5 things I liked about New York City

Hey y'all,

My few days in New York city were filled with awe and joy. I was reminded of the Dar es Salaam life, but better. Here are 5 things that I liked about my little NYC break.

1. Lively

NYC is very lively and I liked that. People were putting on shows on the streets, the subways, at Times Square. I really enjoyed that life.The fact that I was in no hurry, it allowed me the time to stand or sit and observe my surroundings and see the joy in people's faces. 

2. Public transportation

The public transportation in NYC was my favorite. Having multiple forms of transportation makes life so easy for New Yorkers and I see why it's continuing to be the 'it' city of this nation. When I complained about the public transportation in Jacksonville, to some, I did not make any sense, but to those who've lived in other major cities always agree with me and said how transportation is better in metropolitan cities like New York. I believe having a good public transportation system is one of the causes for a city to develop, for more people to move to a city, and for businesses to increase.

3. Old building

I met someone for a short planned meeting and she asked me what I liked about New York city. I thought she would think I am crazy when I told her I loved looking at the old buildings, but much to my surprise, that's what a lot of people like too, including her. The old buildings reminded me of Zanzibar. I felt as though I lived in the 1880's yet in 2020. I was impressed at how most of those building are well maintained. New York city has a vintage yet modern feel to it, that's something to fall madly in love with. Unfortunately, not all the old buildings had Zanzibar doors styles, which means Zanzibar will forever remain the most beautiful island in Africa..

4. The United Nations

I found out about the UN visitor tour on Friday and I told myself, I would feel so bad if I left the city without visiting the famous UN head quarters. I paid for the tour online and off I went. Being inside that building made me want to apply for a job at the spot. Everything about United Nations is amazing. The staff, what UN is about, the goals, just everything. The tour was for about an hour, we got to visit the 4 branches of the United Nations, and hear a brief history of the UN and it's ongoing projects across the world.

5. People

The amount of people moving around in New York city is beyond what I had imaged before I went there. While sitting in a metro I asked myself how many people I had seen in a matter of few hours? I wanted to count those in the metro with me but I gave up. Sad to say, just because there are plenty of people around, it did not mean people didn't sit by themselves, or look lonely. I expected NYC to be a busy city with a culture where people talk to each other - strangers or not, but it wasn't the case. However, I met wonderful people who helped me out when I had questions about the metro and the stops I needed to make. 

Road trip to New York City

Hey y'all, 

Finally!!! It felt good taking a break from my day to day life. I took a road trip to New York with Greyhound bus. I enjoyed the bus ride very much, I enjoyed the different cities we stopped in. I decided to check the weather at every stop, just to see how different they are from Jacksonville. I looked lost when I stepped into the Greyhound station in Jacksonville, but the staff were very helpful and patient with me. It took 23 hours to travel, my legs were swollen when I got to NYC.

NYC was a lot of fun, unfortunately I walked more than I expected which messed up my feet and legs because I didn't carry the right shoes for walking. Taking the metro was easy yet challenging at times, especially when I paid for a metro card and it didn't work -what a waste of money! Linda joined me on Friday and the walking got crazier but fun. I enjoyed everything about NYC, most importantly the tour of United Nations HQ. I am glad I flew back to Jacksonville because my legs gave up!

Back to a sunny Florida

Different Life Paths

Good morning world,

I came across this post on a whatsapp group and it made me realize how much we tend to look at life from our point of view with some judgment or jealous whenever we meet a former friend, school mate, or  neighbor and their story is beneath what we consider a successful life or above our consideration of a successful life, respectively. Love and accept people where they are at (unless they are on a road to self destruction, then give them tough love and help). Be kind and wish them well, because we all have different paths and destinies on this planet.

“Dear School Mates
Some of us didn't further our education after secondary school. Some of us went further to university. Some of us got married, yet some of us are not married. Some of us are still struggling with life. Some of us are already settled. Some of us are still finding it difficult to even eat two square meals in a day. Some of us have traveled abroad. Some of us went back the village. Some of us have seen real hell and still facing hell. Some of us the last time we sat in a classroom was the last day we wrote our secondary school exam. In short; Life isn't cool for everyone. The fact that you are settled and doing well, doesn't mean others are on the same page with you.

Whenever you call or run into your old classmates, let the conversation be simple that we are still alive should be a thing to celebrate . Stop making your friends feel less valued because you are married, working, engaged or done with school. Life is filled with ups downs!
Fr lanchord”

Copied and pasted.

Xoxo,
Mamatembo

Happy Birthday WendyWoo

Changes

Hi y’all,

We are in a few days of the year 2020 and my friend Jacky decided to go all out. A new hair do, a nose piercing and a new attitude. If anything, this teaches me to go all out, go for what I want and above all, be the best me I can be. Often times change is good. We need to embrace change.