Exploring A Suburb On My Own
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| Part of mural inside Chocolatree cafe 25 O'Connell Street North Adelaide Image:Marie Vonow |
Talking to a stranger
Soon after I got off the bus a stranger who was sitting on a bench smiled at me. She said I looked like her friend Sophie. We fell into conversation about 'doppelgangers'. After a few minutes I went on my way. Had I been in company I doubt the woman would have spoken to me for fear of intruding.
Some street art
I love street art, the way it pops up in unexpected places and is there for everyone to view whenever they want. It's free to view, a bonus.
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| Street art Image:M Vonow |
I admire the skill of the artists who paint street art to brighten up dull walls. Not that I appreciate all the paintings I see. Some seems ugly or pointless but there may be a message I fail to understand.
Coffee time
Before I had gone far I came across an interesting looking cafe called Chocolatree and decided it was cappuccino time.
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| At Chocolatree Image:M Vonow |
I couldn't resist ordering a brownie as well. It was presented artistically on a plain white plate. The cafe was quiet and I was on my own, giving me the opportunity to really take note of the decor and enjoy the Latin American music.
Having said that, I do love to catch up with a friend for coffee, either in a cafe we haven't been to before or at an old favourite.
Book shop
Fuelled by the cappuccino and brownie, I continued on. Out the front of a book shop there were DVDs and I spotted one I knew my sister would like. It is still three months to her birthday but I bought the DVD and will give it to her as a present. I don't like to leave shopping for a present to the last minute as it always seems harder to find a suitable gift when I'm under pressure.
I started to look around the book shop and found so many things I liked, books, notepaper, bookmarks, cards. It would have been easy to have spent up big so I didn't linger!
There were numerous other shops of interest nearby so I continued browsing. I walked further down O'Connell Street and came across more street art down a laneway.
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| More street art Image:Marie Vonow |
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| Uplifting plaque by Lisa Pollock Image:Marie Vonow |
I decided to buy this delightful plaque which is made all the more special by having a little battery-powered light behind the mason jar lantern in the top left corner. When I got home I looked Lisa up on the internet at https://www.lisapollock.com.au and found out a little more about the art she creates.
A bit further along I found an intriguing cafe called Chuck Wagon 175. This cafe/restaurant serves American style food including all sorts of burgers, pork ribs, hot dogs, chicken wingettes, sweet potato fries, nachos and a Mexican platter. Sweet treats include deep fried ice cream, deep fried nutella mars bar and classic waffles.
The decor is amazing with a number of large statues of super heroes such as Captain America, Iron Man and Superman. There is also a storm trooper and posters for retro movies.
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| Superman Image:Marie Vonow |
Some internet research uncovered the word 'chuck' is an American slang word meaning 'food'. It is claimed the first 'chuckwagon' was created in 1866 by Charles Goodnight, a Texas rancher. He built a mobile kitchen from an old wagon and used it to supply meals to cowboys who were moving cattle between Texas and New Mexico. (It's true, I do learn something new every day.)
After an interesting time of exploring, taking photos, a little shopping and drinking coffee I caught a bus and then the train back home. I had a thoroughly enjoyable time out on my own, got into conversation with a few people along the way and made notes for articles to write.
On the way home I contacted a couple of friends to tell them what I had been up to, because they get that I like to do some things on my own. They are happy for me and don't think I am trying to make them feel they had missed out because I hadn't asked them along.
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