Puerto Rico Day 1

Puerto Rico Day 1:

I've wanted to go to Puerto Rico for years. I was able to enjoy P.R. in September 2008 with the Wifey for our 11th anniversary.
I wanted to see Loiza badly. I've read so much about Loiza as I've studied the African influence in Latin America. I really want to visit Puerto Rico during the annual Loiza Festival so I could witness for myself Puerto Rican people celebrating the African portion of their cultural and familial heritage. Many of the Puerto Ricans that I've known haven't been outwardly proud of Puerto Rico's African presence......... I guess I could say the same about African-Americans as well.
Today we touched down in P.R. We visited San Juan, drove through Old San Juan, and made plans for me to visit Ponce (Home to one of my heroes - Roberto Clemente), Loiza (Home of the Loiza Festival), and I hoped to walk the grounds of Santurce (Home of Arturo Alfonso Schomburg). It took us a while to get from the airport and to obtain a vehicle. Once that was in place we drove to our Timeshare by Wyndham and enjoyed the sounds of the Puerto Rican frogs. Here are a few photos:

Puerto Rico Day 2 - Team VArner

Day Two !

This was the day I've been waiting for ! Today we had a chance to visit Old San Juan and view the old Spanish inspired/designed and Indian/African handcrafted scenery that is Old San Juan. Along the way we were able to view a few museum exhibits on the African influences in Puerto Rico and visited some historic forts where the Spanish (from Spain) battled various folk. We visited San Juan (proper) and then drove out to Loiza for a short rainy stay.
I've been wanting to go to Loiza for decades now. As we talked to staff in the Hotel about our plans they would shake their heads saying "Si, Old San Juan is beautiful" and "Si San Juan is very active" and then "Loiza ? Why would you want to go to Loiza ?" Loiza is one of the areas in Puerto Rico where our enslaved imported Africans didn't mix as heavily with our indigenous Arawak/Tiano/Boriquen indians or the Spanish colonizers that invaded Puerto Rico. One of the hotel employees, who appeared lilly-white (caucasian) looked at the Wifey and I and said.... "Brother, Loiza is the place where you can most easily see our African heritage as Puerto Ricans. It's not that obvious in other parts of the Island although we know about it. I know why you want to visit. Just be a little more careful. Loiza is where the Puerto Ricans go to party when we want to go wild and loose. Some things are easier to get in Loiza than anywhere else 'if you feel Me'." ................................. Here is a photo montage of the day:

Puerto Rico Day 3 - Team Varner

Day Three !
Enjoyed some great breakfast food (not shown)from a local resturant and hit the road. Today we did some shopping (to ensure the Wifey was happy) and we did get to drive to Ponce ! I've wanted to go to Ponce, the birth-home of one of my Pan-African/Latino/Puerto Rican/American heroes Mr. Baseball himself Roberto Clemente. While in Ponce we ran into a community parade and enjoyed the pagentry of the community celebration. We also ordered ate some fast food to make sure we still had American stomachs. We ended the day with some Latino Food Favs' like the pictured Aroz con Pollo and the dish of 'African heritage' (as the waiter stated) named Monfongo. When I noted that the Platinos (Platains) were also a dish and cooking approach that came with the enslaved Africans the waiter applauded me for doing my research (but I think he really wanted to ensure he had a big tip....)...

We're making life.

From Seko:
WHOA. Rhonda is talking bout' the trip all the time. I love hearing her voice and excitement. It's almost like hearing big Os. Ear candy ! I'm tripping as I have sooooooo much to do before we leave and that moment of realization hits......I'm not gonna' get it all done......Mannn. We leave in two days and my wife has found a catalogue of things for us to do that do not involve admissions and such. She has also found a crew of sights that involve my passion, studying the sites and events that have effected people of Afrikan descent. I didn't realize how much has occured in London involving Blacks. We are a global people.

We're going to Europe as my cousin Sean is marrying a British girl of a Nigerian family. I began calling her a 'Britgerian' and the term has stuck ! On Thursday 9/13/07 we will participate in a Nigerian ritual preceeding the wedding ceremony. I can't wait. Stay tuned true believers, Wifey and I are going to share with you all of the trip except for the 'life-making'. Quick - tell ya' partner "we're not making love...we're making life" (thanks KRS-1 for da' line.)

One day away.

From Seko:

One day away..........

I'm a bit worried now. I have the tendency to ignore the importance of somethings until the weight is upon me. The honey-to-do (i.e. you betta' do this or else I'll be to bothered to be in a good mood) list has been ignored and now I'll have to do everything tommorow. Here is the skinny: We leave to England. We arrive on Thursday just in time for a Nigerian wedding ritual, we hang out and see the sites on Friday, the ceremony is on Saturday, and then we roam Europe until Thursday morning. I'll miss time away from 'semi-work' and I won't be able to fully support my real-estate clients. We're going to be "Broke in Britan & Back Home." I've been broke before, I'm glad I've learned how to go from broke to blessed. I'll need that skill when I return. Quick, tell ya' partner: "It's time to go from broke to blessed."

It could be worse !

From Seko:
Here it goes. Wifey is waking up early almost singing "We're going to London !" and decides to do a last minute check on our passports ! Her passport is correct as it was when she checked it last time. My passport, which I was supposed to check, has my gender listed as female.......... I may need to "dress-up" to get on the plane. Soooooo, one look at my wonderful masculinity will demonstrate that I'm not a female. No, I've never been a female.... No, I don't want to be a female....... Sooooooooo, we called the passport office and they notify me that I'll need to go to Washington D.C. to obtain a new passport if I want to avoid any problems. That's three hours up, an hour or so to try to handle the problem, and three hours (with zero traffic) back home...... Translation: Not by the manly hairs of my 'chinny, chin, chin' will this problem get fixed. I guess customs is going to give me a fit. I may end up stuck somewhere.......... Another problem I may have prevented by doing my due-diligence. I guess it could be worse. Quick, tell ya' partner "It could be worse!"

Everything in London is small.

From Seko:
Dude, everything in London is small. My big-girls will have problems here. I had to stick one of my legs out of the shower to wash the opposing leg (I'm not a big dude). This is a three star hotel........... The room becomes crowded when I put up the ironing board. Love to my big-girls cause' London don't love you. More bounce to the ounce, gettin' down for the pounds ! At the airport two of our "old-star-jones-sistahs" had to walk sideways to enter the restroom. One emerged back into the hallway later visibly upset as she (the more vuluptous girl) screamed "Can't get in the small stall." as she was doing the 'gotta-pee dance'.

Boy, the trip over here was interesting. You could count the soul-folk with your digits and have change. Then we got off the plane in London at the same time as Nigerian-Aire, Jamican-Aire, and Liberian Airways. Talk about Soul. My folk were speaking patois, french, some languages I couldn't recognize, Spanish, and the East-Indian dialects. It was a real global eye-opener. Then the wifey and I turned right when the crowd turned left and the Europe of old became the cultural standard. Quick, tell ya' partner "Soul to the left."

Tally ho !

From Rhonda:

Tally ho!! or something like that. What an experience this has been. We have been in Britain for a full day or so I think. That jet lag is hitting me or maybe it was that long night with the new family. Carol and Sean had there Laws and Customs ceremony last night. In true American fashion, I only needed this to take about 2 hours but in African fashion we did not leave the house until @100am. Lucky for us Carols bridesmaid N'Kem(cool girl) drove us back to the hotel to save us the 50 lb fair. You got it, we would have paid 100.00 dollars to get back to the hotel. Somehow God always has us in his favor. We would have been Broke in Britain's right now. It was so interesting to meet Carol's sister and two brothers. They have such similarities.

This experience makes me wonder how America is the "Super" power. Our approach is so America focused that it is an eye opener to see that we are partners in a World. In just this short time we have seen people from all corners of the world. There have been Nigerians, Jamaicans, Asians, French and Italian people everywhere. It's like going to New York. I used to think that Americans smoked too much. Now, if you were to ask me I'd say the entire world smokes to much. If I counted everyone I've seen smoking, I'd earn a degree in counting. No wonder there's smog, some say its from exhausts but I think it's mainly cigarette smoke.

Well we'll see what today brings. After a long jet leg nap we are on to the Tube to see what we can see.

A Real Foxy Time

Where's Elmer Fudd when you need him. Here in London they don't have to worry about raccoons rumblng through their trash. No, not at all. But last night Elmer Fudd could have switched from hunting rabbits and taken his turn at foxes. Not foxy ladies....real, live foxes!!! These things run through the street at night like stray pets. I could not believe we saw 3-4 last night. They have become experts at crossing the street. They know when to look left and when to look right (Unlike the two of us who have to keep each other from getting run over). Needless to say, we will be back in the hotel room before I have a close encounter of the pass out kind.
Blogging again soon,
Real Broke in Britain, Donations Accepted:)

The N Word

From Seko:
Now, I've listened to a lot of recordings which included the word recently buried by the NAACP. My grand-parents and parent's generation used it hatefully and embracingly (to later blame it's popularization on Hip-Hop). I've beat up folk for using the term towards me (It didn't matter who called me that, it was a problem..... Daddy didn't raise no N-Words and Mummy didn't love no N-Words). I've been upset with my elders for using the term in front of and when describing my kids. I have spoken for years of the differences between so-called Black people and N-Words......
So..... Wifey wants to see the famous controversial play Emperor Jones in London. Great ! I didn't expect to hear more N-Words than visiting a group for hyper-tourettes diseased Klansman. I guess I'm getting a little older and wiser. As we left the theatre I met eyes with other soul-folk family members who seemed a little bothered and at least a thousand Caucasian family members who were laughing, smiling, and applauding the (truthfully excellent) performance. I can't down the playwright. I can't down the play, which reminded me of a Afrikan version of Scrooge's X-Mass story as the main character is plagued by visions which seem like ghosts. Yet I felt like sayin' "Mother-F'er stop ! You gonna' F it up for all of us." Word.
I think it just happened on the wrong day. Wifey and I had visited the House of Parliament's exhibition on the Abolition of African-enslavement in British territories as well as a exhibit in the National Museum on the history of the British impact on African-enslavement and the movement to stop what the Brits' begun. My mum (mom) used to tell me she couldn't get past the cuss'(curse) words in some of the music I listened to, therefore wasn't able to appreciate the creativity. Dad used to tell me that he didn't want to listen to anything that cussed (cursed) him out. I think I'm turning into my parents. Word. Funny thing is, I know I'll be "bumpin' my (revolutionary) music" whenever my kids aren't around; N-Words and all. I know, however, that I'm not going to enjoy some songs the way I used too. It's interesting what we can accept when it's presented in a format we enjoy. Quick, tell ya' partner "Raise your standards, I'm raising mine."

Broke in Britain.

From Seko:
O.K. We were not playing when we called the trip "Broke in Britain." First it cost me $3000 for air & accommodations, then we realize that the US dollar is worth 2.1715% of the English Pound. I.E. I gave 'dude' $80 an he gave me f36.84 without a commission or a fee............hmmm... So as Wifey is forcibly pulling me away from the counter speaking to me in a de-escalating tone of voice, reality is setting in. I'm a bit ready to start the revolution. I worked hard for that $80, and dude is giving me 36 pounds. I felt like I was gettin' a divorce and the trick was taking half. My cheapie McDonald's chicken snack wrap is advertised as being f1.27 pounds (roughly $2.65). Nothing makes sense financially. My money is really funny (slang for "almost nonexistence")now. The Brits don't even shop here ! As soon as someone hears our American accents the first thing they say is "I shop in the U.S. - Great prices!" Looks like everyone goes to Florida, New York, or somewhere 'stateside' to buy clothes for school in September. That was the best Chicken grilled snack wrap I have ever had ! I didn't eat nuthin' the rest of the day. Wifey thinks that I've lost my food appetite..(needed to clarify which 'appetite')........ I keep opening my wallet and waiting for the FREE continental breakfast in the morning. We're at the front door of the hotel restaurant before the staff arrives. The cook thinks that we really love his food.
We have been leaning on my cousin and his new family for food. Yo, Nigerians know how to feed a brother. My cousin's wife (married 9/15/07 ! - That's another post) is a British raised Nigerian. We made sure we saw them every day. They went on their honeymoon to Hong Kong today and the Wifey and I missed them sorely (my stomach still hurts). We hung with her family as much as we could and could count on a full dinner for about four nights. We have also made it our business to help my cousin in preparing for his wedding day. One of his new in laws whispered "Those Americans need to hold a sign saying "Will work for food." She didn't think I heard her, but.....well......yeah.....duh..pass the curried goat and shut up......
I have to comment on the McDonalds here in London. Here is London's Ronald............ I always thought that he had an afro. Yo, the McDonald's has an internet cafe section with lounge seats, darkened lights, free wi-fi, and you can rent time on the restaurant's desk-tops when you purchase your food. One in particular had ample small seats on the main floor and 100 or more seats below in the lounge. Club Big-Mac is gotta' be coming soon. When it happens I'm gonna' be the first to say "Told Y'all".

Cheery f-n Oh !

From Rhonda:

Just read my husband's blog from last night. Now I'm about to be the one cussing and using the N-word. He didn't tell me that someone said we'd work for food. Sh*t, if that was the case I would have told them to skip the food.... We work for MONEY. If we had really charged those jokers for all of the work that we did for this wedding this blog would be called Rolling in Dough in Britain. See, what we did we did for love. Not for food or drink or anything else. We came all the way across the seas to support someone we love and they want to talk crap. It's a good thing that Seko heard them and not me. I'm not sure I would have been able to contain myself.

We actually had a wonderful time with most of them. For our last visit they left us at the train station for more than an hour when we were supposed to be taking pictures with them. It was only about 50 degrees out there. Yeah, those were deplorable "work conditions". We may have to start a revolt after all.

I have to stop this post now and calm down a bit before I continue.

Cheery f-n Oh!

British Television !

From the both of us:
British Television ! A bit off-color and believe it or not they have their own 'Jerry Springer-Maury Povich-Sally Jesse Raphael-Ricky Lake' characters. Same format (Who's my baby's daddy?). Stupid is the same all over the world. Here in Brit' the show hosts can at least blast the people just the say you want to. The news seems to me to truly be high-classed gossip and opinionated talk. Seko was a bit shocked that a late nite' expose' show followed a female producer of pornography (yea' he watched the entire show) followed by a show about effective parenting. One may logically follow the other, but it just doesn't feel right. By the by........Our three star hotel room has a Brit' sized t.v. with a 13 inch screen........ Seko's laptop has a larger screen....... They'd go up a star if they just got a tv big enough for you to see from across the room. Oh, that's right the room isn't big enough for a 20 inch. Off to continental breakfast- it only includes 2 continents.

Break fast in Britain

Soul Folk

"A black figure was carved on the plinth on the south side of Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square. The man is unidentified, but may be one of the nine West Indians who were listed on board the Victory at the battle. They include Jonathan Hardy, 25, an ordinary seaman, John Thomas, 23, a Jamaican landsman, or John Francois, 32, an ordinary seaman. George Ryan, 24, also was listed as 'African".

From Seko:

London is the home of America's mother tonue, english. Yet London holds so many signs of the Motherland. In Trafalgar Square, directly in front of the counsulate for Uganda, Africa is a reflief with an image of an African descendant. Britain was the first country to become involved with the enslavement of Africans although Chattel Slavery never occured in London. The Brits just sold enslaved Africans to everyone else. The Brits, when abolishing enslavement initially only made it illegal to transport the enslaved on British vessells. Decades later they stopped enslavement in British teritories. Britain has a long history of single African descendants in London's classical history - Britain also has very vibrant communities of Africans, both Africans proper and African descendants. Thousands of Carib' so-called Blacks, thousands of continental Africans, and Black Brits color the landscape of London. Thousands of multi-racial folks add vibrancy to London. And the Mother-continental motif is well embraced here.

The impressive and historical Harrods of London has an area and an entire stairwell/liftwell is decorated in an Kemetian (Egyptian) motif. I was sure that the renderings would show the time period in Kemet's history when it was overtaken by Assyraians & Europeans which have the "White" looking royalty....................Surprised to say the Harrods which is being Chaired by an Egyptian (his son Dodi was killed in the car crash with Princess Diana) has renderings of both the "White Egyptians" and predominately those Kemites who demonstrate Nubian features. A tribute to both Princess Diana & The Egyptian Dodi is on the 1st floor of the store (See photo).

Classical African civilization being used to sell Gucci, Prada, and other high end Euro-fashion designers. Gotta' love it. I was knocked out. In addition, the story of Harrods is something of note. I was amazed. I wasn't able to afford anything in Harrods, but the experience inspired me. I'll be able to splurge on my next trip to Harrods, although I won't splurge. I just will be in the financial position to splurge.

The Britgerians (My term for British born Blacks of Nigerian heritage such as my new cousin Carol !) are everywere. Ibo and Yourba languages are spoken everywhere. They are some of the most beautiful women (after the Wifey) I have ever seen. I have been surrounded by so many Africans in London I began to wonder if the first became last and we have entered the time where the last will become first. Africans from North Africa and Ethopia were everywhere as well in addition to the Arab descedants who have taken over/moved into/became a part of North Africa and define themselves as North African. There are also many soul-folk from Pakistan, the (so-called) Middle East, and a good contingency of Asian people here.

On our last night in London the Wifey and I stumbled on a club owned by Arthur Baker, an early staple in classic New York Hip-Hop. His DJ was a young white bloke playing some of the most funky music I've ever heard. Upon asking about track that repeated "Afro Riddims" I find out that this group is a 'Dutch' group from Norway named Afro Soul System........ A group of funky white dudes promoting black culture.... Gotta' love it...... Go buy their album !

There is so much from Africa here that I can't place it all in one post. I know this; those of us who left Africa took her with us. What a beautiful thing. (photo of a Cola Nut presentation during the wedding reception....African culture in London ! O.K...... She's from Africa & He's from America (My other cuz'n Walt) They're both Soul-folk !)

Oh what an exhilarating trip.

From Rhonda:

Oh what an exhilarating trip. We spent the day in London visiting QVC-UK. Well, I have to say the QVC Difference values continue to play out in this location. We took a site tour and everyone was such fun to meet. I felt right at home.

It's only about an hour and a half before the wake up call to tell us to get moving. This has been and unforgettable experience with new friends made and a lots of love. We thank our London family for their hospitality and look forward to time with them in the future. We thank our US family for putting up with this blog with our rantings, ravings and pictures. We are grateful to Almighty God for the blessing of this union for 10 years. We have been through the rough patches by enjoying lots of smooth ground. I wouldn't trade it for the world. I thank God for blessing me with my husband, his sense of adventure and the love between us. We are truly best friends. Thanks to our parents, sisters and brother for keeping our kids for 8 days and allowing us the luxury of time together. I can't wait to get home just to see my babies. There are no words to explain the love between a parent and a child. I miss them dearly. The only tears I have shed on this trip were when I missed their voices and hugs. We thank them for being good and hanging in there. They have never been away from us this long and I don't know if I could it again.

We have seen so many people of the world here in London. Many of them have extended such kindness as we read Tube maps or looked for street signs, walked to a wedding or rode the bus. We pray that God will return their kindness when they are in those same positions. Kindness is what keeps this world going.

We pray that God will grant us safe journey home. To see all of you again.

Be Blessed, Stay Blessed, Be a Blessing

It's alright to cry.

From Seko:

Wifey and I arrived in Norfolk @ 7:30. No one was waiting for us at the plane exit. Wifey went to call someone ont he tele' and I was drawn to the baggage claim where I ran into mi ninos holding ballons and signs yelling "DADDY" ! My daughter began singing and dancing while my son hugged me hard and then "Where's mommy?" I told him "She'll be right behind me." While hugging my Mum-in law. Looking back at my son he was very upset and he began holding me on the side. Daughter-girl is still dancing and making up a song about with the words "I missed you Daddy !" with a glowing jovial smile. Mum-in Law and Pops-in law are now asking questions and I tell them "We need to get Rhonda." while Wifey comes up to us and begins hugging the children. Daughter-girl's song is now "Mommy and Daddy are back" and my son is holding his Mum and starting to cry. A moment ago he simply told me "I missed seeing you." while holding up his face towards the heavens, kinda looking through me. Now he's about to break down and it's a lovely sight. While on this trip I thought of my ninos frequently and wished that they could experience what we were experiencing. I wish they could have seen how beautiful the new cousin Carol looked at both wedding ceremonies (Cultural and Legal). I wished they could have been there to see cousin Sean's endless smile. He's gotten the woman he wanted. I wish they could have danced with me at the reception. I wished they could have laughed with Sister-Joy. I wished they could have been hugged by Nkem. I wished they could have experienced the beauty of old England and felt the gentle, subtle breeze of Mother Afrika's breath on her children. I'm glad to be home. My son has now been holding his Mum for about 8 minutes and finally broke down in a full out sob sharing his happiness and pain. While we were away all reports have said that he didn't share any feelings other than praying for his parents nightly. All of the feelings were revealed now. I'm glad to be back in his presence. I stopped his tears by giving him a peice of luggage to pull to the car. "Come'on Son-Sun" I said. He took the luggage and walked with us to the car slowly becoming his normal jovial self. At the car he said "Dad, It's good to be near you." I felt like breaking down, I did later that night reveling in the joy of my family. Quick tell you partner "It's alright to cry, Seko did."

Look Higher

From Seko:

Sean met and married the woman of his dreams. Upright, passionate, determined, and African. I'm sure it's hard to tell who is from a Nigerian family, and who is from a predominately European culture by the photo. Sean has had a 'thing' for women from the Mother continent for a minute. He looked at me at the reception and said "Man, I got everything I asked God for; She's upright, passionate, determined, and African. God is good Cuz'n, God is good." Sean's nuclear family wasn't able to make it to the wedding. Sean talked about his family frequently stating that he was basically was the father-figure for four of his siblings. He shared with me that he felt like a peice of him remained in the states. Our aunt (his Mum) suddenly wasn't able to obtain her passport (she lives in Washington D.C.) and none of his nine siblings were able to attend. Although we were all notified of the event a year ago, London is a bit of a distance from the U.S.......... However, I think this wedding has shown me that it's truly not the distance to your goal, but how one views hills. Sean has always been able to see a hill and say "I'm sure it's worth the climb." Growing up in a large family in the soulful comfort of Urban life, Sean always wanted more. He long ago removed the "hood" from covering his head and allowed the rain to wash his head. Sean took a chance. He moved to another country and wasn't able to work for 6 months as England wouldn't allow him to work legally until after marriage and 6 months of residency. Marrying a Britt isn't easy. Sean left with only a suitcase as his belongings. As we prayed during the ceremony, and at the reception, the small contingency from the U.S. prayed for Sean's family, our family. Sean's far from perfect...yet......he has learned how to look high. May his life be a beacon and a bright-tower to encourage his family, our family, your family......... to look high. Quick, tell ya' partner "look higher".

Power ! Rhonda & Seko's 5th Anniversary

Photo: Seko & Rhonda 2008

Power is the force or creative energy. Power is the truth, which is Almighty's mathematics. The number 5 in the Supreme Mathematics represents Power. This was our Power anniversary. This is a photo montage shown at a surprise party celebrating Rhonda & Seko's 5th anniversary in 2002. In 5 years we had two children and were preparing to move into their second home. This montage begins with our infamous "Cinderella marries Shaka Zulu wedding".