My Joy This Day: Highland Park

One of the bad things about being a writer is that I work at home, sitting at my computer for hours reading, researching and writing. 

I love it, but time will often get away from me, and I realize I need to get up and out of my apartment. Sometimes I will grab my camera and wander around a neighborhood. That is exactly what I did yesterday! I decided to revisit the scene of the rap party during the day, when it wasn't so ominous.

Highland park is not far from me. It is not a high-end community but has a great deal of cultural flair as I discovered on my walk-about. Most corner buildings are covered with graffiti art which is amazing. I was told if the "right" artists paint the walls, they will not be tagged.

I came across an older couple sitting in front of their shop. The old man was sleeping in a chair, guarded by an old dog while a little boy bounced around. Inside their little shop were four huge looms. His wife told me the old man is a weaver and teaches weaving. There were, of course beautiful woven pieces all around.



Another shop keeper recommended a tiny restaurant for dinner and it was so small I drove by it several times before I saw it amist all the brightly colored, gaudy buildings. What a delightful surprise it turned out to be! Absolutely pristene and lovely, with beautiful paintings on the wall, they made Yucatan and Mayan food. The menu was limited and the owner spoke very little English, but I ordered a chicken dish. It was the best chicken I think I have ever had! It was cooked wrapped in a banana leaf and literally fell off the bone and melted in my mouth! It was served with delicious black beans, rice and fried  plantains.


After gourging myself, I just sat sipping iced tea and enjoying the gentle ambienace when two women walked in. The older lady was so lovely, she graciously allowed me to take her photo. She had a classic Spanish look and her daughter told me she is 80 years old.



It was a lovely afternoon. I would highly recommend taking a few hours to visit a neighborhood you have not visited before. You might make some wondeful discoveries!

My joy this day is discovering a new place!

What is your joy?