Wine Down Wednesday: Opeyemi Ogedenbei

Wine Down Wednesday: Opeyemi Ogedenbei

Aired: May 25th, 2022

Audio and Photo Source: Opeyemi Ogedenbei and Instagram

Episode Summary

Happy Hump day! It’s that time of week again where we kick our feet up and get the travel buzz we need to make it through the rest of it.

On this episode of WDW we had on budding traveler Opeyemi! Opeyemi took us through the places she’s been and the places she hopes to go since discovering our favorite form of self-care.

Just because she’s new to this doesn’t mean she ain’t true to this! Opeyemi has the hook up on doing travel right in the DR; from Airbnb to personal chef, she got you girl. Tune in!

 

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A post shared by BlackTravelBox ® Clean Beauty (@blacktravelbox)

 

Episode Transcript

Wine Down Wednesday: Opeyemi Ogedenbei

Orion Brown (00:00:01):

Hey, I clean off. I want y'all to see me. Good. Eh? Hi. Hi everyone who y'all it's it's Wednesday. How are y'all doing? How, how is your Wednesday a LA lawyer trick winks by tan. Is it tan or tan? A miss travel. Her R C DST. A Rhonda. Hello? I done. Hello? Oh my gosh. Y'all it's Wednesday. It's so Wednesday I am y'all it's so Wednesday, I was like, I didn't even pull out the wine, but I had to support Black, even if it's like, oh, I guess it's half. Uh, this is terrible. We ain't even gonna get into that conversation, but I got some emana, you know, the rock, the rock out here, making tequila now.

Orion Brown (00:01:03):

And it's good. Like, it's good. Good. Like it's no sugar added, but it's like smooth. And has that sweetness, right? All the wine, all the wine. Y'all all the wine, but this is really good. Like I'm not, you know, and I, I love the rock and all, he ain't gimme nothing for this, but, you know, I just mm-hmm. I needed that. Oh my goodness. You guys. It is. So Wednesday, Wednesday is over here being so Wednesday is trying to be Monday and I'm like, mm, I rebuke you. Mm-hmm we're not doing that. <laugh> but I will say it is a beautiful day here in Denver, but those of all y'all who don't know me, uh, my name's Orion. I am a founder entrepreneur. I am, uh, the go-to, uh, responsible person. Is that a thing? I think it's the thing. It seems to be.

Orion Brown (00:02:03):

I am a consultant, uh, an I am an avid traveler. You right, girl. He ain't ugly. <laugh> we had to circle back around to that. Um, and I'm here because I missed y'all. I didn't come last weekend. Last week, last week, I was out of town doing some nine to five work type stuff, cuz you know, we out here, we out here with that funding land, that'll be looking real interesting when it comes to Black women. But uh, when in doubt, fungi day himself. So, um, I decided to be my own angel investor. And so I was out doing some nine to five stuff and I was like, I'm not even going to stress myself, Jenique, my girl, my amazing marketing associate was totally on it. She did a fire job. Thank you. Uh, these are, these are Black-owned y'all uh Sivant and Scholar is the name of the company and I mean, look at the detail. It's just pretty, I'm not an influencer or anything. So I can't, I can't be like, oh, like, so can you see it? Can you guys see it? I don't know if you can see it actually. That is quite pretty though. You can see the purple and the little details. It's it's nice. I like these quite a bit. They're interesting. They're unique. They're Black-owned. One of the things that I'm doing, Hey Yumies here. Let me let you in girl. Uh, one of the things I really love to do y'all is to make my

Orion Brown (00:03:37):

Lable, um, with Black-owned companies. And so if nothing else, it's just like a shopping rule. Like if I'm like looking for a new dress, Hey hi. If, if I'm like looking for a new dress or if I'm looking for a new alcohol or in this case, I was looking for a new frames. I was like, let me go find a Black-owned business to, to patronize, um, patronize. Cuz patronize would be not very nice, but um, yeah, so that's Sivan and scholar y'all should totally check 'em out. They have some really dope frames and you get compliments all the time. I love it. This I'm I'm so selfish. Y'all I wear the glasses. I need to wear the glasses so I don't get headaches, but I'm not a glasses person. I didn't come up wearing them. So I got the cute frames cuz people like, Ooh, you're cute. And I'm like you right. I am cute. And now I wear them all the time. So our guest is here y'all oh my goodness. I'm so excited to chat with you lady. I'm so excited and I'm loving the braid moment. I'm here for it. Thank you. The chocolate, the braids. She got the lips popping. Her lip. GOs is popping. Y'all um, this is your first time with Wine Down. Welcome. Yeah,

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:04:45):

It is. Thank you. I'm so excited.

Orion Brown (00:04:46):

Excited. Welcome. Welcome. Welcome. So, so tell everybody let's do like the, we got a traditional intro y'all for the, for those of y'all who've been here all the time. Y'all know, y'all know the deal. So we're gonna ask what's your name? Okay. Where do you live? Where are you from? If those are different places and how many stamps are on your passport? Okay. And then we move from

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:05:09):

Okay. Um, so my name is AMI. I go by Yemi. I am originally from Nigeria, but we moved to Florida a couple years ago and right now I live in North Carolina in Asheville. Um, cuz I'm complete pharmacy residency. So that's where I am. Um, and then the other question was how many stamps are on my passport? Let me see. Three, three. I would say three, three. Just

Orion Brown (00:05:39):

Carry one. I love it. I love it. I'm here for it. Hey and the new voices spa just joined us as well. I love that. So Asheville is gorgeous. How long have you been out there?

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:05:50):

Almost two years now.

Orion Brown (00:05:52):

Yeah. Mm-hmm <affirmative> have you gotten to explore it at all? Or like you just like in the books doing your pharmacy stuff.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:05:59):

So funny thing is like, I've actually gotten to explore Asheville more in the past two months and it's crazy cuz I'm about to leave at the end of June. Yeah. And I realized there's a lot more to do than I thought there was. Cause I thought it was just hiking and breweries and I wasn't super into hiking or drinking beer, but recently I've discovered that there's so much to do a lot of different food places to try. And so I kind of wish I discovered this earlier, but you know, we're doing all the things now and we've been exploring, I've been exploring more with my co-resident just like kind of going to some of the neighboring cities, um, trying lots of fun things, but I really have come to enjoy it more over the last couple months.

Orion Brown (00:06:40):

Yeah. I tell you, there is nothing like a deadline, like you're like, oh I'm leaving. I should get some stuff in. And all of a sudden it's like you discover everything, but I mean, that's also kind of fun too. That gives you a great sendoff.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:06:54):

Yes. It's it's really good.

Orion Brown (00:06:56):

Jenique said quit playing. We count the stamps on expired passports too. <laugh> yes, yes, yes we do. Um, I love that, but Asheville, so I, I have some friends in Asheville and, and I've lived in North Carolina before it is a gorgeous domestic travel location, I think. Yeah. Um, mm-hmm <affirmative> how, now that you've been exploring, like, do you think you would come back and like kick it there for a bit?

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:07:25):

I think, yeah, for sure. Um, yeah. Cause I, I, I initially when I moved to Asheville cuz I was, I lived in the Jacksonville area, um, and Asheville was kind of a shocker because it's a great town, it's a smaller town and I'm more of someone who likes a bigger city vibe. So I didn't like initially adjust to it, but I've met so many great people and laid down roots here in Asheville too. So I definitely see myself returning back to the area. Um, just cuz I have people that I really love and care about here. And there's so much now to do that. I've discovered so I'm definitely

Orion Brown (00:07:59):

<laugh> so I can visit y'all and I won't be bored. I'm here for it. <laugh>

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:08:03):

So I'm definitely looking forward to coming back soon and visiting everyone.

Orion Brown (00:08:07):

I love that. I love that. And I love to hear black and brown people in places that we don't hear about black and brown people. Yes. Um, cause we go everywhere. We go everywhere. We live everywhere we do everywhere. Um, so you originally from Nigeria, what has been like sort of your experience or like introduction into travel? Was it coming to the states or was that like you were so young, you don't really remember. And like it was stuff later, like how did you first get introduced to travel?

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:08:40):

So coming to the states was like, I guess my, my, um, I wasn't, I didn't have a choice in it. So I was just like, okay, we'll go. And I was 12. And so I don't really remember much of that experience for my like travel experience was within the states. But um, a couple of friends from pharmacy school wanted to go to LA and I was like, I don't know if I want to go all the way out there. Like that seems really far. If we could go down to Georgia, we can go to Atlanta, that's close by enough. You know,

Orion Brown (00:09:10):

<laugh>

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:09:12):

Sense me to go. And when I went, I just was like, there's so much more outside of Florida and I'm so glad that I ended up coming cuz I hiked the Hollywood mountain. I never would've done that in a million years, but tried so many different things, saw so many different things and that was kind of where the travel bug kind of bit me for the first time. And ever since then, I'm looking forward to planning vacations, um, doing little weekend trips. Um, so I, I think that's really where it started was that trip to LA with my friends, from pharmacy school.

Orion Brown (00:09:47):

I love that. I love that. And there's something, some of my fondest like family memory, memories are from, uh, actually one trip to LA. We've been a few, I've been a few times, but you know, it's the kind of place that there's like so many iconic things, man's Chinese theater and all these things and you go along the, you know, Hollywood Boulevard and uh, my uncle, um, who, who passed years ago. But we went and I don't know how, but I don't know if it was being cheap or if it was just being like, like you talk about like having like a deadline right. And black said Chesh, um, me Chesh. Um, but like the, I don't know if it was, I think it was the deadline. So I flew in and he picked me up from the airport and it was sort of like, we need to do official family reunion stuff at X time.

Orion Brown (00:10:42):

I think it was like maybe two or three o'clock or six o'clock. And I came in at like noon and he was like, so let's just go experience LA. And when I tell you we burnt a hole in LA so quick and LA is big. Yeah. I mean, I, we had, we had pizza, we had pepperoni pizza. It was some bomb. It was some fire pepperoni pizza on rodeo drive. I <affirmative>, um, I places that I never even would've thought I would go. So like you mentioned like hiking that Hollywood hill. Yeah. Um, which for those of y'all who are from flat places, it's like, Ooh, that's a mountain from those of y'all from mountainous places. Ooh, it's a hill, but yeah. But it's like, uh, we gotta go someplace. We can't go to LA. That's not gonna be a black city. We gotta get all the way out.

Orion Brown (00:11:28):

Um, I'm just, I'm, I'm loving y'all into comments right now, but it was so cool to have those memories and be like, I had pizza on rodeo drive and took pictures next to the Bogan Villa that was coming down on the side of man's Chinese theater. And we may or may not have gone to bell air and may or may not have taken pictures of people's yards. Like, like you y'all remember the old school cameras that you had to wind up. Like it was literally go here, run out the car and go, go take a picture and got me out there like this. Cause you know, they got the big high fences sun. Yeah. I'm out there trying to put my arm over it. Like the people that's like doing the lawns and stuff, just looking like, what are they doing? But we, we took over and there was so much that we got in.

Orion Brown (00:12:12):

I felt like I had a whole week long vacation with my uncle, which is a beautiful memory. But yeah, it's, there's a lot of cool stuff in the states. Like what's what are some, so once you discover, okay. You know what, there's some stuff outside of Florida and then Jack's, I mean, I've been down to Jack's my best friend lives down there. Um, it's cool, but it's not much, but it's cool. And y'all got bridges everywhere. So there's, that's something, uh, and y'all have a really good hamburger. Mary's I'm not even gonna lie. I saw the best drag show down there and I was like, okay, Jacksonville, I see you. But what, what did you end up like what was, what was sort of your travel thesis after that? Like how did you choose where to go and what was some of the more interesting places that, that you took yourself to?

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:12:58):

Yeah. So after that, I just like looked for places that had a lot of culture and like lots of things to experience. I never considered myself like a foodie, but I love desserts. So I'm like any place with a good cookie place, you know, cupcakes or anything like that. Um, but I felt like starting with, I wanted to hit like the major cities, the people like visit, you know, Dallas, Chicago, New York. Um, and so through that, I've been able to go to all the major ones. But I think my favorite was going to NOLA. I went to new Orleans in February of 2019 and I, it was so good. The experience was amazing. Just getting to walk around the French quarters with my friend, trying beignet in new Orleans was an experience. I liked it so much and I've never stopped thinking about those Benet. Like I can't wait to go back, but, um, NOLA was definitely,

Orion Brown (00:13:55):

There is nothing like having that Kool-Aid smile of beignet powder on your face. It just not even caring.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:14:01):

It was so good. Um, but just like walking around and seeing all the culture in new Orleans mm-hmm <affirmative>, it was just a really good time being there. And I went with, um, two of my really good friends. So I, I really, really enjoyed it. I'd have to say out of all of my us, like states that I visited and places I visited new Orleans was probably my favorite. It was really fun.

Orion Brown (00:14:25):

Yeah. And new Orleans has such cool history. I mean, it's still making history, but it's got such cool history and like culture and you've got the Creole, you've got the Cajun, we you've got just like all of these, the French influences. And like you said, that Ben ye

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:14:47):

Game's so good.

Orion Brown (00:14:48):

Ben. Yay. Yay. Yay. That's what they call Ben. Yay. Yays. I love that. And um, I hear you on the dessert, like what are so, so what do you, how do you figure out where to go and or, okay. So are you as ignorant as I am, whereas I will be looking for things like food and looking for specific food and then go find it. Like, do you plan your trips around that? Yes.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:15:12):

Okay. I do.

Orion Brown (00:15:13):

<laugh> yes. So how do you kind of determine, like how do you even go about figuring out like where the food is gonna be good and particularly where the desserts gonna be? Right.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:15:22):

I usually use Yelp and like try to look at reviews and pictures. Um, and sometimes if people have been to these areas that I'm trying to go to before, I'm like, you probably know more cuz you've been there for a while or you've been to visit a long time ago. Like where did you go? I always like to ask other people who have traveled to that area for advice. Cuz they might have better insight than me going for the but definitely like using people who've gone. If I know anyone who lives, they're definitely asking them for help. Cause they probably know like all the secret spots, um, that may not pop up on you. So those are, I feel like those are the resources that I try to use to help find all the good spots.

Orion Brown (00:16:01):

I love that. I love that. And there y'all seriously, there is nothing like getting in the secret spots, whether it's in the, in the states or whether it's abroad, you find somebody particularly when you going places abroad and you're like, all right, so this is your hometown. All right. All alright. Tell me where you don't like going because it's tourists and then tell me where I need to go cuz it's dope.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:16:24):

Exactly. <affirmative> exactly.

Orion Brown (00:16:25):

<laugh> so you said you got now, now Janique tried to clown you and was like, you got more than three PA three passport stamps. But um, I'm curious, given this like, you know, newly found love or new word found love of travel, like what, what, what were the places that you were like, oh, I gotta put a stamp on this, like rather than to go somewhere domestic.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:16:52):

Oh yeah. I already have my list. And at the very top of my list is South Africa. I've always wanted to visit South Africa cuz I've just heard so many beautiful things about it. I know there's a lot of history there, um, that I want to learn more about like being there. So South Africa is at the top of my list and then Japan is another city that I really wanna visit. Cuz like my life is like based off of rice. I'm like, there's a lot of rice there's te like, I feel like I can survive.

Orion Brown (00:17:21):

I'm like, let's roll on that. My life is based off of rice and that is just such a profound truth. Like I'm so here for that, I'm like, and the rice is on point it's so on point.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:17:33):

Yes, exactly. So I'm like I would do well. Um, in Japan there's lots of good food. So definitely in Japan and my friend and I were talking about, um, Thailand mm-hmm <affirmative> as another really fun location to visit. So those are like the three places that been in my mind in the UK and Manchester, I'm actually going to Manchester in July to visit my aunt. So the UK had been on my list, but we're finally going. So like those, the other three countries are places that I really do want to visit within the next couple of years.

Orion Brown (00:18:03):

That's awesome. That's awesome. And, and what places, what, what places do you have these stamps for today? Like what, what are your three locations you have now

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:18:13):

Coming to the United States counts? Right. I gotta stand for that.

Orion Brown (00:18:17):

Yeah, it totally does. So you are a dual passport, like you have a dual citizenship, you have multiple passports.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:18:22):

Yes. So I have a Nigerian passport and I have, um, a us passport. Yeah. So I have both of those. Um, but I feel like I use my us passport. I don't even know where my Nigerian passport is. My dad might have it somewhere. <laugh> I don't know where I put it, but um, I have those two and then recently, actually this past year I traveled to the Dr and I, so I think those are the three places.

Orion Brown (00:18:51):

So what, what, what brought you to Dr.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:18:55):

I was like, I was, I was, I turned 25 earlier this year, so I was trying to do like a fun trip.

Orion Brown (00:19:03):

So I was looking,

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:19:04):

You know, cool places. I wanted to be somewhere tropical. So I was like, let me go to, um, to the Caribbean island somewhere. And I had heard really good things about the Dr. Um, it was, I'm a resident, so I have to live on a limited budget. And so it was more affordable for me, um, to visit the D um, and so my friends and I got together and we planned it out and everything, everything worked out. So we were able to go earlier in January. Gotcha. And it was a really good time. Mm-hmm

Orion Brown (00:19:34):

<affirmative> and, and so it was a group trip. How many people was on your trip?

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:19:38):

So it was supposed to be six, but then COVID happened for someone like her daughter had COVID so she couldn't make it. And then one other person had like extenuating circumstances. So I think it ended up just being the, just being three of us. Yeah. It ended up being three of us and it was actually really fun. Like it was a smaller group, but like we were able to get through and do more things. Um, mm-hmm <affirmative> and I would be really nice. Haiti's definitely on my list. Um, but those, it was a smaller group of us. And so that's like, yeah, it was just three of us, but I thought it was still fun. We were able to still do kind of the activities that we had planned. Um, so it was a really good one.

Orion Brown (00:20:18):

What were some of the highlights? So I haven't been to Dr. Uh, yeah. And I love Haiti would be a great visit. I like almost, I feel like it's almost, it would be remiss of me to go to the island and go to one side, not the other, like, spend you about to see all of me, like I'm about to show up on both sides, but, um, what were some of the highlights of this trip? And like, how did, like, what were some of the things that were particularly good for you guys as a group to do?

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:20:46):

Yes. So I have not always considered myself like an adventurous person, but I was trying to, you know, do different things. So zip lining was the highlight of the trip. It was like what? It was 12 ropes. And like, as you went, like they got longer and like higher up. And that

Orion Brown (00:21:07):

<laugh>,

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:21:07):

That

Orion Brown (00:21:07):

Was really,

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:21:09):

And when we got, when we started with the force, they were like, yeah, just step off and go. And I was like, I don't think I could do this. I don't think I could do this. And the guy was like, no, you can do it. You could do it. And there was, there was a little kid that like went right next to me. And

Orion Brown (00:21:23):

If the little kids will punk you anywhere I'm I lived in Denver. I don't even mess with the mountains anymore. Cuz the little kids punk me, every time I try to get on my little skis and I'm like prince French fries and they're just blowing past me. I yeah, they get you. He's like,

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:21:38):

He could be more than 10. And he was just like, Chad, anyways, I'm gonna go. And I was like, okay, I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna do it. If this kid can do it, then I,

Orion Brown (00:21:47):

You know what it is, they're too dumb to know that they can die. Like they're they think they're, imortal meanwhile, the rest of us as we get a little bit older, we start getting that sense of mortality. And we're like, if I calculate the drop on this, that's two broken legs. Maybe even the third broken leg. I only got two, but I might end up with three, like <laugh>

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:22:06):

But I just was like, you know what, we're just gonna do it. I stepped off. And I don't know. I thought I was gonna like scream and like shout from fear. But I, like, I never opened my eyes on rollercoaster cause I don't really do roller coaster like that, but I kept my eyes open the whole time on the zip line, cuz I was just taken in the environment. I was like, this is really pretty actually. So it was, it was, it was a really defining moment for me to do something that I never would do like two, three years ago. So that was definitely in the highlight of the trip.

Orion Brown (00:22:38):

That sounds amazing and scary all at the same time. Okay. It was scary. Was there, were there alcoholic beverages involved either before or after to quell nerves?

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:22:49):

Definitely. After, not before cuz I was like, I don't wanna slip and fall off the platform, but definitely, definitely after just like, like as a big celebration for the three of us getting through it, cuz one of the people in our group, she had done zip lining before. So me and my other friends was our very first time doing anything like this. So we were terrified. But being able to get through it was, was really exciting. Like getting through all 12 courses was a lot of fun. I liked it.

Orion Brown (00:23:19):

Oh my gosh. And did you guys take, are, is there photographic or videographic evidence of this and will it be used against each other at future dates? Yeah,

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:23:29):

For sure. For sure. <laugh>

Orion Brown (00:23:31):

Yeah. Yeah. I love that. I feel like that's some of the best, like the best captured moments is when your friends are screaming. I, I mean, you know, not in actual danger, we're not talking about actual danger. We're not, you know, doing snuff films, but <laugh>

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:23:46):

Yeah. Well your friends

Orion Brown (00:23:47):

Are screaming their hands off. What's that right?

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:23:49):

I said there's definitely evidence. It will be used for birthday posts in the future.

Orion Brown (00:23:54):

Yes. I love that. I love that. And what was the food scene like? Did you guys stay at a resort or did you get out into, you know, sort of like the local neighborhoods? Like how did you kind of navigate the food scene in, in Dominican Republic?

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:24:08):

Yeah. So there was, um, I will say that when we drove, um, to go ziplining, I think we could see the difference between the area we were staying and the rest of the country. Like there was a stark difference. Um, and so that was like <inaudible> but when we got there, we actually ended up staying in an Airbnb, which everyone said that was a bad idea, but it, I actually felt pretty safe. Um, and our Airbnb hostess was very communicative and she like had a list of all of, um, these, um, restaurants that we could go to food, places that we could try. And there was this person, there was this guy that knew one of the people knew the host and he like, he offered to drive us places. Um, and we always tipped him because I was like, you didn't have to do this, but he was very nice and like took us to a lot of good spots and took us to this one, like bar where we were just like having such a good time and just vibing with all of everybody there. And so he like gave us like a good, good insight into like the rest of their, um, but we were able to try a lot of good foods and it was, it was really good. And we like shopped at the local, um, like grocery stores. Um, so we could like cook some and our, um, the Airbnb that we, we, um, rented, it had like this lady that would cook food for us. So we would buy grocer. Right. So nice. If you wanna visit, I have the Airbnb recommendation for you. It was the best.

Orion Brown (00:25:33):

Um, yeah. We wanna have to put that in the show notes. So like we, cuz that's the hookup right there, right? Yeah. When you find a really good Airbnb, that's economical, they take good care of you. They're good people. It's like you almost, you want to get them more money. You want to get more people in there. I totally feel you on that. And

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:25:49):

Like the host was really cuz we explained they were supposed to be six of us and we explained all of the things that had happened between now and then and why there was only three and there was like a cost for electricity. I think that's like a, it's a Dr. Thing. You have to pay for electricity at the end of your, um, state. But she was like, I'll just wait for electricity cost. Like I know things have been different. So she was very, very kind. And so was definitely made our state that much, like just easier knowing that we felt safe and she like really took care of us being that this was my like first time like traveling made like by myself ish, like planning this trip. Yeah. So it was good. It was really good.

Orion Brown (00:26:30):

That's awesome. That's awesome. And I love, I love the Caribbean for like renting Airbnbs or renting villas, which are usually like Airbnb houses anyway. Um, and getting your own like one place St. Thomas. I did that in and that was a bad idea because groceries were very scarce and it was very expensive, but, but even still like even there, like our hosts like came and cooked for us. It was a white couple too. I was like, yeah, go ahead. Scramble my head. Tar, go ahead. Put some cheese on it. Nah, it's not hot enough. No, it's terrible. I would never have used another human. I would never, y'all not your girl. I'm a good person. Um, but there is, that's such a really great way. One to not only experience local food, but two save a hell a ton of money. And as opposed to like going out to restaurants, yes, restaurants are fun. Love it, drinks sit. You know, you're sitting out there, you're meeting people and all that stuff. But if you have a group, man, it ain't nothing like having somebody come cook for you and y'all just kicking, wear your stretchy pants and just eat <laugh>

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:27:36):

It was so nice to like come down to breakfast every morning and just sit and chill a little bit. It was probably the best. Like if I ever go back, I'm gonna look for that. Airbnb specifically. It was just a really, really good experience. Overall.

Orion Brown (00:27:51):

I love that. I love that. It's on my list. It's on my list. So you said, so you said there was, there was another country that you went, so you have Nigeria coming here your first? Yes. And then Dr. And what was your third one?

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:28:06):

The Bahamas. And that was part of like a cruise situation. Got you. Um, but it was still a lot of fun. Um, yeah, Freeport, um, but report, um, or Nassau. Yeah. Um, but it was a lot of fun.

Orion Brown (00:28:20):

Do you do like the perfect day at cocoa K cocoa key, whatever they call it, the island that they take you to.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:28:26):

Yes. Yes. That's. I was like trying to remember what it was called, but I think that's where we, we docked for a day. Um, and that was a lot of fun, just like walking around, um, seeing all the things and the water was so pretty. I just remember this water is gorgeous. Like I've never seen water. Jacksonville beach is not giving this clear. <laugh>

Orion Brown (00:28:49):

It's not giving clear water. That's clear water is a place and it has clear water. Jacksonville is not that place.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:28:55):

Jackson is not at all. <laugh> but yeah, just much water being beautiful. Um, mm-hmm <affirmative> so I think that was like, not so much of like a vacation that I had planned. It just, I just so happened to get to dock there. But the Dr was one that like I planned and chose to travel there. So it's a little different, but still a good experience either way.

Orion Brown (00:29:16):

I love that. And, and I would say I've had similar experiences with Bahamas where I feel like it is a more touristy vacation. It's more structured. It's more, you know, you go to this place, you have this amount of time and you know, it's, I would say Americanized to some extent, but it's also really cool because you don't have to think about anything. Like you just don't have to think about anything. You don't have to show up with proper ID. You ain't gotta do nothing. Especially if it's a cruise

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:29:47):

Right.

Orion Brown (00:29:47):

Check in the first time. And then you just got your wristband and the wristband is magic, which I I've been on one cruise y'all cuz I was chicken. I was chicken. I thought I was gonna be seasick. And so I hadn't been on cruises cause I've done boat rides. Like I've done like deep sea, uh, fishing rides. So you go out to like the middle of Gulf of Mexico and you smell the diesel. And I'm like nauseated. My head is throbbing and I'm like, I can't, I can't it's too **** hot. I get migraines the way my whole head is set up. I can't be doing all this, but we did that. Actually my girl from Jacksonville, we went um, January, 2020. And um, it was just really nice. We did things like, you know, I like to cook and cooking is a big part of my self care. Besides travel travel is my number one form of self care. But you know, we took like a sushi making class on the boat. And then we, when we got into Nassau, there was a, there's a spot called I think it's called GOBA. Um, and they it's, it's black owned and they just created like this little kitchen excursion type place. So you go there and you make, we made like some guava turnovers and some like Creole shrimp. And it was just like, Ugh, it was so good. I love and very carefree.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:31:10):

Yes. I love that. Yeah.

Orion Brown (00:31:13):

Very good. And it's like, it depends on the trip, but like sometimes you just need a, I don't wanna think about nothing. I wanna show up, have a pleasant time, meet pleasant. People do pleasant things. <laugh>

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:31:28):

I feel that. So

Orion Brown (00:31:29):

Have you, so just thinking about domestic trips, what have been some of the more, I don't wanna say exotic, but sort of like off the beaten path, places that you've been to in the states.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:31:40):

I'm trying to think

Orion Brown (00:31:42):

Besides Asheville, I feel like everybody's been to Asheville, but nobody's been to Asheville. You like been to no, I've never been, but this like this huge, true hub.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:31:52):

Yes. I saw this girl's TikTok. Um, the other day about like her <inaudible> and this I think is what sparked my desire to go figure out what all these things, where she was all going. Cause she posted this video of all these places that she went. And I was like, I know she not talking about this Asheville. Like I feel like I, I knew all the things that we could do here. Yeah. And so that was so I've seen like a couple actual videos. Um, but I'm trying to think where have I been? I don't know. I don't know if I've been to anywhere. Like not, <affirmative> not, I guess. I don't know if you count Tallahassee <laugh> I've been to Tallas. So tell

Orion Brown (00:32:34):

Me about Tallahassee because all I know is that it's in the panhandle. I, I was driving up from Jacksonville to Orlando and I passed Daytona and I was like, I remember that from video games. So to me, like there are certain parts of Florida that I haven't been to. I have no idea what they're like, like was Tallahassee cool.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:32:56):

I mean, I feel like it was in Florida now.

Orion Brown (00:33:00):

It was not, it was not that's a negative ghost rider, Florida.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:33:04):

I can't say whether Tallahassee was a cool place or not. Janique may disagree cuz that's where her school was. But um, it was okay. You know it's it was all right. No, nothing too crazy. They had a public. So that was good. But that's about it. That's all I could give them. <laugh>

Orion Brown (00:33:25):

Look, I will never get over. I had just discovered Bucky's on my way that drive between Jacksonville and uh, Orlando. They have two or three of 'em on the way, but it's like that mega gas station place. Yes. You know, it's like y'all I still, I bought a ugly sweater from there because a Christmas sweater, it has a big *** beaver on the front with like a Santa Claus hat and like little beavers all over it. And I'm like, this is the most hideous, most wonderful thing I ever bought. I feel like even in places that there's the mundane, like there could just be some really great moments of joy.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:34:05):

Yeah. I agree. I agree. That's how I feel.

Orion Brown (00:34:09):

Yeah. I

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:34:12):

Oh boo Janique. <affirmative> oh boo. Janique. I don't agree with that.

Orion Brown (00:34:16):

<laugh> I don't know anything about anything about any of these Florida schools. I know there's Gators. I know there's semis and there's somebody else, but uh, yeah. Y'all can keep the, that rivalry <laugh> I love it.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:34:29):

So that's what it is. You know,

Orion Brown (00:34:31):

It said it's not even a comparison. That's fighting words. I'm just gonna stay over here.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:34:36):

<laugh> I'm sorry. Janique

Orion Brown (00:34:39):

<laugh> should be alright. Should be alright. So, so tell me, like, do you have any trips in the works? Are you planning any trips in your head? Like, I feel like I'm going on a trip this weekend. I'm really excited. I'll tell y'all about it a minute. But um, I feel like I tr I start to plan trips in my head and start making that decision that I want to go somewhere and what it's gonna look like even before, like I book it. But do you have any plans in the works?

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:35:03):

Yes. I'm always, we did this like top five strength thing and it just like tells you what some of your strengths are. And one of mine was futuristic cuz I'm never living in the present. I'm always thinking about where am I gonna go next <laugh> and what am I gonna do 10 months from now? But yes. So my, one of my closest friends, her birthday is in September and she loves New York. Like she's always wanting to live in New York and I've went to New York with her and I thought it was a lovely city, but then I went to Chicago and I was like, **** now Chicago <laugh>

Orion Brown (00:35:34):

That's hometown

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:35:37):

Chicago. It was so fun. I was like, girl, I think if you like New York, you should try Chicago. I think it's just, just a little it's different. I really liked it.

Orion Brown (00:35:47):

It's cleaner. It's more walkable

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:35:51):

And that's

Orion Brown (00:35:53):

And we got all that beautiful water. Yeah.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:35:56):

Yeah. It was so nice. And I had to try deepish pizza and I was obsessed as soon as I tried it. I, yeah, I don't really wanna try it from anywhere else. Like I only wanna have it here. So it was

Orion Brown (00:36:08):

What, what restaurant did you get it from?

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:36:10):

I think my friend took me to Lumo NAS, I think

Orion Brown (00:36:14):

IAL. NAS. Yep. Yep. I like their deep dish too. There's a, there's a Nu number of them there. Y'all seriously. When you talk about again, like, um, like sort of fun things in the mundane, Chicago's a dope city. Yeah. But even some of the silliest stuff, like if you look up the pizza history of Chicago, it's a whole telenovela really with Italian folks that came over, you know, immigrants, they, they start their business and then like the brother breaks off, like from the family business and he starts his own, but he takes a piece of the family recipe with him and then this other person's then it was somebody who was like a cook in the kitchen for the longest they started their own. And so you've got this like dynasty of pizza shops, all scattered around Chicago with honestly bits and pieces of essentially the same deep dish pizza recipe. And, and then they've done their own perfections and changed stuff. Right. But like, y'all seriously like, look it up on like, just see Wikipedia that it's, it's deep. And you're like, it's deep as the pizza. Mm. I see what they did there.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:37:24):

I like, I see what you did.

Orion Brown (00:37:26):

Ah, but I love, I love Chicago. So when you, like, where did you stay when you stayed to Chicago?

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:37:33):

So we were here. We were there for a conference, a pharmacy conference. So unfortunately we didn't get to stay too long, which bummed me out, but we stayed. Um, I don't remember, but it's not far from the lake. Which lake Michigan is a lot bigger than I thought it was like, like

Orion Brown (00:37:48):

It's a great lake. It

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:37:50):

Ocean <laugh>.

Orion Brown (00:37:54):

I swear people like, especially people who live on the coast are like, Ooh, but it's not the ocean though. And then they get there and they're like, but it's like the ocean though.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:38:02):

Right? It was, it was massive. I was like, oh my gosh. So we were like within walking distance of, of there. So I don't remember the exact name of the hotel, but that's where we were staying. Yeah. And we like walked around. I went to go see the bean and I had such a tourist moment. I was like, this is just a big metal thing, but this is so cool. <laugh> and we were there in December. So people were, um, ice skating at the, and I was cold and freezing, but it was so it was so fun. I had such a good time when I, um, tried, uh, stands donuts. Is it

Orion Brown (00:38:37):

Stands? Yeah. Yeah. Families. Yeah.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:38:40):

I really like it. It was really good. Um, and they had really good hot chocolate, but um, those didn't have time to like do all the things I that's why I want to go back and like really kind of explore more of like the not, um, commercial Chicago, like try some of the more local things. Yeah. Um, from my brief, very brief introduction to Chicago, I really, really liked it. Like I had such a good time, so I want to go back in September. <laugh>

Orion Brown (00:39:08):

I love to hear that. And I think September's a perfect time to go because we'll in theory, Chicago should be passed. Most of its like crazy heat waves. They usually get 'em in the August sometimes early September. Um, and it should be cooling down, but you still have like nice long days. Yes. And there's still like outdoor concerts and all kinds of stuff going on. Yes. I it's Chicago. I will not be moving back cuz the winter is not my friend, but the it's a beautiful city and it's got history. Y'all y'all can go on ghost tours. I highly recommend, especially if you're like, I really wanna have a tourist moment. Go take the architect, tourists moment. Mm-hmm <affirmative> go take the architectural boat tour of the river. So there's the Chicago river runs through the middle of the city, the middle of downtown mm-hmm <affirmative> and you can take an architectural boat tour and they will tell you about all the things along the river and who built it and who funded it and all of the stuff. Oh, so good.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:40:10):

Ugh. I'm excited. I am so excited.

Orion Brown (00:40:13):

That's love. Yeah. I love that. And you know what, another thing that I love about Chicago, I was just in Chicago last week, um, doing some nine to five stuff, but running around town quite a bit. And like you go to places like Cindy Cindy's is a beautiful rooftop. That's actually right over the bean. So you looking down on the bean and on the lake. And when I tell y'all the brunch and the rooftop brunch game in Chicago is second to none.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:40:42):

Yes. I believe it. I believe <laugh>. I

Orion Brown (00:40:45):

Believe it, baby. I once did, um, a series of, of, it was basically a summer series of happy hours with uh, MLT management leadership for tomorrow, our alumni group. And we went to what we just basically rooftop hopped all summer and it was so dope, like just, and being able to see all of the different dimensions of the city. You can see, you know, you look out and you see how long Western avenue was like one of the longest streets in the country. And you see Western just going, when you're on, like one of the high skyscrapers, you can just see the streets going all the way out to the suburbs. Um, just to be able to experience the vastness of the city's just and the food girl. Yeah. You hit me up. When you go, I'll tell you all the goods, I'll tell you all the good goods. Um,

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:41:37):

I would, yeah, I'm really, I'm so excited. Like my, um, co-resident that I went with, she's a Midwesterner. So she went to Northwestern. So she had lived in Chicago.

Orion Brown (00:41:50):

Yeah. So

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:41:50):

She knew and I came back, I stopped talking about it. I was like, if it did not cost a million dollars to live here, I would be here. I would here. It was so nice.

Orion Brown (00:42:01):

I mean, yeah. Depends on where you look, but yeah, it's not, it's not cheap, but then I'm finding like a lot of places aren't cheap anymore. It's just really weird. Like you almost have to be kind of really out in the sticks to find something reasonable.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:42:16):

Yeah. Even Jacksonville. Cause I'm like finishing up residency and trying to find where to relocate. And I'm like, when did Jacksonville get so expensive? Like, I couldn't find

Orion Brown (00:42:26):

Reasonable ride. It's like, you know, you Jacksonville though. Right? Like why you, what <laugh> but I feel like every city does it. And then you start to see, I don't know if it's fully gentrification or just like urban development in the sense that people like start to like rename neighborhoods and like try to like, I feel like oftentimes they're just trying to make the neighborhoods name sound as expensive as what they try to charge and rent. <laugh>

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:42:51):

I to, I totally agree. Like, I'm just like, it's, it's frustrating. That's all like, it's frustrating,

Orion Brown (00:43:00):

But this is why we visit places. We live in places that we can afford and we visit the places that we can't cause we just there for a minute. And that's also what the lovely thing is about like Airbnbs. Because oftentimes if you're smart about when you go, you're paying a fraction of what that cost of living is to be there for that time, which can be really beneficial.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:43:21):

Yes. So I think I, but I'm definitely, definitely looking forward to going back to Chicago. It was lovely. I couldn't say enough good things about it. Um, and then in February I am a huge basketball fan, very plugged into what's going on the NBA right now. And it's always been a dream of mine to go to all star weekend and it it's in Utah next year. So I am there like, I'm like, I don't care where I'm working, just block this weekend off. Cause I'm not coming to work. I'm going to, that's

Orion Brown (00:43:53):

Up. You about to catch you a ball or you just there for the fun.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:43:58):

I mean,

Orion Brown (00:44:01):

Cracks me up when people are like, yeah, I'm about to go catch me at basketball. And I'm like, okay, but I'll start weekend. That's on my bucket list too. I, I didn't know a lot about it until like the last few years. And I was like, this ain't just basketball. Oh this is dope

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:44:15):

So much. Yeah. I'm really excited. So those are like the two places that are coming up for me in September and

Orion Brown (00:44:24):

February. Oh yeah. And, and Utah is absolutely gorgeous in the wintertime. If you like skiing. There's great skiing in Utah. Um, never, I, again, I'm my skill set. The kids just be blowing by me, but they <laugh>, but it's beautiful. It's beauty. I loved park city, Utah. They do Sundance Sundance film festival there. I would love to go to Sundance one day and just like kick it in park city. Cuz I one, I just wanna run into spike Lee on a mountain. <laugh> like, that just seems like the coolest thing to be like. Yeah. I ran into spike Lee on a mountain. Yeah. Like that's yeah. No big deal. No biggie. He was wearing tennis shoes as he's known to do. Uh, but yeah, like it park, city's absolutely gorgeous. The people are cool. Um, and again, these are these places that like park city in and of itself is just like me in terms I it's a ski town.

Orion Brown (00:45:21):

It's a ski town. Yeah. If you got a little money, there's like high end skiing there and high end, you know, uh, resorts and stuff, which I did stay at the montage and it was dope. It was absolutely dope. Like they gave me a remote control when I came in, it controlled the windows, it controlled the TV, it controlled the lights. Wow. I was like, I was in the bed, the doorman brought my bags up. I ain't even have that many. I was like, oh, it's just this old. He say, I got you. I got you hands me the remote. And I'm sitting in the bed like this. Like I could, I could stay here the entire weekend. I could turn on the fireplace, like all of it from the remote control. So, um, treat yourself. But, but besides that, it's not a ton there to do, but it's still really quaint and cute.

Orion Brown (00:46:05):

And you go to the little bars and it's, and they, I actually went to the gun range while I was there. Cause I king ski. So I needed to find something to do. Um, cool. But yeah, it was really fun. It was really, really fun. Was that scary at the gun range? I'd just be scary guns. Um, so, so my ex-husband was a gun owner and, and obviously we have, I, I don't even almost wanna mention them given the climate that we're in, but he was a responsible owner and he, I told him I didn't wanna live in a house with a weapon that I didn't know how to use and how to properly use. Yeah. And so we spent a lot of time actually going out to the Poconos, um, in Pennsylvania and you know, he wanna go ski and I was like, all right.

Orion Brown (00:46:51):

So teach me how to, how to do this. Yeah. You know, this here, this here gun thing. And I really liked that experience because they, I felt like they took it super seriously. Like yeah. It, it, it is a, a deadly weapon. Right. You can play with things that are deadly weapons. You do it all the time. When you're driving too fast in your car, your car is basically a deadly weapon. You could take somebody out very quickly or several somebody. So to me, I'm like, you know, having reverence for it is really important. So, but we went, yeah. And I remember the first time I went, I was scared. I was like, I don't, I dunno, I don't wanna makes your makeup go, then what's gonna happen. Um, but it was, to me, it was like trying on shoes. If you ever go to a department store and they have the sample shoe on the wall, but you, they have to go on the back and get it for you.

Orion Brown (00:47:40):

It was sort of like that. So it was like, well, what would you like to, to chew? Oh, you know what? I, I been playing call of duty and I just wanna see like, what's like an M 16, like, and they're like, cool. And then they go bring it. And they do the sites and everything. They carry it to the area that you're gonna use. And you know, you've got your, um, your targets. Sometimes they're like sock, squishy things. Sometimes their paper, in this case, it was like physical things. Like they had like these, I don't know. It was like these almost like, um, boxing, like the, I can't think of the word, but it's like this big pillow thing and okay. He loads it. He tells me, here's your safety, here's your thing. This, that, and the other, this is how you hold it properly.

Orion Brown (00:48:26):

And then he hands it to me. I get to pop, pop, pop. Ooh, that was fun. And he takes that right. The hell on outta my hands. <laugh>. And, and I, I like that level of reverence cuz when I went to park city and they were like, what do you, what would you like to shoot? And I was like, I'll take a 1911. And the dude pulled out like a Rubbermaid container, you know, where you keep your extra floss and your extra like curlers, like under the sink, they had one of those and he pulled it out. He didn't throw the gun, but he SEP, he placed it in there. And then like, he was like, how much ammo do you want? He put it in. And then he was like, there you go. All I do is show ID and he handed it to me and then it was like, oh second door on the right.

Orion Brown (00:49:07):

I was so paranoid the whole time. I was like, I kept jamming it. And I was like, what happens if it jams? And it shoots me in the app, like I was <laugh> I was super uncomfortable until like, you know, I kind of got in the groove of it and I, there were other people there, but yeah, it was, I like when there's that heavy supervision, cuz then you can just experience something new, but like act throwing. I haven't done act throwing yet, but it better be somebody supervising me. Cause I ain't trying to lose no fingers and trying to, I'm not trying to take anybody else's

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:49:38):

No, I totally get that. I don't think I've ever tried to act going. I'm like, how do we come up with this? But okay, like I'll try it.

Orion Brown (00:49:46):

Somebody was mad and they were like, you know what? I bet. I bet that act really made me feel better. I bet if I, I could sell this to people. Cause you know, you get frustrated, they have rooms that all you do is like destroy things in you throw plates and all kinds of stuff

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:50:02):

Like that. I have heard about that. Have you ever gone, like, um, I was gonna say, have you ever gone like skydiving,

Orion Brown (00:50:10):

Uhuh a pump.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:50:12):

<laugh> me too.

Orion Brown (00:50:14):

So I am convinced if I go skydiving that I will pee the whole way down. And you know, when it's your first time they strap a person onto you. So now I'm peeing on the dude behind. Like I just don't feel like that's right. Yeah. I'll be there. I'll hold the camera for everybody else. And you know,

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:50:31):

I feel the same. I can't do it. I can't do it. Like there's a limit to my adventurousness. Yeah. And that's where I drive.

Orion Brown (00:50:40):

I I'm intrigued. I won't say that. I will never do it. I'll just say it ain't for me right now. Right now. It ain't for me right now. Yeah. Yeah. Um, but I have gotten over some really massive, massive, uh, fear of Heights over the years. Um, God is good even though I'm I'm ignorant. God is good. Uh, it seriously. Cause I used to be like vertigo, like Jimmy Stewart on a, on a, a ladder I'd be like, whoa, it's like two feet off the ground. I'm like, ah, I can't, oh, nobody feels that the earth is rotating <laugh> um, and it was, it was actually going to Jamaica and walking on the rooftops cuz you know, people build their houses like right up in the Hills and we walked on the rooftop and I was so at peace at the moment that I was doing something that scared me so much that it just, I feel like it just net it out. It was like, it doesn't bother me anymore. Like I got still got sense. I'm still like, mm, the way my butt is set up, you don't want me leaning over this too hard. Right.

Orion Brown (00:51:45):

But um, there is again, and it comes back to that theme of travel, being such an amazing form of self-care cuz I feel like that's sort of therapeutically made an association that now I'm like, cool. I can go see big things and beautiful things and not be horrified of it. I went to table mountain in, in South Africa and went to keep a good hope. And again, it was another very moving space that I just couldn't even process fear cuz I was in so much. Awe. Wow. So that's

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:52:19):

Cool.

Orion Brown (00:52:21):

Yeah. Oh that's beautiful.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:52:23):

I like really like what you said about travel being like a form of self care. It's definitely something that I've realized. Um, more recently as I've traveled more is that this is something that I really enjoy. And uh, a friend told me something that I'll never forget cuz I I'm like my dad is a super frugal person. So like he's like don't spend a necessary money on anything, you know, just save all the coins. Yeah. Um, but she said like money will come and go, but experiences like memories like that stuff lasts forever. And I was like, yeah. So that's kinda the, the motto for me. I'm like, I will, you know, the money will, will be back. It'll come in another way. But

Orion Brown (00:53:03):

This experience, it flows to you to flow through you.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:53:06):

Exactly. So

Orion Brown (00:53:07):

Yeah, there's, there's a colloquialism for everything, but I do believe that that is really true. And it's the scarcity it's when we get into a scarcity mindset of being afraid of losing. Yeah. That I think the losses, and I'm never the one to say like, oh, but you was not, you weren't, you weren't positive enough. That's how you got in the situation. So that's not what I'm saying, but I will say that the attitude of more will come more replacement. I always have my needs met. It'll be okay. Yeah. Um, has afforded me a lot of really great experiences just, just because I could let go of that and just kind of experience the thing. And it's like those troubles let tomorrow worry about itself. Yeah. You know, you got today, but yeah.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:53:56):

<laugh> that makes me happy. Thank you.

Orion Brown (00:53:59):

Uh, I love it. I love it. Travel has been remarkable. I will say, I know you said that, uh, south Africa's on your bucket list. Um, the people of South Africa are remarkable. Um, they made me rethink how I look at what's happening in the states. Now this was like 10 years ago, but still, yeah, it was the same stuff. Um, but their resiliency, their hope sometimes you just need a break from the context of the world that you're in. Yes. And just to get a new context, just to be like, there's hope. Yeah. There's hope even if I'm going right back to it, there's hope it's, there's this isn't everything. Right. Um, and I love that and I love that. Yeah.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:54:41):

So that makes me so excited that hopefully one day I'll get to, I'll get to go to South Africa and meet these incredible people in person. Cuz I totally agree. When I was in high school, we had to do this really long 4,000 word essay on any topic. And um, I wrote about the, the people of South Africa and that's kind of where my just passion and just interest in this very resilient group of people, like you said, um, came from. And so it's always been like at the top of my list, like this is where I want,

Orion Brown (00:55:14):

Oh you just gotta make it happen. Then find you on a happened then. Great. I find you a mistake. Fair. You gonna get sky scanner. I, I tell you what I I'm like black Twitter, black travel Twitter is lit because somebody will be like, I just found $300 tickets from New York to Kenya and just, I mean, there, there is a way I also use, um, Scott's cheap flights. Um okay. Which is they have, so they have just a free platform that you can kind of see the stuff. They basically scour the internet and look for, for cheap flights. Like they say, or you can pay, I think it's like 40 bucks a year, like a year, not a month, but a year. And you get all the flights personally, like you get the ones that are coming out of your home airport and, and they give them to you before they share it with the general public. So there's always on there, like some $299 flight. That's a mistake fair or something like that. Um, you know, or even just like fly business class to Japan for a thousand dollars. And you're like, what? Yeah. You know? Um, so there's a way and I, I highly recommend, I love South Africa. There's so much and Stella and BA y'all wine country.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:56:29):

Yeah. Okay.

Orion Brown (00:56:32):

I love it. I love

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:56:33):

It. Gosh, I'm so excited now we're gonna make it happen. Let me make it happen.

Orion Brown (00:56:37):

I love it. I love it. And first stop at Chicago. I hope you enjoy it. I hope you have an amazing time. I love that. You're a Pharmac. So are you graduating this year?

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:56:46):

So I graduated pharmacy school two years ago. So I'm doing your residency.

Orion Brown (00:56:51):

Oh your resident. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:56:53):

So that's where, you know, you work as a pharmacist, but they pay you $2. So, um, it's

Orion Brown (00:56:59):

They teaching you? Right? Right. How long, how much more of your residency do you have left?

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:57:04):

I finished June 30th. So it's five corner. I'm really excited. I

Orion Brown (00:57:10):

Love it. I love it. Well, definitely take part of that September trip to celebrate yourself and celebrate your accomplishment. I just love seeing black educated people. It just makes my heart warm. Thank you. But it's been so fun talking with you, your homework assignments, get some more passport stamps. I got, I wanna see some more and I also would love to see some more of Asheville. So like tell us where we can follow up and see all the photos of your, your quick and dirty trip. Okay. <laugh> as you're about to get up outta there,

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:57:44):

I will post them on my Instagram. All the places that I went. You can see it. I'll I'll post it and on TikTok too. Maybe I'll make like a video like that girl did.

Orion Brown (00:57:53):

Okay. What's your TikTok.

Opeyemi Ogedenbei (00:57:55):

It's the same as my Instagram. It's at Yemi underscore. Not underscore Allen day.

Orion Brown (00:58:01):

Okay. I love it. I love it, girl. Thank you so much for joining me today. <laugh> I was having a long, long week and I got my em and a good conversation. Oh, I'm like sipping tequila. It's life is good. Life is good. People are good. And I'm so glad that I get the opportunity. One. I just love that. I get to meet new people every week. Like yeah, this has been a labor of love. I've been doing this. I started Wine Down in June of 2020 mm-hmm <affirmative> and like the height of COVID when we realized that wasn't nobody about to go back outside. <laugh> like, we're not about to go back out. What are we gonna do? And I was like, all, I, I just need a trip. I need some hope. And I wanted to create a space where we could get that little spark.

Orion Brown (00:58:46):

You know, when you get excited, you booked the trip. You like I'm about to go. Y'all I wanted to create that with this and y'all have been keeping me afloat. I tell you what I tell you what, being an entrepreneur is hard. BlackTravelBox. Make sure you check us out, follow us, but like being an entrepreneur, hard, being a black traveler and not having that outlet is hard. And having this space to kick it with you guys has been amazing. So big ups to my guest girl. I, um, oh, it was so much fun. And uh, now you got me once. Some benets <laugh>, um, and big ups to all of you who, who kicked it with us. If you just joined us, we're about to close it out, but you can find us. So at BlackTravelBox is our page. You can go on.

Orion Brown (00:59:33):

I GTV and we have all of our past Wine Down Wednesdays y'all we've had a mix of folks who was like, I got like one or two stamps on my passport to, I got 72 stamps on my passport and everything in between. So we've had some really great conversations and every time I think we learn a little bit of something different. You get a put onto some game. I know Jenique in the back taking notes. So we didn't, we got some notes that we're gonna share with you guys, but it's Wednesday. It's all downhill from here. You just coast into the weekend. Y'all you can do it. I know I can do it. I'm gonna give myself the encouragement too. And thank you so much for coming. This was really fun. This was the highlight of my week. Thank you so much. This was so good. Thank you. Awesome. Awesome. Thank you so much. Bye everyone. Have a good night. Bye <laugh>. Bye.

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