After waking up with a large hood of an Alfa Romeo above my head, I decided it was time to rent a bike and explore downtown. I grabbed my shower items, hopped over to the shared bathroom, and took my precious time because this is a vacation.
I left the main house, went downstairs through the gate and found where the bikes, helmets, and waiver were set up. After filling out the consent form, I sent $10 via Venmo to rent the bike for the day (great price, no?). Before hitting the street, I took a couple of practice rides in a seemingly discreet area. Hopefully, there were no witnesses.
Full transparency! I was a little nervous, but I knew this is how I wanted to explore the city. Once I became comfortable, I peddled my way down Whitaker Street. It was about 70° outside but the sun was hiding and there was a breeze going (without the bike ride) but I was working up the warmth I needed.
I was en route to Collins Quarter (about 12 minutes away), which I heard a lot about on social media. It’s known as a good spot for brunch! Once I arrived, I was promptly seated outdoors. I ordered the Bubble and Squeak which I thought was the cutest name for a dish, but also kind of strange 🙂 My dish was vibrant and caught the eyes of a few by-passers. I also ordered a turmeric latte to knock off the chill.
When breakfast was through, I decided to push on and explore more of the area. I checked out a few gift shops to find a cute (and reasonably priced sweater) because I was chilly! Also, I wanted a small memento from Savannah. I saw the famous girl waving statue and the “bridge of love” with the locks. I was riding my bike all over the area and I finally made my way to the JW Marriott Riverside Plant – the place was breathtaking. I could see why someone would have their wedding reception in that location because it was gorgeous.
After seeing all that I could (gemstones, fossils, skeletons, artwork, mini shops), I decided to go to the rooftop bar called Electric Moon. I ordered the High Beam cocktail (loved it) and some mini quesadillas (not for sharing).
People-watching was my source of entertainment as I finished my food. The ambiance was nice and high energy but I came late afternoon before 5:00 PM so there weren’t many people present. Wanting to make the most of it, I grabbed my cocktail and I found the slide that takes you outdoors to the terrace downstairs. This area is where the real fun is supposed to happen! I looked around and noticed a few small pockets of people and everyone seemed pretty cozy and locked in. I checked out a few life-sized games and then headed out. From there, I made my way back to the Airbnb and called a Lyft to take me about 15 minutes down the road to a nail salon. One of my nails broke upon my arrival and I refused to walk around like that during my “me-time” 🙂
My day ended with Netflix and subpar takeout from Fire Street Food. I ordered the teriyaki tofu with steamed rice… my tofu had a burnt aftertaste. Sadness.
May 27th
Up and at ‘em again but with a steady downpour, so no bike riding for me. I figured I’d start the day off with the SCAD museum. My favorite part was the glass-blown light fixtures. The pieces were so vibrant. It took about 35 minutes to go through the whole museum… I was a little disappointed because of how small it was… I had afternoon tea on my mind and saw that the Gryphon Tea Room was within walking distance so I hit the sidewalk! Not only was today wet and rainy but the temperature also dropped and I was ready to quickly get inside. My wait time was about an hour but I knew if I left for a different location, I’d be resetting the clock for the same length. I didn’t mind so much because there was a cute little sofa available and I was able to shake off the chill. There was so much to take in once I got a good look around… the room was grand with warm welcoming tones and dim lighting. Once I was seated, I eventually ordered the root vegetable salad. Because the vegetables were roasted, I thought the salad would be a warm one, but it was cold, to my dismay. I also ordered a chai latte with oat milk and a raspberry scone. I’m not sure why I just didn’t get regular afternoon tea but next time…
The Gryphon Tea Room is FILLED with antiquated books so it tracks that I would receive my bill inside of one. That made me smile (it’s the small things and I appreciate clever presentation). Did I mention that today was colder than usual? 😉 I ordered a Lyft, jumped in the car, headed back to the Airbnb and bumpedup the heat.
After my nap, I figured it’d be a good idea to put something on my stomach before it got too late. There was still some light in the sky so decided to look for something close by. I was a few minutes walk away from a café called Foxy Loxy. I ordered a single vegetable taco. It was tasty (though greasy) and I regretted not ordering another. Something new I tried: a horchata latte. It had espresso in it; an interesting twist I don’t care to experience a second time.
On the way back from my evening snack, I spotted a real-life gingerbread house. It was adorable and a nice treat for the eyes… though I craved something edible to curb my growing sweet tooth. I went to the closest gas station and grabbed a cookies and cream Hershey’s bar.
Today was won by the weather – I didn’t get to see much but I knew I’d make up for it the next day…
May 28th
A slow morning is a lovely way to start the day. I had a book club meeting at 11:30 AM, afterward, I picked out my clothes and took my time getting ready. I decided I would walk downtown instead of taking a bike or a Lyft to see more of the city’s beauty. If you know me, you know I have moments when I’m directionally challenged. I was walking the wrong way for about 10 minutes… As I noticed the city’s charm beginning to fade, I opened Google Maps and quickly pivoted to get on track. A strong five minutes into my reroute, someone in a blue Hyundai Elantra pulled up and began chatting with me. We talked for about 20 minutes before I decided it was safe and I was comfortable enough to accept the ride they offered. (dearest reader, I do not condone this behavior.) I got a mini tour of the area and some extra fun facts about Savannah. I do believe that meeting locals gives you more insight into exploring the area you’re visiting. But please be careful and less trusting than me.
The Friendly Driver dropped me close to the place I decided on for brunch: The Nest. The atmosphere was charged up and designed for lounging and socializing. The DJ outside played a great mix of music that everyone seemed to enjoy.
It took a while for my waitress to come over to me (not gonna lie, I was irritated), but when she finally took my order, she was pretty attentive. I was hard to miss, though! I was a party of one in the middle of the room so I’m not sure how that happened. Fast and Furious was playing on one of the flat screens until a man requested the golf channel which completely clashed with the whole vibe. That should not have been allowed! Anyway, I ordered the vegetable burger sliders with sweet potato fries and a mocktail (a light gingery drink). The Nest was my favorite eatery! I happily relaxed while taking in my environment and polished off each morsel.
Once the check was settled, I headed down to the river walk and began my on-foot sightseeing tour. Though I had read of Jones Street, one of the most beautiful streets in the country, I didn’t expect to come across it. Oh but when I did, I was in awe! It was absolutely dreamy and beautiful in a moody way, thanks to the overcast skies. I took my time here. It’s not often I wish for company during my solo travels but a moment like that ought to be shared.
The full walk back was about 40 minutes, and when I had maybe 15 minutes left to my commute, I was approached by a man on the street, who decided to share his whole life with me. He sipped at his beer as he shared with me the dangers of Savannah, which I thought was ironic since I was alone, and he was a complete stranger (again, dearest reader, I do not condone this). He wasn’t a threat, kept a respectable distance, and had manners.
That pretty much wrapped up my day. I took it easy for the rest of the evening because I had to leave at 12:30 AM to catch my train back home. Would I come back to Savannah?
Finally! I made my way to the motherland. I’ve been meaning to come the last few years, but I was never able to make it work (usually due to work). I’m so glad I was able to come this time around. Let’s dive right into the trip highlights while everything is fresh on my mind!
Mombasa
Boat Ride
10 of us boarded onto the boat with the help of a couple sailors. Once we got on, we equipped ourselves with damp life vests. We rode the bumpy waves for about 15 minutes Until we found our spot in the ocean. You could still see the beach, which was comforting. The two men manning the boat anchored it and attach the ladder to the side. The boat rocked eagerly, and hesitation settled among most of us. But Moko was the first one to jump into the water! Witnessing his survival gave us all the greenlight to proceed (ha). I was still contemplating whether or not I was going to get in the water because the waves seemed much higher further out compared to on the actual beach. I began to feel more at ease when more of us got into the water. My sister was the true catalyst– this woman is brave. She wanted to jump off the side of the boat! She was a little nervous, but she definitely was going to do it and I wanted to do it with her. Cantara’s boldness is contagious. We took a few pictures (of course) then we sat on the ledge and hopped off! It was thrilling. The water was the saltiest water I have ever tasted but, oh! did it felt amazing! I quickly found my way up the latter deep, dark water makes me anxious. Plus, I have to remind you, the waves were high! I had a crazy idea of wanting to jump from the top of the boat and my sister wanted to do the same. However, as soon as I got to the top, I lost all of my courage. It took about 10 minutes of false starting before I could gain my composure to do it. I grabbed my sister‘s hand, we count to three, took a step and jumped from the top of the boat! This had to be the most freeing feeling I felt all year… I was so glad to have shared it with her because I was absolutely scared out of my mind. Honestly, it wasn’t that high up, but it felt insane to me at the time. My heart is full and I’m happy we shared that moment together.
Haller Park
This was an activity I tried to get out of, mainly because I wanted to rest. I wasn’t excited to see zoo animals after so much traveling (multiple planes, cars, vans and trains). I tried to stay home to rest a little bit, but I was encouraged to do otherwise. I’m glad they were successful because when we arrived to the park, I saw a huge tortoise and became so excited to see what else was in store. I saw all kinds of creatures. I never saw a millipede in person and so close (cool, but gross)! I also got to touch and interact with the tortoise. My sister got pretty close to a blue-ball monkey (scientific name?). I saw different species of crocodiles, warthogs, snakes, giraffes and gazelles. My absolute favorite was the palm garden. I was I could have spent more time there, lounging and taking in the sights. This is actually one of the first things you see when you enter, and it’s towards the left. It looked so dreamy, lush, and otherworldly. The simple things always catch my attention the most. Though I love animals, I would’ve really enjoyed sitting in that garden just to read and write. It was quite rainy that day and I enjoyed the down pour. I do love a good shower.
Sunrise
Did we wake up at 4:30am to catch the sunrise? Possibly. I can’t recall exactly how early we woke up but it was not easy! Three of us jumped in the car and headed for the beach to enjoy the sunrise. We were worried that we were missing it in the beginning but when we got there, we saw such beautiful colors. It was as if we witnessed two sunrises at once. When we got to the beach there was a soft orange yellow and grayish blue tints in the sky where the first rays of the sun had touched the earth. It’s the first golden hour of the day. It was quite beautiful; it looked like the sky was on fire as the sunrise progressed. Oddly enough, it didn’t continue to get brighter. Instead, it mellowed out and got darker and then regular daylight began to show… This is when you can actually see the sun through the clouds. It sounds counterintuitive. I’ll show pictures of the sunrise as it happened.
The first picture upon arrivalThe second photoThird photo, look how bright the sky is!Fourth picture – a calm lavenderFifth – standard daylightFrom left to right: Me, Cantara, Michael
Nairobi
Braiding
My sister had an appointment to get her hair braided and I decided to join her. How can you not get your hair braided in the motherland? My sister opted for goddess knotless braids, and I got regular extra-long knotless braids in the color #30. We both tried something different. They began with removing my large box braids and followed up with a shampoo, conditioner and blow dried my hair right after. Shortly after, the braiding began. I have to say I kind of messed up a little bit because the lady was starting my hair and I noticed the braids would stop right at my chest. I did ask for extra-long braids. I wanted them to be double that length, but I wasn’t sure if there was another process to it of which I wasn’t aware. She was about seven braids in before I realized was going on. Another lady asked if I wanted them longer and I said yes. I felt really bad for letting her do all that work without saying anything… This is a personal reminder to myself to always speak up! I’m still working on this at my big age. At least a whole section wasn’t completed before we pivoted. She reworked those braids and added extra length. Overall, it took about 4 1/2 hours all the way through from the beginning to the end. I was under the impression that knotless braids aren’t tight, but boy was I wrong! The braids looked and felt amazing they last six weeks before I took them out
Art Gallery
The art gallery I visited is called “One Off Contemporary Art Gallery”. The main building was a two-story earthy hut from a fairytale. There were also peacocks walking around. I saw beautiful sculptures, both of wood and stone. I saw small figurines, large beautiful, feminine paintings as well as smaller prints. There were so many works of art that there was not enough space to display them correctly. The top floor had an overwhelming selection, it was impossible to go through half of them in the amount of time we had. I was only able to see all the items on display downstairs. Now… if I had known how captivated I’d become with one particular painting, I would have squirreled some funs aside to purchase the original. I suppose all things happen for a reason. The original piece was already marked as sold… and my heart was a little heavy.
Getting Sick
The last monumental experience of my stay in Kenya… was me getting sick. To this day I’m not sure what I had. Maybe it was some kind of respiratory infection… I have no clue. I just know everyone in my traveling group was getting sick with something and it finally made its way to me. I felt myself coming down with it about two or three days before I was supposed to get on a flight to go to Cindy‘s village. The day before my flight I had so much pressure in my head and face that I knew flying would be unbearable. Unfortunately, I had to stay behind. I stayed with Moko‘s cousin, Kanyi, and I was so thankful that her family was open to take me in, an unexpected stranger. They did so with such grace and amazing hospitality for which I am forever grateful. I had a lot of tea (referred to as “bawa” meaning medicine) by a company called Just Breathe. The main ingredients were garlic, ginger and cardamom along with other herbs and spice. The same company has steaming leaves that you add to hot water. The steaming was a little difficult for me because it was almost like suffocating but most of that was in my head. I really had to focus. I came up for fresh air every once in a while. The fresh menthol feeling seemed to burn the germs in my nasal passage. Between drinking the tea and steaming, I began feeling better within two days. I was almost 100% after day three. In all honesty, if I had to get sick again… I’d choose to relive this experience. Sounds strange, right? Never thought I’d type those words out, aha.
I want to give a special thanks to my family for extending the invitation (consistently, too) and making me feel so welcomed. I can’t begin to explain how much this trip has meant to me. It’s my wish and intention to create more of these memories together whether abroad or right here at home, in NC.
It’s been a while since I made a trip post. Hopefully, I can find a way to shake off the rust starting with this trip to Arizona – my first of the year (:
I went from January 4th to the 8th. My flight was an early one. I learned that if a seat upgrade is more affordable than the luggage fee, you may as well treat yourself a little bit and save your coin. I flew from Raleigh to Atlanta to Phoenix. The last leg was about a five-hour flight. I was disappointed in the meal, but I loved my flight attendant; she was quirky and sweet. Upon arriving to the Phoenix airport, you can see the mountains in the background, and they were huge! This is my first time, mind you, on the West Coast so I hadn’t seen anything like this in person. I was excited to discover the landscape. No time was wasted after checking into the Villa – I headed straight over to the Sonoran Jeep Desert Sunset Tour. The tour guide was quite knowledgeable, and the facts were fun. I’m much more of a visual consumer than I am auditory, so I kind of got burnt out listening to him talk. 60° in Arizona felt like 30° in North Carolina. I learned that it’s because there’s no humidity in the air making the atmosphere less cozy. So, it was really only comfortable in the sun. I wish I had on a toboggan, scarf and gloves but I made it work. I was very hungry and quite tired by the end of the event. I went to a steakhouse nearby called Prescott. Nice ambience but not the kind of place you wanna go without being a little dressed up.
During this trip, I noticed I actually like to work out during the day, preferably min-morning. I enjoy going and being consistent but when I’m home, work gets in the way. But if there’s a facility two minutes away from me (walking distance) then I’m there! The following day, I went to the gym, grabbed breakfast at First Watch (which was amazing, I love eating there) and then I hit the road for Sedona which was about 2 1/2 hours away from Scottsdale. Let me tell you… I had every intention on planning what hiking trails to go on but it just did not work out for me. I struggle-planned a lot of what I got to do in Sedona. That’s my biggest regret with this trip. That city is so beautiful, and I only got to see a very small fraction of it by accident. I also did not have proper hiking gear besides my boots. Next time, I’ll join a hiking group that way, I’ll be around more experienced people and get to see more. Nevertheless, I made it work! I got to hike along Boynton Canyon and checked out the sunset at the Airport Mesa. Upon my descent, I noticed one parking spot opened up for a highly popular viewpoint. Quickly, I pulled in switched my boots and climbed to the top. There was a soft dark glow in the sky and the lights from the city below gave a soft glimmer. At this point, my hunger was rather demanding. Earlier, I chose which restaurant I wanted dine at, but I changed mind. I’m so happy with what I chose! The restaurant is called las Tortas Fuego, and it was DELICIOUS.
The next day I had to work remotely. It was nice working in a different location while still being productive. During my lunch break, I worked out for 30 minutes then headed to In-N-Out Burger for my first time! People have said before that it wasn’t worth the hype but I thought it was pretty tasty. Somehow, someway the fast food tasted clean. I thought they were quality burgers and fries. I went back to work and by the time I was off it was 3:30 PM (EST). I had a lot of time to spend. Why not spend it at the Biltmore Square Fashion Mall? I have a newfound adoration for Burberry and decided to b-lined to Sunglass Hut to find my new fixation. I ended up buying them the next day when I was in Phoenix. Shopping in different cities is fun even if you go to the same stores you have at home. The location and memories are attached to the item you purchased and it ends up being meaningful. While I was at Sunglass Hut, I hopped over to the fragrance bar at Macy’s. I sprayed a piece of paper with the YSL Libre Intense and fell in love. I kept that little piece of paper for a few days just to make sure I really loved the scent. The next spot I wanted to check out was the Desert Botanical Garden but by the time I arrived I was too late for the last admission block. I looked up what else I could do in the area and there was a comedy show going on. The comedian was Keon Polee and he was someone I used to follow on Instagram. I skipped over to the venue, I was seated, order my food and got my laughs in.
Friday was my last full day and I was determined to enjoy myself as much as possible. It’s so funny because during a majority of my trip I kept going back-and-forth about whether or not I wanted to get my nails done. I had chipped neutral polish on my nails so it wasn’t obvious, but I could tell they needed some TLC. I eventually opted to get them done. After work, I googled a highly rated nail salon near me and I came across a Plush Nail Bar. I showed my nail tech a picture of what I wanted. He understood the assignment! He executed my very specific request and I fell in love with my baby French manicure it was so cute he did an amazing job. I cannot hype him up enough. After I got my nails done, your girl was hungry. I went right back to First Watch and ordered one large blueberry pancake with a side of chicken sausage patties (which are bomb). I was catching up on Euphoria while I was waiting for my food. I spent 30 minutes in the gym and then I got ready to check out the Botanical Desert Garden. The weather was perfect. The flowers, the views, the variety of cacti, all of it was amazing to see and was so informative. I didn’t know there was an aloe vera plant that grows on a tree. I think it’s called aloe vera majesty. I checked out the whole garden and stopped in the gift shop to pick up a couple of items. I still had some day left and I read somewhere that the Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall was the largest mall in Arizona. I certainly got lost while trying to exit. It would have been nice to go with a friend (I was a bit overwhelmed). They had high-end designer stores as well as your shops for everyday clothing… aha. I suppose that can be the same thing depending on your lifestyle. I was famished when I left so I didn’t put thought into dinner. I went back to In-N-Out and ordered a double-double with my fries then called it a night. A part of me feels a little bad that I went to the same place twice to eat. But it was still kind of new to me, so I didn’t mind.
That about wraps up my experience in Arizona. I imagine I’d like the weather during Spring and Autumn; the temperature may be ideal for me. I liked going during the winter because it was definitely warmer compared to North Carolina but only if you’re standing in the sun. I did not like standing in the shade even if it was 60° because it felt so cold.
Anyway, the state was beautiful and I’d love the opportunity to come back.
You do you know this is my favorite city, right? I’m very much OK with going back every year. 🙂
The trip got off to a rough start because I was running late to the airport (I was trying to deposit some funds but the two ATMs I went to are not working). But everything worked out. When I arrived, I looked up prices Uber and Lyft. Initially, they were about $50 but when I was ready to secure a trip, they jumped to $75. I was appalled. I paid about 65 bucks for a taxi and I spent over an hour in traffic even though the hotel was 12 miles away. This was my first time experiencing Chicago traffic.
I was very hungry when I arrived, I was hungry when I waited in traffic, I was hungry when I check in and I was hungry when I waited for an elevator up to my room. I stayed at the Warwick Hotel on Magnificent Mile (Michigan Ave.) There was a wedding reception taking place that day which is why it was so busy. While I was struggling to wait patiently for my turn on the elevator I made acquaintance with a couple who was waiting behind me and we ended up meeting a few times during my stay. Once I got settled, decided I would go find food immediately. The last time I was in the city, I kept seeing a restaurant called Wow Bao and it was the first thing that popped up when I searched for food so I made a beeline straight there. I got the food, rushed back to the hotel, got cozy and ate while watching Family Guy. I would stay at this hotel again because it was in an amazing spot and everything was within walking. That evening ,I had plans to go see Hasan Minhaj at the Chicago theater. I took on the scenery while walking there. The line was unreal but once they finally open the doors it moved rather quickly the show started an hour after the expected time but it was worth it. This man was brilliant and very funny.
After the show got out, I longed to return to the hotel and call it a night. But, the people I met while checking in invited me out to go barhopping. A part of me just wanted to rest and the other part really wanted to make the most of my vacation so I got over myself and decided to meet in the lobby. We ended up going to a bar called Streeters Tavern. We had some drinks and played beer pong — it was a good vibe. The three of us witnessed a bit of drama as we were leaving and we wanted to stick around a little bit just to make sure nothing bad happened. Eventually, it was deescalated.
The next day, I got a late start. Unfortunately, I spent a lot of time inside during the morning while I waited until the people I met were ready for the day. My objective was to be less dependent on other people and explore on my own– I’m working on that. I’m glad I met them because they added value to my trip, though I am still learning how to navigate completely by myself. I knew it would rain and I still wanted to wear the outfit I packed (it was cute!). The outfit would have been perfect if we didn’t keep trying to go different restaurants without a reservation. I had to walk far and the heels were not comfortable after a while. And then it start to rain. But ya girl brought her cute dark green raincoat, so I was all set! After that, I wanted to take a nap. The plan for the night was to check out another comedy event (but I didn’t plan on that one: the couple invited me out). I reached out to one of my friends who went to the same college as I and he agreed to come. We all went out for dinner. The vibe was chill, friendly and welcoming. We hopped over to the Laugh Factory for the evening and got to check out a handful of comedians with different humor styles. Some jokes were just dark but other comedians had the laughs coming nonstop. After that, we all went our separate ways: my friend Anthony went back home and the couple continued their night. I had to go back to the hotel because I had to wake up early for my flight back home.
Of course, I wanted to stay longer but I’m glad I got to check it out before it got too cold. It’s likely I’ll return to Chicago for another solo trip and check out some touristy things.
I had that short exchange at least 3 times throughout my weekend in the city. Sometimes curiosity and the want for new surroundings is enough to get away from your hometown. Once again, my friend Tiffany and I just decided on a weekend, a place to go and we went! We only had 48 hours to spend and we tried to optimize our time as much as possible. Here’s how it went:
June 25th
I woke up super early to catch my 6:30 flight. The temperature was warm in Greensboro, North Carolina but in Boston, it was kind of cool: the high was only 70° and the low, 61°. My connecting flight was in Atlanta. I met Tiffany at baggage claim once I arrived to Boston. We wanted to take local transportation to our hotel but we had a really difficult time figuring out which bus it was (even though a complimentary option was advertised for surrounding hotels!).
We got an Uber to the hotel and agreed that our appetite was through the roof, so we headed to a place called Shake Shack. While I was there, I should have looked at other peoples meals so that I would’ve known how small the burgers were… I would’ve gotten a double or at least fries and a milkshake. Surprisingly, the one mini burger turned out to be quite satisfying.
Afterwards, we got ready for the sunset boat tour and walked to the harbor. Our tour guide was informative (and easy on the ears). It was cloudy and quite chilly – my breath was visible! Unfortunately, the sun wasn’t interested in a grand departure, so we didn’t get to see rich colors while on the water. I learned a bit and I’m glad I opted in for the tour because originally, I wasn’t interested in absorbing a history lesson.
Next up, we caught an Uber to go to dinner at a restaurant called Local 149. Our driver was so obnoxious in a way where he wanted to seem like the big champ that everyone liked but his comments were arrogant, problematic and douchey. Who brings up politics with a complete stranger? It was quite the gamble.Anyway – he drops us off at the restaurant and we get a table. I was famished! I ordered a plate of coconut Thai chili mussels and a fried Flutternutter (something new I tried and enjoyed immensely). Tiffany wanted salmon but after some encouragement, she tried the mussels…. and swapped her order! Our food was tasty! We were satisfied and had regained energy to begin the night of fun.
We stood in line for about 15 minutes, striking up conversation with locals. We thought we were in line for The W but we were actually in line for another venue. The other spot charged a $30 cover which we weren’t interested in. Feeling a bit defeated, we decided to walk around to see what was there and we stumbled upon The W anyway (we thought it was closed or limited to hotel guests only but they let us in). There was an awkward moment at the bar… fortunately it was amended with free drinks. The DJ was so good! We found our spot amongst the crowd and enjoyed the music for the rest of the night until closing.
June 26TH
I slept in until about 10 AM – we had a long night before and there would be a long day ahead of us. This was the last full day in Boston, so we had to make the most of it! We realized last night, that the place we Ubered to was fairly close. Brunch was definitely within walking distance. Today was the day I’d reach my step goal ;). Originally, we had ours eyes set on Lookout Bar for brunch but the dining area was full. Read: secure reservations before big city trips. I asked the host if he could recommend another place and he mentioned Committee so we went there instead.
Once again: since I’m out somewhere new, I want to try something new! I got a Greek styled omelette, called “kayiannas” and a large not-so sweet pastry called “bougatsa” which would’ve been amazing with hot tea. Everything was just right: new, pleasing and just enough. I’m glad there weren’t any leftovers during our stay because we didn’t have a microwave in our hotel. After brekkie, the idea of drinks at Lookout Bar came back to mind. It was such a lovely view. Time was spent sunbathing, drinking and taking in the scenery before resuming our trek.
The next stop was Boston Public Garden. Or is it Boston Commons? Upon arrival, we heard a liberal activist bringing people together while encouraging unity and acceptance. There was an available bench near Frog Pond where we saw a lot of children playing in the lake and a couple of park patrol security riding on horses. How fitting. There were a few playgrounds. You could see the different activities happening as people socially distanced themselves… and it reminded me of what life was like before COVID-19.
Chinatown was the final stop for the day. It was a 20 minute walk from where we were. Just our luck, we happened to enter through the back of Chinatown so, we explored it in reverse. Once we got to the main entry, pictures were taken and compliments were received. After resting for a bit, it was time to look for a place to eat! We went to the Spice House and I got some vegetable dumplings.
After eating, I was in dire need of a nap. We took in plenty of sun, gotten plenty of steps so it was time to rest before heading out for dinner and getting ready for the early morning flight back home. There was a bar close by called Roxanne’s. We learned that most of these places require reservations (of course I wouldn’t expect anything less). We got comfy at the bar and I got fried buffalo cauliflower and she got mac & cheese dish. We had some pretty interesting drinks: mine had coconut milk and tasted light and refreshing. The night cap was a great way to end this quick getaway, especially because there was reflection and shared aspirations for the future.
I enjoyed Boston I want to see more of it when I return.
My friend had recently moved to Arlington, VA. I imagined it’d be a little difficult moving to a new city and starting over. So I chose a weekend to head up there and see her. Although I’m used to flying, I figured I’d drive since it was within my five hour road trip limit. The drive made me wonder if I’m gonna bring my five hour limit down to 4 1/2 hours. Ha! We’ll see! I left Friday after work, around 1 PM (or at least that was my intention). There were a couple of moments when traffic slowed down. I went during Fourth of July weekend. I reached her place around 7 PM. After a long drive you don’t really want to go to anything but relax and eat so that’s what we did. We drove to a strip-like area in Shirlington and went to an Indian restaurant. I ordered a vegetable dish and extra garlic naan (which I love!). After staying up for a bit to chat, I hit the hay. Ya girl was TIRED.
After taking her dog, Georgie, out for a walk, we headed to brunch. The place we went was called Chadwicks, located in Old Town Alexandria. I forgot what I ordered (it was probably French toast because that is my all-time favorite) but whatever it was, I inhaled it. There was a cute poodle mix that sat near us – I had to get a picture of him because it was still a puppy and he was big and fluffy. After eating, we headed over to the waterfront park. Plenty of people were enjoying the weather, kids were running around and a band was playing music. It was so lively! We checked out Old Town some more and took some photos by the marina. We came across a shop called Lou Lou and decided to pop in (mainly because it was SO hot outside). The vibe was cute and hipster. There was a swing photo op toward the left after walking inside, (good marketing, btw). I usually don’t make impulsive purchases and I’m not big on souvenirs but if something speaks to me, then I’m all in! There was a plaque about King Street and it said you can reach the end in about 15 minutes but it certainly didn’t feel like it. During our stroll, I took a couple of pictures near Franklin P. Backus courthouse (I was impressed by the architecture so I had to stop). JuJu got Boba tea and we also made a pitstop in H&M. I imagined we’d have more time to check out a few more shops but the sky looked a bit intimidating so we headed back home to rest before heading out again.
That night, we were determined to go out! So, we pre-gamed a little bit (2 shots), requested an Uber and went to a club called Decades. Upon arrival, I realized the crowd was bit younger (but pretty diverse). I prefer a place with a more classy atmosphere, space to dance, converse and get comfortable (I’m more so into lounges). It was a spur of the moment kind of choice – but not bad. They played decent music but it was way too crowded and people were pushing on the way upstairs. I was completely turned off by the bouncer’s attitude (gag!) I just don’t ever wanna go back to this place. BUT. JuJu seemed to really enjoy herself and that mattered more to me than everything else that night.
The next day was Fourth of July and I learned that my friend, Sezin (who used to be my neighbor while I studied abroad in Turkey) didn’t live far from JuJu. Sezin picked me up and we went to a restaurant in Southwest Washington called Coladas. We spent time at the Wharf marina in DC. It had to be about 7 years since the last time I saw her, so we tried to catch up as much as we could while exploring the area. I stopped at Praline Bakery to order vanilla and Oreo macaroons . Afterwards, we took a mini tour of the area: we drove through Georgetown University, drove by the National Museum of American History, the National Mall, the Holocaust Memorial Museum and The Smithsonian Institution Building but we couldn’t get close to many of the places because they were blocked off by security.
When I got back to my JuJu’s house, we thought it’d be a good idea to check out the pool. It wasn’t very hot anymore and much of the pool was in the shade by the time we got there so we didn’t get in. One of her neighbors recommended checking out Ruth’s Chris in Crystal (a small city not too far from Arlington). We didn’t have any plans for how we’d spend the Fourth of July so that was good timing. We went and found seats at the bar. There was about an hour left until the sun set. We had a great view because the restaurant had panoramic windows, so we got to see fireworks happening in different areas. The only downside was that they were small. It was a stress-free, relaxing way to spend the holiday.
Zaira Viteria 