TopKnotStories

Bar Harbor, Maine

Portland, Maine May 4th - 5th 2022

The night I arrived it was raining beaucoup. Somehow a part of the Pacific northwest had clung to my spirit. Because as hard as it rained, I really didn’t mind. The next morning wrapped in Tye Dyed sheets, as I laid on the top bunk; as I watched the sky turn from light blue to purple. Followed by a touch of pink. Which made way for orange, and yellow. The day had begun as my eyes fell back asleep.

Later I awoke, and went down to the colorful lobby. Where I enjoyed a delicious cup of joe. With coffee, comes breakfast so I made my way to a local cafe counter. Where I was reunited with a classic East coast bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich with a little hot sauce.

Montreal, Quebec Mai 3rd - 4th 2022

Visiting this city during my voyage east was important to me. Why? Because it was a city I had missed since I last visited in December 2019. Right before the world shut down, and borders closed. I was curious how my beloved Montreal fared through the covid storm.

Vancouver, B.C. April 30th - May 2nd 2022

Keeping with the theme of gorgeous guys, the Canadian border patrolman who I had the pleasure of interacting with was beautiful. And super chill. Under blue skies we crossed the border into Canada. And as the afternoon turned into early evening we arrived in downtown Vancouver. As soon as my feet hit the streets, my eyes were greeted with color. From the sky to the buildings, to the flowers in bloom. My first visions of this city were warm and welcoming.

So was the greeting at my hostel. A downtown, kind of frat house like hostel with an expansive party bar on the first floor. So I got settled in, and met my roommates for the next few days. Then headed out to explore. I wandered two blocks before stumbling upon the famous steam clock. Past that I found myself walking along the seawall. Where views of the water and mountains made my heart melt. After a long week, these views made me feel like it was all worth it. An hour later I had found my way to English Bay beach where half the city had come together to watch the spectacular sunset. A colorful ending, to a heavenly day.

The next few days I spent very simply. I explored the city by walking through it. I enjoyed the famous Canadian poutine. And hiked in the city’s Stanley park. Where I found trees that were the size of twenty people, and rose higher than any tree I had ever seen. One afternoon I fell asleep on a park bench, and when I awoke, there was a goose sleeping on the grass beside me.

Seattle, Washington April 29th ~ 30th 2022

On a cool, rainy night I moved out of Portland, Oregon. By way of Amtrak train north to Seattle. When I arrived later that night, it was raining harder than it had been in Portland. Yet, I walked the five or six blocks to my hostel anyway. When you live in the Pacific Northwest, you learn to feel the rain, rather than let it bother you.

The next morning started off the same way; grey & drizzly. So I took my time getting ready. Doing my makeup, then picking and putting my outfit on. Finally packing up my stuff, and throwing it on my back. I walked downstairs to the lobby where I was greeted by a beautiful soul named Cameron. This ray of sunshine greeted me with “You carry the royalty of your ancestors within you.” I stood shocked. No one had ever given me a compliment so grand. Cameron and I talked for the next few minutes, and I discovered we both hail from PDX. “Was it Antifa that made you want to move?” he asked. “No it was the homeless.” I admitted. I learned Cameron was the founder of the Brown Hope. A red cross for the marginalized communities, especially black communities, he explained. He marveled me. His soul was unknowingly the angel I needed to push me forward, on my voyage. Such a unique, and beautiful person. I’ll link his details down below if you fancy to support him.

So after that blessing, I took a stroll. Down to the pier where the market was open, and full of people. The sun was also out. Which added bright spring colors to my view. So took my time and soaked it all in. Towards mid-day I made my way to Moore café. Where I enjoyed an artsy oat matcha. This café was so beautifully curated with a mural of Frida. I had to take a picture. (Above in the slideshow) Moving from a fancy café to a French grocery store, I stocked up on fromage, meats, and chocolate. Then I headed back to Chinatown where the American Hotel held my bags. When I arrived, I was surprised to see a very late celebration of Chinese New Year happening a block over. So I grabbed my gear and walked through the party. Then found peace in Hing Hay Park. Afterwards I inhaled a Korean street taco as I walked through the parade of life towards King Street Station. There a sleek coach bus waited to take me, and some pretty gorgeous dudes even farther north, into Canada.

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https://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2020/11/09/30310649/guest-editorial-to-seek-justice-embrace-healing

Avril 4th 2022 - Monday en Monaco!

How does one explain a place like Monaco? It is like falling into a dream. Karly and I arrived under the twinkling lights of the train station. Already a sign of the beauty above. That day the sky was a special type of blue. The same blue as the ocean. The grass, and garden’s were perfectly manicured, and the people impeccably dressed. Everywhere we turned, there was beauty.

Nice, France 2 Avril – 5 Avril 2022

My train chugged out of the Gare de Lyon in Paris with a clear sky above. Followed by a breathtaking sunrise. During the morning my eyes witnessed many forms of weather. First thick grey clouds brought rain. The sometime farther south we pass through a blizzard. Warm and cozy in my train seat I nodded off while snow covered the ground. When I woke up the sun was out, and the land we passed was dry. The weather stayed like that until my feet hit Nice. Then a quick shower moved through, almost to cleanse my traveled body. Once the clouds cleared, I made my way to the beach. On my way, I remembered being told how the beaches in Nice were made up of stones, not sand. And they were right! Although the ocean was so blue, I didn’t mind. I sat there on those little grey rocks with my feet swimming in the Mediterranean for the rest of the afternoon.

Paris, France 30 Mars ~ 6 Avril 2022

Arriving in Paris I felt as if I were arriving home. My exhaustion momentarily left my body for the overwhelming joy that pulsed through my veins. As the train moved from underground into the Parisian light, I found my way along without error. In fact, I navigated through the city with ease. Tired, sore and longing for a bed, I arrived at The People - Paris Nation. A wonderful femme checked me in, and commented on my French accent. That being it was good. Which made me blush.  After a hot shower, and a much needed nap I awoke to my bunkmate. A stylish young lady who was on her way to see the Eiffel Tower. Naturally, I joined her. She went by M; M and I talked the whole way. On the metro, and along city streets. The only time we stayed silent was when we were in the presence of La tour Eiffel. Her beauty commanded it. 

The next night I met up with my friend Sophie; a Parisian woman of the world. She had invited me to her workspace downtown, near the Sacré Coeur. So I jumped on the metro, and headed her way wearing my new European threads. Once I got off the metro, I found myself crossing sun drenched streets. I looked around, took a deep breath in “Ahh I’m in Paris”. That evening we walked up atop the Sacré Coeur. Then made our way down the back rue’s to the most wonderful discoveries! Like a windmill shaped restaurant. Whole, stand-alone homes, and a petit vineyard in the heart of Paris! We also stumbled upon le café where scenes from the film Amélie were shot. It was heaven, just like my dinner: Steak frites avec a glass of Bordeaux red vin. Sophie and I had such a lovely night out in Paris. I will always be grateful for her presence during my trip.                  

I was blessed with many wonderful women during my voyage.

 My last full day, Friday Avril 1st, it flurried for most of the day. So I did wash, and bought a fabulous new French style sweater.  Which I am pictured wearing above. The heavy knitted sweater is a bright, but deep pink and green, with little seed air pockets puckered throughout. Held shut with grand flower gem buttons - j’adore. Later in the day I visited the famous cimetière where Jim Morrison and Chopin were laid to rest. From the moment I walked through the iron gates, leaving the hard city streets for the gravel, and grass covered grounds a calmness fell over me. I wandered amongst the headstones and tombs for the rest of the afternoon. There were broken ones, and new ones. There was also silence and peace. 

November 26th - 29th 2021

A long holiday getaway for my body and soul. Nestled along the Columbia river lay this small town. Declared as such in 1924, with one main street, and one refurbished schoolhouse. Today it is known as the SOciety HOtel. The first night I sat by a firepit, and gazed up at the stars. The next morning I picked up a basketball for the first time in many years. Then proceeded to practice my foul shots. I read, and practiced yoga in a dome shaped sanctuary. I got coffee from a cafe truck every morning. And I said hi to everyone I passed. On Sunday I walked to a park by the river. I got as close to the water as possible, because I wanted take in the Gorge's beauty. It was nature's way of church.

Then there was the spa..While I wore my terrycloth robe, I would take the short walk from my bunk in the schoolhouse to the spa located in the old baseball field. Every guest was greeted with iced lemon water. Which I loved. I always began a session in the hot pool (pictured above) to loosen up the muscles. Then it was a ten minute steam to clear out the pores, and negative thoughts. Afterwards I went back outside in my robe to lounge in a chair. Finally, I would always finish with a quick dip in the cold pool.

I didn't talk much this trip, but I did a lot of listening.

June 24th 2021

Louisville, Kentucky

September - October 2020

The sun shone through rainy clouds as we rolled into her city. The storm had passed, and I could feel her warm smile welcoming me. Shortly after this feeling of warmth, my bus was met with military trucks. National guard soliders holding machine guns stood infront of massive concrete slabs. Blocking any access to downtown. My bus driver (who was honestly a pretty dope dude) somehow slipped us past the tanks and guns. Where he delivered us safely to the Greyhound station. 

My feet hit the pavement, as the setting sun warmed my back. The coolness of a new season fell upon my traveled body. The storm had cooled the atmosphere. The rain had baptized the streets after a weekend of protesting. Now after the many feet that marched, there was only my footsteps silently walking along the deserted streets. 

Cleveland, Ohio March 11th ~ 12th 2020

Chicago, Illinois

March 9th ~ 11th 2020

Halewia, Hawaii aka Le North Shore 🌊

Honolulu, Oahu January 22nd ~ February 10th 2020

Hilo, Big Island of Hawaii ~ January 10th - 19th 2020

Maui, Hawaii 🌺

January 7th ~ 10th 2020