St. Louis

St. Louis

I was so much more impressed with the St. Louis Arch than I thought I would be. I'd seen it from the highway passing through in 1978 but this week we stayed right next to it. This was the view from my hotel room. St. Louis was warm and humid and at least 60% black. As we walked the streets, having failed to flag down the transit bus, we (two blonde white women) were amazed at how many inquiring looks we received. Maybe it's just that friendly southern hospitality, but it was very noticeable. I also noticed how much more relaxed I felt being in the minority. Other times, like in DC, I felt very aware of just how very white I was. The southern flavor restaurant we ate at across from Busch Stadium (Cards lost badly 10-3) was like a step right into Dixie. Allegator on the menu, first time I'd ever seen that. We have buffalo burgers at some locales in Montana and think we're hot shit, ha! The spicy beans and rice was delish, the crawfish was unimpressive with very little meat and I declined the "sucking juice from the head" part of the experience. And then when done with our dinner, us four girls went into the next room where a local zydeco/blues/horns band was playing. They played a very funky Mack the Knife and a very fun I Dream of Jeannie theme song with a running commentary on how that was the singers favorite show growing up. It was a hoot and we stayed about an hour really enjoying the night out. Something about sitting for 4 straight days in a work conference to make you climb the walls, so it was a welcome relief. On another note, the Botanical Garden was superb and well worth the long trek by foot and public transport to get there and back.