IslandStylee.com's featured blogger, Angelita Byrd of WhyYouShouldTravel.com shares her experience while being on the set of the NYC Island Stylee shoot. If you're a travel blogger and interested in being featured or contributing to islandstylee.com contact us directly at contributors@islandstylee.com

3:15 am Saturday, March 19th, I'm up from all the excitement of the day and writing my story. We finished filming Day 1 of the new and improved Island Stylee in-flight video for Air Jamaica. Island Stylee has a new face, and she's even more breathtakingly gorgeous in person, Miss Jamaica and 1st runner up of Miss Universe, Yendi Phillipps.

Friday afternoon, I took the bus in from Philadelphia to meet with Max, Yendi, Lukkee and Diba. We met around 6pm in the middle of a hectic day full of tourist and frequent visitors in Times Square. Meeting Max Earle, the C.E.O. of Frame by Frame Productions, for the first time in person was like meeting a long lost family member. Everything he was online was who he was in person. The rest of the crew, along with Yendi was very kind and welcoming towards me as well.  I took a few shots of them setting up for the scene. Lights, camera, action!  Yendi turned into the fabulous star she is. This was an awesome moment for me. I felt as if I was in a dream, yet wide awake.

After shooting in Times Square we all headed over to the Shubert Theatre for the Tony Award Winning Musical "Memphis".  The generosity of Max, allowing me to watch the show with them was much appreciated. A must see indeed! The spirit will make you want to get up and sing aloud with the cast. It's that good old Rock & Roll, stemmed from R&B Soul.

After a long day of traveling, dealing with the hustling streets of NY and a fabulous show, we were ready to eat. We headed over to the famous diner, "Juniors", which to my surprise was just across the way from the theatre. The only Juniors I've ever known was the original diner in downtown Brooklyn. I had the great pleasure of meeting more of Max’s friends who joined us as we all shared stories and indeed many jokes flew around the table.  Yendi Phillipps is quite the story teller. All ears were open and eyes alerted in her direction. Laughter of fun and joy at the table was great! Today was a good day. 

Day 2,  I awake with much anticipation and quickly get dressed to enjoy yet another day with this awesome crew.  Good thing before leaving the hotel I asked the concierge where I was going. I lived in NYC for many years but had no idea where the South Street Piers were located.  I hail for a taxi on 45th St heading west to take the West Side Highway all the way downtown to the port.  Our meeting time was noon and I arrived about 11:45am at pier 16. I immediately noticed the tall silhouette of Yendi. She greeted me with a warm smile and hug. Lukkee, Max and Diba I noticed shortly after and too greeted with a loving hug. Off to ride the water taxi for the first time ever. The weather seemed to be working in our favor. A cool 50's, sunny and clear blue skies with pillow fluff clouds. Thank goodness mother-nature was on our side because the weatherman predicted rain. The tour operator, hands-down was engaging with his thick Brooklyn accent and hip-hop style of NY history. As we approached the Statue of Liberty, I became a bit overwhelmed of what it all means to be an American, the thought of so many people traveling miles just to see this remarkable gift given to us by the French. I've seen it many times driving into NYC but to see it up close and personal is truly a site out of this world. This was a taxi ride of a lifetime.

NYC has so many amazing restaurants that will satisfy your taste buds from flavors around the world. I would prefer to eat at my favorite authentic Mexican restaurant in the East Village but on this visit to NY, I was chowing down Jack Daniel wings in Fridays. It was all good because I was hanging with a cool crew. Yendi Phillipps shared stories of her experience in South Africa which was truly an eye opener. Once again, she's a great story teller and that girl can definitely eat! No rumor could ever fly by me of her being a starving model to maintain that amazing body she has.

It was now time to shop! We head out to Madison Ave where luxury shops are lined up for miles. The streets are still busy as always but it doesn't stop Max and Lukkee from getting that great shot of Yendi doing one of her favorite things. Time was drawing near for my time to head back to Philadelphia. Hugs and kisses to Yendi, Diba, Max and Lukkee for making a dream of mine come true.

At the time that I started writing this article I had no idea I would lose my camera. But the memories of this trip to NYC will forever be embedded in my thoughts. Thank you again Max for opening the door of a great new relationship of endless possibilities. You Jam Rock! Bless.

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Angelita Byrd
CEO/Founder
www.whyyoushouldtravel.com
www.facebook.com/whyyoushouldtravel
Follow @YUShouldTravel

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