Black Market Tampons

Usually when I travel, I am pretty cautious. I’ll never pack condoms, but will always carry an excessive amount of tampons to last my entire trip and five months after. I do not know why, but I suppose as a woman, the likelihood of getting my period is a more promising outcome than the likelihood of getting laid. Although I believe it is equal responsibilities for both sexes to carry protection on them when travelling, it is definitely uncharacteristic of the male gender to be carrying around sanitary products in case they start menstruating. So yeah, that’s my justification.

Anyway prior to my Thailand travels, I looked at my diary and made a mental note that my period wasn’t due until the time I got home, so I decided to wing it (get the pun?). Unfortunately a couple of days before I was due to return, I noticed I was becoming overly emotional about insignificant things and displaying insomniac tendencies: all (hormonal) signs my body conveys to tell me “she’s” coming … And so “she” came, unannounced and earlier than expected.

Unprepared, I walked briskly / ran to the pharmacy around the corner from my hostel where I was greeted by an aisle full of sanitary pads … with no sign of tampons. *Cue internal menstrual freak out right here*

In horror, I could only stare at what was available to me, thinking that I was living my worst nightmare. I then consulted the Thai woman behind the counter to ask if this was all she had, “tampons? Do you have any tampons? Regular? Super?” She just looked at me as if pleading me to stop talking so embarrassingly in a high pitched, hysterical tone. “No” she said solemnly, which brought me to my next challenge of picking the suitable sanitary pads relevant to my “needs” in a foreign language.

I went back to my hostel after making the purchase and promised myself not to cry or show emotion to my male friends, as I didn’t want that awkward conversation: “Why are you upset, Leah?” … Because tampons don’t exist in Thailand and I haven’t used sanitary pads since high school because they are gross! Try explaining that to a male and their mortified reaction. Also, how would anyone without a vagina be able to relate? Would they pat you on the back and say ‘there there, I feel for you, Leah’ … I don’t need your pity. I need a packet of tampons. Pronto!

Instead I did as any sane woman would do and go to her all female dorm, sit down the women in the room and make an announcement. “Ladies, I just got my period and have bought a bunch of sanitary pads, which FYI I have not used since my high school days ten years ago and do not look forward to using them. Do any of you kind ladies have tampons in exchange for sanitary pads or money? I will forever be indebted to you and honour your kindness. I am begging you!”

Quickly two women jumped to their feet and offered the remainder of their tampon collection to me, which I will forever be thankful for. I believe only women can truly be empathetic and understanding of this situation. However the moral of this story: Ladies if you are a tampon user, don’t be daft thinking that your period won’t come early as I did. Think logically and bring a lifetime supply for when annoying Aunty Flow visits you overseas.

Better yet, bring a lifetime supply of tampons in hope of meeting desperate menstruating women like myself, and sell them for quadruple the price you bought them for. Ingenious!

#BeyoncéWouldBeProud x
beyoncewouldbeproud@gmail.com

Morning Music Get Ups #2: Travel Edition

About a month ago, I wrote about music I listen to get my day started on a positive, upbeat note. This time I thought I’d share some of my favourite beats when travelling that get me into the nomadic swing of things.

#1

‘Lost’ – Frank Ocean

I was a late boarder on the Frank Ocean train but when I first listened to ‘Lost’, I instantly felt like it resonated with me. All I wanted to do was earn lots of money, travel and get lost in destinations like Miami, Amsterdam, Tokyo, Spain, Los Angeles and India. However I started feeling less reflective of the song once I found out it was about a boyfriend using his girlfriend as a drug mule. At least she’s out there cooking dough, right? :\

#2

‘Float On’ – Ben Lee

Originally written and performed by Modest Mouse, ‘float on’ was written in a time when the songwriters were fed up with the negative state of the world and were sick of hearing bad news from everywhere. They wanted to feel positivity and share enlightenment, thus this song was born. Admittedly I listen to this song a lot when I feel upset about something and find the lyrics a great reminder that given how crap things may be, time will pass and “we’ll all float on okay”.

#3

‘Green Garden’ – Laura Mvula

An English friend introduced me to this tune while travelling through Mexico. It is soft with Mvula’s deep, raspy voice; yet so upbeat and joyous with all the clapping in the background. I found whenever I was listening to this song in transit, I’d always unmindfully start singing the lyrics really loudly and envision myself dancing in open green, luscious field. The song is optimistic escapism.

#4

Pack Up – Eliza Doolittle

I overplayed this tune when it originally came out by English songbird, Eliza Doolittle. It is still a goody with an uplifting beat though.

#5

Thrift Shop – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

I left for Mexico in 2013 when this was a massive hit in Australia. Even when I arrived in Mexico, this song was massive, played anywhere everyone went and was always in demand. It’s a pretty sick beat though, so it’s totally excused.

Equally as good is Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’s ‘White Walls’.

If you have any favourite travel beats, send them through!

I’m always looking for new beats

#BeyoncéWouldBeProud x

Remote Control Tourists

Tourism Victoria in Australia have recently released an advertising campaign dubbed as the ‘Melbourne Remote Control Tourists’ where two people are requested and controlled via people over social media (i.e. Facebook and Twitter) what to do, where to go, what to taste, see and experience in Melbourne. The premise of this idea is ‘try [Melbourne] before you buy’, thus to enticing and attracting potential visitors to Melbourne.

Incredibly social, interactive and innovative, I am inspired to apply this same notion to my upcoming Thailand getaway with Marybeth and her friend, Katie. As interactive participants, all you need to do is send us your suggestions and requests of what you would like us to do, see and experience in Thailand.

Currently our plan is open to suggestions as we start our travels in Bangkok, then make our way south to the islands like Phuket and Koh Samui. So if you’re a local in Thailand, have suggestions, have been there before or have thought about going.

Send us your best 'Remote Control Tourist Thailand' suggestions and requests via:

• Facebook
• Twitter (@BeyWouldBeProud/ #BWBP)
• Instagram
• In the comment space below

The best ideas, suggestions and requested will be posted on our Facebook page, retweeted and favourited on Twitter.

Get Involved!

Look forward to reading your suggestions and requests

#BeyonceWouldBeProud x

If Credit Cards Were People

My indoor soccer family
L-R Ameera, Jess, myself, Gabe (in front), Will (behind), Josh and Sam

I must apologise as last week was eventful and jam-packed, hence no blog. Unfortunately the week commenced with a vicious game of indoor soccer that saw an opponent stampede on my toe like an elephant. The next day I decided to quit my job and in celebration, book a trip to Thailand that coincided with my friend, Marybeth’s. I also did some casual work at a conference organised by a company I aspire to work for and spent an intensive couple of days working as an floor runner on my mangled toe. By Thursday, I needed to rest in fear that my mangled toe would fall off. Luckily it is still in tact and awaiting results from an X-ray.

You can bet this is where I'll be spending most my time in Thailand

… and you can bet I am well prepared for it!

So that was my week, jam packed and eventful. I am, of course looking forward to new beginnings, my Thailand vacay with Marybeth and her friend, Katie and plan to blog about our adventures, which commence next week. I have also decided to travel with the same mentality and spontaneity I had when booking this trip, which I am sure my credit card will be ecstatic about! 8D

(… jokes.)

Speaking of credit cards, Thailand and my current financial state of funemployment, it has got me thinking about a ‘what if’. What if credit cards were people?

Firstly how annoying would they be constantly telling you what you can and cannot do. Always irritatingly questioning if you’re in an eligible financial state to regularly indulge in such social outings as brunch or drunken nights out with friends. Also being in your ear asking if you should be spending money you don’t have on things you don’t need. Or the one I find most infuriating, when they act as a negative hindrance when deciding whether or not to take action, such as planning an overseas getaway.

For people in the same situation as me, I say stick it to these negative influences! As much as it pains you to hear, you only live once, so you may as well grab opportunities by the balls and take them. After all you may not get same opportunity twice, so why risk it saying ‘no’?

I believe you should always do more of what makes you happy in life. Even if it means quitting your job that impacts negatively on your wellbeing, which in turn means being unemployed or being in a temporary state of financial instability.

I believe everyone has the power to achieve and make things works as long as you believe, remain optimistic and positive. Unfortunately as soon as you start believing your self-doubt and insecurities, that is when all things go to shit, so remain positive by surrounding yourself with likeminded people who inspire and bring out the best in you and do more of what makes you happy.

You are your number one, so look after yourself and be happy J

#BeyoncéWouldBeProud x