Warning: There are a ton of photos in this post. So...sorry. Or maybe "you're welcome" depending on who you are.
Yes, I am still in Birmingham five days later. I thought I would've posted this sooner but I've delved into the southern dreamworld of Pat Conroy and can't quite find my way out yet...which seems a bit redundant.
Yesterday, I was told through the blasting music of whatever singer was appropriate enough to make you long for the previous band again (more on this and belly dancers further down), the cacophony of southern accents mixed with plain Jane voices, and the gravel everyone was stepping on also longing for its own say before the night was over but was only capable of grumbling under everyone's feet, "Don't get sucked in here." It was said in all sincerity and the only response I could give was that I won't and simply because I need a big city. But that was all.
Let's go back to the beginning. I finally escaped New Orleans even though it certainly tried to keep me there by throwing thunder and hailstorms my way which were enough to make me pull over on the freeway under a bridge. The rain that followed me the whole way combined with the never-ending landscape of almost un-navigable forest made me even less excited to be going to Birmingham, Alabama.
I arrived around 7:30 and was promptly greeted by my host, Beau, who probably had the greatest way of welcoming me that I've had on this long trip so far: "Hey, how was your drive? Do you want a beer?" After one, maybe two, Beau and his incredibly sweet-yet-jovial housemate, Jon, and I all headed out to a restaurant named Rojo. On the way, we stopped to look at this (sorry for it being a bit blurry but I have faith in your imagination):
Yes! Birmingham is a real city!
On my first sight-seeing day I was encouraged to go to the botanical gardens because they were beautiful as well as free. Ding ding ding! Winner!
The botanical gardens was more or less a success except for the fact that, um, it's hot in the South in the summer. Who is dumb enough to be walking around outside in the suppressing heat and lazy humidity? Ding ding ding! Kaitlin wins.
The next stop was the Apple store to meet up with Beau for lunch and some air-conditioning before venturing out again.
Obviously, after traveling so often, decisions on what to do when it's disgustingly hot outside become easier and easier. You save all museums, stores, and everything else of that sort for the hottest part of the day. It's just common sense. Therefore, I headed off to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute where I spent over two hours navigating through all of the information set up in ways that makes you feel as if you're in a life-sized dollhouse and you just want to pick everything up. There are homes, churches, restaurants, everything is recreated inside.
16th Street Church (not sure where my better picture ran off to)
I want to take one moment to show my fellow Californians a picture. I know I'm not the only one frustrated with parking meters and how they suck all the coins out of your wallet for a meager 30-minutes' worth of parking. PARKING. You're paying money to take up space. That's besides the point. I thought you would enjoy this picture:
Back to more important things...one night I decided to make a Mexican-ish feast. I'm pretty sure my hosts and their friend had high hopes for me, or a good feeling (or both!), because their friend decided not to go out of town and I felt like my poor mother who would always be cooking and her three bratty children kept picking food out of the pots. At least the guys were a bit more intelligent about it by telling me they wanted to make sure it was good. It was. Come on. If you grow up with a Mexican mum and can't cook then something went seriously wrong in your life.
Left to right: Jon, Sami, and Beau
Another interesting day was spent half downtown roaming through aisles of junk and trying to find the purpose of Princess Leia masks, four-foot lamps in the shape of pineapples, and clothes that I was a bit too afraid to touch...
Beau attempting to look cool but it was all a lie because...
...then he started trying on hats and, well, I don't think that needs any explanation.
The antique-y store.
I know I've been posting pictures of what each city looks like and having minor successes in recreating this journey but these next two pictures are as good of an attempt as I could make:
I then handed over the highly-difficult, grueling task of being in charge of the camera while I drove to Beau...
He hasn't been in charge of the camera since then.
I apologize for the random-ness of this entry but I almost feel as if all of these perplexing photos also fully explain my stay here. So, for your amusement, I'm going to continue with some more. Lucky you!
Jon with great emotion.
Beau maybe extra happy but we can't be too sure.
The view near the Birmingham Museum of Art...which I actually don't recommend but who was I kidding when I thought it would be worthwhile?
Beau and Jon in their natural state.
Random street art near Rojo where we went again because we were mentally stoned after the museum and couldn't decide on a restaurant.
Rojo.
Last night Jon and Beau had a show with some fire-breathing/swallowing belly dancers. And, no, I'm not kidding.
Their music is fantastic and makes me wonder how they can still be undiscovered. If they were located in SF, LA, or NYC I probably would be out of their social realm because they'd already be famous. I guess luckily for me I got to meet them here in Birmingham. I'll be sure to post links/mp3's when I find appropriate ones.
This photo is here because it is perfectly awkward and amusing so shut up and move on.
Beau and I trying to look like we actually enjoy each other's company. We pulled it off well.
Now for the flaming belly dancers! I can't think of what their name was or if they're flame-blowing or swallowing so we're going with "flaming belly dancers."
Now for the token band pictures!
Once I gather more of my thoughts about this place I'll be sure to post again. I haven't fully processed all of my emotions from the past week or so but I feel them coming so look out for another (much shorter, with less annoying photos) post very soon about more people telling me my trip really does need to be "all about love" and their interpretations of what that love is that have my mind running in circles. "Love for what?" is what has been the most interesting question I've been asking them so far. Of travel? Of moving inward? Of running to it or getting away from it?
Until then...I'm feelin' like a Southerner.
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