WAITING IN THE RENAISSANCE WASHINGTON HOTEL FOR MY BUS

It was my last day in Washington DC after having a great time visiting my family for Thanksgiving weekend .

My Flixbus back to New York City was leaving at 1:30pm and due to arrive at 5:45pm.

Because of the Winter Storm Advisory issued for New York City , I was going to try to get on an earlier bus, say like the 12:30pm one.

No such luck.

It was full and unlike my bus, it was stopping in Baltimore.

My bus was going non stop back to the city.

We ended up getting in at 6pm which wasn’t bad seeing that the weather was awful .

As it was raining cats and dogs while waiting for the bus, one of the valet parking people suggested that I do what other people were doing , waiting in the lobby of the Renaissance Washington DC Hotel, which is where the bus picks you up, 904 9th Street NW.

I had never stayed in this hotel, either in Washington DC or anywhere else.

But I knew that it was one of those fancy, smantzy hotels.

They’re so fancy that if you want to use the bathroom in the lobby, you have to go up to the Front Desk and get a room key , which you have to give back, of course .

As I couldn’t get on the earlier bus, I had some time to kill.

So I did what a few people who were either waiting for the bus or hotel guests did .

I went into Starbucks and got a Cheese Danish and one of my favorite coffees whenever I go to Starbucks , a small Vanilla Latte.

I went back to the entrance with the revolving door and listened to the music that was coming out of the loud speaker.

It wasn’t Christmas music , thank God , but something you wouldn’t expect from such a fancy place.

Try Alternative Rock.

By this time it was 1:15pm and I was ready to leave rainy Washington DC and take my bus to snow, sleet, and just gosh awful weather in New York City .

DECEMBER TRAVEL QUOTES

It’s month number 12 and where did this year and this decade go to so wicked fast?

The weather is getting colder and colder and some places in the world have had snow all ready not to mention hurricanes.

Be mindful of the weather in the places that you’re traveling to , wether it be a 30 Plus Teams Tour or not.

Don’t let that stop you from doing some traveling though.

Get those boots, that heavy coat or even some warm weatger swag and start travelling, fam.

Let these quotes as usual , inspire you.

WHAT’S IN MY SUITCASE ?

Here we go again, another Autumn season 30 Plus Teams Tour of somewhere for the Sports Diva .

You know what that means.

Another edition of the ever popular what’s in my suitcase .

This time I’m staying, God willing ,for 5 days as it’s the Thanksgiving holiday here in the United States .

There may be some sports stuff going on but who knows .

I can say though, that I will be with family members and doing lots of walking and looking around .

Can you guess?

In the meantime , this is what’s in my suitcase.

Serena and Julian will be making an appearance

Boots and sneakers on top of one of my bags that’s on top of my suitcase. It’s gonna be cold and lots of walking .

My suitcase, gloves and bag from Payless

Two other bags and my hat on top of my suitcase.

My going away outfit. Grey pants from Rainbow Shops , blue sweater from a thrift shop , and grey shirt from Uniglo.

My coming home outfit. Sweatshirt from New England Patriots store and sweatpants from my cousin .

Skirt from Telco Store and sweater from a thrift shop

Jacket from a thrift shop and dress from Forever 21.

It’s gonna be cold when I leave New York , so I’m gonna need this coat that my auntie gave me for my birthday last year.

That’s what’s in my suitcase, or at least some of the things.

My packing cubes , which I rave about, are in the suitcase all ready .

Some of these things, I might not wear or carry .

Yes, I maybe carrying two bags because that’s what some of us women do.

Have you guessed where I’m going?

You’ll have to wait for my next post to see if you’re right.

Happy guessing .

A VISIT TO THE NATIONAL ZOO

When I was younger, the singing duo of Simon and Garfunkel had a popular at the time song titled, “At The Zoo.”

One of the lyrics to the song went something like this, ” Something tells me it’s all happening at the zoo. I do believe it, I do believe it’s true”

Many years later, in my 30 Plus Teams Tour of Washington DC , I went to the famous Smithsonian National Zoo to see if the line in the song is still true.

It is.

Number 52 on my bucket list is the National Zoo of Washington DC .

Like so many museums in the city, admission is free.

I arrived at the zoo around 8:45am before the crowds arrived .

Some of the animals were out already , including the “star” of the zoo, Bei Bei, the panda , who will be returning to China around November 19.

So if you happen to be visiting the city around that time, stop by and say hi to Bei Bei, he’s very entertaining.

There’s so many animals to see at the zoo, but because of my fear of snakes, birds and bats , I avoided seeing the Reptile House and the Bat Cave like the plague .

I was as happy as a pig in you know what when I saw the sign saying “Bird House Closed”.

The first trail you see when you enter the zoo is the Asia Trail, which features animals from, you guessed it, the continent of Asia.

There’s also an American Trail, which features animals native to the Americas .

I enjoyed seeing the big American Bison.

They aren’t Buffaloes , they’re Bison as one of the signs on the exhibit informs you.

They even tell you what the difference between a male and female Bison.

(Male is bigger with a lot of hair. The Zoo has two female Bisons)

A walk around the zoo just doesn’t give you a peek into the animals cages, but some information about them, including the information that would be considered TMI.

Some of the animals weren’t in their cages or exhibits while I was there.

If this happens, the zoo will put up a sign reading humorously , “NOBODY HOME”.

I spent 2 hours at the zoo, but that just isn’t enough time to visit.

Like a lot of things in the city, it’s easy to get there by the Metro.

It’s on the Red Line and you can get off at one of two stations, Woodley Park Zoo/Adams Morgan or Cleveland Park Station.

Some people like to get off at Cleveland Park and walk back but I like the Woodley Park Zoo stop even though it’s an uphill walk.

Plus what I love about Washington DC, there’s signs to point you to the place you want to go to.

No matter which station you decide to get off at , the walk prepares you for all the walking that you’ll be doing once inside the zoo.

WHAT’S IN MY SUITCASE ?

Here we go again.

The Sports Diva is going on another 30 Plus Teams Tour of somewhere .

Y’all know what that means, right ?

It’s another addition of what’s in my suitcase .

Going away for about 4 or maybe 5 days not sure yet.

Not taking a lot of shoes this time.

Just my sneakers for all the walking that I’m going to do.

As this is a 30 Plus Teams Tour , yes there will be a sporting event or two going on so you’re going to see the Sports Diva at her Team Sports Apparel Fashionista best.

It’s starting to get a little cool so a sweater or hoodie or two is going in my bag.

Can you guess where I’m going this time ?

I might not be wearing all of these but over packing is better than under packing .

My bag from the M snd M Store in Las Vegas . My blue Sketchers drawstring bag , my packing cubes, which has made packing oh so much easier , and my black handbag from Payless Stores, which unfortunately , are out of business now.

My outfit for going away . Shirt ftom Atlantic City , pants from the Loft Store in Boston .

Outfit for returning . Pants from my cousin. New England Patriots jersey from Modells Sporting Goods Store in New York City .

Pajamas from a relative , and making the trip my stuffed animals , Gleyber and Aaron

Sorry for the mess, but it’s my blue suitcase , which I never have used believe it or not and my Yankees cap.

Shirts , shirts and more shirts.

More shirts and pants. I’m going to be very casual going to this place.

Have you guessed where I’m going yet ?

You’ll just have to wait for my next post to see if your guess was right.

WHAT’S IN MY SUITCASE?

Once again,the Sports Diva is going away somewhere, and it’s time for the ever popular what’s in my suitcase ?

I’m going away for a few days for some sun and fun with the family.

No sporting event is going to be happening on this 30 Plus Teams Tour but I will still be rocking team sport shirts and hats because that’s just how the Sports Diva rolls .

Where’s the 30 Plus Teams Tour taking me this time?

As usual , you have to guess.

They’ll be sun, fun, lots of water and enough fun to keep three ladies of a certain age very happy and it doesn’t take a year and a day to get there .

Check out what’s in my suitcase as you try to guess where my 30 Plus Teams Tour takes me this time.

My little blue backpack with wheels. My guys Gleyber and Julian are coming along for the craziness .

My black skirt and black top because you know how people here in New York City love wearing dark colors .

Repping my teams because I am that Team Sports Apparel Fashionista .

Two T shirts. One from an ex coworker , the other a Nashville Predators shirt from the NHL Store , flip flops for walking around nasty ass bathroom floors, black pants, and a flowered cover up.

Packing cubes, which I can’t seem to live without now. Red sunglasses , sandals, white pants, two shirts , shorts and my new gift from my auntie , a selfie stick.

This is a quick trip, so no big suitcase.

Have you guessed where my next 30 Plus Teams Tour is taking me?

If you haven’t, you’re going to have to wait to see.

In the meantime, enjoy this edition of What’s In My Suitcase .

GETTING TO KNOW APPLE HOSTELS AGAIN

I decided at the last minute that since it was July 4th coming up, why not do a 30 Plus Teams Tour of the City of Brotherly Love even if it’s two days?

I actually just stayed for one day, July 4th until July 5th since Philadelphia is less than two hours from New York City .

Besides, hockey season is less than two months away, so I can spend a longer time in Philly then.

You can’t say the Sports Diva doesn’t have her priorities in order right?

I hadn’t been to Philadelphia in more than two years, which is surprising since it’s so close by.

I used to stay at the hostel that’s in the Historical Area of Philadelphia known as Center City, Apple Hostel.

This hostel is part of the Hostel International organization , so if you’re a member like I am, you can get a discount on your stay.

Apple Hostel is located at 33 Bank Street close to Independence Hall .

You can take a Greyhound bus or even better, the Megabus which goes to 6th Street, across from Independence Hall.

You can walk down to Bank Street from there.

If you have a lot of luggage, Megabus is the way to go

When I first stayed here, there was one hostel building .

Now, there’s two as the reception area has located to the the modern building across the street , known as the “West Wing”.

The rooms in the hostel are in the old building , known as the ” EastnWing”.

There’s no elevator in the building , which has three floors, so don’t look for one,

I stayed on the second floor in the 18 bed female dorm .

Each bed has outlets, a reading lamp, and a privacy curtain, which I don’t remember them having before.

The lights go out at 11pm and on at 10am, but if you have to get out before that time, just try not to disturb your fellow hostelmates.

Everyone is given a key card to get in out not just the hostel front door, but the door to your dorm or private room.

There’s also a code to get into your room.

While many of the hostels have free breakfasts every day, Apple Hostels only does on weekends , and that’s just cereal and oatmeal .

Since this area is filled with restaurants and stores , finding a place to eat breakfast isn’t a problem .

While the East Wing still has a kitchen, the main kitchen has moved to the new building , which looks like something out of one of those fancy interior magazines or commercials.

If your own 30 Plus Teams Tour brings you to the City of Brotherly Love , Apple Hostel should be the place to stay.

Believe me, you won’t be disappointed .