If someone mentions Texas, what town comes to mind? It might be San Antonio but I’m betting that most folks would pick Dallas. J.R. and all that. Which is really funny because despite its notoriety Dallas is the least Texas of all the towns I’ve been to in this wonderful state.
Went to see Fair Park – which was under construction. So I went to see the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington – which is a beautiful structure amidst elegant suburban sprawl. Pity the Cowboys are moving in next door, there goes the neighborhood.
Then to amuse myself I drove to Irving to see the old Texas Stadium – former home of the Cowboys. It amazes me how flat-out old the place looks. I assumed, with all their intolerable arrogance, the Cowboys would at least have a nice looking stadium even if it were on the old side. Instead it’s a run-down dump in the middle of a future Superfund site. Pity they’re moving to Arlington, the old location is perfect for ’em.
Lots of those weird little experiences that make travel eminently worthwhile. For instance, passing a small two story shopping center on 75 south whose central installation was proclaimed “The Coffin Store” in facade mounted large red neon letters. Directly to the left of which was the sign for “Boxes to Go.”
That’s a mighty disconcerting coincidence.
Also, I stopped at the oldest mall in town – which is now the high roller mall – for supper and ended up right in the middle of the AFI Dallas film fest with totally unknown people on the red carpet and a thick crowd of photographers and reporters swarming the place. Damned entertaining.
Or being the first customer in Neiman Marcus on a weekday. You’ve never been assaulted by so many extremely pleasant and friendly people in your life. It’s a combination of the old department store asthetic – where the salespeople were friendly and knew their customers – and being the only person around to lavish their attentions on. By the time I left I knew the names and family histories of three people in menswear, one woman in housewares, two girls at the cosmetics counter and one member of corporate staff and had been instructed on the entire history of the company and fitted for three Italian suits and a top to toe makeover in the metrosexual style. A first-rate experience, highly recommended.
Except the metrosexual part.