N.O.L.A. DARLING
I recently went to visit New Orleans on a sister trip. Our own little version of Girls Trip a lot more subdued, well we did so some sucking it just wasn’t grapefruit [Girls Trip movie reference].
A Breakdown of Who’s Who
James is my Father! I’m the first born from he and my mom. They never married and went on to have other children, respectively. My Father has 3 other daughters, Taiesha, 34 (Registered Nurse, Married, Mother of 1 son); Jerae, 29 (Married, Plus Size Fashion Blogger); Unique, 26 (Social Worker). Guess what? My mom also has 3 other daughters and 1 son of which I grew up with, for the most part. You'll have to read my book when it’s done which will clarify “the most” part. Initially, all my sisters from my mom and dad side were to take this adventure together. It didn’t turn out that way, and I’m a firm believer that it things occur just how they're meant to.
This trip was special for a number of reasons. First, I didn’t grow up with my sisters from my father side and perhaps spent some time with Taiesha and Jerae when they were too young to recall. In my adult life we spent time together twice, a couple of days each. Once in Myrtle Beach [2004] when I took my family to vacation, and the other at their home in Charleston [2008].
Unique and I have seen each other a few more times, as she lived across the street from me in Harlem, not that much though, she’s the same age as my eldest daughter, as you could imagine I was spending my time navigating being a single mom at 20 yrs old. She and I shared a couple of meals together and she most certainly new her nieces. It was however, her first time spending time with Tai or Jerae. She had just become connected with them via social media a couple of years ago. Social media can be great in that way, it has served as the glue that has connected us providing insight to what each of us are up to. And Honey, nothing beats the in person experience.
The Trip
When I invited them to the trip via text, they responded immediately as if they’d been waiting on this for a lifetime.
We started out on WhatsApp sharing a brief Bio about ourselves and a fun fact. Right off the back I could see Jerae and Unique had so much in common.
I wasn’t nervous initially about the impending trip as the days drew near I started to get a bit jittery. I just wanted to ensure I could match their fly (you know I’m so much older), and I didn’t want to be too “motherly”, and definitely didn’t want to hold back at all cause I live for a good turn up.
Day 1: We arrived at the airport the same time, got a rental car (Jerae & Tai), did a little shopping, I thought I left my foundation and needed to stop at Sephora’s for a sample. If it wasn’t for Jerae I was prepared to purchase a new foundation. “Girl get a sample!” Who knew? I’m not much of a makeup gal. So I did and got a sample of my Daisy Dark perfume that I couldn’t bring, I mean we were already there so why not. We headed over to the infamous Dooky Chase’s restaurant for a late lunch-early dinner. We did meet Mrs. Leah Chase, she’s 95 years young. She was in the kitchen serving as the overseer and she's as sweet at the many peach cobblers we saw passing by. Did you know that she was the inspiration behind the Princess and the Frog? Tai turned us on to that information. Tai also said her smile out shined us all; see for yourself.
Finally, we made our way to our Airbnb, which was absolutely beautiful and equipped with a pool. Unique and I shared a room, which I enjoyed. Prior to the trip I had the idea to get everyone a T-Shirt which would read “I am The_____Sister.” I ditched that idea after everyone came back using the same adjective...funny! It dawned on me that we’d need to spend time together to determine that. Instead, I opted for a customized Sister Sqad T-Shirt and a Sister Squad wine glass with their names on it.
That night we strolled Bourbon Street, ordered a Hurricane, danced, had Unique get on the bar’s stage for a celebratory birthday dance after all it was officially her birthday weekend, and she and I took a shot. It was surreal to be in the Big Easy as it was all of our first time and a long time desire. We were enamored by the New Orleans accents. I absolutely love the Nola twang and every Uber driver we had was the bomb! In fact, one guy shared some sayings with us.
Day 2: I got up to jog, I was staying on my fitness journey no matter what. We decided to wear our Sister Squad shirts and headed over to brunch at Surrey’s Cafe and Juice Bar [Unique’s pick]. It was a looong wait, we decided to take a walk in the meantime. When we got back we waited some more. But, Baaaay-B, when I tell you the food was on point. Slap your momma or as Jerae would say bring the Chef out here so I can slap him, on point. I’m gluten sensitive and that didn’t stop me from trying the Banana Foster French Toast. I ate all three pieces, had shrimp and grits, and eggs. Listen, if you’re on any self imposed dietary restrictions say goodbye to it. I’m so not a foodie. I eat to live not live to eat. That wasn't the case in Nola, this time it was for the pure enjoyment; it was delicious. They say good things are worth waiting for. As my momma would say, you ain’t never lie. Check out Unique's Yelp review:
Since we wanted to experience a bit of Mardi Gras we went on a behind the scene Mardi Gras Tour to explore all the floats. They were spectacular and so much history shared. We now know why they wear mask during the parade. How much it cost to create a float and how long it takes to create. Oh, for all you Chick-fil-A lovers fun fact: the cow is created at the same place as the floats. I still don’t know why they use a cow when they sell chicken *scratches head*.
Then it was time for a snack of sort. You can’t be in New Orleans without having crawfish. Taeisha showed us how to eat it them. So Tasty! By night fall, I had it down pack. Twist the head off, suck it, remove the tail and eat the meat. Repeat. There were a few times when sucking the head went wrong, but you know that’s part of the learning process. We got our crawfish from Cajun Seafood.
We bonded over crawfish, shrimp, pig feet, sausage, corn and potatoes, talked about reality TV, the Swamp People (Tai & Jerae wanted to know how close we were to Pier Part, LA) , and we learned more about each other like how Tai and Jerae met and later married their husbands, and how Unique met her current boyfriend. Please don’t ask me about my guy. Which reminds me, Tai I never finished the story. And the rest of you have to read my blog about Mr. Match Part 2.
We prepped for our Lady in Red night which was to consist of a grown and sexy night out but Jerae and Tai took a long, long, long time to get ready. Unique and I decided to wait by the pool, sip some wine, eat chips and guacamole and talk Father stuff, her new beau, and new upcoming move back to VIrginia where she went to undergrad and grad school. Unique’s dress had a malfunction so I suggested and in-room photoshoot. It honestly was the best choice. The place was beautiful, the lighting perfect and of course the sisters stunning. Then we were off...
Cafe du Monde? What about it? Did we go? Of course we did. It’s all the hype. I hadn’t heard of it and didn’t know what to expect. I’ll just say, I didn’t finish my beignet , in part because it was filling. It certainly reminded me of funnel cake. Hell, it was a funnel cake in a ball shape. I don’t think anyone raved over it and it was great to have the experience for experience sake. Did I tell you I met guy while out Friday night (Day 1)? My sisters referred to him as Cowboy. It was the shirt. Only mentioning this because he was useful in suggesting the crawfish place and our grown and sexy place to go out in our red. As we exited our Uber to Cafe du Monde, Unique noticed this white SUV; it was Cowboy. Nope not stalker-ish at all, haha. We had a good laugh about it. And nope, there was no love connection simply a native NOLA man showing hospitality.
Day 3: Short but sweet. Jerae and I had a Photo shoot by the pool. Unique swam a bit. Then we were off to the Swamp Tour [they found a Swamp People tribe, lol]. The tour was a relaxing way to end the trip, The bayou was peaceful, however we didn’t need 90 minutes of it; 45 minutes would have sufficed. On our way to get lunch I asked my sisters “now that we’ve had this weekend together what adjective would you use to describe eathother?” We’ve agreed on the following:
Jerae - Funny
Unique - Funny too (there's room for more than 1 funny person)
Taeisha - Quiet/ Serious (I’d actually give her Introspective)
Me: I got...Caring & Outside-the-box
We grabbed a bite to ear near the airport before dropping me off. It was a lovely trip and I look forward to spending time with them again, we said in Savannah. I’m still holding out for the day that all my sisters get to meet. If it is to be it’s up to me, therefore it’ll happen soon❤️.
Grateful for the trip.
Just.Bloom,
Keisha "Kiki" Orr
In all matters give thanks.
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