The first quarter of the year was spent traveling a little through Colombia and Ecuador, bidding farewell to Panama and the amazing friends I made there. Now, it’s a new season of reconnecting with the city where I spent most of my childhood and teenage years—Richmond, VA. When people move away from home, they experience a sense of loss and freedom. However, having lived away from home for almost a decade, as I have, short visits and calculated destinations have become the norm.
So, what now? This is the question I have asked myself often in the past few months. How do I want this season of being home to feel? Honestly, I have been thoroughly enjoying this season of reconnecting.
I approached my hometown like I do when I enter a city I know nothing about. I turned to Facebook to find groups in Richmond. Yes, I know, if you’re 30 and under, you might wonder who still uses Facebook. Well, as a traveler, Facebook is my go-to because it’s the only social platform where you can find groups of like-minded people and join their activities. So, for all my fellow 30-and-under folks, consider creating or reusing a Facebook account to connect with new people in your city or country.
I started by joining a few groups that resonated with me, and I ended up falling in love with the “Trying to Adult” group in Richmond, VA. They organize numerous activities and fun events, which you can find on Facebook and Meetup. Meetup is quite popular here in Richmond, so if you’re new or looking to expand your circle of friends, check out Meetup in RVA and join a few events.
While meeting new people has been great, reconnecting with my friends and family has filled my heart and soul. Laughing about old times, having new experiences, partying, and simply being my authentic self around people who have known me for most of my life—like my mother—has been truly wonderful. Nostalgia is a beautiful thing, and I’m currently realizing how great it makes me feel. I’m incredibly grateful for this. Home is where the people who love you are, and fortunately, I have several homes.
Over the past few months, I’ve been struggling with how to transition my content from Panama to home. However, now that I’ve figured it out, I realize I was overthinking it. I’ll be taking my readers on a journey through Richmond. Many people who have lived in a city all their lives never explore or seek out new things in their own backyard. So, my aim is to highlight deals, events, places, people, and, of course, food as I reconnect with Richmond.
Let’s begin with the first stop and stay of my Richmond travels—my mom’s kitchen, duh!
Mom’s Kitchen
In case you didn’t know, I’m a first-generation African American in the US. My mother is a Ghanaian woman who loves to cook. When I came home, she prepared many typical West African dishes. I’m always grateful for my mother’s cooking. Food has been my way of connecting with the Ghanaian and Nigerian sides of my life, as I didn’t grow up in either place.
I’m thrilled to indulge in all the Ghanaian Jollof rice (which is better than Nija rice, lol), Fufu, Okra stew, and more, lovingly prepared by my momma.
Next stop: Beer! Strangeways (Richmond)
I truly enjoy beer, and the first event I attended with the “Trying to Adult” group was an Easter egg hunt at Strangeways Brewery. They have two locations in Richmond—one in Scott’s Addition and another, with better parking, about 10 minutes away from the Scott’s Addition location, off Dabney Road. It was my attempt to meet new people, and though the first time was so-so, I had a good time and engaged in some interesting conversations with the organizer and the volunteers who assist her.
Strangeways offers a wide range of beers and a few food options, making it a perfect spot to relax and hang out with friends. They also host events, so follow them on Instagram to stay updated on their next event.
Laser Tag: Mission Laser RVA (N. Chesterfield)
I’m a child at heart, and laser tag is a kid-friendly activity. Another event I attended with the “Trying to Adult” group was a laser tag session at Mission Laser RVA. They allowed us to bring our own drinks, and we played about 5 or 6 different games. It was an absolute blast. I hadn’t played laser tag in so long! But the icing on the cake was experiencing it with an old family friend. He’s in his 60s, and it was his first time playing laser tag. Seeing him run, hide, and shoot others brought pure joy. These are the moments I cherish—experiences you can never recreate with the people you love and adore.
The crew at Mission Laser was amazing, and I highly recommend it for all ages.
Board Games! Unplugged Game Cafe (Midlothian)
In Panama, I hosted a biweekly game night where we played, laughed, talked, and simply had a good time. So, I was excited to visit Unplugged Game Cafe, which has over 400 board games. Wow! I love playing traditional games with friends because you get to see a different side of people when their competitive spirit comes out. While I didn’t have my friends with me on this visit, it’s definitely a place I’ll bring them to in the future.
Take a break from social media, gather your friends, and unplug at Unplugged Game Cafe. Laugh, drink, and play!
Rediscover RVA With Me
I’m excited to take you along with me through RVA because I’ll be doing all the things! Rediscovering Richmond, VA as an adult has been incredibly fun so far. I hope you decide to join me and be ooooouuuuuutsiiiiiiide as I explore Richmond, VA, and beyond.
As Always Thank You for Reading My World, My Vision, My Adventure!
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AllThingsBiola 