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February 2014

New Orleans, Still Classy

By | Baby Jade, Blog, Infomation, Uncategorized | No Comments

Next year marks the ten year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina; the storm that stole 1,833 souls. I had the pleasure of visiting New Orleans pre-Katrina, and just recently, post. I have to say that New Orleans did not lose its charm and instead maintained her classy, ever gracious self. In a city where one can wander the streets with alcoholic beverages in their hand, one may think the city is reminiscent to a modern day Gomorrah, but instead you find yourself amongst the friendly folks. Filled with southern hospitality and a great appreciation for life, the citizens of this city went above and beyond to make me and my associates feel at home.
The general public is from all walks of life. Folks of New Orleans aren’t known because of their outer appearance, but by the way they treat you. Men, women, black, white, foreign and native alike all held one thing; they were courteous, and full of life. They didn’t treat you as if you were a visitor in the city but more like family they’ve known for ages. What some may have found abrupt, I saw as a group of people breaking down the barrier of tourists versus locals. One felt at home everywhere they went.
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The history etched in the city is what makes it so majestic. Plaques of the Spanish officials the streets are named after, jazz bands playing in the streets, the buildings untouched on the outside, and the smells of classic creole and southern dishes wafting through the streets make you feel like if you closed your eyes you could be walking the streets when New Orleans was first becoming what it’s now known for today.
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The food was glorious! I think I had grits with every meal. Having grown up in the south, I’ve always been a fan of good ol’ fashioned southern style dishes, and the delicacies I tasted were simply out of this world. Simple dishes were given a twist, classic dishes were fused with new world flavor, and some dishes were served in paper bags as they had been for the past 50 years. No matter what your taste preference is, you were guaranteed to find something that would not only taste great but would also blow you away. And the freshness in their sea food can’t be compared to anything else! A dish that is common to New Orleans was Alligator. Alligator was a common find on every menu we came across. What I thought was a rare food was being ordered left and right with no surprise but as if the most common fare ever. I’ll admit I wasn’t brave enough to try the Alligator but I did understand just how popular a dish it is.
All in all, New Orleans captured my heart. I left a little bit of it there and plan to return shortly to not only get it back but fill it with even more love for that wonderful city.

*Thank you for continuously reading my blogs. For more content check out my YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/bethlehemawate*

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Xo, B

Madiba Still on my mind….

By | Baby Jade, Blog, Infomation, Uncategorized | No Comments

“A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.” –Nelson Mandela
As we start off a New Year, many of us will reflect on this past year and the mistakes, blessings, trials, tribulations, and mercy we found. Unfortunately, December was a month of tribulations for me. In a month where the world celebrates the birth of Christ, I found myself mourning His sons. By Christmas day I found the wounds just starting to heal. I sought refuge and found it in the most beautiful place; in the words of Mr. Nelson Mandela.

Mandela was a giant among men. He fought for the equality of all. A look back at his life, one can see that Mandela was who he was because of the amount of courage and faith he had. He knew the journey he was going to embark on would most likely end with his imprisonment or death, but he didn’t let that stop him. He chose to accept his fate and battle the struggles facing his people head on; prepared for death.

I started to dissect who Mandela was. A person of flesh and blood as I am, Mandela possessed no extraordinary powers, just a belief in a free world. That belief was enough to send him on a full blown life campaign to ensure that he, his children, and his fellow countrymen, live as they were born; free.

I now find myself seeking to find my belief. To be the change I want to see in this ever evolving world. Although I can only hope to accomplish a tenth of what Mr. Mandela accomplished, I have set a New Year’s mission. To be vocal. To fight for the causes that matter the most to me. I only pray I do it with the same style and unselfish grace as Madiba. One can hope no?

In a world where Superhero’s have become a staple, I find that they do in fact exist, just not as we’ve always envisioned them. They are men and women who walk among us in broad daylight sheathed with nothing more than courage and a belief.

Our recent trip to Sundance gave us the extreme honor and pleasure of meeting Madiba’s grandson Kweku Mandela. He is truly his Grandfather’s spirit, so humble and very much about the fight for humanity and equality. A highlight in my life and a great joy considering I will never be able to personally meet Madiba.

Mandela was released from prison at the age of 72. Let his life be testament that one should never give up on what matters, and that you can make a difference at any age. He is the epitome of a superhero.

“Death is something inevitable. When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace. I believe I have made that effort and that is, therefore, why I will sleep for the eternity.” –Nelson Mandela. I can confidently say Madiba’s beautiful soul has found absolute peace.

*Thank you for continuously reading my blogs. For more content check out my YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/bethlehemawate*

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Xo, B