Fly To Ghana

Traveling to Ghana

Tristin + Sidney

WInterview & Photography By Amina Touray e sat down with Los Angeles-based couple Tristin Taylor and Sidney Nicole Rogers to talk about their first trip together to Ghana and how their experience was living locally, visiting historical sightings, and learning how to make Fufu.

“It was empowering to be in a place that embodies such a rich bloodline that consists of history, royalty, and pride!”

Tell us about yourselves as a couple?

Sidney Nicole Rogers: We initially met around five years ago at a pre-Oscars event but didn’t start dating until 2021. Overall, we’ve been together as boyfriend/girlfriend for almost a year.

Tristin Taylor: Together, we are extremely playful

SNR: We laugh A LOT!

TT: And I’d say we’re adventurous, push one another within our careers, and stretch each other out of our comfort zones. You recently traveled to Ghana. Do you have family or friends there, or what drew you to that part of Africa?

SNR: It was all Tristin’s idea!

TT: I have several friends in Ghana. My good friend, Daja (a friend from high school), and Kwame; Daja’s husband, welcomed us with open arms. They treated us like family and gave us a local experience as opposed to a tourist one. They made us feel so at home and at peace with being in a new country that we’ve never experienced before.

SNR: When Tristin initially presented the Ghana trip to me, I was immediately like, - “yes, when?!” I’m always open to traveling and truly engulfing myself in the culture. So it was nice knowing Tristin had familiar people in Ghana. Daja and Kwame went above and beyond my expectations to show us how incredible Ghana is. I’m grateful for them; they are the definition of friendship.

What did it feel like when you touched down in Ghana?

TT: I was overwhelmed by the outpour of love we received as soon as we landed. We were greeted by Daja and Kwame with an international sim card, hugs, water, food, and a driver. Everything was so genuine and made me tear up because that is exactly how humans should look out for each other and these acts of service should not be overlooked.

SNR: Other than being exhausted by the long commute and the Covid protocols, once I took my first step out of the Kotoka International Airport, it was as if everything washed away. Peace and excitement rushed over me, and - “we’re here” kept playing on repeat in my head. As far as Africa is concerned, Tristin’s been to Egypt and Johannesburg, and I’ve been to Morocco; however, Ghana has a completely different atmosphere. You feel God there.

What sightings did you see?

SNR: We packed in a lot while on our trip! Some of the places included the Makola Market, Cape Coast Castle, Aburi botanical gardens, Kwame Nkrumah memorial park, Kakum canopy walk, Labadi beach, and the Black Stargate. We even took a cooking class and made soup and fufu from scratch with @ghanapeople.

What was it like to travel there as an African American?

TT: It was empowering to be in a place that embodies such a rich bloodline that consists of history, royalty, and pride! To know that somewhere within my family’s bloodline lies 100 percent African heritage moves me tremendously. I am an advocate of bridging the gap between Africa and Black Americans, dismantling this stigma that African Americans, or Black Americans, tend to only want to travel to Africa to glamourize the culture and exploit the native people of Africa. However, this is not the case for many of us Black Americans. We understand that Africa has real issues and hardships that need to be addressed, but we also should not hide being inspired and empowered by traveling to Africa. Being in Africa stressed the importance of being aware and respectful of Africa’s issues and structure, all while accepting what Africa has to offer. Both ideologies can coexist!

SNR: I saw where there was a slight “divide” between us and some of the Ghanaian people I encountered. As Tristin mentioned above, whether it was an initial assumption of my finances or potentially wondering if I was “one of those Americans” who are exploitative. But, after we shared a smile, joke, or conversation, all of the preconceived notions went out the window. We regarded ourselves as brother and sister - people who are connected. Yes, we saw cultural differences; however, I recognized just as many similarities for as many differences. I, personally, felt very comfortable there.

What was the highlight of the trip?

SNR: There are so many! Touring the Cape Coast Castle was something I didn’t know I needed. I’m tearing up reminiscing about it. We took a mini road trip to get to Cape Coast, and the moment we stepped out of the car, we were met with the words, “welcome home!” Welcome home - Two words I never thought about. Being from Virginia, I grew up touring slave plantations’ museums and seeing slave burial grounds. To know where the mass majority of slaves were directly taken from, shattered but grounded me. When our tour guide listed where the Cape Coast slaves were taken, Virginia was the first place he uttered. I silently nodded to myself and, again, “welcome home” rang in my ears. Walking through the dungeons, learning details I wasn’t taught in school, and seeing the direct path between Ghana and Virginia - that I will forever cherish.

TT: The biggest highlight is when we went to Makola Market and a 15 year old boy asked us to buy his paintings. His artwork was breathtaking, and he was so passionate and committed to telling us about his creative process. It was like me witnessing Jean - Michel Basquiat before my eyes. This kid could take the world by storm if only he had the opportunities I had in America. Realizing that difference made me emotional

because this kid really has what it takes, but due to circumstances and opportunity, he has difficulty reaching a larger audience. I also realized during our conversation that if you do what you love, you will never have to “work” a day in your life. This kid was doing what he loved, which gave him peace, and peace alone is all that matters in the end.

They say that you change when you travel to Africa. Do you agree? How has the trip changed you or impacted your life?

TT: Everything is spiritual in Ghana. Absolutely everything is viewed, examined, and executed through a spiritual lens. It was so empowering to witness, and it correlated perfectly to the saying; “we are spiritual beings first before we are ever human.” For example, my view of showing love increased heavily. I am already an extremely loving person, but it made me want to give more and become more present when interacting with other people. The way we were treated in Ghana was out of this world. We felt respected, seen, appreciated, and unplugged. Those values are often taken for granted in America, which leads to crimes, suicides, and division. However, trips like this can shift that narrative.

SNR: I agree with Tristin. I live by “everything is spiritual,” and it was beautiful to witness that at large. Tristin’s recounting of the love we experienced while in Ghana also resonated with me, and I’ve become introspective on how I can better show up for the people in my life.

So, where are you going next?

SNR: We were hoping to travel to Thailand for my birthday in August…

TT: but that’s tsunami season.

SNR: And it’ll be just our luck that we’d be trapped, haha. So, instead, we’re toying with Greece, Cape Town, and/or Ghana again! We’ve been talking a lot about Jamaica lately as well, so potentially, that’s in the cards.

TT: I’m mainly leaning towards Jamaica, Cape Town, and Ghana.

SNR: Only time will tell, but I’m excited already wherever we go!