My first day-trip devoted to fun
Zoë Hart in an herbal store in Brooklyn, NY drinking an americano.
Today was a first for me. While I traveled for work on the first plane out and the last plane home for years for EnrichHER and before as a consultant, I had never traveled like this for fun on a Saturday. Today was the Day.
I woke up a 4 a.m., earlier than usual, as I wanted ample time to pack, get ready, eat breakfast and clean my house before traveling. I even budgeted some time to tell my plants, ‘I love you’ though I forgot to let them know in my sleepy haze. My body was on autopilot as I was ready way before it was time to go. I quickly finished my entire goal list and drank my morning coffee while writing in my journal.
The ride to the airport was incredibly easy. The Uber was at my house early and I was packed. I had to go to the agent assist line to get my pre-check fixed, which took less than one minute. Next, I was in the lounge drinking water less than 5 minutes later.
Zoë Hart taking a selfie in the Delta Sky Club before her flight to JFK
Today was going to be interesting due to the fact that we really made no plans, and we were on a time crunch. Both facts were going to impact everything that we had going on. I didn’t force myself to wake up fully, and decided to walk to my gate right at boarding time.
LaShawnda and Zoë getting ready to depart ATL for JFK.
We were excited to go on our adventure. We discussed that we hadn’t traveled together since we went to Mexico in 2010 (before I moved to Mexico and cut off all my hair) and the Galapagos Islands in 2012 to visit my favorite animal, Tortugas. LaShawnda was one of my most treasured friendships, as we’d been close since I was 20 years old. I am so grateful to have her as a part of my life.
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We reflected about our past travel adventures before I fell asleep mid-sentence. When I woke up, she was watching a movie and I was in la la land. We eventually landed in NYC just in time for Chinese New Year.
Zoë and LaShawnda under the lanterns in JFK.
My friend Erin recommended us take the Airtrain and the LIRR to Brooklyn. Neither of us had been on public transportation since before the pandemic, so we thought we’d give it a shot. While boarding the LIRR, we got on the last car on the train, which was empty, to head to Brooklyn. I quickly wanted to get in an Uber as I felt that this part of the trip was taking too long. Once we figured out that we needed to get off at the next stop and that we were two cabs away from the nearest exit, we had to run through the train while it was moving like a movie set. For the first time in our lives, we moved between cars on a moving train. We luckily made it to the first door that would open on the platform seconds before the door opened. It was a hilarious start to our day trip, an experience I hope always to remember.
The first thing that I planned was getting together with friends at a ramen spot in Bed-Stuy. My friend Noel via Roddenberry and BIA joined us as Francois, a friend of LaShawnda’s from school. Everyone told us that noon was considered early in NYC and it’s best to plan things after 2 pm in the future. I thought this was hilarious.
Zoë Hart with Noel enjoying ramen in Bed Stuy, Brooklyn.
Somehow, although we landed at 10:30 a.m., it was already 2 p.m., and we needed to start on our adventure. It was recommended that we walk down Thompkins (which I kept referring to as Franklin) and stop at stores and shops along the way. We were so cold. I realized that I forgot to wear socks and that I should have worn my thicker winter tights for this temperature. But, the neighborhood was so beautiful. I was grateful that we decided to go on this part of the adventure.
Miracles and Wonders
I made it to the Delta Sky Club less than. 30 minutes after leaving my house
I spent time with almost every single person that I knew in Brooklyn
I was able to eat ramen and sushi, two of my favorite foods
My heart felt full of love and ease all-day
LaShawnda and I closed the gap on a ten year break from travel
Next, we decided we needed to go get pizza since we were in NYC. So I let go of my no-cheese rule for the day to get a single slice. It seemed like we kept running into Atlanta connections while there, and the pizza spot wasn’t any different. We ended up going to get pizza next door to Slutty Vegan, a place made famous in Atlanta.
Next, we decided to venture to Forest Hills, an area apparently on the border of Brooklyn and Queens with many shops. I had never been there before and quickly realized that the neighborhood wasn’t really my scene. The best part was that when it was time for me to return to Brooklyn, there was no wait for the Uber, something I hadn’t experienced all day. While in Forrest Hills, I said goodbye to Atlanta as the official end of our day trip. I was kind of salty as we were upgraded to first class on a flight that had lay flat beds, something that I had yet to experience. But, I was grateful for the opportunity to spend some extended time in NYC with friends who I hadn’t seen in a while.
Zoë and LaShawnda say goodbye as their NYC day trip ends.
Next, I was excited to meet my friend Taya for dinner. We met during our Techstars anywhere adventure in 2019, and I felt we were kindred spirits. During dinner, I learned that she was essentially the mayor of a district in NYC and had found her true calling. We met at a period were we both were giving our entire essence to making a low-probability dream come true, and now, we were both on the other side. I am so grateful to know her. After dinner, she took me on a 34-minute walk through Brooklyn, something that I would usually never say yes to on in freezing weather on any evening. But alas, it was a perfect day to say yes.
I always felt at ease around Taya, a rare quality I cherish. Though it had been months since we last spoke, I knew that seeing her would give me the grounded joy I needed.
Last, I met up with Erin, a person who has shown me time and time again that there are many ways to show up in the world. We initially met while traveling the world on Semester at Sea, the summer before our senior year of college. It just so happened that I met Erin three months after I met LaShawnda. It’s wild how knowing someone for so long makes you feel safe. Since we met all those years ago, I’ve visited her more than anyone else I know in NYC. I love her. I feel comfortable around her, and I feel like though we’re different, I can be authentically nmyself around her without judgment. Visiting me in Atlanta was her first time traveling on a plane post the start of the pandemic, and I’ve traveled to different countries like Croatia to visit her on work trips during the tenure of our friendship. We stayed up talking until 11 p.m. before I tapped out and went to bed so that I could start over in the morning.
Erin and Zoë reminiscing about their 23 years of friendship.
I felt like today was a lesson in true friendship. Some friendships are are everyday catalyst to navigate the present moment. Some friendships endure the test of time and remain even when you don’t speak. Others are simply there and don’t require nurturing to stay in tact. But if you’re lucky, you can have friendships that overlap multiple categories and give you a deeper sense of the importance that you bring to the world.