Tag: travel

art · international

International Art: Tom Mboya, Kenyan Artist

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While vacationing in Kenya, I noticed that my hotel (Ibis Styles in Nairobi’s Westlands neighborhood) had beautiful artwork lining the stairwells. Upon closer inspection, I saw that all of the paintings – about 30 in total, displayed in sets of 3 amongst 10 different floors – were done by Tom Mboya.

My curiosity kicked into overdrive and I started researching Mboya. As it so happens, Tom Mboya is a local Kenyan artist (no surprise there) that started out working in the hospitality industry before pursuing his art fulltime. The paintings are stunning and lively; from dynamic depictions of life in Kenya to breathtaking portraits of his countrywomen, these paintings draw you in and hold you captive.

Here are a few of my favorites from the hotel:

 

 

If you’d like to learn more about Mboya, check out his artist profile here.

 

food · international

Review: Carnivore Restaurant

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While in Nairobi, I made the pilgrimage to Carnivore restaurant. This meat lovers haven is similar to the Brazilian churrascaria, with endless rounds of barbecued meats. While I’ve never eaten at a churrascaria, I couldn’t leave Nairobi without trying the local fare.

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Yes, I ordinarily adhere to a vegetarian/pescatarian diet. I was a bit nervous about eating meat after going so long without it. However, the meat served at Carnivore is all local animals that have not been fed the toxic ingredients often provided to animals sold commercial in the US.

I tried the following meats, which were barbecued and sliced at my table:

  • Ostrich
  • Crocodile
  • Lamb
  • Chicken
  • Pork
  • Beef
  • Turkey

My camera was dying while I was out, so I didn’t get as many pictures as I wanted. In any case, here are a few photos from my Carnivore adventure:

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Grill as seen when first entering the restaurant.

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Place setting and fresh maize (corn) as an appetizer. Maize isn’t as sweet as what’s usually offered in American restaurants. I prefer this more savory varietal.

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Soup prior to enjoying our meal. I meant to ask what kind of soup this was, but I forgot to inquire before the entrees were served.

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Lamb and beef. I haven’t had either meat in many years: it was tender and savory, just like I remember LOL

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One of my favorite desserts, the blondie. It was delicious!

I enjoyed my Carnivore experience immensely! While I wouldn’t make it a habit (I don’t know if my body could handle so much meat on a frequent basis), I’m glad that I tried it during my Nairobi visit.

Have any of you visited Carnivore? Let me know all about your experience in the comments below!

life curation · words of wisdom

Words of Wisdom: Prof. Wangari Maathai

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Since I’m still buzzing from my trip to Nairobi, I figured I would share some words of wisdom from the esteemed Kenyan educator and activist, Nobel Peace Prize winner Professor Wangari Maathai.

You may remember seeing Prof. Maathai’s name and photo in my “Night at the Embassy” post. This remarkable woman founded the Green Belt Movement, which focuses on women’s rights, conservation and environmentalism. She authored several books and her ideas continue to inspire conservation efforts down to this day.

One of the main streets in Nairobi is named in her honor (I wish I had taken a photo of the street sign!) and her impact is still felt in this region. Here, I’ll share some of Prof. Maathai’s quotes that inspire me. Enjoy!

 

curvesalamode

(photo from Curves a la Mode)

quotlr

(photo from Quotlr)

loveourgirls

(photo from Love Our Girls)

gloriakendiborona

(photo from Gloria Kendi Borona)

 

 

 

 

international · travel

I’m Back From My Trip To . . .

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Nairobi, Kenya!

No one won the prize I offered in my Guess Where I’m Headed post, so I’ll be the sole benefactor of some neat Kenyan souvenirs. But even if you didn’t guess the location correctly, you can still check out my pics from the trip: I have photos on my Instagram but I’ll also share a few on this post.

Since I enjoyed a lot of activities while I was there, I will have a LOT of reviews coming over the next couple of weeks. I am excited to talk about my hotel experience, sightseeing at major landmarks, my museum visit, my first safari, dining out, and more. I also plan to do an in-depth video explaining how anyone can afford international travel, and how to plan for domestic and international trips (including timelines and helpful tips from an experienced traveler).

Without further ado, here is a soupcon of my photos from my time in Nairobi, Kenya. Enjoy (and look out for those reviews soon)!

culture · travel

Review of the Hilton Charlotte Executive Park

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This past weekend, I stayed in Charlotte, NC to attend a kizomba weekender and to spend time with one of my best friends. We stayed at the Hilton Charlotte Executive Park on Westpark Drive.

The hotel is easy to locate; it’s less than two minutes from the Tyvola Road exit on I-77. It’s a 3- star, moderately priced property that’s conveniently located near lots of attractions and is a short drive from downtown Charlotte.

If I haven’t mentioned it on this blog before, let this be the first time I tell you all this little fact about me: I love fountains. So seeing the fountain right in front of the building was a good sign for me:

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The room was lovely and comfortable. The only drawback was that there wasn’t a microwave in our suite. No worries – we used the microwave in the Market, where guests could purchase snacks and beverages. The hotel staff was understanding and even joked that our reheated food had the lobby smelling delicious! Here are some view from the lobby:

 

And naturally, here’s the obligatory bathroom toiletry shot (seems to be a “thing” with me):

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The suite was spacious and pristine. Aside from the microwave issue, I only had one other tiny “complaint”: I couldn’t connect to the wifi all weekend! It was a blessing in disguise, though: I was able to really focus on connecting with people offline. And who couldn’t use more face-to-face connection? For that reason, I didn’t even bother asking the hotel staff for assistance with the wifi.

I really had a great stay! I’d definitely return, uncooperative wifi and microwave oven and all!

international · travel

Dreaming of Costa Rica . . .

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With this recent string of cold days (what other weather would I expect in November in Virginia? I digress), all I’m thinking about is getting away to somewhere warm and sunny. Somewhere like . . . Costa Rica.

expedia costa rica

(photo courtesy of Expedia)

I’ve dreamed about a Costa Rican vacation for well over a year now. Aside from the tropical weather and beautiful water, I really want to see the sloths.

I mean, what’s cuter than a baby sloth?

dailymailsloth

(photo courtesy of Dailymail.co.uk)

The Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica makes it possible for visitors to tour and learn more about sloths in a safe, protected environment. I can’t wait to visit!

I won’t be going to Costa Rica this winter, but I may make it happen during the early months of 2019. I have a different adventure planned for this upcoming year (specifically, February 2018). I’m staying mum on the details of trip until after I’ve purchased the tickets, hotel rooms, and travel visas.

I can’t wait to share that with you! But in the meantime, just dream of Costa Rica with me . . .

Talk to you all tomorrow!

 

culture · travel

A Day at Edisto Memorial Gardens

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A few days ago, I was able to put my staycation plans on hold and take a REAL mini-getaway to Orangeburg, SC. One of my lifelong friends – my sister born of another mother – lives nearby and I was needing some time with my bestie.

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So, I hit the road and spent a few days with her. Just getting away for a little bit really did wonders for my soul. Even more soul-enhancing was my trip to Edisto Memorial Gardens.

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Despite visiting this area several times, this was my first time at the garden. And it didn’t disappoint! Beautiful greenery (courtesy of the rose garden), the picturesque Edisto river, and the perfect weather made for a wonderful trip.

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I’m hoping I can return around the holidays: the gardens are already set up with lights for the Christmas season. I’m sure it will be a wondrous sight when they’ve put the finishing touches on the light displays.

If you’re ever in the area, make sure to visit Edisto Memorial Gardens. You will love it!

life curation

Creating a Staycation

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After experiencing several intensely busy months at work, I had intentions of taking a vacation to the warm, sunny island of Puerto Rico. I saw myself walking the beaches, touring Old San Juan, and getting the tan of a lifetime.

Then Hurricane Maria happened.

So, needless to say, my dreams of soaking up the Caribbean sun were dashed to pieces. No beaches, touring or tanning for me. However, I count my blessings: my Puerto Rican friends are safe and healthy, the island is starting to recover and I’m positive that they will rebuild and be better than ever.

weclipart

(Photo courtesy of WeClipArt)

That being said, I still have a few scheduled days off and no concrete plans.

What’s a girl to do?

Time for Operation Staycation! I started getting everything I need to have a fantastic time at home. Here are some of the elements needed for a restful and restorative staycation:

  • An itinerary. Just because you’re staying at home doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t plan out how to spend your time. The reason why most staycations fail is because there is no clear plan in place. Trust me, a good staycation involves some sort of planning.
  • Tools of relaxation. Clean sheets with high thread count, a fluffy robe and comfortable slippers, plush towels, and luxurious bath products are the tip of the iceberg when it comes to tools of relaxation.
  • Limited distraction. Lesser amounts – or complete elimination – of social media, television, phone calls from annoying people, no checking into work email accounts should all be the goal. Whatever distracts you and makes you feel stressed or tired should be minimized or completely removed during the stay-cation.
  • A commitment to relaxation. Be clear on what it will take to make you feel rested and relaxed then DO THAT!

If you all can’t go somewhere fabulous during the holiday season, at least commit to enjoying a little bit of staycation time. You won’t regret it!

luxury · travel

Review of the Omni Shoreham Hotel

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Several weeks ago, I stayed in Washington, DC while I handled some assignments at the office. For this stay, I stayed in Omni Shoreham Hotel near the National Zoo. On my previous DC trip, I stayed at The Fairfax at Embassy Row.

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For starters, the hotel is beautiful and conveniently located near the Metrorail (Woodley Park – Zoo Metro Station). I found that the concierge and check-in staff were gracious and warm. The hotel is very large, and I was guided to the wing where my suite was located.

The room was simple but elegantly appointed. I found out that my room also had a balcony that had a beautiful view of the District (unfortunately, I didn’t get any high quality photos while standing on the balcony). The bathroom was a bit smaller than I experienced in other hotels, but what it lacked in size, it made up for in pristine cleanliness and luxurious touches.

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This hotel is described as a four-star property by the Five Star Alliance, and I fully agree. The room, amenities, and excellent service and hospitality made me a fan of the Omni Shoreham Hotel. I can’t wait to return!