Of narrow streets, and alleyways

Bigger is not necessarily better when it comes to roads and buildings.  

Six lane urban highways; or cheek by cheek high rise buildings can be crippling to the soul.  They intimidate the human spirit: the roads with their noisy urgency; the high rises with their gloomy shadows and unwelcoming facades.

I was in Bradenton, FL yesterday with my friend Ashley.  We ended up on Old Main St. (one lane in each direction with a few cut ins for parking); and older buildings whose height and width can be comprehended with one glance.

It's a narrow street in which we felt at home.




We began by sitting street-side -  my excellent cappuccino and her orange soda.  Then we saw the little alleyway alongside the cafe,  with tables and chairs set out alongside the cafe.

Yeah for alleyways!   This particular one, owned and well maintained by the City of Bradenton is made freely available to the cafe.  

We moved there and enjoyed its cool coziness.



Ashley had a Cuban sandwich for lunch.  Zion, despite his considerable charm, didn't succeed in persuading Ashley to give him a bit.



After all, he had just polished off a canine frozen yogurt with kibble in it, a gift from the cafe.

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We had been in Bradenton to enjoy the fairly new and deservedly praised river walk,  on the south side of the Manatee River. We were glad to explore it (but of course I forgot to take photo's!).

Here is one from stock


Parabolic dishes.  What fun.  You stand between them, call out a word, and the echos return from all around the dish.  I took Zion in and called "Zion".

He was so confused and could't figure out fgrom where my voice came.


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