Steppes In Africa; One Letter at a Time- B is for: Bed to Bed in 38 hours (5/26)

[zanzibar138]

Zanzibar: Where Blue Meets Green (The green part another day)

So excited to hear all about it!

 

[Steppesister]

A snorkel in the Zanzibar Channel. Saw a few interesting things…

 

[pkondz]

How close were you to the sea snake? I think those are really venomous.

 

[missjackiemcg]

You and your snakes!!! I am terrified from afar, but I can't wait to hear about your experience!

 

[Steppesister]

A little monkey business today…

 

[pkondz]

Nice shot!

 

[Steppesister]

Last Day’s Wanderings…

 

[pkondz]

That door needs just a bit more ornateness. It’s a bit dull. No?

 

[Steppesister]

Last Day of sneak peeks.

TR after laundry and jet-lag recovery…

 

[pkondz]

Is that an airport or a theme park??

 

[buzzrelly]

Happy belated Birthday! Beautiful pics! Looks like an amazing trip!!

 

[missjackiemcg]

Welcome home!!!! Can't wait to hear all about your amazing adventure!

 

[Steppesister]

******Thank you for all who were following along for the Sneak Peeks while I was gone! I hope they piqued your interest and have you excited for all of the adventures that follow! I had a wonderful birthday (thank you for the warm wishes!!) and can't wait to share that day with you all! I will forego replies this time for the sake of getting on with the "good stuff" but do know I loved checking in and seeing some chatter while I was away. Now... onto the telling of this tale... ******

A is for: Africa Bound!- Travel: Pt 1

(Day 1: May 2)​

Life is about the journey, some say. Others might favor the destination and dismiss the journey as a necessary evil. Whichever camp you fall in, it’s inevitable that every trip report must begin with at least a little travel, no? If you are not so excited about the travel days, feel free to skip this chapter entirely. I will try and make it as entertaining as possible and get us all safely to Tanzania.

As always, I was anxious to get “vacation” started just as soon after my last shift as possible. Everyone seems to have his or her idea of exactly when their vacation feels like it has started and mine is when I walk out the door from work. The other magical, “I’m-on-vacation-now” moment is boarding the plane but that’s a ways off yet…

I was off work by an astounding 1:15 on Friday the 2nd. My MA is the absolute best and had blocked off my schedule so I could get on the road and on my way. If you’re a medical assistant reading this, I hope you know how valuable you are to the providers you work with! It was a good thing we wrapped up early too. When I walked out of the building the wind had picked up and the sky was looking rather wicked. Most of you know I live in Kentucky, which has been hit particularly hard the last few years with devastating tornadoes and floods. We don’t let our guard down nonchalantly anymore after a good chunk of our city was taken out in 2021. Just as I got in the car I got an alert on the phone that we were under a tornado watch for the evening. This did not bode well for my hour+ long drive to Nashtown.

My nails got done the evening before:

​

My bags had been packed in the car for weeks (and unpacked, and re-packed, and re-loaded multiple times). I’d gassed up the car the morning before; the only thing left to do was hit the road. By now the wind was ferocious and so violent that it knocked out the power to the streetlights and branches were already starting to drop. This backed up traffic, so I pulled up a Google Map which took me on the kookiest route possible. Ugh, getting out of town was already in and of itself one big adventure. Finally, finally I was on the interstate and truly on my way. Luckily, the cell had mostly moved on and the drive wasn’t too bad.

​

Months prior I’d made arrangements with my half uncle and his wife to hang out for a short evening on Lower Broadway with dinner at Hattie B’s Hot Chicken and a ride to the airport hotel. This worked out perfectly! I got to their house about 3:00 and while I thought we would be leaving right away, it turned out my uncle had just laid down for a nap. While we waited, the best thing to do (since it was drizzling still) was chat over a cocktail with Lisa (my aunt in-law?) and catch up.

​

Eventually T got up and off we headed to Nashville for a little honky-tonk fun.

Parking was easy-peasy and soon enough we found ourselves standing in line for the famous Hattie B’s Nashville Hot Chicken. Unfortunately, we ended up at the newer one on Broadway, not the original location in Midtown. I wasn’t paying attention and let them navigate and by the time we had parked it was too late to change the game plan. Ah well, if you are ever in Music City and want to try some Nashville Hot, shoot for the original restaurant which has far more character.

​

Hattie B’s is an experience all in itself; the production of thousands of chicken meals a night is quite something. I ordered a “medium”, or “2 dip” which is just the right amount of heat for me. Their sides are sooooo good- I went with the black-eyed pea salad, potato salad, and coleslaw; it also came with fries (I mostly leave those alone). Other good sides you might consider are their bacon cheddar grits and pimento mac cheese.

​

I left stuffed to the gills and ready to walk the South’s version of Vegas. It can be debated which city has more neon. They probably tie in the drunk people category. I was in search of some older style country, blues, swing, or anything that was not covers of new stuff. We ended up in a dive bar named Roberts which opened in 1950 or thereabouts. Of the 2 bars we went to, this one had better music by far! The 3-member band did some covers of older stuff including Johny Cash, The Highwaymen, and Glenn Campbell. The bassist was particularly engaging and on point.

(A rock-a-billy number they did)

​

We listened and bee-bopped for about 45 minutes or so over a couple of drinks, then walked further down Broadway for a rooftop view. I can’t tell you which bar we went to, but the main stage had standing room only and the music was, while okay, was just covers of modern “country” which isn’t really my cup of tea. The view from the rooftop (where there’s yet another stage) was fantastic but it was raining and chilly. With that we called it a night and they drove me to the hotel I’d stay in for a few very short hours.

(From whatever rooftop we'd ended up at)​

 

[pkondz]

Thank you for all who were following along for the Sneak Peeks while I was gone!

I hope they piqued your interest

A is for: Africa Bound!- Pt 1

Oh! I thought you were going to Akron.

So close...

Life is about the journey, some say. Others might favor the destination and dismiss the journey as a necessary evil.

Depends on the journey and on the destination...

If you are not so excited about the travel days, feel free to skip this chapter entirely.

Stops reading. Closes computer. Turns on TV...


Okay, Okay... I'll keep reading.

As always, I was anxious to get “vacation” started just as soon after my last shift as possible.

That's always the longest work day of the week, by far.

mine is when I walk out the door from work.

Me too! The second I'm outside the building, I have zero thoughts of work.

I live in Kentucky, which has been hit particularly hard the last few years with devastating tornadoes and floods.

I remember something about that.

Just as I got in the car I got an alert on the phone that we were under a tornado watch for the evening. This did not bode well for my hour+ long drive to Nashtown.

My nails got done the evening before:
[][/]

Looks a little out of place for Akron, but... suppose you know best.

My bags had been packed in the car for weeks (and unpacked, and re-packed, and re-loaded multiple times).

getting out of town was already in and of itself one big adventure.

You made it obviously, but I'm sure that wasn't a lot of fun.

Lisa (my aunt in-law?)

Quarter aunt.

Unfortunately, we ended up at the newer one on Broadway, not the original location in Midtown.

Well, shoot. I'd want to go to the original. I saw it once on a restaurant show similar to Guy Fieri's DDD.

I went with the black-eyed pea salad, potato salad, and coleslaw

I don't know about the pea salad, but the rest... yes please!

Fantastic shot. I was sure it was an advertising photo from the company's web site until I saw your copyright on it.

I left stuffed to the gills

I can't see how you wouldn't be. Chicken plus three sides??? And fries? (Touched or not)
I don't know where you put it all.

It can be debated which city has more neon. They probably tie in the drunk people category.

(A rock-a-billy number they did)

I'm not a country music fan, but that was pretty good! And stand up bass, not electric guitar-bass! Cool!

 

[rdkeim]

You're on your way!

 

[zanzibar138]

I had a wonderful birthday (thank you for the warm wishes!!) and can't wait to share that day with you all!

Sounds like it was very special - can't wait to hear about it!

Life is about the journey, some say. Others might favor the destination and dismiss the journey as a necessary evil. Whichever camp you fall in, it’s inevitable that every trip report must begin with at least a little travel, no?

From Western Australia, the journey is almost always pretty long! We definitely like to break it up and/or add a little luxury to our journey to make it more palatable.

Everyone seems to have his or her idea of exactly when their vacation feels like it has started and mine is when I walk out the door from work.

Mine is when we have checked in at the airport, waiting for our flight (preferably in a lounge), drink in hand.

Just as I got in the car I got an alert on the phone that we were under a tornado watch for the evening. This did not bode well for my hour+ long drive to Nashtown.

Uh oh...

My nails got done the evening before:

Super cute

My bags had been packed in the car for weeks (and unpacked, and re-packed, and re-loaded multiple times). I’d gassed up the car the morning before; the only thing left to do was hit the road.

OMG so organised!

Luckily, the cell had mostly moved on and the drive wasn’t too bad.

Phew! I think I would have been too scared to make the drive!

While we waited, the best thing to do (since it was drizzling still) was chat over a cocktail with Lisa (my aunt in-law?) and catch up.

Sounds like you needed it after that drive

Your whole evening sounds like a blast! What a great way to start your trip.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Your trip is off to a great start ( minus the scary tornado warning). Looks like the bars were hopping that night. Fab view from the rooftop.

 

[Wood Nymph]

You sure know how to party before a big trip. I'm glad that it all worked out, especially the weather.

 

[Steppesister]

Oh! I thought you were going to Akron.

So close...

Nope, didn't even fly OVER Akron.

Depends on the journey and on the destination...

I guess in some ways it does. And I'll get to that....

Stops reading. Closes computer. Turns on TV...


Okay, Okay... I'll keep reading.

Phew, dodged that one!

That's always the longest work day of the week, by far.

... even if it does end very early.

Me too! The second I'm outside the building, I have zero thoughts of work.

Exactly. Although, some say it's not til you're at the airport.

Looks a little out of place for Akron, but... suppose you know best.

Maybe there's an Akron, Africa?

Quarter aunt.

LOL! Something like that. Long story, but she's actually younger than me, as is my uncle.

Well, shoot. I'd want to go to the original. I saw it once on a restaurant show similar to Guy Fieri's DDD.

It's a bit on the run-down side with a closed in porch to eat on. Kinda fun!

I don't know about the pea salad, but the rest... yes please!

I love it! Made with a sweet vinegar based dressing with a little onion and pepper. MMmm!

Fantastic shot. I was sure it was an advertising photo from the company's web site until I saw your copyright on it.

Nope, all mine!!! That's how they line up the orders to get carried out.

I can't see how you wouldn't be. Chicken plus three sides??? And fries? (Touched or not)
I don't know where you put it all.

Oh no, we all shared everything family style-ish. I only had a couple of smaller pieces of chicken but I was STARVING so gobbled them up super fast!

I'm not a country music fan, but that was pretty good! And stand up bass, not electric guitar-bass! Cool!

They were outstanding! Very good technique and a great set.

 

[Steppesister]

You're on your way!

WHEEEE!!