Girls Trip to New Orleans: This Time It Was Spiritual

Hot on Bourbon St.

New Orleans is by far one of my favorite cities. Its richness in culture, cuisine, and the Arts is unmatched. No other city in the world like it. So, when the talks started that there was going to be a trip with a group of people I thoroughly enjoy being around, I was all in! Things happen, plans changed, and the trip to NOLA dwindled down to four of us. Flights and hotel were booked and we took off on a summer adventure!

New Orleans in the summer ain’t for the weak baby. Hot is an understatement. But the city never misses a beat no matter the weather. Let me just say a little bit about the extraordinary ladies I traveled with:

KENN

• all charisma 
• the life of the party 
• a great Mom 
• loyal
• supportive
• a consummate cheerleader
• numbers are a language she speaks fluently
• lowkey mixologist
• dancing queen 
• down for the get down

Kenn inspires me to see my gifts in ways that I often do not.

KIA

• reminds me of safety
• a calm spirit 
• a sacred vessel of light
• warm 
• welcoming
• her hugs bring peace
• a great Mom
• as sweet as the treats she uses her culinary gifts to make
• a nurturer
• the anchor within a support system

Kia inspires me to stand strong in peace.

TIFF

• my closie
• a confidant
• a deep thinker
• an analyzer
• a problem solver
• a dream chaser
• Chef-Girl-R-Tiff
• solo dolo
• a great Mom
• a compassionate wife

Tiff inspires me to unmute in spite of introversion. 

Needless to say, I was surrounded by so much love from these 3 women in the best city in the world. It was amazing.

We did all the usual things NOLA tourists do. We drank, ate, partied on Bourbon, the usual. However, this time the trip was so much different than the typical shenanigans I got into in my early 30s. This time the city gifted me with a newfound life momentum to carry with me home. 

I arrived to the city a day before the ladies. When Tiff arrived the morning after I was on a phone interview. She too loves the city so much so she used that time to get reacclimated to the French Quarter streets. There’s so much mystery down a cobble stoned French Quarter street. She came across a Black owned sanctuary shop called Selah. Selah is full of handcrafted aromatic herbs and resins as well as all of the crystals and guides one might need to support their spiritual journey. When I finally linked up with Tiff she was raving about Selah and how she was drawn in because she could smell its power from the street. She also talked about her experience with the woman who owned the shop. The woman has medium gifts and spoke to Tiff about her life through divine downloads of energy and visions. 

This trip would become a spiritual journey for all of us really quickly.

Kenn and Kia arrived later that night and we had fun on Bourbon. 

The next day after a bomb breakfast and drinks overflowing at The Ruby Slipper Café, Tiff took us to Selah to experience what she had on the day before. By the time we walked through 96 degree weather to get there I was exhausted and mentally checked out. Kenn had brought us each personal fans, so I sat down on an antique mahogany bench that was placed strategically under a palm plant next to a small floor alter with a lit white candle, incense, sage and other relics. I watched as my friends looked around the shop. Tiff occasionally brought handmade sage blends over for me to smell. Kenn was in deep connection and conversation with the shop owner which warmed my heart. I closed my eyes briefly to see if I was as hot inside as I was outside. Don’t judge me it’s a thing I do. Once the ladies finished their purchases they came over in the section I was in probably gearing up to motivate me to get up off that bench as they had to do throughout the entire trip. Tiff sat next to me and introduced me to the shop owner as her fellow introvert Gemini friend. 

I’d say in this moment is where I felt a shift. A cool breeze beyond the hand held fan Kenn gave me began flowing through the area I was sitting in. The woman herself began sweating as she started speaking visions she saw about me and my life. 

Get back in nature.

You are a presence.

You step back and allow others to shine but you take up space.

You don't judge.

You let others be.

Heal your blood so you can heal us. 

I see you in white, barefoot, with a tall stick in your hand, and people are surrounding you for healing.

Don’t let everyone into your sacred space. 

Light a white candle for your Dad everyday.

I see greatness in you.

Tiff began balling, Kenn followed and Kia went and grabbed the tissues. I teared up not really knowing how to process this information. Honestly, it was a bit frightening. I realize Tiff’s tears came from the place where she has seen these very things in me. Kenn too. Admittedly, it's not something I saw in myself or even think about necessarily. However, I’m adamant that I must live my life in empathy and love especially the older I get. I’ve experienced so many women, women way older than me even, who are the opposite and I made a promise to myself that I would do the work to never become that type of woman. Kia grabbed the white candles for me with the quickness and said she would light one too with me. The shop owner encouraged us to visit The Tree of Life before leaving New Orleans. She pointed to me saying, “especially you. Sit under it. Get reconnected with nature.” The shop owner hugged me tight for awhile before we left. We left the shop with our hearts full. Kenn even said she didn’t feel the liquor buzz from breakfast anymore. 

We did a little shopping at the French Market, got snowballs, toasted to life over Casamigos shots, Kia and Kenn had Tarot card readings and we all went to see The Tree of Life.

The Tree of Life experience is a NOLA gem. It reminded Kenn of the tree from Eve’s Bayou. It’s nestled at the center of Audubon Park. It’s limbs tower over the grassy land and bow to the sun. Adorned with Louisiana Spanish Moss its 400 year old presence aesthetically takes up space. Without it the park would be a bare lifeless place. It protected us from the heat, providing a cool, relaxing place to rest. This tree was a visual representation of what the shop owner saw in me. I felt grounded under her limbs. Comforted leaning on her trunk. I didn’t want to leave. I knew the shop owner had shared foreseen truths with me. I needed to figure out how to align myself with the understanding of who I am with who I’m meant to be. I implore you if you've gotten this far on my blog post to visit Selah and The Tree of Life. Both unforgettable places.

A photo I took of Kia under The Tree of Life

Another cherished moment on our trip for me was the time we spent with Kenn’s family as they celebrated her cousin’s graduation from college. I was excited to see a different part of New Orleans beyond downtown. We joined Kenn’s family on the West Bank.  It was a Black family backyard cookout which is always a vibe. A vibe I definitely miss. We sat down at the table with Kenn’s uncle and ‘nem. Talked, laughed, ate Swai fried with love and drizzled with Crystals Hot Sauce fresh out the grease till way past sunset. Uncle called me, Kia, Kenn and Tiff “DC, Maryland, Virginia, and Philly” based on where we lived and are from. He told the best Uncle stories and made sure we were taken care of.

We had planned after the cookout to go see Kelly Price at Club 7140. We told Uncle about our plan and well, that opened up a can of worms. “7140? On the eaaaaast?” He told us how dangerous it was on that side of town, not to stop and get gas, and to be careful. He occasionally would call other people over to the table and ask them had they been to 7140 and they’d all holler, “on the eaaaast?” They all expressed the same sentiments and precautionary tales as Uncle. It didn’t matter though because we spent so much time soaking up the laughter, southern hospitality, and kindred spirit that we missed the window to get back to the hotel to change for the concert. The moment you realize that your friendship has merged itself with the love of family that is a feeling I never want to lose.

We ended our trip talking, laughing, and standing firmly in our bond as framily. 

Out of all the times I’ve been to New Orleans this trip by far is the one I will cherish the most.