Tag: travel

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75 and Alive Celebration: Essentials for Senior Travel

We came by new knees and hips, by walkers and canes, by glittering gym shoes, swagging attire, every hairstyle known to man, some blinging, and all swinging at our Celebration Caribbean Cruise. The stars – everyone born in 1950. What?!

Part I: The First Leg, San Juan, PR

Planning

It took Travel Agent, Maggie Longley of All Seasons Cruises & Tours, to organize and gather us by mail, Zoom, and numerous reminders. Oretha was the Chicago connection, but our personal travel advisor, Nedra Shelton, kept my posse, Janice Bell, Pat Kline, Indria Perrrilloux, and me in the loop. Her constant cry was “Don’t y’all read?!!!” We splendidly ignored her and kept bugging her for the information we needed throughout the cruise, including booking our one-night hotel accommodations. (Thank you, Nedra, for your generosity).

The cruise was setting sail from San Juan, PR. Most folks flew in from Chicago, but I traveled from Huntsville, AL, and Indria from Las Vegas, NV.

Airport Wheeling

Y’all, if walking challenges you in any way, or if you have a short time to make a connecting flight in a large airport, do not hesitate to ask the airline for a wheelchair. The wheelchair porters make their living wheeling you through the airport, providing the utmost comfort and efficiency. Tipping is not mandatory, but again, this is a good part of the wheelchair porters’ job. I suggest tipping at least $5.00.

You have to walk the outside expanse of this airport for the transportation pickup area.

Warning: In PR, you have two porters to tip for wheelchair service – one to baggage claim and the other for taking your bag off the turnstile. What?!! Also, once you pick up your bag, you gotta walk a country mile to the pick-up stand for your transportation. Needless to say, we could not wait to get to our hotel in Old San Juan.

Old San Juan

English: Buildings in downtown San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Date 23 February 2016, 19:35:54
Source Own work
Author Bjoertvedt

Old San Juan was lovely and quaint, with pastel shops lining the streets. We made it to Novona Studios, our small, lovely hotel in downtown Old San Juan, where the owner greeted us and told us we were on the third floor.

Guess what? No elevators!

Warning: When booking a studio or villa, always check for essentials. Some of us ain’t built to do stairs anymore, especially with luggage.

By God’s grace and some x#!##!!!, we made it to our rooms. Indria (my roomie) arrived after us, so we had to make the trek again with her luggage. Y’all!…!

FYI: She had individual fabric packing cubes in her luggage, which made carrying and arranging her belongings easy at the hotel and on the cruise. (Y’all know I’m gon’ find some for my next trip.)

Slideshow of Norvona Studios

  • outside studios
  • The infamous steps
  • Rooms
  • Roof

We finally settled into our rooms.

Let’s Eat!

Y’all know that by this time, Pat, Nedra, and I were famished, so we set off to find a place to eat. (Indria is vegan and had to order in.) We found a local spot almost across the street from our hotel. Ajo del País was right on time for what we wanted. Not fancy, real local and a server to die for. What?!

We were really hungry, so I didn’t take any pictures of our food: (Sorry, not sorry). Our server helped us navigate the menu, and we settled on Conch Fritters, a shrimp dish, and chicken with vegetables. We all had margaritas, and our server gave us a sample of a Latin liqueur.

The food was delicious, and we had a great entry into an Old San Juan dining experience.

AJ’s
L-R: Pat,he server , me waving, and Nedra.

Statins Ain’t for Me

We got back to the hotel and readied for well-deserved sleep. Indria and I were knocked out when, all of a sudden, my left leg cramped… then my right leg cramped. Poor Indria had to try to help me, but I had to moan and move the cramps away. Y’all, them cramps came back every ten minutes. (At one point, I was so out of it, I got up and started to dress, thinking it was morning. Wishful thinking; it was only about 2 AM! Indria was like, WHAT?) Every time I’d try to sleep, the cramping started. Indria and I surmised it was the statin I had recently started taking; I finally had to place a chair and pillow on a chair in front of the bed. Legs raised, I finally got to sleep until…

…Drag Racing

I want to know how cars could drag race down a narrow street. Kids were screaming and cars were racing, Vrooming” loudly all night! The funny thing is, Pat and Nedra were on the same side as us, and they slept so soundly they didn’t hear anything!

The racing and my cramps made things oddly exciting during our night in Old San Juan, but we were glad to call an Uber and get our bags to the street to travel to the boat. Oh, and I stopped taking the statin.

Narrow street!!

A Few Things:

  • Every Senior group traveler needs a Nedra Shelton . Someone with a clear head who can read and check details and talk about you when you don’t take care of your business. Check.
  • Every Senior traveler needs a Pat Kline. You need popcorn or sandwiches? She travels with it. A nail file, lipstick, scissors, she’s got it. My girl has any and everthing you forgot to bring. AND when you need someone to grab some young men off the street to lug your luggage down 3 flights of stairs, , whether or not they speak English, Pat’s your girl. Check.
  • Every Senior traveler needs an Indria Sita Khan Perrilloux. When you can’t understand your tour guide, Indria interprets what he’s saying and has you rolling with laughter. all through the cruise. Check
  • Every Senior traveler needs a JB. We need some exotic style to shake us up, and JB is your girl. Check
  • I can dance. What?!

On the serious side, even though I travel at least twice a year, I am finding I need to focus a bit more to organize, get myself on the road, and stay safe and mobile during my trips. I ain’t saying I can’t do it, but I give myself more grace for preparation and execution.

I got this, and so do you!

featured image: Indria, Nedra, and I (St. Thomas Apostle grad pic.), JB. Pat is on image at the restaurant.

Stay tuned for Part II – The 75 and Alive Celebration Cruise

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Please support Spicy…a blog by Victorine, through Patreon. 

 Victorine, Bio

Author of  Be S.A.F.E., StillAware, Faithful, Excellent, now available on Kindle Amazon as an e-book.

“…the book title and its content are intended to be a whisper, reminding us that by connecting with our spiritual self, we can center through anything and that we are forever within the bubble of God’s protection.”

Don’t forget to check out Garden Spices Magazine.

https://www.instagram.com/gardenspicesmagazine/%post_id%

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Exploring Harlem: Local Eats and Iconic Personalities

The Last Go round

It’s Kevin Day!!! What’s so hot about seeing Kevin? He is the ultimate New York talent whose generosity greets my every visit to his city. This time, I insisted on taking him to lunch, so my friend, Pat, and I Ubered to MOM’S KITCHEN & BAR IN NYC to meet him. It was a bit chilly as we waited for our number to be called, but my reunion with Kevin and the delicious food quickly warmed us up. What?

Food and fun!

What is it about Kevin?

Kevin Michael-Kennedy

I had to think about it for a moment, but realized it’s his intensity. When he’s with you, he’s all in. He asked about my trip to Paris, and then his eyes went with me with great enthusiasm. I love questioning him about the Business, and he spills the tea on the ins and outs of navigating the entertainment waters.

Y’all, after catching up on travels, the industry, and such, Kevin excused himself. When he returned, I signaled for the check, but Kevin had already paid it! See? That’s what he do! What?!

You can check out the full skivvy on Kevin-Michael Kennedy in Garden Spices Magazine.

Walking in Harlem

We took a stroll to Kevin’s apartment and encountered every genre of restaurant you could ask for. A walk through Harlem is like turning the pages of a United Nations’ Guidebook – food, fashion, and folks from everywhere. We make it to our next destination, The Little Pie Company. You already know.

See? If they were anything other than miniature delicacies in crust, I’d of been OK, but noooo!! Look at what I had to deal with, but I had to do my duty and take home at least three.

Check out their website; your mouth will water, and you will see every pie known to man. We sampled many options, but I ultimately chose the samples that included apple and blackberry. But we walked out with about 6, and I had at least a forkful of them all. What?!

Performance Art Building

Manhattan Plaza Performance Art Rulding

We finally made it to Kevin’s apartment. Puleeze, just give me one month in this Manhattan Plaza residential building for Performance Art creatives! It’s in a great location, within walking distance to the heart of the city. It’s rent-controlled, and our friend, Kevin, has resided in a lovely one-bedroom apartment there for years. Kevin and Pat took me to the apartment of one of the early residents, the iconic costumer, Katherine (Kathy) Roberson.

Dolled Up

Recently, Pat has been working for Kathy in costuming and she relied on Kathys city skills to steer us in the direction of free sites in NYC. As a well-seasoned New Yorker, Kathy knows her city, and her apartment reflects her life in this Harlem apartment complex. She collects dolls.

Roberson’s home is decorated with a wide exhibition of dolls in every room, and we sat in their midst as she told me about her dance career turned costumer. Please read Gallery & Studio’s comprehensive profile on Kathy Roberson. What a herstory and how impressive!

Katherine Roberson’s dolls, art, and the lobby of the famous Manhattan Plaza complex for Performance Artists.

Mr. K.’s Visit

While Pat and I were tooling around Harlem, Mr. K. and Pat’s husband, Thomas, were hunting down Mr. K.’s childhood friend. Can you imagine, he got to see his friend after 40+ years, and he lived close to where we were staying – right in the heart of Harlem.

In and Out

That evening, we came home to leftovers, pie, pictures, and goodbyes. New York, we’re out, but you stay in our souls.

Joy Juice

I told y’all this once before; get out of town! I don’t care if you go to the town next door or to Tiimbuktu, spread your wings, breathe, and affirm your life. This is the most precious time we have. We don’t know when it blows into dust, but this life, honor it for the jewel it is.

Perspective is king. It’s such a blessing to explore those that are unfamiliar to your own. Jump in a car, a bus, train, or plane and get going, and tell us about where you went. I love guest bloggers. What?!

Act like it!

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”. – Corinthians 5:17

Get movin!

Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning a lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a lion or gazelle. When the sun comes up, you’d better… – African Proverb

It’s all good/love/God” – Victorine

© 2025 Vicki Goldston, All rights reserved.

Leave a comment

Please Subscribe and Follow my blog! Name(required) Email(required)

Please support Spicy…a blog by Victorine, through Patreon. 

 Victorine, Bio

Author of  Be S.A.F.E., StillAware, Faithful, Excellent, now available on Kindle Amazon as an e-book.

“…the book title and its content are intended to be a whisper, reminding us that by connecting with our spiritual self, we can center through anything and that we are forever within the bubble of God’s protection.”

Don’t forget to check out Garden Spices Magazine.

https://www.instagram.com/gardenspicesmagazine/%post_id%

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A Rainy Day in New York: Art, Family, and Memories

MoMA, Whitten, MaryAnn, and Reed

Finally, we were ready to hit the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), and I was thrilled to plan the visit with my cousin, MaryAnn de la Cerna. Once again, we braved the rain—because fair warning: Mr. K. and I don’t seem to bring the sunshine. It snowed in Paris and rained in New York! What?!

Upon entering the renowned MoMA, we were warmly greeted by a guide who advised us to head straight to the sixth floor to view the Jack Whitten exhibit. As we read his bio outside the gallery, we had to pause—he was a Black artist from Bessemer, Alabama, waiting for us? We were beyond excited.

Whitten’s exhibit was stunning. His use of varied media and inspiration from jazz and the Civil Rights Movement took our breath away. These weren’t portraits but deeply layered contemporary works. Some pieces were painted with afro combs, nodding powerfully to the era. He even designed his own instrument to shape and texture the dimensions of his pieces. There were sculptures, too—some inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and the events in Birmingham.

We were captivated for two hours. Then, it was time to meet MaryAnn downstairs.

Slideshow of some of Whitten’s pieces. For full details on Jack Whitten’s exhibit, click Indelible,

  • Mr. K. wiih Whitten’s bio
  • Afro pics
  • box sculpture with scene from BirminghamShadow
  • Insrument created by Whitten
  • Oneos his captions depicting his inspiration

My Cousin? MaryAnn de la Cerna

Let me tell you a story.

While visiting my father in the hospital in Chicago, I answered a phone call from a woman with a lovely voice who introduced herself as his cousin. I’d never met her before, which is no surprise; I know very little about my dad’s folks. She told me her last name: de la Cerna. I said, “The only de LaCerna I know is MaryAnn, a classmate of mine.”

She responded, “I’m her mother!”

Y’all—I was shook! MaryAnn and I attended St. Thomas Apostle High School together. We smiled at each other (and sometimes frowned!) but had no idea we were cousins.

Since that day, MaryAnn and I have stayed in touch through emails, phone calls, and even handwritten postcards—she’s a pen-to-paper kind of person. I’d tried to meet her during past trips to New York, but the stars never aligned—until now.

Mr. K. and I made our way to the museum bookstore to meet her, but I didn’t see her anywhere. I called her—and she was literally sitting on the bench right next to where I was standing. She had a hat on and wasn’t wearing the glasses I remembered from high school!

After a joyful hug and introductions (it had been 1968 since we last laid eyes on each other), we headed to a cozy Italian restaurant she knew well. Mr. K. and I sipped martinis; we all shared a fresh salad and devoured copious amounts of pizza. The visit was glorious.

Afterward, MaryAnn, the consummate New Yorker, was ready to take us to Times Square. Mr. K. and I? We were like, “Uber, Uber…take us home!” 😄

BTW, You can catch MaryAnn in Garden Spices. Y’all know I had to get her to submit one of her essays. What?!

MaryAnn and moi

Reed’s Visit

Curry at Pa Pa Thai

The next day, we got ready for a visit from Mr. K’s son, Reed, who had flown in from Paris to see friends in New York. My dear friends Pat and Thomas hosted him at their home in Harlem. We grabbed coats and umbrellas (yes—it was still raining) and walked to a nearby Pa Pa Thai restaurant.

We shared great food and even better stories. Can I just say—it’s such a blessing to be with family. Reed, with his quiet charm (remember Paris?), made a lasting impression on Pat and Thomas. They ended the visit by inviting him to stay with them anytime he returned to the city.

While we were ready to walk home and wind down, Reed—true to his NY-savvy self—was off to the Village to meet more friends.

Our Concert with “DJ” Thomas

Only a quarter ofThomas’ collection


That night wrapped with a private concert from DJ Thomas himself. His music collection is massive, and we got down to Luther, The Temptations, The O’Jays, The Gap Band—you name it. Add in a few libations, some dancing, and a film, and we were satisfied.

I even stayed awake for the movie G20. What?!

Joy Juice

Here’s what I know: Every one of my trips includes at least one museum visit. I find them fascinating—like walking through a portal to emotion, history, and imagination. But discovering a family connection? That’s beyond any exhibit. Finding MaryAnn, my cousin, and sharing a day with her—that was a moment of grace.

My extended family is scattered across the U.S. and the Caribbean. I don’t know them all, but now I know her. And that’s a treasure.

So, if you have extended family you haven’t connected with—do it. Call them. Text. Write. Visit. Don’t take it for granted. Roots matter. Of course, we are all rooted in our friendships; that’s family, too!

“Grandchildren are the crown of the elderly, and the glory of children is their parents.”
— Proverbs 17:6

“A family is like a forest. When you are outside, it is dense. When you are inside, you see that each tree has its place.”
— African Proverb

“It’s all good/love/God” – Victorine

© 2025 Vicki Goldston, All rights reserved.

Leave a comment

—please Subscribe and Follow my blog!  Name(required) Email(required)

Help keep the stories flowing. Please support Spicy…a blog by Victorine, through Patreon. 

 Victorine, Bio

Author of  Be S.A.F.E., StillAware, Faithful, Excellent, now available on Kindle Amazon as an e-book.

“…the book title and its content are intended to be a whisper, reminding us that by connecting with our spiritual self, we can center through anything and that we are forever within the bubble of God’s protection.”

Don’t forget to check out Garden Spices Magazine.

https://www.instagram.com/gardenspicesmagazine/%post_id

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Why I Love New York: Soul Food and Jazz Experiences

Part 2:

Why New York?

I live in Florence, AL, but I am originally from Chicago, “Second City.” I love my Southside roots and still sample all the city’s culture and style. While Chi has my heart, my soul pumps when I visit New York. While writing this, I realized the difference between the two – it’s me.

I’m no longer the young woman living on the Northside, walking to work on the Magnificent Mile, singing at the Free Theater, or eating Japanese food with Chris Kobayashi in my building of young hopefuls. Taking a bus, subway, or cab, staying out into the wee hours? No more. However, even at 75, New York invites this lifestyle and more. Don’t get me wrong; my knees hurt in New York, like in Chicago, but I still managed to do what makes me love the Big Apple. What?!

Getting Our Feet Wet

Schomberg’s Socially relevant artwork from A to Z

I told y’all about Gypsy in my last post. The next day, my friend Pat, Mr. K, and I went to the Schomberg Center for Research of Black Culture housed in a Harlem library. We viewed a small exhibit by young folks, including all socially relevant artwork, curated alphabetically. While some work was humorous (Take a look at Z!) all was impressive, but the day was early. Where to now? We were guided by a vintage New Yorker, Kathy Roberson, who knew all the free haunts. She sent us to the National Jazz Museum, hoping the early-day concert would be brewing. And boy, was it!

It was. on like a pot of neckbones! This small, colorful venue housed wonderful art, and we caught the last half hour of a jazz trio with a drummer that kept us enthralled. After leaving the concert room, we explored the exhibit area with everything from a cardboard standup of Dizzy Gillespie to one of Duke Ellington’s pianos. My hunger for jazz was satisfied, but now it was time to eat.

Dizzy Gillespie standup
Artwork in theater
Duke Ellington’s piano

Trek to Soul Food Paradise – Sylvia’s

Despite the mild rain, we walked to see what cuisine piqued our interest. We passed an Ethiopian place, a Thai, and an Italian, and finally, Pat suggested we travel for fish. We were game until we ran into the legendary Sylvia’s, the Soul Food restaurant. While we wanted fish, we had to go in and at least have drinks at Sylvia’s. Upon our entry, the cashier and hostess, Sylvia’s granddaughter, were warm and welcoming. After being ushered to our table, we were like, “We eatin’ right here!”

We had a great time with our waitress, carefully placing our order. Mr. K. and Pat had libations (Mr. K. had the nerve to order Long Island Iced Tea, and y’all know he had to share his ministry, Khan Academy. What?!). We ordered baked turkey wings with garlic potatoes, greens, and yams, and Pat ordered the mac’n’cheese. We had cobbler for dessert. When I tell you that food was on point? I never tasted cornbread like those muffins; they were delicious, even to Southern palettes. What?!

Y’all know we like to talk. So when we met Sylvia’s granddaughter, we got the complete lowdown on Sylvia and the family’s participation in making the restaurant what it is today. She recalled days in her childhood when the entire family was called upon for restaurant duties – folding napkins, prepping food, etc. Afterward, we met the owner, Sylvia’s son, Kenneth Woods, and it felt so good to be in this Black historical eatery.

When we made it home, rather than hitting another club, we opted to relax and get ready for the next New York adventure. Can we say MOMA? (The Museum of Modern Art) What?! STAY TUNED…

Yep! Pat Lewis and I getting down at Sylvia’s
Mr. K. and I, with Kenneth Woods, Sylvia’s son

SLIDE SHOW OF SYLVIA’S FOOD AND PRODUCTS

  • Barbecued Turkey wings
  • Candied yas
  • Cornbread with topping
  • Bagel and egg with Secret Seasoning
  • Cornbread muffins wiwth Sylvia’s Cornbread mix

Joy Juice

History is so important. We grab it wherever we can, sometimes even in a restaurant. New York and cities all over the world include sites and centers that continue to recognize the past. These stories continue to be important in shifting the future.

Some, like the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, are being threatened, but we continue to recognize what the exhibits celebrate by living in our greatness. We create our own history, and whether or not we have a museum, our descendants carry our legacy. Our history is us, our stories, and we ain’t going nowhere!

“9 for we were born but yesterday and know so little; our days here on earth are as transient as shadows. 10 But the wisdom of the past will teach you. ..” – Job

“Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”
George Santayana

“Until the lion tells the story, the hunter will always be the hero.” – African proverb

Leave a comment

“It’s all good/love/God” – Victorine

© 2025 Vicki Goldston, All rights reserved.

Please Subscribe and Follow my blog! Name(required) Email(required)

Please support Spicy…a blog by Victorine, through Patreon. 

 Victorine, Bio

Author of  Be S.A.F.E., StillAware, Faithful, Excellent, now available on Kindle Amazon as an e-book.

“…the book title and its content are intended to be a whisper, reminding us that by connecting with our spiritual self, we can center through anything and that we are forever within the bubble of God’s protection.”

Don’t forget to check out Garden Spices Magazine.

https://www.instagram.com/gardenspicesmagazine/%post_id

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Worth Another Conversation?

Picture generated by AI

So, I was at the CVS Pharmacy counter on Florence Blvd., Florence, AL, checking out my purchases, and I was greeted by the new, becoming a familiar, face of their affable employee. He has a white Santa-esque smile and greets me warmly. I interrupted a conversation, which continued as he checked me out. He told the other worker about the FEMA director who was attacked by responders to the Asheville storm crisis. I couldn’t help but question him.

He told me that responders were being halted by the FEMA Director trying to give aid on air and the ground and were told they could not enter the city. He said they angrily attacked the director and entered Asheville with a vengeance. I found this incredulous, but I listened to him with doubting eyes. I mentioned how I read that FEMA feared they would run out of funds for all the upcoming hurricanes. However, when I mentioned that, he immediately informed me that FEMA was supplying the financing for the Ukraine war; how we can’t take care of everyone else if we can’t take care of ourselves. He then gave me the amount of money we had poured into Ukraine. Then…

…he started on Canada and how they know how to handle things and how tight their military is. “Our military can’t move without the government,” he complained. I queried, “So, you want the military to have full power to run this country. Have you read about countries run by the military or by DICTATORS?” I told him about a Venezuelan family that had to hide under the bed from a military regime on the rampage. He digressed and said, “I think if anything happened in this country, we would take care of ourselves in Alabama.” I looked at him doubtingly and asked, “All of us?” He looked squeamish and said, “I really think so. There’s not a person I would not help if they needed it.” I believed him, or I believed he believed himself. What?!

By now, you must have guessed which way this guy leans politically – right to you know who. He reported what he knew to be true, but it was conjecture, false news, most of it sprouted by X, which used to be Twitter. My questions did not move his opinion about the fate of the country. However, I screenshotted a news item that refuted his “news” about the FEMA director. When I see him next, I will show him my capture, and because he is Santaesque, I will give him the gift of conversation. This time, it is about truth, lies, and the American way. I probably won’t change his mind/vote, but I may open his eyes.

What do you think?

Joy Juice

Shoot me; I have rose-colored glasses and feel change can be affected through communication, even on a small scale.

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; James l:19

“A person is a person because of other people.” African Proverb

“It’s all good/love/God” – Victorine

© 2024 Vicki Goldston, All rights reserved.

Please Subscribe and Follow my blog! Name(required) Email(required)

Please support Spicy…a blog by Victorine, through Patreon. 

 Victorine, Bio

Author of  Be S.A.F.E., StillAware, Faithful, Excellent, now available on Kindle Amazon as an e-book.

“…the book title and its content are intended to be a whisper, reminding us that by connecting with our spiritual self, we can center through anything and that we are forever within the bubble of God’s protection.”

Don’t forget to check out Garden Spices Magazine.