Lucy's Pearls Travels: Dallas, TX
Everyone keeps asking me if I'm moving to Dallas. At first I was like dang, I can't take a vacation? Lol. Then I realized, oh, I've been saying for years that I would move to Texas (when I never even visited the place). Now that I have visited, I've decided that I could live in Texas temporarily, but not forever.I'm not sure why I thought I could live in Houston. Maybe because of their Nigerian population and because Queen B is from there but uh, no. When I touched down at William Hobby airport, I rented a car and headed out for some sight-seeing while waiting on a friend. While I was driving on the highway, I saw palm trees...in Texas. The whole area reminded me of Orlando. Being that I've spent the first 14 years of my life in South Florida, I don't want to move to a place that reminds me of it. Been there, done that. Overall, it just wasn't a place I could really see myself enjoying.
After consulting Foursquare (which, btw, gave me great suggestions on where to go and eat), I landed on Beaucoup Bar & Grill for some grub. Now, they say everything is bigger in Texas. This is not an exaggeration. For the record, I could not finish a single meal while on this trip. Not one. To go plate every single day.
That strawberry passion lemonade was the TRUTH.
Another thing I appreciated in Texas that I wish we had more of in Atlanta: the museums. There were so many I wanted to visit but my wallet said no. I did go to the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences. Best part was the butterfly center. There's something mystical about butterflies. I'm drawn to them and them to me.
This is a little gross but, my goodness, look how big they are!!!
This little one loved me.
Nemo1 and Nemo2
I thought a zebra about to get bit in the ass was kinda funny.
City Centre in Houston looks JUST like Atlantic Station but with better shopping and dining.
I stayed in Houston to have dinner with my friend and then I hit the road to Dallas. Yes, at 930 pm in a strange place and on strange roads. But I do things like that so I was okay.My friend V who lives in Dallas stays in the artsy side of town. Because she knew I was coming, duh. I would compare it to Little Five Points in Atlanta...but quieter and cleaner.
There are a bunch of hut-looking establishments in Dallas like this one. Not open for business, just plopped in the middle of the street for no apparent reason.
These birds FREAKED ME OUT. So many of them everywhere around the city. I looked it up and they're called blackbirds. They have a yellow ring around their eyes. Creepy.
Had dinner at the NYLO hotel. First of all, this place is absolutely fabulous. It's like staying in a loft that doubles as an art gallery.
Secondly, there's an infinity pool on the roof. Lastly, it has the best view of the Dallas skyline.
Had brunch at this spot called Oddfellows. Man, I wish I had time to go back for dinner. Delish.
Random sighting at Klyde Warren Park. Which, btw, isn't really...a park. To me, anyway. Guess I've been spoiled by Piedmont Park. I did think it was cool to have a station to borrow books and sit and read.
Hey girl, hey.
The Dallas Museum of Art was free. I appreciated that.
Went to this thing called Culture Map Dallas, celebrating their one year birthday bash. My kind of scene. Except there were only a handful of Black people. Speaking of Black people...where are they in Dallas? The thing that sucks about these kinds of events is that there is no diversity. Same in Atlanta.
Meeting Karren for the first time. Total babe. Thank you so much for showing me a good time!
Of course I couldn't go to Dallas without attending a Black Girls Social event.
Got to finally meet Tori Lee and Kellee Moore of Black Girls Social.
This girl. Have I told you how much I'm drawn to truly giving people? I'm selfish. So when I meet people who would literally give you the shirt off their back and NEVER mention it again, I'd do anything for them. She was ridiculously hospitable to me and I cannot say thank you enough.
So there's this vegan-friendly place called Spiral Diner & Bakery that reminded me a lot of home. Quirky people and food.
Headed out for a night on the town with the ladies. The streets were crazy packed because of a game. I loved it though. Young people everywhere, drinking and partying. Plenty of space to park and walk around.
This. Pizza. From. Sfuzzi. Was. Everything.
Yoooo. I pet a camel. At a gas station. At first I was all like, oh no, I can't, touch it with me. But then I did touch it and it felt like the best fur coat ever.
Strike a pose.
Photo shoot day.
It rained pretty much the last two days of my trip. I didn't get to eat BBQ or go to the fair. I did eat tons of good good food and met cool people.
Overall, it was a marvelous trip away from my everyday. I really needed it. And although I still felt like things were missing, Dallas is a great city. It's still developing but it has great potential.