Omaha, Nebraska: Turns Out, It's...Something.
okay, so. omaha. i didn’t plan to end up here. the numbers - 7259430 and 1840007142 - they just… appeared on a napkin at a gig in Des Moines. weird, right? anyway, long story short, my van decided it needed a “break” somewhere near Council Bluffs, and omaha seemed as good a place as any to wait for a mechanic.
and honestly? it’s…fine. it’s not what i expected. i’d pictured, like, endless cornfields and…well, nothing. but there’s a surprising amount of stuff going on. i just checked and it’s drizzling a bit, a sort of damp, persistent chill that seeps into your bones. hope you like that kind of thing.
I spent most of yesterday wandering around the Old Market. It’s…trying. Like, they’re really trying to make it charming. Lots of cobblestones, wrought iron, and places selling overpriced fudge. I did find a decent coffee shop though - Black Pine Coffee Roasters. Seriously, check them out. https://blackpinecoffee.com/. The barista, a guy with a truly impressive mustache, told me the best place for live music was The Slowdown. Apparently, they have everything from indie bands to bluegrass.
Speaking of which, overheard a couple arguing outside a bar last night. Drunk advice, naturally. “Just go to Lincoln,” the guy slurred. “They have actual culture.” I’m not sure I agree, but if you get bored, Lincoln is just a short drive away.
I’ve been trying to find some decent street art. There’s a little bit around the Benson neighborhood, but it’s not exactly a mecca. I did stumble across a mural of a giant bobcat on a grain silo. That was…something. I’m thinking of trying to photograph it properly tomorrow.
Someone told me that the Henry Doorly Zoo is supposed to be amazing. Apparently, it’s got one of the largest indoor deserts in the world. I’m tempted, but my van’s still being stubborn. I checked Yelp https://www.yelp.com/biz/henry-doorly-zoo-and-aquarium-omaha and it’s got a pretty solid rating.
My neighbors, the people at the motel, are…quiet. Mostly truckers and families passing through. One of them, a woman with a tiny dog named Princess, gave me a Werther’s Original. That was nice.
I’m also trying to find some vintage shops. I saw something on TripAdvisor https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g60885-Activities-Omaha_Nebraska.html about a place called Material Girl Vintage. Apparently, it’s a goldmine. I’ll check it out if I’m still stuck here tomorrow.
Honestly, omaha isn’t terrible. It’s…underwhelming, maybe? But in a strangely comforting way. It’s a place you could get lost in, I think. A place to just…be. I’m also looking at local forums https://www.omahace.com/ to see if there are any hidden gems I'm missing.
I heard that the Joslyn Art Museum is worth a visit, too. Apparently, they have a pretty impressive collection of Native American art. Maybe I’ll swing by if the van doesn’t get fixed soon.
Okay, gotta go. The rain’s picking up. And I think Princess wants another Werther’s.
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