So I begin my blog late in the backseat of a Jeep on the way to Wakarusa Music Festival in Arkansas. We left Atlanta this morning around 11, and have traveled through Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee are nearing our destination of Ozark. We stopped for lunch at a Chik-fil-a, a southern fast food chain that has great customer service and free refills. While I did not take advantage of the free pop (or soda as Americans say), I did witness an approximately 11 year old girl get her litre and a half bubba cup filled at the counter. Healthy…the huge bubba of pop would go well with the large popcorn that my roommate and I ordered at the movies the other night. My roommate is about 5 foot nothing and 95 pounds…but don’t worry, there are free refills there too. Picture to follow.
I have been asked out on one date on my travels. We met one evening while I was waiting for the bus after work. Now, my bus stop is not in the safest area of town. It is near what one may call a “project,” but also directly in front of a recreation centre, so there are lots of children around, which makes me feel better. Back to my romance. A tall, dark, man approached me from across the street and said
“You gon let me take you out?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I have a boyfriend.” ( I know, a lie, but I was ready to answer with “His name is Randi he’s doing his PhD in Pharmacology and we’ve been together for 8 years.” So not exactly a lie, right?)
“Well you gon let me go where you goin’?”
“No.”
“Why where you goin’?”
“Home.”
“Where you live?”
“Canada.” ( Still not a lie!)
“You smoke weed?”
“No.”
“Well what’s your name?”
“Emma.” (Damn. Should have said Mariah.)
“My names Shhhyyy.”
“Shy?” (He wasn’t shy.)
“No, Shine, like the sunshine.”
“Oh.”
“See you late girl.” And looking back at me over his shoulder, he strutted off into the sunset...bathed projects. He wore his pants real low.
I should have just taken him home, right?
On Saturday as I waited for the bus (that never came) I turned off my iPod so I could listen to the man across the street singing along to his own iPod to “Run this Town.” He was practicing both the Jay Z and Rihanna parts. Sounded great, and he had some good dance moves. A blind man then came across the road. He had a white cane, women’s shades, and about three teeth. He gave a little hoot as he neared my corner.
“I can see allll a that!”
I stifled a laugh, he was a cute old man.
“Doctor, what’s your name?”
“My name’s Emma.” (Where are all my fake names?!)
“Doctor Emma. Pleasure to meet you.”
“But I’m not a doctor!” I had no idea what he was talking about.
“Well you gave me my sight back!” Smooth moves, Lady-Glasses. If you had three more teeth, I probably would have taken you for some taffy.
Another highlight so far was the first festival we went to in Gulf Shores Alabama, the Hangout. It was like being at a Caribbean resort except in America and the food/booze is not included and there are sweet shows going on all weekend. This festival took place on the beach, which is much more enjoyable than pavement to stand on…although pavement doesn’t get in your shorts…
It was a sandy weekend and with all the interns staying in one three-bedroom condo, we got to know each other quickly. I suffered my first sunburn of the season and have since invested in some hats. While I found Alabama to be super hot, everyone has warned me that Bonnaroo will be much warmer. In anticipation of the heat, I only packed two pairs of pants for the two-week camping trip that begins tonight.
So far, the music has been great, the food has been delicious, and the shopping has been fun. Even the time on the road hasn’t been too bad! The states go by fast and the billboards are intriguing, telling me who to call to get divorced faster and why I shouldn’t do meth. Ahhh-merica.
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