Non Photo-Blue

Ok, more Sioux Falls. So back on Wed morning, after sleeping in my hammock at the nearest rest area out of town, I'm having breakfast at a place called Kaladi's Coffee Legend and Bistro. Without a doubt the funkiest place in Sioux Falls.

Sandwiched between endless gun ranges, casinos (I think they're all just slot machine joints, but I don't know for sure,) pawn shops and fast food chains (there is about six of those per sq. block, and they all have Wi-Fi)--here is Kaladi's, as if transplanted from the Lower East Side.

No really. I'm drinking a sugarless white chocolate latte- that's actually really good- they have Paninni...wraps...The decor is modern shic (high ceilings lit sparingly by long hanging lights.) You order and sit and place a number on your table, and then someone brings out your food and unceremoniously, but very politely, drops it on your table. The napkins and silverware sit in a coffee mug, ready when you are. And the only thing that lets you know you're not in Williamsburg are the paintings: The types of pictures you see in those horrible corporate brainwashing posters- like Teamwork with a photo of a bunch of tools sailboating.

So, yes, it is South Dakota.

After breakfast, I went food shopping in a store called Ke Lyee (sp?) where all the employees get profit sharing (it's true, even the grocery bagger, I asked him.)

I asked the check-out girl where the library was (there was a ten second pause before she realized I said the word library, which at first I attributed to her slowness, but now I'm realizing was my accent.) Then she started to tell me how to get there, and she talked like a five-year-old. All her R' sounded as W's, and she took a breathe after every third syllable. It was amazing.
"Make a wight (gasp) on tenft.. Then go down..Wait,(gasp) no that's not wight. (gasp) Actually I don't know how to get there."
I continue to be amazed at how no one knows where anything is in town that are two sq. miles big. But everyone's confident that if I drive around, I'll find it eventually. I was galled by that- I wanted real directions.

But in fact, they were right. I did find it by driving around, and it didn't take too long.

And I do like Sioux Falls. I went to the Goodwill to buy a sweatshirt, because it's been getting rainy and cold, and I hadn't brought one. There were too many treasures in the Goodwill on Minnesota Ave in Sioux Falls South Dakota! I think it's the front of a rising fashion trend. I didn't have any room in my car, otherwise I would have bought more. But here's one item,which, I'm wearing as I type here in Rapid City Public Library: A bright red sweatshirt with a green trim around the neck. It says Christmas on the bottom and has about a dozen hearts and snowflakes on it, in a squareish pattern. And gingerbread man, too! With hearts all over him (her?) as well. There's a house on it and some candy canes. I laughed for two minutes when I first saw it. However, I don't think anyone else in South Dakota gets how funny this sweatshirt is, as I've yet to get one laugh since I've worn it. (Some funny looks, but no funny ha-ha.) They don't make quotes big enough to fit around this sweatshirt. (At least not out here, I think they're still waiting for irony to be invented.)

Fun stores to visit in Sioux Falls:

Dick's Vacuum
Joe's razor repair shop (look for the electric shaver shaped out of neon lights, you can't miss it, and, I kid you not.)

More sights on the road:
jacked up, rusted trailers with white paint that reads in choppy letters
Gas, Tool, ex 218.