Barbados
“There are destination weddings — and then there are Barbados weddings,” writes Andrea Wilson, Public Works/StreetsLA.
“My daughter Nicky got married in Barbados to a wonderful Bajan guy name Marc on Valentine’s Day. It was a celebration of love on the platinum shores. We expected turquoise water and warm breezes. What we experienced was something far richer: a symphony of culture, cuisine, rhythm and romance wrapped in golden Caribbean light.
“This particular wedding unfolded on a wide open beautiful garden full of flowers, a view of the amazing beach just north of Bridgetown. Rows of wooden chairs were arranged tied with flowing ribbons that danced in the trade winds. There was no vaulted ceiling, no stained glass — only a wide, uninterrupted sky and the rhythmic hush of waves folding onto shore.
“Barbadian weddings are as much about community as they are about the couple, and this one unfolded with that warm, unmistakable Bajan spirit. Aunties dabbed their eyes with embroidered handkerchiefs. Old friends fanned themselves with woven palm fans. Laughter rippled through the garden when the officiant spoke of fate and timing and the improbable magic of meeting the right person at the right time. Nicky and Marc will be spending their honeymoon on a cruise to Aruba.
“Alive! was there on the beautiful grounds where the matrimony took place.”
The bride, Andrenique “Nicky” Wilson- Harding, received a Joannie Mukai Club Scholarship in 2010 and graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana. She earned a Master’s degree in psychology and works as a licensed therapist.
“I’m very proud of her accomplishments and wish her and her husband Marc the best,” Andrea Wilson writes.
The Club congratulates Nicky and Marc on their wedding and wishes them many years of bliss to come!
She is the beautiful daughter of Andrea Wilson / StreetLA Public Works.
Philippines
“I know it is not clear, but this was taken on Kimud Shoal about one hour out of Malapascua Island north of Cebu City, Philippines. In the background is a graceful Thresher shark with its distinctive tail in about 75 feet of water. Threshers come up from the deep to get cleaned by cleaner fish in the shallow part of the shoal, and then they go back into the deep.
“The second picture is in the same area of Kimud shoal but without the shark and in shallower water at around 30 feet deep.
“I have been a divemaster for 30 years with thousands of dives under my belt. This is my first time seeing this beautiful creature. Since retirement, my goal is to scuba dive in as many spots as I can before I get too old.”
— Sgt. Gerard Kilayko, Retired, Airport Police
Philippines
In January, Pablo Ninofranco, Retired, Harbor, toured the Baguio Mine View Park, Rice Terraces, and the Hanging Coffins of Sagada in the Mountain Province, Philippines.
Letter From Nashville
Nashville claims, believe it or not, to be the home of hot fried chicken, with the Andre Prince Jeffries family, owners of Prince’s Hot Chicken, credited with its creation. Apparently, in the early ’30s, a girlfriend of one of the family’s womanizing great-uncles served him an extremely hot pepper-fried chicken breakfast as revenge for his infidelities. But he liked it so much that he opened a restaurant next to the Grand Ole Opry and built a special room for its white patrons from next door in the back. Today, the city has endless restaurants serving all kinds of Southern hot fried chicken.
Admittedly, the town is known more for country music as its claim to fame, especially along Broadway’s Honky Tonk highway with its brightly colored neon signs, multi-floor restaurants and bars that have at least one music stage, all serving ice cold adult beverages, and a party that lasts all day, every day.
Today, its daytime customers are middle-aged rockers from the Midwest and beyond, nursing small beers while listening to cover bands play nostalgic tunes from their youth. But once the sun has gone down and these rockers retire for the night, the whole place takes on an air of frenzied activity with hen (bachelorette) and stag parties, bridal showers, all drinking like there is no tomorrow while listening to music from more youthful cover bands. Occasionally, some sections of Broadway are cordoned off to allow music celebrities to put on free live street shows. (It was Post Malone’s turn when I was there.)
Close by is Dolly Parton’s Wine Bar, with her choice of red or white wine or sangria for those undecided; the National Museum of African American Music; the Johnny Cash Museum; and the Ryman Auditorium, the historic heart and soul of country music. So pick up a show ticket during your stay, or do a backstage tour of the original home of the Grand Ole Opry. America’s longest-running political-rhetoric free radio show started its humble beginnings as a barn dance on the radio in 1925, when country music became entwined with comedians like Minnie Pearl. It was also here that Johnny Cash met June Carter. There are still events produced here, but the Grand Ole Opry show has moved to a much larger commercial building out of town.
If you are a candy eater, then you must check out Nashville’s unusual Goo Goo’s, invented in 1900. This concoction of marshmallow nougat, roasted peanuts and caramel covered in milk chocolate is to die for (and you probably will if you eat too many!). Luckily, there is a Goo Goo Shop and Dessert Bar on Third near Kid Rock’s Big Honky Tonk.
The Broadway area is full of action day and night, so for a more peaceful night’s sleep, I recommend staying in the Hampton Suites in the Midtown district. This hotel has a great breakfast, and each room has its own small kitchen. You do not need a car, as it is inexpensive to take the bus or Uber to the airport or downtown.
If you have time or are looking for somewhere less touristy but with a touch of class, check out the Red Phone Booth. It’s a speakeasy with plush leather seats, great bourbons, and a walk-in cigar humidor. But you will have to do a little research to find the secret phone number to access it! Tip: Before you go, I recommend you watch Walk the Line and the Nashville TV series.
Enjoy! -The Captain
