These are the days I really enjoy on holidays when no real plans but they always work out well. Well , one small plan I guess – which is all my brain can handle – and that was to visit the Deep Ellum area. First up the search for a good coffee began. And ended . Stupid Good Coffee was excellent , simple as that . Now it was one bus trip to downtown and then walk to this coffee place and then another bus to DE. Have I mentioned how hopeless I am with Google maps and always head off in wrong direction. So standing outside coffee shop looking at phone puzzled when a nice old Yank wandered over and said “Are you having trouble Sir?” “Does Fox News hate Obama?” (I knew he was American because if he had been Aussie he would have said ” what the fuck r u doing mate ? ) So explained my goal and bus I needed and he pointed off in general direction of bridge and said well that is DE and…. ” that’s ok pal I can walk that ” keeping in mind significant eating and drinking was in my immediate future. He looked a bit puzzled and not sure walking is a concept familiar with Yanks. So headed off into a part of town I wouldnt walk through by myself in the dark trust me. Mind you it was only desolate and run down and not as if gangbangers on every corner . I didn’t get molested or even propositioned once.
Now of course it still wasn’t even 10 am yet so no place was open but this was OK as DE was well known for street art as well as alternative lifestyle and an active club scene. So wandered around snapping happily as got close to 11 and as luck would have it ended up at Braindead Brewery – the perfect place. Now there was no one apart from me hanging off the door handle at 10:59 but across the road they were lining up around the block at Pecan Lodge . That needed checking out later . But first , is that $3 beer specials I see?? So eventually stumbled across the road after reading that Pecan Lodge was a Texan BBQ place and well regarded . Well it was lunch time. Went inside and the line up inside was still massive but saw a sign that said ” Express lane >5 lb meat” Now in relating this and subsequent snafus I did have some beverage on board so my maths conversion was sub par. So line up and order my combo of 3 meats and a side of slaw and he just looks at me. ” You need more than 5 lb meat Sir” . Was about to pull down my pants when realised he meant the order size so embarrassingly went and lined up with the great unwashed . On a side note for those lucky in the bed flute department – USA toilets are already half full of water in bowl so if u sit down quick in a full relaxed state you could get a cool surprise . Or so I am told.
The line moved fast but have to admit thoughts of Soup Nazi scenario swirled in my head as I approached. All worked easily enough and before you knew it I was shortening my life expectancy with the best of them . Surprised there were only forks available but that tells you how tender the meat was. Time for another leisurely stroll back to downtown and some souvenir shopping- not an easy task mind you in Dallas. Wandered into Wild Bills Western Store and was pleasantly surprised and mildly successful. Even got myself a Duke T shirt
Then it was time to head back to unit and relax before that last beer or two. Time to pack as leave tomorrow for Washington. Given I was not convinced about my choice of Dallas have to say it has been a blast and though have likely ticked all the tourist boxes could easily stay a few more days . Maybe not very indicative of Texas in general but certainly different to next two cities. Very friendly people as most Americans are . A final anecdote to demonstrate
Standing on corner ready to cross when a 30ish guy says ” I will just move downwind Sir” WTF, do I smell and gave him a look. Ok remember earlier ” brain may be addled slightly” statement. Of course he would not move down wind if I smelt. On closer inspection he was smoking. So walked up to him and put hand on shoulder and said ” Thanks mate, that was very considerate ” His reply? ” Well Sir you look like a healthy fella and I didn’t want any part of that ” And we shook hands and laughed. Then I slapped him around as have appearances to maintain.
One of the reasons I keep coming back .
Beer is pretty cheap too ..
flashman181 