My Grand Adventure to Vietnam
by Marietta Colston-Davis
I’m thankful for many things in 2023. Amazing friends, family, and colleagues, both in the US and abroad, the ability to travel, and the kindness, respect, and love that knows no boundaries.
Vietnam was my latest quest. The two weeks-plus experience was spectacular.
The food was amazing. One of my favorite dishes was Banh Xeo, a savory fried pancake made of rice flour. It’s named for the loud sizzling sound it makes when the rice batter is poured into a hot skillet. I enjoyed delicious fresh spring rolls called Goi Cuon. The highlight of the evening was joining locals who shared the Vietnamese rice wine they had fermented. Vietnamese coffee is a flavorful, rich, and sweet treat.
Ninh Binh is a playground for adventurers. Today, the oasis is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site, full of mossy pagodas, striking limestone karsts, and surreal landscapes. Some of the best scenery can only be accessed by boat. A paddleboat tour is an essential experience. A boatman (or woman) paddles you along the gentle current, gliding underneath grottoes, and stopping at temples in the shadows of enormous, jungle-covered karsts. The brick and vine-covered structures at Vietnam’s medieval ancient capital, Hoa Lu, speak volumes. The old citadel’s leaning archways, layered banyan trees, and rolling brick courtyards transport you back in time.
The Thai Vi temple in the Trang An Complex is full of glorious historical stories. The grounds of the temple are quite small but hold several vestiges from the Tran Dynasty. The temple keeper tells the history, detailing the relationship between the Thai Vi Temple and Vu Lam Palace. Halong Bay, The Land Of The Descending Dragon, boasts a complex of limestone islands within the Gulf of Tonkin. An opulent mix of nature with an effervescent city vibe. Every distinct island was breathtaking.
Can Tho is known for its floating markets, rice papermaking village, and picturesque rural canals. Cai Rang is the most famous floating market and well worth an early start to see shops heaving with colorful boats and exotic produce. Phu Quoc, the largest island in Vietnam, has the most amazing sandy white beaches. We experienced the Regent Phu Quoc Taste Studio, an odyssey of Vietnam featuring scenographic narratives. The play pays tribute to the vibrant spirit of Vietnamese culture and its rich folklore articulated through art, technology, and gastronomy.
The American influence is quite present in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), the economic heart of Vietnam and the main hub of the southern region. A freewheeling, cosmopolitan metropolis, Ho Chi Minh City’s dynamic cityscape represents its past and its future. The War Remnants Museum there tells a detailed account of the war from a Vietnamese perspective.
Vietnam is a country bursting with energy and forward motion. You’ll see it in the way the Vietnamese people welcome you to taste their food and share their rich culture. There’s never been a more exciting time to explore.
Marietta Colston-Davis, a resident of Atlanta, Georgia, is a technology executive, author, diversity champion, and most importantly, a believer in the impossible! She’s also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Learn more about her at Marietta’s Musings.
A Journey to Wellness: 10 Premier Health and Fitness Retreats for Older Adults
by Lawson Brooks
Health and fitness retreats are flourishing as destinations for rejuvenation, relaxation, and exploration, catering to a diverse array of backgrounds, including African American and Latino communities. These retreats offer activities and environments designed with inclusivity and cultural relevance in mind. Below are ten of the most remarkable health and fitness retreats that African American and Latino older adults can explore to enhance their well-being.
1. Soul Escape, Various Locations
Soul Escape organizes retreats in multiple locations focusing on holistic wellness and healing for the African American community. They offer activities like yoga, meditation, and cultural excursions, creating an inclusive environment where older adults can connect with their roots and rejuvenate.
2. Casa De Campo Resort & Villas, Dominican Republic
Though not in the U.S., Casa De Campo provides an authentic Latino wellness experience, offering older adults a range of fitness and recreational activities, including golf, spa treatments, and cultural explorations, all immersed in the rich Dominican culture.
3. Lake Austin Spa Resort, Texas
At Lake Austin Spa Resort, older adults can enjoy a range of activities including water aerobics, spa treatments, and nutritional workshops, within an environment that celebrates diversity, making it ideal for African American and Latino seniors seeking relaxation and rejuvenation.
4. Runaway to Puerto Rico Retreat, Puerto Rico
This retreat blends wellness with cultural exploration, focusing on Afro-Latin culture. It provides opportunities for older adults to partake in salsa dance classes, and yoga on the beach, and explore the beautiful, culturally rich landscapes of Puerto Rico.
5. African American Wellness Walk, Dayton, Ohio
While more of an event than a retreat, this walk is crucial in promoting health and unity among the African American community. It offers an opportunity for older adults to engage in physical activity while fostering community bonds and highlighting the importance of health within the community.
6. Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa, Arizona
Miraval Arizona is renowned for its holistic and inclusive approach to wellness. Here, older adults from African American and Latino communities can enjoy personalized fitness programs, spa treatments, and culinary workshops, centered around mindfulness and holistic health.
7. Black Girl Health, Various Locations
Black Girl Health organizes wellness retreats focusing on the health needs of African American women. These retreats provide an array of activities like fitness classes, health workshops, and empowerment sessions, creating a nurturing and supportive environment.
8. Red Mountain Resort, Utah
Set against Utah’s red rocks, this resort offers diverse activities such as hiking, biking, and yoga, catering to the interests of African American and Latino older adults. It provides a unique blend of adventure and relaxation, allowing guests to customize their experiences.
9. Pura Vida Retreat & Spa, Costa Rica
Pura Vida, while located outside the U.S., offers a wellness experience deeply rooted in Latino culture. This retreat is ideal for seniors looking to experience yoga, meditation, and cultural activities in a serene, mountainous setting.
10. Canyon Ranch, Tucson, Arizona
Canyon Ranch is a holistic health resort where older adults from various backgrounds, including African Americans and Latinos, can experience a myriad of wellness activities such as hiking, nutritional workshops, and cultural experiences that resonate with their heritage.
Exploring health and wellness is a transformative journey that should be inclusive and respectful of all cultural backgrounds. These retreats and events offer African American and Latino older adults unique, culturally relevant experiences, promoting holistic wellness, community connection, and cultural appreciation. Whether seeking relaxation, adventure, community, or cultural connection, these destinations provide enriching experiences that cater to the diverse needs and preferences of older adults from African American and Latino backgrounds.