Raleigh, NC: Where the Humidity Hugs You and the Coffee's Strong
okay, so. raleigh. i didn’t plan to be in raleigh, north carolina. touring gigs are weird like that. one minute you’re packing for seattle, the next you’re staring at a map wondering where the heck you are. i’m a touring session drummer, you see. gotta keep the rhythm going, even if it means playing a bluegrass festival in a place i can’t pronounce. (it’s pronounced ‘ral-ee,’ by the way. i learned that the hard way.)
it’s…sticky. that’s the first thing you notice. i just checked and it’s hovering around 2.8 degrees celsius, but the ‘feels like’ is -0.58. the humidity is a solid 73%. it’s like the air is trying to give you a hug, a really clingy, slightly damp hug. i’m pretty sure my drumsticks are permanently damp now. i’m considering investing in some waterproof drumsticks. anyone know where to get those?
but honestly? it’s kinda charming. i spent a day wandering around downtown, and it’s got this…vibe. not a vibrant vibe, not a bustling vibe. more of a…relaxed, slightly quirky vibe. there’s a lot of murals, which is always a plus. i’m always on the lookout for good backdrops for my instagram. (shameless plug: @drummer.adventures - follow me!)
“Don’t go near the Warehouse District after dark,” a woman with a truly impressive collection of vintage scarves told me at a coffee shop. “Heard some strange things happening there. Just…don’t.”
coffee. oh man, the coffee. raleigh takes its coffee seriously. i stumbled into this place called Jubala Coffee - seriously, check it out: https://jubalacoffee.com/. they roast their own beans, and the baristas actually care. i had a single-origin ethiopian pour-over that nearly brought me to tears. i’m not even kidding. i’m now questioning all my previous coffee choices. i might need to buy a fancy espresso machine when i get back home. my bank account is already weeping.
“The State Farmers Market is where it’s at for lunch,” a guy with a handlebar mustache and a banjo case slung over his shoulder advised me. “Best biscuits you’ll ever have. Trust me.”
and he was right. the state farmers market is a thing. seriously, go. get the biscuits. get the sweet potato pie. get everything. https://www.ncmarket.org/
if you get bored, durham and chapel hill are just a short drive away. they’ve got their own thing going on, too. i heard that durham’s got a really good food scene - apparently, there’s this place called Mateo’s that everyone raves about. i’ll have to check it out next time i’m in the area. yelp says it’s pretty popular: https://www.yelp.com/biz/mateos-old-world-spanish-cuisine-durham
“Watch out for the squirrels in Pullen Park,” a kid yelled as he ran past me. “They’re sneaky!”
apparently, the squirrels are a menace. who knew? i spent a pleasant afternoon wandering around Pullen Park, though. it’s a nice little escape from the city. you can rent paddle boats and everything. it’s a good spot to just chill and people-watch. i even saw a couple getting engaged! so sweet.
okay, so, raleigh. it’s not the most exciting place in the world, but it’s got a certain charm. the people are friendly, the coffee is amazing, and the humidity will definitely leave a lasting impression. i’d recommend checking it out if you’re ever in the area. just…bring a towel. and maybe some waterproof drumsticks. and definitely go to the farmers market. seriously.
and if you’re looking for something a little different, check out the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. https://naturalsciences.org/
ps: someone told me that the best live music is at The Pour House Music Hall. i’m checking it out tonight. wish me luck!
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