There are many ways one can celebrate a milestone: going on a cruise (not my vibe), skydiving (we're not there yet), beach lounging (I do that for fun anyways), having a nice dinner with loved ones (please don't wait for milestones to do that. That should be just what you do), etc., etc. A very special person in my life was celebrating her EPIC birthday and she decided a quick tour in Italy was her speed. (Quick, because in America, time off is an expensive privilege!) All packed and ready to go, we embarked with excitement, anticipation, and way too many outfits for a such short stay.
I loved that trip because it revealed a side of me that I could've only met while traveling in a group and because it was filled with random moments that still cause me to spontaneously burst out laughing especially at 1 AM, when I should be asleep.
Here are my favorite highlights with the Ladies
I'm not sure how we ended up at a club. The birthday girl is one who shamelessly and CONTINUOUSLY promises epic partying with a side of "painting the town red" only to CONSISTENLTY return back home way before 11 PM! But, somehow, we always fall for her over-promising. As they say, HOPE IS LOUD. So, that night, after a lovely dinner with a very attentive host, we headed out to a club. The vide was chill. They played mostly American music which always strike me because I travel abroad to go away from America. Of course, the first thing we do before getting drinks is take pictures while we're still fresh. (One of us is an avid social media documenter). At one point we asked this lovely, sexy chocolate man (pictured left below) to take a picture OF us but instead, he asked his friend to take a picture of us WITH him in it. - The boldness of Mr. Chocolate! LOVED IT!
Residents and tourists alike watching the sunset and clapping when the sun disappeared over the horizon. That was such a sweet moment! A lot of the tourists there seemed to be from other European countries. I guessed that as I like to play this game of “where are they from?" by listening to different accents and I rarely ask the speakers to confirm my guess. Yes! I am THAT confident in my ears. At times, I can’t guess the exact language but the region. Close enough! Side note, the first time I heard Portuguese and Croatian, my ears DID NOT COMPREHEND WHAT WAS HAPPENING! French is my second language. You’d think I could’ve picked up Portuguese but NERP! I thought it was Quebec French. Quebecois, don’t come for me :)
Back to the sweet moment, I didn’t expect people to clap. It wasn’t the same odd feeling I get when passengers clap when a pilot lands a plane. Actually, in turbulent landings, I don’t blame the passengers. I’m learning to fly this year and I expect anyone who will fly with me to clap at takeoffs and landings regardless of weather conditions. Thank you in advance future passengers who will likely be the same Italy Crew :)
Again, back to the story, sunsets are magical to me. On sunny or not-so-cloudy days, witnessing the vibrant and magnificent gradient of purples, oranges, and pinks tickles my soul. I typically feel a burst of love and warmth like I’m being hugged by the sky. To see a crowd of strangers, take a moment and attentively experience that sunset was special.
And my favorite memory is Chef Fiori falling in love a group of black women dressed to the NINES for a lovely dinner at his restaurant. Two notes: A- we do not know Chef Fiori. B- with no prior communication, we all packed floral dresses and wore it that night. GREAT MINDS PACK ALIKE! The restaurant Manager (wearing the white shirt in the middle picture), upon seeing us, went back in the kitchen and asked the Chef to come meet us. Needless to say, the Chef was delighted! We all had free limoncello, dessert, and an inviation to his other restaurant :)
I also want to add that he restaurant Manager volunteered to drop us back off at our villa. We kindly accepted. Then we soon realized his ulterior motive as we were going down the serpentine road that he wanted to stop and show us off to all his friends. He was quite proud of himself mind you! Oh, the Italians! We had a great laugh and yes, we got back home safely.
Those are the moments that fuel me and inspire me to pour my creativity in my day to day and also into my business, Fly à la MODE, and propel me into new adventures, where the best moments find themselves in the quiet ones, the random ones, and laughter...... with a glass of bubbly.
Picture photographed by @Carla_cjo
Necklace and earrings by Aris
Cover by Express
Pause at Hotel de Russie, Le Jardin de Russie
Pictures photographed by @sue_b_honey05
Necklace and earrings by @capim_doro, Capim d'Oro
Bracelet by @jewelrybyaris, by Aris
Dress by Banana Republic
Watch on left hand. Report from that day: 20,521 steps, total of 8.59 miles (Can you believe it?!)
Switching direction to Rome, Italy.
I want to highlight the hidden gems you can find on the days with no itinerary. Me and my friend after walking and burning calories while exploring the corridors we needed to refuel. (Report from that day: 20,521 steps, total of 8.59 miles. We went hard!). We ended up at Le Jardin de Russie, a hidden gem, prior to dinner.
The outdoor patio is covered in beauty. Lush and pleasant, it's surrounded by soaring hardy trees, ambient sounds of nature from birds and water fountains. The staff is very kind and polite as is typical of Rome’s hospitality. The energy is usually calm but busy in company. I ordered a very smooth Prosecco, and my friend sipped her "The Stravinskij".
I recommend you visit for a quick break when you travel to Rome. It’s those not-so-secret places that quietly make the highlights of my vacations. Those moments of less noise, less mental traffic, less velocity, more……. listening. Listening to laughter, a friend’s story, and the clinking of glasses for a toast. More of that, please.
Remain in abundance everywhere you are and everywhere you go
Share your best memories in the comments.
Fin
BOUNCING CURLS
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Shea Moisture MANUKA HONEY & MAFURA OIL INTENSIVE HYDRATION CONDITIONER w/ Fig Extract & Baobab Oil
Kinky - Curly KNOT TODAY™ Natural Leave in / Detangler
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