As if to offset the enforced solitary incident and frozen hell, it warmed up to a balmy 39º for one day, and Avdi and I got to go out on one of our STL adventure dates.
This time, we checked out Das Bevo on Gravois, a historical landmark bierhall with a windmill. We sat on comfy sofas by a roaring fire under cathedral ceilings with excellent local German-style lagers, and unwound a little from the week.
Next, we hung out at The Silver Ballroom down the street, a cozy ‘hood dive bar with pinball machines, Australian meat pies, and punk juke box. We got to talking with the girl tending bar, who shared lots of interesting backstory. I enjoyed a decent scotch, and shared Avdi’s delicious meat pie.
Finally, we drove to The Hill (old Italian area) and checked out Pop’s Blue Moon, a friendly old iconic small bar and live music venue with a DJ playing drum and bass EDM. Avdi got to dance off some of his frustrations from the day/week/life, and I enjoyed just soaking it in.
STL is such a revelation, with so many eclectic, unexpected spaces around every corner. The architecture alone is fascinating. You could live here for years and never run out of new experiences, and it’s much more affordable/accessable than a major city. People are friendly and approachable, never snobby. It’s like a cultural cross-section of the world in a small space. No wonder it wins high ratings for funnest US city!
(I realize I sound like a privileged white person who hasn’t lost everything in a tornado or trumpian racist persecution, yet, guilty as charged, but this is just me, an outsider, expressing appreciation for my new adopted home.)
For me, it’s like getting to stay home and travel the world at the same time. Like, Germany, Australia, and Italy, with EDM, in one night! Snobs with money can fly over all they want, and lose out. Of course gratitude and credit go to Avdi graciously picking up the tab, or I’d never get to do this.
Naturally, the temps crashed again to record lows today, so I may not be getting out again, but at least I caught a glimpse of the kids yesterday, and caught up a little on the Avdi’s chores, so I don’t feel like a total lazy freeloader! And I get to wash dishes in my sink again, yay.
