. In this episode, discover: How a New Yorker walks her way through Kansas City sights.  A comedy set that parallels a tourist’s experience of the city.  The ways race and segregation in Kansas mirror the rest of the country . “Dirty, Hungry Comedy Eyes.”Don’t miss these transformative travel moments: [3:45] A traveler’s comedy set: Six months’ pregnant and sightseeing. [8:00] The “wrong side of town” and leaning into the uncomfortable. [11:22] Kansas City, united by “sincere booty shaking.” Resources• Read Negin's original story.• Read this Afar story by Negin about a magic mushroom retreat• Explore Negin's other work.• Follow Negin on X.Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, Unpacked, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can you have the best experience on a safari? Seeing might not be as crucial as you think. Travel with AFAR contributing writer, Ryan Knighton, who lost his sight years ago, as he tastes, feels, smells and hears his way through the Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve in Zimbabwe. A Sensory Connection with Zimbabwe’s Natural EcosystemIn this episode, discover:What it’s like to go on safari in ZimbabweHow to plan your best safari trip—beyond sightseeingHow a luxury safari can deepen your travel experience. You Can Do Better Than A Lion Photo On Your Next SafariDon’t miss these transformative travel moments:[3:22] A tight grip and a close call with an elephant[5:30] A leafy tasting near Singita’s Pashamusa Lodge[9:55] Ryan follows his nose and meets a kindred rhino[11:38] The unforgettable sounds of survivalResources• Explore the 20 Best African Safari Camps• Read the full story that Ryan wrote for Afar magazine.• Follow Ryan on X.• Check out Ryan's other work.Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, Unpacked, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the strange, wonderful, and sometimes life-changing world of travel. Each week, we'll hear from someone who took a trip—and came home transformed. Take a ride through a slice of the United States we call Amtrakistan. Find out how a blind man on safari learns to track a rhino. And discover what happens when a pregnant, Muslim, stand-up comic from New York takes a spontaneous trip to America's Heartland.Though COVID-19 has stalled many travel plans, we hope our stories can offer inspiration for your future adventures—and a bit of hope. Find more information at afar.com/traveltales.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices