Going South!

South Dallas ain't so bad, folks. 

(during the day, at least)

Despite the roads that desperately need re-paving, the stench of dumpsters, and the unsettling sounds of cars, warehouses and large dogs urging to free themselves from their chains, South Dallas somehow maintains a certain charm.
Walking around town on the empty sidewalks, I felt like there were abundant treasures hiding just behind this rough exterior. I passed classic landmarks like Doug's Gym ("49 Years, Same Location") as well as some new, trendy favorites like the Lily Pad Cafe ("Sustainable Street Food"), demonstrating the eclectic diversity of this area.

On to the point of the journey downtown: a trip to the Dallas Farmers Market, which was more than a tad disappointing. Apparently, although the market is open seven days a week, the individual vendors can choose not to open on weekdays.
On the way back from the Farmer's Market, we made two fantastic discoveries. I first toured around the Arts District during my freshman year, and it has since been a go-to for theatre (DTC, Winspear), art (DMA, Nasher), and culture. Somehow, I overlooked these sights time after time. First, the Main Street Gardens are a green oasis right in the middle of downtown, at the corner of Main and Harwood. This site seemed to attract mostly families, pets, and tired bicyclists, and it even had a fountain to cool off your feet (or paws). Then, out of curiosity, we crossed over to the Thanksgiving Square. With its impressively steep rows of fountains and shady trees, this spot provides a low-key, serene escape to enjoy a quiet lunch, relax and reflect.

Then today, I visited the Deep Ellum Outdoor Market. This quaint affair takes over the parking lot next to Deep Ellum's Cafe Brazil on the third Saturday of every month, and it is the perfect spot to find local art, crafts, food, and music. Each booth offered something unique, from handmade jewelry to on-site portrait artists. A two-person, acoustic band filled the tent with good vibes. The event was just large enough to offer variety and just small enough that the experience with each vendor felt personal. The one downside? After just a half hour perusing tables in the July heat, I was dripping in sweat and desperate for air conditioning. Overall, though, I left with two great jewelry pieces and a belly full of fried sweet potatoes. Yeah, it was a good day at the market.

My buys! Bracelet: imported from India; Necklace: handmade by a local artist.

So no, it may not be as glamorous as Uptown or as safe as Highland Park, but South Dallas has plenty of its own charms. And I'll definitely be back to sample the area's abundance of locally-owned restaurants and cafes.