Danya Darling

Curious and questioning, always the student

[danyadarling]

Walking to the South End of Manhattan...

I couldn't help but take away the resiliency of the human spirit and the importance of enjoying each and every moment.

Walking from Soho to the South end of Manhattan, wind picks up. I suppose that’s because nothing is there to block it. On my way, I stumbled upon the 9-11 Memorial and The Freedom Tower. To be honest, I hadn’t really wanted to see this. I saw the giant craters left by the original Twin Towers less than a year after 9-11 and the haunting experience was enough for me to last forever. I thought the…

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Tribeca NYC Reflections

They say New York is the city that never sleeps.  That didn’t hold true for me.  I slept like a corpse and rose late.  I made a cup of hot tea and watched the sun crest over the gritty skyline in Soho. What’s interesting here is that I see dozens of what looks like old water towers on many of the roofs. I wonder if that’s what they are and from a hundred or so years ago.

Row of gorgeous buildings…

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Reasons Why Sexual Assault Survivors Want to Stay Quiet 1. Embarrassment. 2. Fear of reliving the trauma. 3. Vulnerability of undergoing a rape kit. 4. Protecting a loved one who might retaliate.

[danyadarling]

1980's Take Your Daughter to Work Day: Cop Style

1980’s Take Your Daughter to Work Day: Cop Style

I don’t think most kids grow up aware of what their parents do for living. “Johnny, do you know what your dad does?”

“Um…he works in an office and…um…I think he sells stuff?” Little Johnny might say when in actuality Johnny’s dad or mom may work as an insurance underwriter.

And years before Take your child to work day, my dad wildly broke working barriers for his daughters by busting us right…

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Culinary Delights of a 70's Cop's Kid

Culinary Delights of a 70’s Cop’s Kid

In the late 70’s and the early 80’s, fast food, at least for my family, was still not an every day occurrence. I’m not sure if it just wasn’t as affordable as it is now or if eating at home was cheaper then or if people are running around too much now. Nevertheless, a trip to McDonalds was a special occurrence for my sister and me. Special meaning, we went maybe 5 times a year including the time…

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Decadent Coconut Meringues

Decadent Coconut Meringues from a New Orleans Kitchen.

The French influence is pervasive and strong in New Orleans and permeates all aspects of life including the food.  One of my favorite things to eat while visiting the Crescent City is Coconut Meringues.  Eating a coconut meringue is the closest you can come to heaven melting on your tongue.  This delicate yet complex treat is hard to describe.  Somehow it tastes buttery, flakey, and smells like…

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A Travel Safety Story

A Travel Safety Story

Safety traveling, safety traveling while along-these phrases conjure a score of thoughts, images, and feelings. Mention safety while traveling to someone and watch Pandora’s box rip open to hear strong opinions, advice, and stories. My feelings about travel safety? They are the same when I’m no traveling- don’t act like a victim, make good decisions, and go forth. What I’m trying to do here is to…

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New Orleans Way of Life Y'all

What makes New Orleans so special? How can I put my finger on it and really define it?

Where else can you find a box to grab an emergency pair of Mardi gras beads?  Where else can you hear world famous music any day of the week, sit at a bar made out of an antique carosel, and walk along antique and haunted streets?  No place on earth is quite like New Orleans.  Perhaps it’s the rich, long, and sordid history.  Maybe it’s paramount location at the foot of the Mississippi.  Perhaps…

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Pets, Mother's Day, and Reaching My Children Beyond the Grave

Pets, Mother’s Day, and Reaching My Children Beyond the Grave

Recently, I found my daughter’s hamster in her room, deceased and with full rigor mortis having set in for days.  Her love for her little pet waned faster than I had thought it would.  She has a huge heart and loves animals.  I think perhaps that the hamster was a little scary to her but, maybe that just added to its appeal (we’re not sure if the little darling was male or female.  Hard to tell…

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NYC- The Hotdog Cart & The American Dream

NYC- The Hotdog Cart & The American Dream

I love NYC-who bloody doesn’t!  It’s the bustle, the sharp edge, the fashion, the finance…the list goes on.  It’s raw energy and steel and concrete.  It’s electrifying and stimulating.

When Jay Z and Alicia Keys sang, “If you can’t sleep, better slip you an Ambien…” they weren’t kidding.  My darling husband took more than 1 Ambien while we were in the big apple and I seriously considered it. …

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[danyadarling]

Neither North, East, South, or North-Photo Essay of St. Louis

I can’t think of any other U.S. city whose identity is as ambiguous as St. Louis’. Settled by The French in 1764 by Pierre Laclède as a trading fort, it has had several centuries to perculate history and evolution.  The convergence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers and the joining of the Ohio River made it a prime location for trade. 

The identify of this city is not quite completely…

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Lifeguard huts-Functional Art

Down with ordinary functionality. Style, creativity, and expression prevail- at least in South Beach. Lives are guarded and oceans patrolled in style folks. And I am reminded to inject creativity in all aspects of everyday life. 

Yellow flag = caution. Purple flag = dangerous marine life present.

All told, 35 unique life guard stations keep watch along South Beach from 87th St. to South Point. 

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July 4th Miami Beach Style

Partying in Miami is a different level and so celebrating the 4th of July is no exception. 

While fireworks are not allowed before or after the 4th, or anywhere but the playa aka, the beach, I didn’t expect anyone to really follow these rules but si. That was the case.  Imagine. Give people guidelines and no problem. 

Sunset fell around 8:30-ish on the 4th.  A cacophony of beats, some samba,…

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Traveling When Tired

All great explorers fall prey to fatigue.  Even those of us with the most amount of energy need to rest and recuperate.   When travel is the name of your game but, exhaustion has set in, exploration is still possible.

Allow yourself to rest.

I spent my early 20’s lamenting over the fact that I wasn’t one of those rare people who could exist on 4 hours of sleep a night.  No, I needed more like 7-8…

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7 Kick Ass Solo Travel Pointers for Women  

Is it a shame that women have to think doubly hard about staying safe as solo travelers?  I can’t answer that.  But, being a solo woman traveler doesn’t have to feel like being a walking target.  After traveling 4 continents, I am listing 7 solo safety pointers.  Travel on brave shelas!

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[danyadarling]

How can you compete with, "Nice rooms and nice price!" #islandlife #Belize #sanpedro #sistertrip #vacation

[danyadarling]

#streetvendor in #sanpedro #Belize. Look behind the plastic to see the lady selling chicken tacos. (at San Pedro, Belize)