Category: North America

November 16, 2017

Miami

Remember when we used to pass notes in grade school? We sketched our best friend’s name or I love so and so or acronyms for every new and made up phrase (lylas, ttyl, bffe) all over sheets of blue-lined notebook paper, folded it into some indistinct shape and passed it from desk to desk hoping not to get caught by Mr. Smith. We’d communicate in style, glitter pens on paper in bubbled or graffiti letters, saying just as much with the fonts we created than with the words themselves. It’s a lost art. A friend of mine who teaches middle ...

February 6, 2017

Nashville

Once upon a time, I lived in Franklin, TN. I was too young to remember the place but I now have a good friend living and Dr. schooling in Nashville so I anticipate making this trip a few more times in the next few years. My coworker accompanied me on this trip, which added a bit of nuance to my perspective. It was her first time in the South (if you can call Tennessee that) and we were completely on the same page about the differences in culture between NY and TN. It’s quieter and the ...

February 5, 2017

Minneapolis

After completing a successful layover in Istanbul in April 2016, I was all for spending a few extra hours in a new city. On my way to Los Angeles over Memorial Day Weekend, I made a quick stop in Minneapolis on Sun Country Airlines. The train connecting the airport to the city is extremely easy to navigate and I ultimately had two options based on timing, go right and to the Mall of America to spend my time window shopping and eating or go left and venture into the Twin City. I chose left. I had never thought of Minneapolis ...

January 8, 2017

Dominican Republic

I traveled to the DR to celebrate my 25th birthday (and get a much-needed break from the city). I’m not one to celebrate my own birthday so this one was pretty special on the account that a friend and I decided to celebrate together. A couple more friends joined us and we were off to a relaxing weekend by the water. Seriously. Don’t leave the resort. We were warned by everyone: our friends, a random passenger on the plane and the hotel staff. But sometimes life is your best lesson… The resort had everything we needed and more ...

December 26, 2016

Portland

At one point in time, I called Portland home. After graduating the University of Texas at Austin advertising program (Hook ‘Em), I ventured out west to start my career as an advertising intern at Wieden+Kennedy’s HQ. It was an experience like no other. This was the first place that I got a strong taste of creative energy flowing through everything. The style, the art galleries, nature, the food, the people, the work. The company taught me to fail, fail again and then fail harder (a la Micheal Jordan/Nike/David Kennedy circa ’99). And boy did I fail while I was there… Although I ...

December 20, 2016

New Orleans

My first visit to New Orleans, Louisiana (NOLA) was a road trip with friends from Houston to the Essence Music Festival. It was a fun filled weekend with music, food, hair, bonding with friends and the hot, hot heat of the summer. The festival took up most of our time but between running from venue to venue, we strolled through the French Quarter, the oldest neighborhood in the city. There was an influx of tourists for the event but it was cool to see the city’s locals out and about too. I remember we parked my friend’s car in a ...

December 20, 2016

Philadelphia

I took this trip a while back, a quick weekend with my dad and his company; the itinerary was set and all parts of the day were planned. With a tour group I visited the Philadelphia Museum of Art (where the Rocky Steps are), the Redding Terminal Market and drove through downtown. I took my own pilgrimage to see the legendary Roots mural honoring the group in street art/graffiti form. I honestly don’t remember too much about how this trip felt but what I do remember is what one random guy told me as I was taking pictures in the ...

December 18, 2016

Los Angeles

I was once made fun of for saying “Cali” because apparently “Cali” is not what Californians say. May 2015 Where should I go next? Perhaps Copenhagen. © Copyright 2016 Akua Sencherey. All rights reserved.

December 18, 2016

Canada

When I was young, I dreamed of being a professional athlete. I bounced from basketball, to soccer, to cheerleading, to track & field, to volleyball. Though none of these came to be my profession, one vision has endured since then – that I’d be involved in some way shape or form with the World Cup. I can’t explain the feeling I get when the time rolls around – all of the national pride, expectant performances of up and coming players, the embodiment of the host country in the tournament theme and advertising. I first went to Montreal in June 2015 ...

December 18, 2016

Seattle

I was truly surprised by how much I enjoyed the city of Seattle. Although it drizzled nearly the entire time we were there, we made our way out and about. The look and feel of the city inspired me and made me feel as though I needed to create something or be innovative in some way. It could have been the hills and mountains that we drove through from Portland all the way to Washington, the color of the fall leaves, or the architecture – I’m not sure. If I could get over the rain, I would definitely consider this ...