My trip to Austin

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So last week I had the pleasure of visiting Austin, Texas, my first trip ever to Austin.  I was in town for BlogHer16, and went in a day early in order to have some time to explore the city as well as catch up with an old friend.  Before leaving for Austin, I did some research and was interested in the fact that the airport only has local vendors, there are no chain restaurants in the airport (what a great way to support locals).  What a great way to invest in local businesses and what a great way to showcase a few of the things that Austin has to offer.

So I was interested and excited to see the Austin airport.  While, I was a little sleepy, I had a 6am flight and had been up since 4:00am, I did have the opportunity to see a little of the airport.  I was also happy to see that the airport was not a huge airport, but a quant, clean quiet airport, compared to other airports I have experienced. By the time I landed, I was more interested in a nap, but as I walked out of the airport I did have the opportunity to see the restaurants and shops that were in the airport.

Once I got to my first hotel, Hotel Indigo, I was sleepy and hungry and went for a walk around the neighborhood to see what was in the immediate area, but most importantly to find some food. After dealing with a few hiccups at the hotel, I went in search of some food.  I had seen several people online bragging about the food and live music at Stubb’s, so I decided to head there for lunch, and since it was right across the street from the hotel it was the perfect pick.  Let me say that the smoked turkey at Stubb’s was the type of food that makes you feel like everything is moving in slow motion because you just want to enjoy it. It was a great welcome to Austin.

The portions at Stubbs were enough for lunch and dinner, so I did not have to think about what I was going to eat later, however my friend and I went to happy hour at Takoba, another local restaurant to catch up and for appetizers and drinks.  The ceviche at Takoba was the best ceviche I have had to date.  There was just enough of everything for you to experience the powerful flavors without one flavor overpowering any other favor.  I do not like cilantro (yeah, I don’t) and I often forget to tell people to not put any in my food.  But even the cilantro did not make this ceviche bad.  And the frozen margarita to wash it down was the perfect compliment.  It was truly a happy hour!

The remainder of the first day was pretty much uneventful, but I will say that at the Indigo, if you need quiet place to sleep, that may not be your best choice.  Austin is a music town, and there was music going until 5am.  Now I can pretty much sleep through anything, I did wake up a few times throughout the night and the music was still going.  It think it was probably about 5am before I woke up and didn’t hear any music.

Overall, Austin is on my list of places to go back to.  While I was able to do a few things, I had lunch on 6th street, saw a lot of the food trucks, and was able to see just a little of the city, I would love to go back to really get a better tourist perspective of the city.  I did have the opportunity to have a short sight seeing expedition of some historical civil rights locations but I would have loved to have learned more.  Austin has a lot see and do and my next visit I will do, see and eat more.

 

Stay Blessed…….Stay Fabulous!

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Birthday Sex

aahhfest4Ok, so now that I have your attention, no, this post is not about Birthday Sex, well not actually.  However I did see Jeremih this weekend and he did perform this song.  This past weekend was my birthday (Libra Season) and I spent my birthday at AAHH!Fest, a two day festival hosted and organized by Chicago’s own Common, to provide needed resources to Chicago’s communities.  Proceeds from the festival go to support the efforts of the Common Ground Foundation, Common’s Foundation, as well as Donda’s House, the foundation named in honor of the late Donda West, mother of Kanye.

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The two day festival includes a community day where festival participants are treated to local talent and activities.  There was also food, games, heath information and a college and career area.  Local performers graced the stage and local youth were showcased.  This year there was a performance by Chance the Rapper, who actually hosted his own sold out event, Magnificent Coloring Day, later that day.  His dedication to support both events demonstrate the level of commitment artist have to Chicago and to improving the City and the neighborhoods within the City.

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Vic Mensa

 

Sunday I was excited to see The Roots.  And I have to say they did not disappoint.  It was an awesome way to spend my birthday.  In addition to Jeremih, Vic Mensa, The Roots,  Bilal, Common, Ice Cube and J.Cole all performed.  There was even a surprise appearance by R. Kelly.  The show was hosted by comedians Deon Cole and Damon Williams who is know all over town for Funny First Saturdays.  There were also local DJ’s featured, such as Vince Adams, one of my favorites.

The weather was perfect, I even managed not to get eaten by any mosquitoes.  This was my first time attending the festival, however it will not be my last.  More than anything else I took away from the event, in the wake of the recent killings of innocent people over the past few years, the passion and the messages that many of the artists left us with.  The names of the victims were not forgotten.  Another thing that stood out for me was that Chicago was well represented.  The best and the brightest of the City let us know that they have not forgotten home.  That is the message that will resonate with me until the next festival.  There is no place like home!

 

Be Blessed!  Be Fabulous!

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