Like all cities, Wilmington has neighborhoods where it is a good idea not to be wandering around them late at night. The good part for us is that the city is trying to revitalize a lot of these areas and some business people are moving in to change the flavor of the neighborhoods.
Yesterday, I had to have an echo cardiogram on my heart. It's an ultrasound that bounces sound waves off of your heart and valves. I have been having some shortness of breath issues along with swelling ankles, so my doctor wanted to see what might be identified by looking closer at my heart.
We had to go way across town to get it done and as we were on the way back, we were driving through one of those "not so good" neighborhoods. We saw a place called the Juggling Gypsy and decided to stop in. It was 3:00 in the afternoon--what could happen? Going in was like stepping back into the '60's. There was a short bar with a local man drinking a beer and hookahs sitting in a corner. Hookah's are smoking devices that are large (around 2 feet tall) and filter tobacco and tea leaves through a hose attached to a pipe.
Low tables with deep red table clothes were arranged to face a stage where they have local bands, open mic night, belly dancers and a wide range of entertainment. Paintings of men and women with long hair and colors on their faces dotted the walls and the music was a range of grunge and head banging. How's this for old--the music was so "banging" that I had to take out my hearing aids because they were crackling.
We met the owner, Sebastian and his significant other, Kat. They live in the area, right by the Gypsy, and keep the place free of druggies, thugs and "colors" as in, "no gangs allowed."
They promised that we weren't the oldest patrons to visit the place and after a while, we relaxed and enjoyed the ambiance. But, while we were there, I had the strongest urge to say things like, "narley, dude," and "righteous!"
After "day tripping," (see, I'm still in the groove!) we went to one of our favorite places, Le Catalan, down on the river for wine and appetizers.
It was a fun day. Tomorrow is beach day--can't wait!!
The Juggling Gypsy interior. Way to the right are the hookah's. The paintings were done by local artists.
Sebastian talks to two patrons, under a sign advertising 2017 "memberships" to the bar for $1.00. On your birthday, you get a free hookah!
The stage, with different colored lights. We may go back for Burlesque night! Righteous!
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