One of my special memories was visiting New York City as a young lady with one of my besties my sister. We went to Manhattan together to visit my older brother and to take in the sights. We stayed at a hostel and despite a credit card debacle we ended up having the best adventure ever which started us on being life long tourist and adventurers.
We took NYC by storm. You have to understand that this was a foreign concept to us to vacation. You see we were dirt poor and here we were in the greatest city in the world having a blast with only a few bucks to our name. We had the best time.
We hit up Central Park because we were staying at an old monastery or church not quite sure. It was white brick with lots of wooden elements beautiful, massive, and historic. We hit the streets very elated to be able to toured MOMA and the Met. I didn't know how significant that was until I studied art history in college. We just read the listings and jumped right in. A fond memory of this time is when my sister and I pretended to speak a foreign language at the Museum of Natural History in order to fit in. Everyone else was speaking a different language and we wanted to fit in...smh and lol..it was silly and fun. We even got to stop by Wall Street, a old historic parish called Trinity Church, and see the famous Bull.
The highlight was visiting the Empire State Building, Twin Towers, and Statue of Liberty. Being able to take a last minute quick tour back then was normal, easy, and exciting. You see you could just go right up and purchase a ticket no issues, no drama, no fuss. We were underprivileged overgrown teenagers yet privileged to be able to tour each of them. Going all the way up to the top and looking down was breathtaking, scary, and yet so very beautiful. Looking back now I am graciously humbled and I get emotional because life is very very different now. Good, but very different.
Being able to visit and tour NYC when I was younger definitely set the stage for me. I have been back many times and there is nothing quite like New York City and spending time with my friends and family.
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Chapter Two: Beyond NYC Building Meaningful Connections to Other Interesting Places
In Buffalo my favorite things to do is hanging out and visiting my family and friends and walking and touring historic streets. I remember just sitting in various spots in Downtown Buffalo like Lafayette Square just sitting and people watching. Visiting Delaware Park, admiring the beautiful artwork when visiting Albright Knox Gallery, and walking through the Historical Society. When I was in college I enjoyed resting on the lawn on Shakespeare Hill and watching Shakespeare in Delaware Park perform Twelfth Night. One of my favorites. I also enjoyed attending a trolley tour at Forest Lawn Cemetery to see the gravesite of our 13th President of the U.S. President Millard Fillmore and taking a college class walking tour to see the location on Main Street where Theodore Roosevelt was sworn in as the 26th President of the United States after President McKinley was assassinated in Buffalo, New York.*
In Washington D.C. I find myself doing the same things and constantly building meaningful connections to other precious historic sights. As stated in my earlier post I also had the great honor to be able to tour the White House, The U.S. Capital, and see the original duo female Supreme Court justices in action. Very very grateful to have been able to be apart of American History. When I came to Washington D.C. in my early years I was often drawn to visiting Arlington National Cemetery and touring President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis burial sites along side two of their children who proceeded them. Being able to honor the Kennedys, Tomb of the Unknown Solider, and other important soliders layed to rest has been a special gift to behold and an honor not to be taken lightly. Being able to share these unique experiences is very humbling as well. To God Be the Glory. Amen.
I have had the privilege and honor of being able to tour many different cities over the past two decades and being able to bring my own personal charm to it has been a delight. These incredible cities not only dazzle me but completely have transform my love of all things urban, country, and in-between which as you know real people and real historical gems is the soul of our nation.
Lastly, the two cities in which I will write about today are London and Nairobi. I have had the highest privilege to take walking and driving tours of these cities and to stop at historic places and soak in the gloriousness of them and to meditate on God's goodness and grace through time. God willing I will be able to share my photos of my experiences at a later time.
London...London...London. Nairobi...Nairobi..Nairobi. So many feelings so many blessings. Stay tuned. God Bless!
From the desk of Esther Kamoche Robinson
P.S. If you are a travel, music, art, food, faith, or historic junkie like me I challenge you to become a blogger because your stories may seem normal to you but for many others they are the stepping stones or as Marvel calls them infinity stones to greatness. When you become a blogger you are now an educator and now you have the unique ability, gift, and opportunity to share your expertise and knowledge with the world. "Happy Travels" my Friends! To see a more complete listing or more stories please see my previous travel posts.
(wix pic)
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