GOSSIP FROM THE GIRLFRIEND GATHERINGS

Learning from YOU to empower ME !

SisterGirlfriend Adventures in Punta Cana

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“It’s OK, SisterGirlfriend.  No one here really knows you.”

 

This statement was the official motto for the 4th Annual SisterGirlfriend Meetup in July 2017 in Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic where ten women joined to enjoy some free-spirited fun on the Caribbean beach in the sun.

Most of the women that attended were well-seasoned, global escorted-tour travelers but had not tried the lazing on the Caribbean resort vacation experience.  For me, I had traveled to Punta Cana back in 2003 and was curious to see how it had evolved since that time.  So, there was a thread of excitement among us about traveling to the Dominican Republic.

The Resort Experience

Our resort, Majestic Elegance, had that WOW factor that we desired for our sun and beach vacation.    It had an impressive lobby, eight restaurants, and multiple luxurious concierge areas with a full-service deli to munch from while you checked email.  There were beautifully well-flowered grounds with swaying palm trees and a magnificent ocean view.

Upon arrival, our group was whisked away to a private check-in area after we relinquished our bags.   We lounged in this private area eating great food and sipping marvelous drinks while the reception staff checked us into our rooms.

Soon, we met the personal butler for our group, Eriksson.  He gave us a tour of the property and escorted each one of us to our rooms arranging for our bags to be delivered.   Eriksson provided fantastic service for us.   He made dinner reservations for our group; he lit incense in our rooms, sent extras to our rooms, and handled everything we needed.

Accommodations

Most of us had swim-up rooms with patios.   It was wonderful.    I’ll let the pictures speak about those.

The Food 

Here is the most important thing I can say about the food. I ate cake every day.   At the seafood restaurant on the beach, they made an incredible, different, cake every day for lunch.   Judy and I ate it daily.   We also ate Caribbean lobster, steaks, Japanese food, Italian food…anything and everything.   You did not get bored with the food as it was a variety and well-seasoned.   Another favorite was a drink called “The Majestic” which was like a melted dreamsicle with rum.   The second favorite was Mimosas which is how we started our day every morning at our group breakfast.

SisterGirlfriends Keeping Busy

So, how did ten women keep busy for seven days on a beach resort?   Let me count the ways for you.

Activities on the Resort

  • Aqua Aerobics in the Resort Pool
  • Salsa, Merengue, and Bachata dance classes
  • Daily Pool Party in our private pool near our rooms
  • Conversational Spanish class
  • Local Shopping
  • Sand-watching/Relaxing/ChitChatting under a Cabana on the beach
  • Afternoon SisterGirlfriend “Chat” Sessions in the resort open lounge area

There were many other activities that we did not experience because we simply ran out of time.

Excursions (Viator)

We did add a mix of adventure in our trip with a couple of great excursions.

  • Punta Cana Party Catamaran Cruise (Thomstours S.R.L) – This tour was a blast. We sailed out on a catamaran for a dip in the ocean, to swim with the stingrays and docile sharks, while dancing to tropical music.
  • Higuey Cultural Tour from Punta Cana (by Sol Cana Tours) – This tour was very informative as we learned about the culture and economics of the Dominican Republic. We visited one of the oldest Catholic churches in the Americas.  Even though the church was moved to another site in more modern times, the original one, which was built in the 1500s is still open for worship.   The altar still has the original mahogany wood and tiles.  Antonio was an excellent tour guide, and his passion for informing tourists about his country was evident on this tour.

There were many other activities that we did not experience because we simply ran out of time.

Nightly Entertainment

What I loved about this resort was there was a different flavor of after-dinner nightly entertainment.  There was live music on the plaza and a live show in the large open theatre on the property.   Each night there was a different theme for the show in the theatre.   There was a rock show, a Michael Jackson show, a Circus show, a rendition of Broadway musical show and a karaoke show.   I volunteered Judy as our lead singer for karaoke because she is an excellent singer.   I told the others she had sung to her husband-to-be while walking down the aisle at her wedding and they were thoroughly impressed.  We became excited about the performance, selected our song, and practiced our steps.  Judy led our group in “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” while four of us backed her up as the Lady Temps.    The audience loved it and gave us high-fives.   The next day Judy was approached by a professional singer who was vacationing there and asked if she ever considered a singing career.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall, we absolutely LOVED our Punta Cana experience.   I HIGHLY recommend the Majestic Elegance Resort to anyone who plans to visit there.   It has been almost a month, and we are still reveling in our stay there.   I try hard not to compare my vacation experiences, but I have to state that this was the BEST SisterGirlfriend MeetUp yet.

Reflections from the SisterGirlfriend MeetUp 2016 in St. Maarten

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The tagline for this blog site is “Learning from YOU to empower ME.” The appropriateness of this tagline became evident during the recent SisterGirlfriend MeetUp 2016. Six women gathered together on the beautiful island of St. Maarten for a week away from their everyday lives. It has been almost 2 months since we returned and I am just now posting about it. I was delayed because I stepped back into my busy life and it became even busier. However, the time I spent rejuvenating on that tropical island helped prepare me. You see, that’s what the trip is primarily all about – rejuvenating and recharging – to step back refreshed into your daily life.
The Resort Experience
My first impression of our resort was not a good one. I must admit that I was disappointed because there was no “WOW” factor when I stepped into the lobby. After I settled in later, I determined the resort was comfortable, clean, and cozy with complete amenities. The food and drinks were good, the overall service was excellent, the nightly entertainment provided good music and great singers, and the other guests were very participative when I invited them all up on the dance floor with me each night.

Sonesta Great Bay Resort

Our beach view was fantastic. If we were in our room, on the patio, by the pool or on the beach, we had a fabulous view of the pristine ocean and green mountains across Great Bay where the cruise ships parked on the pier. On some evenings, we enjoyed good conversation relaxing in front of the large opened windows where we enjoyed the cool breeze and full moon hanging over the ocean.

Morning View -St Maarten Evening View from ResortCarousing Around the Island

We did venture out as a group to enjoy the island. Our first adventure was a history tour of the island. We wanted to learn about this small island and the mixture of the cultures – Natives, Dutch, French and African. We were impressed that the tour guide included so much information about the contributions of the African slaves to the economy and culture of St. Maarten.   The statues of these two women of African descent were impressive.  There is one on the French side of the island that is reminiscent of our great lady in New York Harbor.   The other one on the Dutch side of the island has a missing breast which was her punishment for attempting to escape to freedom on the French side of the island as they abolished slavery first.

St Maarten Statute of Liberty Woman in St Maarten

Our next adventure involved hanging out on the beach. We spent the day on the famous Orient Bay Beach. Since 1994, I wanted to return to this beach and stroll nude across it but that was only a dream. Instead we enjoyed cool drinks served by hot, sexy French guys while we people-watched on the beach. It is nothing like an ice-cold Heineken on the beach. We also enjoyed mouth-watering burgers at the beach side restaurant that hosted our excursion.

Orient Bay Beach

On our last outing, we decided to visit the other Sonesta resort near the airport. Now, this resort had the WOW factor and was a newer resort. It was beautiful but it did not have the fantastic ocean view that we enjoyed at the other resort plus it was too close to the airport with all of the noise of incoming/departing flights.

SisterGirlfriend Discussions
The highlight of the SisterGirlfriend MeetUp is the discussions we have throughout the rejuvenating week. Some of them occur via a planned activity where we choose a topic card and respond to the surprising question on the card. Other times our discussions are impromptu and we flow from one topic to another with the ease of longtime friends even though some of us have just met. We share, we laugh, and sometimes we cry. It is liberating, enlightening and empowering. Whatever happens, it is always in a very caring and healing way. The openness of these moments forges bonds among the group as we listen to one another in a non-judgmental way. We all leave from these discussions enriched and inspired.

St Maarten Tree

Overall, we all enjoyed our time in paradise. The ingredients of sun, moon, ocean, mountains, palm trees, and gentle breezes will always ensure a successful SisterGirlfriend Meetup.

Best Things in Life #15 – Language and Cultural Exchange

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Imagine.   Your sister-girlfriend has a job assignment in Rome for the next 2 years.   You decide to go and pay her a visit for 3 weeks and explore Rome.   She throws a party to introduce you to all of her newfound friends and co-workers.    Across the crowded room you spot someone smiling at you that looks like this:

 

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He is standing with your sister-girlfriend and her new man.  They start to walk over to you.   You become excited……. all over.   When they reach you and start the introductions you realize that you and Mr. Everything-Italian-Men-Are-Suppose-to-Be do not speak the same language!   OMG!    What is a hot and bothered woman to do?

Girlfriend, RUN to the next language class or grab a self-study language program (Rosetta Stone, Pimsleur will do) and get to it as soon as possible!

A similar situation happened in my personal life and I learned how to speak Spanish sufficiently in 3 months so that I could begin to know someone who became very special to me.   We both learned each other’s language so that we could communicate better and learned about each other’s culture.    This has led to my meeting other persons of the same culture to form other close friendships in my life.   When I have traveled to countries where Spanish is the primary language, I have been able to communicate with ease.   The experience really enriched my life.

I know as Americans we tend to think English is spoken everywhere and to learn to speak another language is optional.    Some of us even have a low opinion of persons who speak our language with an accent even though they may speak 2 -3 other languages.   Yet, when I have traveled abroad and spoke the native language with my accent, it was clear to me that my attempt was appreciated by the native people.   We need to change our views on speaking more than one language and be patient with those who speak our language as their second language.

If you have ever studied one of the Latin-based languages, you will recognize that English is a tough language to learn.    Also, you will know why they call the Latin-based languages the “Romance” languages because the way they phrase is so beautiful ….. especially when they are talking about LOVE.

So take the plunge.   Study a foreign language.  Learn a cultural dance.   Share a cultural meal.    Be prepared for the “Hola”, “Bonjour”, or “Ciao” that might walk across the room into your life.     Don’t allow cultural differences and language barriers to limit what could be a wonderful experience in your life.

****About the photo:   My photographer sister-girlfriend, Veronica Owens, went on a photo shoot journey across Italy and sent me my gift request of a photo of a handsome Italian man.

QUESTION(s)

How do you feel about learning another language?

Do you think it would be beneficial to your life?

 

Best Things in Life #11 – Dancing

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If you are endowed with the ability to hear the beat and rhythm of music then you are capable of enjoying one of the most exciting experiences of human movement – dancing.    Dance is just as ancient as the human race and has been an integral part of our rituals, social events, and spiritual gatherings.   Dance remains one of the most expressive ways that we communicate with one another.

I love dance.   In my youth, I won a few freestyle dance contests and a talent show.   As a teenager, I recall dancing every single day after my chores were done.    I could dance alone, with a partner, or with a group of friends.   At the high school dances my partner and I were always one of the first couples on the floor.   When the music started I could not keep still as there was such freedom in “moving” to the music.   As a young woman, the ability to dance was a prerequisite for all date candidates and the prelude to some very sensual moments.

Then, life happened.   I met someone I really cared about but he did not express himself with dance.  I stopped dancing.   In fact, dancing became a very distant memory for many years as I navigated through motherhood and career.   It slipped away so silently that I did not notice it was gone because of the busy-ness of my life.

Then, I entered into the empty nest phase.   I met someone who brought dance back into my life.  I had all the time to become reacquainted with the freedom and sensuality of it again.   As that old saying goes – it IS better the second time around.

Just to name a few memorable dancing experiences – I have danced the Salsa (Mambo & Merengue) in Miami, Puerto Rico, Santo Domingo, Aruba, and Acapulco.   I have danced the traditional dance of Welcome with the Tlingit Natives in their Beaver Clan House in Ketchikan, Alaska.   I have attempted to hula dance at the Luau Kapolei and the Polynesian Cultural Center in Oahu; and  standing near a waterfall on the road to Hana in Maui.   I still have the Tango to accomplish in Buenos Aires before I can call it quits.

Dancing is happiness.   One of my recurring fond moments is when I am traveling with my sister.   At some point during our time together she will stand in front of a mirror in our hotel room or cruise cabin and dance to the music in her head.     This is when I know she is at her happiest moment.  I always laugh and join her.

Here are some video clips of some happy Salsa dancers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_xwl_y5uT44

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZHIQULn-MI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjSClEqdInw

QUESTION(S):

Can you dance?

Do you like to dance?

When was the last time you danced?

Take a Minute to Click-It for LOVE

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HiResMy father was my hero.   He encouraged my adventurous and independent spirit.   He died in a tragic car accident in 1990.

I was lucky enough in life to finally meet a man who touched my heart and embraced my adventurous and independent spirit.   He died in a tragic car accident in 2007.

Both would still be here sharing my life had they worn their seat belts.

Their deaths are still heartbreaking and the fact they could have survived if they had buckled up is still a crushing blow.

When I get in my car each day and click on my seat belt, I think of them.

Each year approximately 33,000 persons are killed in a car crash and 50% could have been saved had they used a seat belt.   It is a known fact that men are 10% less likely to wear a seat belt.

As you travel for the summer holidays and vacation road trips, please wear your seat belt.

If there is someone in your life that does not wear a seat belt while driving and/or riding as a passenger, please ask them to do it………for you and for the love of others.

Be explicit.   Nag them.

Do whatever you can to induce them to wear a seat belt.

Help save their lives and your heart.

 

QUESTION(S):

How do you feel about encouraging others to wear seat belts?

Do you adhere to seat belt safety laws consistently?