When I first began to travel, around the age of 21, one of the first places I visited was the amazing island of Jamaica. At that time I was convinced that it was my favorite place to visit. Almost 20 years later and after visiting numerous beautiful countries, I was interested in seeing if my love for Jamaica remains.
After 10 years I conclude that
I LOVE JAMAICA and it is STILL my favorite.
There is no other place, outside of my own country, that I feel so "at home". The very essence of the country is FREEDOM. If you know anything about me you know that FREEDOM is one of my most highly valued attributes, verbs, state of being, gifts etc. The Jamaican people are indubitably free and are PROUD and HUMBLE at the same damn time. These are my kinds of people.
Highlights of this trip included reconnecting and supporting one of my longest friends on her 40th birthday, which is really what inspired the trip. Summer and I were college roomies at Southern University over 20 years ago. She decided to plan a trip with 14 of her closest friends and we had a ball.
Jerk Chicken and Patties, Rice and Peas and Salt fish, Cabbage and Plantains to die for and worth every pound.
9 mile (Bob Marley's home and now museum) left me in awe. His greatness, love and hope resonates all through Zion.
I also got to meet an amazing woman by the name of Natasha who is the owner of Natasha's ONE LOVE Message Spa in Negril. You know I love supporting black and female owned businesses right? Well this woman is a gift from God. I wanted to get massages while in Jamaica but I didn't want to do the "resort" thing. I wanted to patronize the people and not the establishment. So I found this woman on Trip Advisor, emailed her before I got off the plane and she got right back to me. She came and picked me up everyday with her trusty companion Damian, on time and even opened her place for me early. I could feel her praying for me as she worked out my kinks!! She was a gift!!
As fate may have it, one of the 11 cousins that I met a few weeks earlier in Dominican Republic happened to be in Jamaica and we were able to connect for a few days and did we have a blast! Nzuri-Soul (look her up on IG @ms.nzurisoul) and I seem to be kindred spirits. We got to get our groove on at a local spot, The Jungle, hung out on 7 mile beach, where we both over came interesting phobias while snorkeling, and enjoyed drinks at Rick's Cafe while suffering through REALLY bad live Reggae. I plan on visiting her in the Bay Area in a few months. It's always amazing to me how traveling continues to expand my tribe.
Freedom, Friendship, Connection!!! ONE LOVE!!
Monday, July 3, 2017
Thursday, June 1, 2017
Summer 2017 Travel Kickoff!!
Happy Memorial Day!!
Memorial Day always marks the beginning of a bodacious vacation season for me. Just as so many gave their lives to protect the freedom of this country I exercise my freedom by traveling to places near and far to enjoy friends, food and sometimes complete strangers. This year started similarly as last year's vacation season, with a trip to the Dominican Republic. This year I didn't get to experience the people of Dominican Republic but I did get to experience the natural camaraderie of my brothers and sistas from all over the world who come and celebrate being BLACK and URBAN in the Dominican Republic over Memorial Day Weekend with the promotors WEAREDRLIVE. This year, in particular, I connected with some pretty amazing individuals. From the 11 cousins who traveled to spend time together for what was originally planned to be a bachelorette trip, but turned into a girl cousin trip, to the resident photographer who's talents both behind and away from the camera left me questioning the book and the cover analogy for days! My travels and experiences with people not only shape my life, but they change my life.
I would be remiss if I left out the most rewarding thing that happened this trip. As fate may have it I took a chance on this trip as I decided to invite a friend from 25 years past. It was a reuniting of a 25 year + friendship. Yes I went on this trip with a girlfriend from elementary school and here's the kicker...we hadn't seen or talked for 25 years. Wouldn't you know that the friendship that we had established in elementary school set a solid enough foundation for us to get along with plenty of laughs and heart building moments for over 6 days? The power of connection continues to leave me in awe!
So as you begin to travel with your friends and family remember to find connections in the most unexpected places, take a chance on someone that you would least expect to WOW you, and a just like the cousins, make a PARTY out of any PITY that comes your way!!
Happy Travels!
Memorial Day always marks the beginning of a bodacious vacation season for me. Just as so many gave their lives to protect the freedom of this country I exercise my freedom by traveling to places near and far to enjoy friends, food and sometimes complete strangers. This year started similarly as last year's vacation season, with a trip to the Dominican Republic. This year I didn't get to experience the people of Dominican Republic but I did get to experience the natural camaraderie of my brothers and sistas from all over the world who come and celebrate being BLACK and URBAN in the Dominican Republic over Memorial Day Weekend with the promotors WEAREDRLIVE. This year, in particular, I connected with some pretty amazing individuals. From the 11 cousins who traveled to spend time together for what was originally planned to be a bachelorette trip, but turned into a girl cousin trip, to the resident photographer who's talents both behind and away from the camera left me questioning the book and the cover analogy for days! My travels and experiences with people not only shape my life, but they change my life.
I would be remiss if I left out the most rewarding thing that happened this trip. As fate may have it I took a chance on this trip as I decided to invite a friend from 25 years past. It was a reuniting of a 25 year + friendship. Yes I went on this trip with a girlfriend from elementary school and here's the kicker...we hadn't seen or talked for 25 years. Wouldn't you know that the friendship that we had established in elementary school set a solid enough foundation for us to get along with plenty of laughs and heart building moments for over 6 days? The power of connection continues to leave me in awe!
So as you begin to travel with your friends and family remember to find connections in the most unexpected places, take a chance on someone that you would least expect to WOW you, and a just like the cousins, make a PARTY out of any PITY that comes your way!!
Happy Travels!
Monday, February 6, 2017
"Alone Does Not Equal Lonely"
Listen lately... I have been really considering the notion that everybody needs to be with somebody. I am so sick of people trying to "hook me up"! I am REALLY ok with MYSELF... I promise. Why is it that people are so quick to make sure that single women have "someone"? Granted I get that some people are looking for a relationship. Is it a novel notion that there are just as many women who are NOT looking for a relationship? Picture that? The truth about me is that;
1. I love the male species
2. I really don't mind the company of the opposite sex, but I am OK with not being in a relationship
3. I really am HAPPY
If and when I decide to be with anyone...they will be extraordinary. Until then.. I am enjoying smelling the flowers!!
1. I love the male species
2. I really don't mind the company of the opposite sex, but I am OK with not being in a relationship
3. I really am HAPPY
If and when I decide to be with anyone...they will be extraordinary. Until then.. I am enjoying smelling the flowers!!
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