Dallas, Texas

7.1.09

 

Nadia and Cecile, two young girls from Holland, and myself spent the day in downtown Dallas.

 

First stop was the 6th Floor Museum and the pertinent sites down below. The museum we spent HOURS in. It was absolutely fantastic. It had been done so well, tastefully and extensively. The window was blocked from public access but not from public view. It had boxes set up in the way it was found by one of the many to run up there - how the boxes and room was arranged is questionable, as things were moved pretty soon after and never quite put back. We were just all so impressed with how well it had been put together and done, it really was awesome. I'd go as far as to say it was the best museum I've ever been to.

 

After we'd spent our hours in there, we went down to examine the grassy knoll and the X on the road for ourselves. This whole section of Dallas has been pretty well preserved the way it was back in 1963, as it was listed as a site to be preserved. Trees have grown and some roadsigns have been added, but essentially it has the same flavour as it did have. The lamp posts there are even different to the lamp posts in other parts of the city!

 

After we'd done all that we thought we'd venture to the West Village. After a few false starts, and then following the suggestion of locals that we could check out some shops without going to the West Village, we started trying to find these underground plazas and malls we'd been told by many a person Dallas had. Not to be found! Eventually decided the West Village was to be it, so we found the tram that runs straight down there. Lots of people were just sitting, including the driver. Turned out the tram's power had been cut and it could be a few hours until it was back! A lovely couple who lived about halfway to the West Village started walking home and suggested we walk with them, and they'd point us in the right directiion. It wasn't too far they said. They were pretty well right, but man, were we disappointed when we found the West Village. It was nothing like it had been described. I'd already taught the girls the word "yuppie" and once they saw it, they knew it was definitely a yuppie area! Once we'd circled it, we were given directions to a mall, easily accessed by train, with a 9pm closing time, so we made our way there. The girls wanted to do some shopping, shoes and clothes, I should explain that. The mall was huge, but so uncluttered and not at all hectic. We were incredibly surprised by that.

 

After our mall trip was over, we've all now been to an American mall, we made our way home. It was fairly late by the time we made it back, and all was good. Must say, Dallas definitely a clean and bright and flashy city. The richness could be seen everyway you turned. Everything gleamed - both inside and outside. Not at all an ugly city if you appreciate buildings!