Travelogue

Paris 

Oh Paris the city of love. There are a lot of bright lights and the Eiffel Tower gives a spectacular view of everything. The flight was about 7 hours long, so I stayed up all night to catch up on my sleep on the plane. After touching down I jumped on a bus, went straight to the hotel, changed my clothes and hit the city.

First place that I went to was the  Notre Dame Cathedral to admire the architecture. The stained glasses and sculptures were a great site to see. After getting lost a for a bit I found my to the Eiffel Tower. It was around 8pm and the view was great. An hour passed by and my stomach started to rumble, it was nearing time for my reservation.

Off I went to Le Meurice one of the top restaurants in all of France. Started off with a lettuce salad that was nice and fresh. Then a main dish which was stewed lamb with vegetables. The lamb was tender making it easy to cut. The juices from it being stewed unleashed an explosion of flavor in your mouth. I couldn't believe a healthy meal could taste so good. Next up was dessert with a splash of liquor in it. Which they called Rum Baba. It's a small yeast cake saturated in rum and filled with whipped cream. It was almost like eating a twinky covered in rum but a thousand times better. The next day I was off to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Rio de Janeiro


Touched down and checked into Copacabana Palace Hotel. The room I lodged in had a great view of the beach. Soothing sounds from the waves put you to sleep. The first thing I did was get a massage at the spa to unwind a bit from the trip. Followed by a good night's sleep.


The next day I was off visting Christ the Redeemer statue which is an iconic symbol of Brazil. Which is a 32 meter statue that stands over Corcovado Mountain. Climbing to the top of this mountain gives you a 360 view of Rio de Janeiro. Allowing you to see places like the  Botanical Gardens, the beaches, Maracana Stadium and many more.


Sambodromo Rio De Janeiro street is a must go place to catch a 4-day carnival. It features dancing, food, costumes, and floats along with other things. The Rio Carnival is the biggest event of the year. Talking about food I went to back Copacabana Palace for my dinner at the Hotel Cipriani Restaurant. Started off with a little salad and jumped straight to the main dish. Codfish tortelli in a chickpeas sauce and flamed shrimp. This seafood meal was a delight, giving off the impression that there was an underwater paradise located in your mouth. Dessert was a white chocolate tart with coconut ice cream and white coffee sauce. The coconut ice cream and white coffee sauce creates a nice smooth texture to go along with the hardness of the chocolate. The service was prompt and the atmosphere gave off a royalty type of vibe.


Tokyo, Japan



The Imperal Palace is surrounded by a beautiful terrain of trees and boarded by water. It keeps to the historical architecture of Japanese buildings. Giving off the feel that you've traveled a couple centuries back into time.


The Meiji Shrine is a nice place to go to take a look at the religious side of the Japanese. The achitectural layout and landscape gives off an calming aura. Alot of weddings are also held at this ceremonial place. It truly is a great place to go when you need to unwind a bit and calm your mind. Posing as almost a retreat into nature from the city life.


For dinner I was off to Nihonryori Ryugin a highly rated resturarunt. First I started off with ramen which is the japanese equivalent of noodles. The noodles had a good spice of flavor thrown over them. Warming up the inside of your stomach as you fnished bowl of ramen. Next up was sushi, which was cooked almost perfectly. Instead of having a rubbery, plastic feeling this sushi was actually easy to chew. While tasting delicious there really is nothing to compare to the taste of sushi. You just have to try it out to know what you're missing.

Three Cities

Paris, France
- Eiffel Tower
-Notre Dame
Best Restaurant in Paris
http://www.lemeurice.com/le-meurice-restaurant
http://www.nileguide.com/destination/paris/restaurants/restaurant-le-meurice/392307

Le Meurice - http://www.lemeurice.com/uploads/documents/Le%20Meurice%20Menus/Spring%20Menu%20Le%20Dali.pdf

Started off with a lettuce salad that was nice and fresh.

Then main dish was stewed lamb with vegetables. The lamb was tender making it easy to cut. The juices from it being stewed unleashed an explosion of flavor in your mouth.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- http://www.traveladvisortips.com/top-10-rio-de-janeiro-attractions-in-brazil/

Go to Copacabana Palace Hotel
http://www.traveladvisortips.com/copacabana-palace-hotel-rio-de-janeiro-review/

Visit Corcovado Mountain
Copacabana Beach
http://www.traveladvisortips.com/copacabana-beach-soccer-why-is-it-so-popular/


Ride a motorcycle in Rio de Janiero

Tokyo, Japan
-Imperial Palace
-Meji Shrine


**Visit a restaurant in each city to which you travel. Make sure it is a 5 star reastaurant.
You have the time and unlimited funds to do this trip in style.
Name and describe at least one appetizer, one main dish and one dessert you would have at each along with a review of the ambience and the service.
You can search the site by type of food or even by location.

Jamaica

A great place to stay is Sandals Ocho Rios. There are four different Sandals Resorts in Jamaica. You can travel from anyone you please during the day, but once nightfall comes you must return to the one you checked into.. The Sandals package is all inclusive. A nearby attraction is the Green Grotto Caves. Which  provided a perfect hideaway for runaway slaves, as well as for the smugglers who ran arms to Cuba. The highlight of the tour of the Green Grotto Caves is the descent down 60 steps, some 37 meters, into the innermost cavern, where visitors will see a crystal-clear underground lake. 


When going to Jamaica the Salt River Mineral Spa is a regular destination. The spa, which is a pond with mineral water running from rocks adjacent to it, forms a stream called Salt River. Any aches and pains usually disappear for a while after taking a dip in Salt River. Giving your  body a rejuvenating feeling. Dunn's River Falls is like the Niagara Falls of Jamaica. It is located near Ocho Rios and is 1,000 feet high. The waterfall is set up like giant stair steps. Usually people will walk around different levels giving you unique views of the landscape along with changes in water pressure. Overall my multiple trips to Jamaica have been fun visiting different attractions and parties. There is always something to do all you need is a car. 

TGI Friday

This is a well known place that many  people go to. I've been there a couple times, usually when out and about and not feeling for fast food. I've been TGI Fridays' located in different states such as Texas, New York, Massachusetts, etc. The design of the place is friendly and promotes conversation. The dim lights create a nice relax mood. Laughter can be heard all around the place, people smiling having a good time.

In my experience all the waiters have been nice people. Depending on what time you come in it might take a while for your order to be completed. Usually the food arrives within 15-20 minutes. The appetizers keep you busy in the meanwhile. For some reason though the desserts make it to your table in no time. The food would get a rating of 6. Usually I order steaks or seafood. The shrimp always tastes good, the steak on the other hand varies from average to great. When the steak is great there is enough blood left in it to keep the meat moist. That way it cuts easily and you have a great sensation of flavor in your mouth. The type of steak I usually order is New York Strip.

Payment is quick and easy with either a credit card or cash. The price range for the meals is average. They won't run your wallet dry unless you go there all the time. For a price range from $15-$20 you can get a fulfilling meal. Overall the place would get 6 for everything they offer. It's a good place but there are way better places out there.

Blog Reviews

Shayaa Abdus-Samad- The blog is refreshing with new content all the time. It shows the different thoughts that run through his mind when bored. From exercises to Triskaidekaphobia the fear of the number 13.

Bibi Badrideen- Her blog talks about love and gives another outlook for couples. It would be better if she could get some guys to voice their opinion on her blog.

Fatima Baines- The blog seems like a bunch of facts with no feeling behind it. There is a lack of connection with the author.

Denzel Barrett- Nothing

Andray Bramwell- He seems to cover topics that come up when people make small talk. Dropping a deep subject here and there will add some spice to things.

 Claribel Checo- This blog is great because it allows you to connection with the author on a deep level. Only thing is she might want to keep certain topics to herself so people don’t read her like a book.

Clarissa Checo- Her focus seems to be on relationships, mainly love. The topic is a bit generic but the way she puts her own spin on it is great.

Amber Clarke- Gives an interest fact about the tallest man in the world. Advice is to blog more.

Chavaughn Cox- Nothing

Tashawna Dallas- If it’s a helpline is needs to show questions that people sent in or asked you about. Then your advice in response to that question.

Shanice Davy- The different topics you talk about are great, but not personal. Try to pick some topics that you connect on a deeper  level to blog about.

Ruthine Degand - The way she writes creates a great connection with the reader. It's like you're sitting there having a one-on-one conversation with her.

Tiffany Evans - Gives a nice view into the lives of celebs. I liked the topics you used back when we first started blogging more.

Tierra Green - A good source to find out some new shows. Advice is to watch a broader category of shows and blog about them.

Tuesdae Imperial - Her personality puts a fun spin on all topics. Try your hand at even more serious and deeper topics and see what happens.

Jessica Lopez - Your blogposts seem to have lost that spark you originally had. Take a look back at where you first started off and try to recapture it.


Sarah-Michelle Louis - Gives a slightly different outlook on the topic of relationships. Just keep stating your opinion and try for even more complex relationship topics.


A-Dale Matthews - My blog I think it's great but there is always room for improvement. Might try posting my own poems on it, who knows :)


Andrea Maniram - No posts, nothing to say about it.


Natural Parker - Nice blog on fashion and celebs. Try talking about fashion and celebs from other countries.


Chavonne Parkes - Defiently like the different array of fashion you cover. From Princess Diana to a dress made of cigarette buds.


Anthony Persuad - The tech savvy blog. Keep doing what you're doing and cover as many different technological topics as you can.


Katherine Ramierz - Keep writing what randomly comes to your head. You have a skill for helping people visualize what's going on inside your mind.


Alexandria Rodriguez - The mixture of topics you use is great. Maybe try to use more descriptive words so the reader can really get drawn into what you're saying.


Danielle Satz - Pick different topics, don't talk about school so much. Really think about your opinion before you write it and find the best way to voice it.


Madhu Sharma - The 3D art is really cool. Try blogging about different types of art such as poetry, dancing, martial arts, plays, etc.


Dejon Spears - Develop your opinion more on these different sports and athletes that take part in them. Try some less talked about sports for a twist on things.


Jermain Trim - Try blogging about other topics, not just news. State your opinion a bit more.


Amina Zafar - You should talk a bit more about Pakistan. Things like the traditions and  sites to see there.

Still I Rise by Maya Angelou

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.

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This is the type of poem you read when everyone is against you and you feel like your back is against the wall. It reminds you that you don't necessarily need others that they're there for companionship and to help you out, not bring you down. It makes you realize that the only person that you absolutely need is yourself. That what people say and do is just inward hate directed outward to you. Since they don't know what to do they feel the need to bring you down to feel better.

I Carry Your Heart With Me -- Edward Estlin Cummings

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart) 


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This is the type of poem you would read and can relate to while  in love with someone. It depicts the way most people want to fell when they're in a relationship. The feeling of 2 people in one body is great. Its like you have double everything, mainly more strength to do things. Even if it only figuratively, the emotions make things into reality. Its like motivation to keep going when you're down. This poem is so simple yet invokes so much emotion.