Today was the start of the Tbex conference, the reason I came to Richmond. Tbex is a gathering of travel content creators, bloggers, vloggers (video bloggers), podcasters, writers and such. I’ve been to four of these events and always learn a lot and enjoy myself.
Unless you’re dying to hear about SEO versus GEO or the finer points of short-form video editing, I’ll spare you the conference sessions. The one exception was the keynote panel about accessibility in travel. As someone with mobility issues, I appreciated the discussion about what does and does not make a destination accessible and what can be done to make things better. It didn’t hurt that my friend Phoenyx Powell was one of the panelists. After surviving a devastating motorcycle accident about ten years ago, she now lives with a prosthetic leg and the lingering effects of a brain injury. None of that has slowed her down. She’s adventurous, funny, generous, and one of those people who somehow makes everyone around her smile.
But enough conference talk. The real highlight of my day actually happened last night. Along with my three housemates (we’re sharing an Airbnb) we hired a guide to drive us around to see the best of Richmond’s murals. It’s impossible to spend any time in the city and not notice the murals everywhere. Estimates place the number at between 150-300. From what I’ve seen, I’d go with the upper range. Many are by local artists, but there are also artists from all around the globe.
Our guide, George, from Would I Lie to You Mural Walks, was terrific. Over three hours we crisscrossed the city, frequently jumping out of the car for photo stops. We even got to see one of George’s own murals, “Velvetta Rabbit”, a take on the Velveteen Rabbit. I’m something of a street art / mural junkie and this tour was a real treat.
With someone else driving, I could really take in the neighborhoods, something that’s nearly impossible when you’re concentrating on traffic. The city feels welcoming, with handsome historic architecture mixed with colorful public art, leafy parks, and neighborhoods full of independent restaurants and shops. The more I see, the more I understand why people fall in love with Richmond.
I’ll always be a New Yorker, but Richmond has steadily won me over. I came for a conference. I’m leaving with a much deeper appreciation for a city that manages to be historic, creative, quirky, and surprisingly livable.