Travel
I had Karen’d and didn’t even realize it – a spring break story
Spring break was recently held for college kids attending public or charter schools in Washington. As I have children in each systems, we had no schoolwork, no football practice and no late mornings for a week – it was great.
Well, mostly. But let’s get to the crazy stuff. My wife, as all the time when the youngsters have long breaks, tries to search out as some ways as possible to maintain my kids entertained. She is a master at sharing an important memories with children. In October 2023, a group (people don’t use the word “group” enough) of individuals tied to my wife’s bed maternity organization went to Perryville, Maryland, to the newly opened Great Wolf Lodge. This was my first experience in a hotel resort, but I immediately understood why people flocked there. There are arcades and mini golf courses here. There are climbing apparatuses and shows, in addition to the coup de grace – a huge indoor water park with food service and bars serving alcoholic beverages for adults within the room.
To use the food service, you could pay for a booth and you then are assigned a server who takes your order and brings you food and drinks. My kids had such a great time on our first trip in October that they’ve been asking about going back for months. My wife decided to do that over spring break. So we went and it was time. My wife likes the finer things in life and comfort, so she got us a beach cabana so we could have a central meeting place, couches and all, all to ourselves.
During the various, many hours we spent on the water park, we went in and out of the home each together and individually. Since we have now a 3-12 months-old, we normally share the chores with him, so while one person has him, the opposite can loosen up in the home and have a drink, you realize? I think you may pick up what I put down.
This is where it gets diabolical. After quickly handing over my 3-12 months-old and my wife, I returned to our cabin 15 to dry off, sit down, take a break, and drink the brown alcoholic beverage I had ordered. I walked towards my cabin and then into it, sat down and began drying myself off. I guess you possibly can call what I was doing “minding my own business in the space we paid for.” As I sat there, I noticed that the white woman was listening to me. Let’s call her, oh, I do not know, Karen. I noticed that Karen noticed me, so I identified to her that I noticed her too…looking directly at her. It’s vital to notice here that I literally had no idea why she was listening to me; It didn’t even occur to me that something bad was happening.
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Karen walked towards my cabin, looked into my cabin and looked around. At first I thought she was interested in the cottage and was about to ask me about buying such and such, which makes her nosy and unable to grasp the boundaries, but not a threat. But then she showed her true colours.
I asked, “Can I help you?” because I have manners and I don’t assume all white people need to put me in jail. She asked me, “Is this your cabin?”
I was surprised and replied, “Yes. That’s how it is.” To which she replied: “I saw a family leaving here a jiffy ago.”
“Lady, this was MY family.”
“Well, I was just making sure everything was okay because it’s happened to me before!”
I began to stand up and yell at the lady, but then I realized that my response to her being a fake cop would make me a problem because if I began yelling, among the sympathetic employees, most of them white, would probably change it not directly turned me into a person they thought was reasonable enough to be interesting. Does this make sense? Absolutely not. Is it likely? Absolutely.
Karen then walked away and turned her head back a few times, as if she wasn’t entirely sure I was telling the reality, but wasn’t sure if she was going to escalate it. She went to the food stand – it didn’t have a booth – and finally moved on. And I got indignant and furious. But mostly I was indignant with myself for even giving her the advantage of the doubt. I really didn’t think this woman was going to ask if I had any business within the place I paid for, or why she felt it needed to return over and check what I was doing. Or why she felt she had the suitable to accomplish that. I was indignant with myself for believing, even a little, in humanity.
And look, nobody was hurt. The police weren’t called. I was capable of move around normally throughout the day and my kids had a great time. Overall, it wasn’t the worst situation, but things like this occur to black people on daily basis and then they tell us to maneuver on because race doesn’t matter. Do I think she did it because I’m a black man? Absolutely. Thank you for not having the nerve to interrogate my wife because someone WOULD have been sent to prison. By the best way, my wife wanted to search out it, but I talked her into getting off that ledge for the sake of peace and spring break for the youngsters, because if she finds it, it won’t be nice.
But that is just a reminder: I put my paranoia aside for a second and boom, Karen Karen me.
It is not going to occur again. And it sucks, and it still sucks, that I should think this fashion on a regular basis.
America.
Travel
Why a fall beach trip was just the reset I needed
The beach is my comfortable place. Something about the smell of the salty water floating in the breeze, the sound of the waves crashing on the shore, and the warmth of the sun on my skin just melts my stress away. And searching at the vast horizon stops me from every part else occurring in the world, giving me time to reflect and shift my perspective that offers me clarity and focus.
Since I live in New York, the end of summer normally means the end of the beach – at the very least until mid-winter, when I’ll inevitably hop on a plane to a sandy tropical destination with the remainder of the sun-seekers . But this 12 months I decided to try something different: a fall beach trip.
I took advantage of the warmer than usual weather in the Northeast and planned a weekend trip to Atlantic City, New Jersey for one last likelihood to be a beach bum, courtesy of Ocean casino resort.
Here are three the explanation why fall is the perfect time to go to the beach:
1. To stave off the seasonal blues
As soon as Labor Day weekend involves an end, I begin to dread the impending reality of sunsets getting earlier and earlier. That first day while you leave the office and it’s already dark outside is at all times a shock for me. And for people affected by seasonal affective disorder, the change of seasons is even tougher.
A trip to the beach is the antidote to shorter, gray days. You could also be wrapped in a sweater as a substitute of wearing a bikini, but the extra vitamin D is real. Even when I stayed in the room, not only did I have amazing views through the floor-to-ceiling windows, but I had hours of fantastic sunlight.
Planning a time change escape is one other smart travel move since it gives you something to sit up for quite than “rolling back.” In addition to the casino, Ocean Resort after all offers a variety of bars and restaurants, HQ2 nightclub, Topgolf Swing Suite and the best live entertainment venue, Ovation Hall, which hosted Lenny Kravitz the weekend I was there. How are you able to be indignant while you spend the last hours of summer singing together with Lenny?
2. To prepare for a productive fourth quarter
Have you heard of the “winter bow”? The TikTok trend could also be recent, but the idea behind it shouldn’t be. It’s a strategy to commit to self-improvement during the colder months by specializing in recent, healthier activities. It’s also a strategy to kickstart your “new year, new you” resolutions because, despite the frosty name, it normally starts in October. A fall trip to the beach may be the perfect begin to your winter fun, because it’s the perfect place to read, journal, and meditate. If physical well-being is a priority for you, you’ll be able to visit the recently renovated MUSSELS fitness center at Ocean, with a yoga area and Peloton offerings.
Even should you don’t intentionally work in your winter glow, research has shown a link between travel and mindfulness, creativity and private growth. Fall has traditionally been a time of reflection, change and rediscovery, so it’s the perfect time to flee.
Increasing your activity can enable you to achieve your Q4 goals upon your return.
3. To enjoy the peace before the summer storm
Before you recognize it, your calendar – and to-do list – will probably be stuffed with holiday shopping, travel, hosting and parties. It could also be the most wonderful time of the 12 months, however it’s probably the most hectic. Spending time with just myself and the ocean helped me feel able to face the difficult months ahead. And while dipping your toes in the icy waters of the Atlantic wasn’t an option, if water is what you discover soothing, Ocean Casino Resort has a year-round indoor/outdoor pool overlooking the coast, and a whirlpool and jacuzzi at the award-winning Exhale Spa + Bathhouse.
On the other hand, should you began watching Christmas movies in July and may’t wait for the season to begin, the end of fall is a great time to experience the magical touches that many hotels offer. Ocean Casino Resort transforms into a seaside winter wonderland with 30 holiday-themed rooms and suites, complete with Christmas trees; festive Jingle Bell Bar and pop-up Christmas marketplace for adults; and an adventure at Santa’s Hideout if you desire to make your trip to the beach a family affair.
Travel
Spirit Airlines files for bankruptcy amid surge in holiday travel
Spirit Airlines, recognized for influencing cost-effective travel and reworking the market, has filed for bankruptcy protection amid consecutive years of losses, a failed merger, growing competition and changing customer demands.
This week, the airline announced that an “orderly” petition has been filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York as a part of a “restructuring support agreement” as a part of the statement. Spirit says that while the corporate is working to restructure its debt, it should proceed operations through the holiday season and into 2025.
“Spirit expects to continue its operations in the normal course throughout the planned and streamlined Chapter 11 (bankruptcy) process,” the airline said in an announcement. “Guests can continue to book and fly without interruption and use all tickets, points and loyalty points as normal.”
Additionally, the brand new filing won’t impact worker salaries and advantages.
While this term may sound scary, Spirit isn’t the one US airline to declare bankruptcy. Major competitors corresponding to American Airlines, United and Delta Airlines have filed for bankruptcy over the past 25 years. Just as other carriers have emerged stronger since filing for bankruptcy, Spirit President and CEO Ted Christie hopes to do the identical. The airline’s CEO asserts that restocking the airline and negotiating with creditors will allow Spirit to enter the brand new yr with less debt and greater financial flexibility, which can position “Spirit for long-term success and accelerate investment, providing guests with a better travel experience and greater value.” .
In open letter to Spirit gueststhe corporate assured travelers of what was to come back.
“We’re still flying, so no need for FOMO! You can continue to rely on Spirit for great quality and excellent service,” the airline wrote on Xwith a link to the open letter that read: “The most important thing to know is that you (customers) can continue to book and fly now and in the future. We also want to assure you that you can use all tickets, credits and loyalty points as normal. You can continue to take advantage of our Free Spirit loyalty program, Saver$ Club bonuses and credit card terms and conditions. Our amazing team members are here to offer you excellent service and an exceptional experience. We expect to complete this process in the first quarter of 2025 and be even better positioned to deliver the best value in the sky.”
Travel
Green Book Global launches road trip planner to provide inclusive options for Black travelers
Building on the success of the primary and only Black travel booking and review platform, Green Book Global is expanding its services with the brand new Road Trip Planner app feature.
WITH Global Green Paper already recognized as a contemporary interactive guide for black travelers, the corporate has now added a feature to help plan safer and more enjoyable trips across the US. Launched on a redesigned mobile app (available on iOS and Android) and accessible via an internet app, this recent Road Trip Planner tool is powered by community insights and data.
“Our mission has always been to provide Black travelers with information that fosters a safer and more inclusive travel environment,” Lawrence Phillips, founder and CEO of Green Book Global, he said . “With Road Trip Planner, we turn our community’s collective experience into a robust tool that maps the most effective routes and areas to avoid based on historical and up to date data.
“It’s greater than only a planning tool. This is a brand new level of safety for our community,” he added.
Named after , which provided travel suggestions for African Americans traveling in Jim Crow America from 1936 to 1966, Green Book Global is a contemporary app and interactive guide designed to help Black travelers within the twenty first century. Using hundreds of reviews generated by Black users, the app will help users plan safer trips by identifying optimal routes and avoiding areas known to be inhospitable or potentially dangerous.
“Our goal is to provide information so that Black travelers can make a very personal decision about where they want to go,” Phillips said.
According to Green Book Global, the friendliest U.S. destinations for black travelers include Atlanta, Houston, Baltimore, Washington, Charlotte and Chicago. The platform also offers a world destination search tool, with recommendations for various destinations similar to Kenya, Slovenia and Argentina.
Phillips points out that the brand new Planner tool allows drivers to select the “Avoid City” option to avoid cities at sunset and robotically re-route them.
“Our community rates cities on a five-star scale for traveling as a black person, and cities receive an overall rating,” he explains. “Green means the safest and friendliest destination, yellow means average and red means needs improvement. The color red signifies a city where black travelers generally didn’t feel protected or welcome, and should even signify a former sunset city.
The study also revealed some unexpected findings about cities which may be predominantly white but have small but powerful black populations.
“Portland, Maine was a big surprise,” Phillips says. “Although Maine is one of the whitest states in America, with a Black population of almost 2%, the city of Portland is almost 10% Black. It was amazing. Delicious food, lots of attractions and a nice atmosphere.”
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