Seen Through Black Eyes

Greetings my name is Darwin Hanna and you’re listening to my new podcast called seen through black eyes.

So who is Darwin Hanna ?

Well let me introduce you to my story. I’m originally from New York City and I’ve enjoyed a transient lifestyle having lived in the San Francisco Bay area for 14 years, Charlotte North Carolina for four years, and now northern Virginia.

With a passion for travel and tourism, I’ve worked for 29 years in the airline industry. I originally worked in the supply chain management and operations departments then in the year 2000 I transitioned to cargo sales.

While living in the Bay Area, I earned an associates degree in Travel and Tourism from Chabot College in Hayward California, and operated at a home-based travel business called Sunny Excursions. My business was focused on two areas: African Heritage Tours to Northeastern Brazil, and cruises to the Caribbean. Two different destinations in the world, but so fulfilling.

I echo the sentiments of St Augustine when he said, “the world is a book and those who have not traveled, read only one page”.

In 2002 I returned to school majoring in International Studies at the University of North Carolina, earning a Bachelor’s degree in 2004. Eager to read more pages of that book.

In 2006, I returned to school again and earned a Master’s degree inTourism Administration with a concentration in Sustainable Destination Management from George Washington University. I was ready, willing and able to put my education to practical use and help others read more pages.
Now I live in Leesburg, Virginia and I visit New York quite often, and when I go home I will take the bus from union station. Anyone living in this area knows that getting to union station from Loudoun County without a doubt is the most unpleasant part of the experience. It’s problematic at best and a nightmare at worst.

I wished for a better way. Then I thought if bus service from Loudoun county could satisfy my needs, it probably would satisfy the needs of many others as well. I personally would be willing to pay a premium to board a bus at Loudon County to get up to New York, and not have to worry about getting to union station, dealing with the traffic and/or searching for affordable parking in DC, which qualifies as an oxymoron. Nor would I have to worry about asking someone to drive me to Union Station.

In the winter of 2016, I was able to successfully launch this bus service and finally provide everyone with a more pleasant means of passage up to New York. Lynx Bus, linking London County to New York City. Just consider this an annotation on one of the pages.

I am very fortunate to have lived out my passion for travel over the years, and I hope to continue doing so for many years to come…and I would like to use my podcast to share travel experiences with my guests and listeners, and they in turn would share their experiences with you and I.

We will offer tips, recommendations, do’s and don’ts, and cultural insights; from taking a ferry within feet of Niagara Falls, to exploring the streets of Rio de Janeiro during carnival, to sipping espresso on Champs-Elysees in Paris. The amazing natural wonders, the exquisite cuisine, the monuments, the architecture, the art, the language all for the taking.

After having worked in the airline industry for nearly 30 years in various capacities, I’m fortunate to say that I’ve visited about 25 countries….I’ve read so many pages…and there’s so many more to be read.

Let me end with this: don’t let the routine of life make you feel as if you’re living under the sword of Damocles.

I hope you will join us, and “read more pages”…together.