5 Year Plan.

So a friend asked me last night what was my five year plan to which I responded, “Don’t have one.”

Backstory, said friend mentioned wanting to experience Egypt before she died, (No, she isn’t sick) but after my response of, “Girl, Yes! Research flights, excursions, food, and places to stay” she said, oh no not right now, in about five years. I’m like FIVE YEARS? Girl, you could die, waiting! My friend went on to explain, she’s working on paying off debt which could take another two years, possibly buying a house, after that, then she thinks she’ll be ready to travel in a manner she’d like. Now, I know having goals are a great thing, I have em too, just my goals revolve around traveling.

With the current climate we are living in, Life’s fragility seems so much more apparent. So much more real. It’s as if, we are understanding that we are not as invincible as we believed ourselves to be. With that knowledge, I couldn’t see myself waiting for … something. If I want it, I need to make it happen, without placing a timetable on it. For me, a five year plan wouldn’t sustain me, because I’m aware of how fleeting time is.

So, “Why wait for tomorrow, when you can go today?!”

Tristan Jonez

One Night Only (Atl)

Surprisingly I’ve only been to Atlanta once. A city that’s such a historic epicenter, I can’t understand why I haven’t been interested in going before.

One Night Only Consists of three parts, The Arts, Food and Culture. Right now, let’s explore The Arts. SCAD, The Savannah College of Arts and Design, has SCAD FASH, museum of fashion and Film, which initially wasn’t on my radar, but I was lead to explore. Quick Story, the museum’s entry is ‘car friendly’, it’s easily accessible thru the parking garage but you know I’m walking. So I ended up walking pass the parking garage, then walking back and thru the garage, but it’s only key accessible on the ground flr. So I had to walk to the first floor to get to the elevator, to gain access to the fourth floor! Extensive but, the exhibit was worth every bead of sweat acquired.

The space houses two exhibits at the same time usually but a new exhibit was being installed which opens later this month on the 22nd. An intimate space, which allows personal attention from the curator, was a nice change from the major museums we usually experience. The exhibit, Form & Function: Shoe Art by Chris Frances, an iconic Los Angeles based artist, who explores the blurred lines of art, fashion and functionality. The exhibit continues through December 8th.

Jonez.

Zoo Life.

So while in Portugal for my birthday, I made time to visit the zoo. I know I know, in every city I tell y’all I am no longer going to the zoo because it scares me, but aren’t we supposed to do things that scares us? Why does the zoo scares me you ask? Because minus NYC zoo’s it doesn’t seem as if the fence is all the way enclosed, or there’s no damn fence at all. I always believe, the day I am there, is the day the animals will protest, and realize they are sick of being where they are an attempt to break out. Wild imagination but hey you never know. Portugal zoo, has to be the number one scariest zoo I’ve ever been able to visit. There are peacocks, about fifty of ’em, just walking around the grounds all willy nilly, while the monkeys are not in an enclosure, at all!

I believe I had a good time, after I was on safe grounds OUTSIDE of the Zoo. I always have a great time learning about where they animals actually come from, but I think I may have to retire the exploration of Zoos in the near future. Do you have a must see when traveling to another country?

Tristan J

Viva La Puerto Rico

There’s something about the Caribbean, Puerto Rico in particular that I will always be connected to. At times, I’m about to recognize influences in the art, the food or the culture so it’s not surprise I’m smitten with he artist known as Carlos Rolòn. I was fortunate enough to catch his art at the New Orleans Museum Of Modern Art. Flowers will forever be my weakness but then he painted them on an 24K Gold background and it’s almost as if my eyes can’t decide where to look first. The art is set in a dimly lit room with stark white walls, that looks smilies to sand but I could be reaching. Leaving the exhibit, I felt as if I had been brought to the sands of Puerto Rico.

Tristan J

Desert Island; Tulsa

Although I doubt I’ll be in a hurry to return to Tulsa, I actually liked it. As a black woman, in the back of my mind, I’m always concerned about racism, and leaving that city alive but I just go with my gut instinct and everything usually turns out peachy. Tulsa was practically deserted, especially for a Monday, hardly any museums were opened, the temp tipped just above 93, and restaurants were virtually nonexistent!

However Religious buildings were abundant, as well as the city’s homeless population. I do wonder if Tulsa has an initiative to bring tourism to the city, because it does have potential, it gives me small town in a big city vibe. Driving in the Uber I did run into an area with life, such as shops, restaurants and dives. My curiosity is a bit peaked, I just may have to return.

FYI The Street art I did found, was of quality!

Tristan Jonez

Venice, My Venice.

I can’t begin to tell you guys why I miss Venice, Italy so much but I miss it with such fierceness, that words do not adequately explain how I feel. Since I will not be able to visit my beloved country, drooling over these photos will have to do.

Tristan J.