Hear an Afro-Dominican perspective on Sicily, Vienna, Sri Lanka, India, Strasbourg, the Paris Olympics, Mexico & Vietnam. Elsie Paulino joins Matt in person in New York City for this conversation over a bottle of French wine, and they start talking about the recent WITS Travel Creator Summit that they both attended in NYC. Elsie then talks about her parents story immigrating to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic and her experience growing up in an immigrant home in the NYC-area. She reflects on navigating the milieu of Blackness in the U.S. as an Afro-Latina and also the dynamics of anti-Blackness in the DR. Next, she explains how her interest in world travel developed and shares her journey studying abroad in Sicily in high school and Vienna in College. Elsie then shares travel stories from Sri Lanka, India, Vietnam, Strasbourg, and attending the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Finally, she talks about falling in love with Mexico and the life-changing experience of attending Dia de Los Muertos in Oaxaca.
339: An Afro-Latina’s Journey Through Sicily, Vienna, Sri Lanka, India, France, Mexico, Vietnam & Why Hanoi is a 10/10 with Elsie Paulino
Episode Summary
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About the Guest
Elsie Paulino
Elsie Paulino is a New York City-based Afro-Latina and first-generation Dominican-American world traveler. She documents her travel experiences of stepping outside her comfort zone, connecting with cultures, and proving that travel isn’t just for the select few. She is also passionate about helping others navigate personal finance with confidence, and build generational wealth, especially within underrepresented communities, and she will be featured speaker at the 2025 Latino Travel Fest.
What You'll Learn
- The Dynamics of Anti-Blackness in the Dominican Republic
- Why Hanoi, Vietnam is a 10 out of 10
- The Life-Changing Experience of Attending Dia de Los Muertos in Oaxaca, Mexico
Links From the Episode
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LOCATION WHERE THE INTERVIEW TOOK PLACE
WINE CONSUMED IN THIS EPISODE
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PLACES IN INDIA MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
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PLACES IN MEXICO MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
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OTHER BOOK MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
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Time Stamped Show Notes
**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode.
[1:19] Introducing Elsie Paulino
[2:34] What Elsie Loves about NYC
[4:35] The WITS Travel Creator Summit
[5:51] Elsie’s Parents Experience Immigrating to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic
[6:53] Growing up in an Immigrant Home in the NY/NJ Area
[8:19] Navigating Blackness in the U.S. as an Afro-Latina
[9:57] The Dynamics of anti-Blackness in the Dominican Republic
[13:24] How Elsie’s Interest in World Travel Developed
[15:05] Studying Abroad in Sicily during High School
[18:13] Studying Abroad in Vienna during College
[21:19] Attending an Ayurveda Retreat in Sri Lanka
[28:14] Reflections on a first trip to India
[33:18] Hanoi, Vietnam
[36:52] Attending The Paris Olympics 2024
[40:12] Continuing to Return to Paris
[42:08] Christmas Markets in Strasbourg
[44:10] Falling in Love with Mexico
[46:03] Attending Dia De Los Muertos in Oaxaca
