Due to the increased costs of using WordPress we have decided to not add new content to this site. We will post weekly snippets of BOLT life to our Facebook page. Please visit us there: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066781082598&mibextid=ZbWKwL
Author: BOLT
BOLT = Black Old Lesbians Traveling
Our mission is to inspire fearless, serendipitous and penniless travel. We are Kathy and Marci Halili Akoma, two retired African-Americans. Join us as we share our travels with you. We hope to hear about yours.
Contact us at boltraveling@gmail.com. Like us on www.facebook.com/pages/bolt. Follow us @boltraveling
THE WORLD IS OURS...SEE YOU THERE!
Kwanzaa Celebration 2022!
We had a wonderful community Kwanzaa Celebration in Merida this year and we hope you enjoy these pictures.
Once again our celebration was at Villa Romanales, a lovely event center here in Merida.
The children lit the candles and set the Kwanzaa table. The had lots of fun too!
Adults from the community spoke on the principles.
We couldn’t have done it without our fabulous teens!
Happy Healthy New Year!
This will be our last blog post on this platform. We’ve been keeping this blog going since 2015 and it’s been wonderful. But all good things must come to an end. You can still follow us on Instagram as @blackoldlesbianstraveling. Or on our Facebook page BOLT: Black Old Lesbians Traveling
We did it! Best friends for 40 years and now co-authors! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BPTLZLSJ?ref_=cm_sw_r_apann_ts_B8SVF8T7BRRJ2YAXSKHX Now available in print and Kindle! Sister-Friends Journal is an opportunity for self-growth and sharing. There are daily quotations from inspirational women of color, along with writing prompts designed to encourage deeper reflection. You are encouraged to share your writing with one or more sister-friends. Everyday you will encounter the thoughts and reflections of influential women of color. Allow these words to inspire you. You may wish to read the quote in the morning and carry that quote with you throughout your day before returning to Sister-Friends Journal in the evening and writing your own thoughts.
BOLT Spotlight on: Yucatán Giving Outreach
This week Kathy and I had a wonderful opportunity to give back, in a small way, to the beautiful Yucatan, our new home.
We participated in a Christmas tree party at the largest children’s shelter in the state. CAIMEDE currently houses 196 residents from newborns to disabled adults. The party was organized by Yucatan Giving Outreach, an amazing organization.
All 20 rooms at the shelter received a tree to decorate. Volunteers provided snacks, drinks and activities. Kathy and I had a room of 6 teen boys. They were delightful and we all had a great time!
Yucatan Giving Outreach provides critical support services to orphanages, shelters for the elderly and women, soup kitchens aiding children and additional rehabilitation centers in Merida and across the state of Yucatan. Kimberly Davin-DeGraff (Kimmy Suki) founded YGO in 2013. Through her passion and desire to help the severely poor and those in need in the community, with her energetic passion and selfless dedication, Kimmy has driven YGO to become the focal point of multiple efforts in many communities. As a leader Kimmy oversees all the volunteers and outreach programs on a daily basis.
Working with YGO is a wonderful experience. If you live in Mérida, I highly recommend reaching out to them. If you don’t live here, perhaps consider donating: https://ygo.mx/
20 Top Pros and Cons of Living in Merida, Mexico – Fifty Plus Nomad
We hope you enjoy this interesting article we found.
https://fiftyplusnomad.com/pros-and-cons-of-living-in-merida/
Even a cloudy day at the beach is a good one!
Enjoy these scenes from a day at Kokomo Beach Club. We had the whole club to ourselves!
Wakanda Forever
While I had some problems with the Black vs Brown violence in the movie, this article is very interesting.
And it was wonderful seeing the movie with almost 150 Black ex-pats, visitors and friends.
Hanal Pixan: A Mayan Sacred Tradition
Hanal Pixan is the name for the festivities which take place in the Yucatan which are similar to the Day of the Dead celebrations throughout Mexico. However, there are some Maya additions to the 3-day holiday which are specific to the peninsula and reflect the history and culture of the Maya people.
https://traveltomerida.com/hanal-pixan/
We were able to attend the Paseo de las Animas which is one part of this fascinating and beautiful holiday. You can read more about it in the article linked about. We hope you enjoy our pictures and videos.
BOLT’s Top 5 Things To Do When Visiting Merida
We’ve been blessed with lots of visitors lately and were so proud to show them our beautiful city. So, it’s time for a top 5 list of what we suggest you see when visiting Merida.
1. El Zócalo
Also known as la Plaza Grande or Grand Plaza el zócalo is a must visit site. It’s a great spot for picture taking, it’s surrounded by historic colonial buildings and an ancient cathedral. There are lots of art galleries and street vendors in the area. At night el zócalo comes alive with music, light shows and a variety of activities.
2. El Museo del Mundo Maya
The Maya World Museum is a striking, modern Mayan cultural museum with many exhibits of art, handicrafts & history. It’s a great place to spend a cool air conditioned afternoon on a hot Merida day.
3. Biciruta on Sunday Morning!
Rent a bike and enjoy a ride down historic Paseo Montejo. The street is closed to car traffic on Sunday mornings and full of bikers, skaters, folks walking their dogs, babies in strollers and more. It’s a lovely way to take in Merida’s main street with beautiful old mansions and monuments.
4. Free Walking Tour
Every day at 10 am there is a great walking tour which starts at Parque Santa Lucia. You will tour central Merida, see lots of historic buildings and thoroughly enjoy a brief history lesson.
5. Take a Day Trip
With so much to see and do you may not want to leave Merida. However, at least one trip out of town shouldn’t be missed. You can visit the closest beach town or Progresso, spend a day at one of the many cenotes or visit the pyramids at the World Heritage Sites of Chichen Itza or Uxmal.
If you are planning a visit to Merida, please let us know. We’ll be proud and honored to show you our beautiful home city.
BOLT: Black Old Lesbians Traveling 