Des Moines: Static and Slightly Sticky
okay, so i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and lukewarm coffee. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. 5018739 and 1840006747 - yeah, i don’t know either. it’s just…there. the air pressure is 1015, humidity’s clinging to me like a damp towel, and the elevation’s dropped to 982. feels like -0.87, temp’s bouncing between 0.81 and 2.84. Des Moines. honestly, it’s…beige. a lot of beige. and brick. and surprisingly aggressive pigeons.
I landed yesterday and immediately felt like i’d stumbled into a really earnest documentary about midwestern architecture. it’s not bad, not bad, but it’s…predictable. i’m staying at this place called ‘The Sparrow’ - it’s got exposed brick and a disconcertingly large collection of vintage birdhouses. the owner, a guy named Dale, keeps offering me pickled beets. i politely declined.
Spent the morning wandering around the East Village. it’s got a decent little art scene, mostly murals - a lot of geometric patterns and surprisingly bleak landscapes. i snapped a few pics, mostly because my phone battery is staging a full-blown rebellion.
Then i hit up the Des Moines Art Center. it’s solid, you know? not blowing my mind, but a decent collection of American art. Someone told me that the curator, a woman named Beatrice, has a penchant for wearing purple velvet. I heard that she also judges people’s footwear. Seriously. It’s a thing.
‘Don’t you dare wear those sandals,’ she allegedly said to a guy in flip-flops. ‘This is an art museum.’
Lunch was at a place called ‘The Blue Spoon.’ They do these amazing grilled cheese sandwiches with caramelized onions and fig jam. Worth the beige. I’m trying to find a decent craft brewery, but so far, it’s mostly just…beer. Lots of beer. I checked out Yelp - apparently, ‘Prairie Gold’ is the place to be, but it’s a 45-minute drive. Not exactly ideal when you’re operating on caffeine and existential dread.
I stumbled across a little record store called ‘Vinyl Vortex’ - it’s crammed to the gills with vintage LPs. I scored a copy of ‘Remain in Light’ for a steal. It’s a small victory in a city that feels overwhelmingly…stable. I’m thinking of checking out the State Capitol Building tomorrow. It’s supposed to be pretty impressive. And maybe find a decent coffee shop. I need something stronger than lukewarm.
Speaking of coffee, I overheard a local warning me about ‘The Grindstone’ - apparently, they use a single-origin bean from Guatemala, but the barista is a total snob and will judge your brewing technique. Just a heads up.
Here’s the lowdown:
East Village Murals: Seriously, check ‘em out. They’re surprisingly good. https://www.desmoines.gov/explore/arts-culture/public-art
*The Blue Spoon: Grilled cheese. End of story. https://www.thebluespoon.com/
*Vinyl Vortex:* Record heaven. https://vinylvortex.com/
If you get bored, Iowa City is just a short drive away. It’s got a slightly more interesting vibe, apparently. And if you’re into that sort of thing, check out the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum. Don’t ask. Just…don’t.
Okay, i’m officially out. Need more coffee. And maybe a beet. Don’t judge.
You might also be interested in:
- https://votoris.com/post/best-afterschool-activities-and-youth-sports-in-portauprince
- https://votoris.com/post/public-transportation-guide-how-to-get-around-omsk-like-a-local
- https://votoris.com/post/seoul-searching-lost-in-translation-and-a-weird-weather-report
- https://votoris.com/post/hamamatsu-housing-rent-vs-buy-why-my-couch-is-my-best-friend
- https://votoris.com/post/seabrook-where-the-humidity-hugs-you-like-a-forgotten-tshirt