Oakland, California
I was so ecstatic about starting this new section of my website!
I was even more excited about going to Cali for the first time in my life.
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA… yes, I know somebody stole the top of the bridge!
Talk about a bummer…
What is there to say about Oakland, California?? It was definitely a change of pace. Don’t get me wrong, my first visit to the part of the West Coast wasn’t a complete bust. I went out to celebrate my Sigma Spec for his wedding to the love of his life. Truly a beautiful new age love story of breaking IG rules and vulnerability to go after what you want in love. And! Of course I got a reason to go across country and explore a new part of the world (still a new part of the world, even if it’s still in the US).
Little did I know Cali would be filled with not so great food, not so great service, no AC (even though it’s needed), and a bunch of wasted time and money because of selfish and destructive people I’ll never meet. But at the end it all came together and I found some hope from a very beautiful reason to visit.
A lot to take in I’m sure, LOL.
I think the thing that excited me most about going were the thoughts of tacos! But of course none of those were had. This is me inserting a face palm…
I chose to stay with AirBnb, which I’ll probably never do again. The host honestly sucked, and I didn’t get a refund after choosing to leave early for not feeling the safest in the area. The main reason being the biggest down fall of the trip… getting my rental car window broken while it was parked on the street by Lord knows who. ON DAY ONE! After a day of bad food, I went to celebrate with the to be newly weds at a barbecue spot, I walked back to my car, get in, and pull off.
As I’m driving off, I hear this ‘pop” sound. Almost as if the trunk was open and it slammed shut with me pulling off. I got around the corner and I stopped to check it out just to find that the little window over the trunk had been busted in…
Who TF?!?!
Talk about anger… It was even more frustrating trying to file a police report (they didn’t send a cop to take a report), and trying to return the car to Enterprise to get a different one. The ghetto broad behind the return window tested my patience something vicious! I really wanted to snatch her through the window out of her seat because she was so unprofessional and insensitive to my situation.
I finally got my car changed and was able to return to my AirBnb absolutely over my day and the trip, but still determined to see how this wedding would pan out.
The wedding was LIT!
Shout out to Jelani and Arianna Samuel-Hall who did it #HallForLove and had an amazing ceremony and Howard after party on a different coast. Definitely an amazingly beautiful experience!
Had to slay for the wedding!
If you ever visit, the wedding ceremony and reception were held at the below vineyard in Pleasanton, CA:
Casa Real at Ruby Hill Winery
410 Vineyard Avenue
Pleasanton, CA 94566
The food was so tasty, the music was on point, drinks never ending, and the room was filled with love and family. Definitely the perfect way to turn a frown upside down. I saw some people that I haven’t seen since I graduated, and it felt good to be in the presence of some of my “children” from my college days… gotta love RA life, LOL.
To finish the trip off, I journeyed into San Francisco to see the amazing Golden Gate Bridge, which honestly wasn’t as big as I imagined it would be. Plus the fog had rolled in blocking the top of the bridge, but it was definitely nice to get into the city and see some sites with some good friends.
Friends forever! Me and BJ!
Overall, no, my first trip to Oakland wasn’t the greatest, but for the reasons I went it was amazing and I’m super excited I was able to make the trip and have the experience. I’ll have to give the state another chance and pick a different location next time… but hey if that doesn’t work out, Vegas will just be my place on the West Coast, LOL.
Ever been to Cali? What was your experience like? Share any suggestions for the next trip and I’ll consider going back to give it another try.
Thanks for tuning in! Sorry for the absence!
Remember… Be D.O.P.E.
Love,
Michelle