Hay bacon pancake sticks and Waking Up in a New Place
Detrot. 9:15 am:
Sunlight streamed through the window of the caravan as the owner rubbed his eyes with a well placed claw. Being careful to not scratch himself. Stretching as he sat up in his “bed” (read converted hammock), the griffon yawned as he slid out from his comfortable position and got up to start his day. Stretching his body and wings in a very cat-like manner, the griffon known as Garfield quickly surveyed his surroundings as his caravan was at the least--a bit sparse as far as decorations were concerned. Plenty of memorabilia from his homeland of Gryffonstone and the few things he’d picked up from various cities and towns he’d already visited. Walking over to the “living” area of his caravan, Garfield gently adjusted a framed photo with an award ribbon fastened onto the corner. The picture itself was of him and an old friend of his from Ponyville, Pinkie Pie. The pair were grinning with Garfield's beak covered in pie filling and the blue ribbon on his rattlesnake-skin vest. He smiled fondly at the picture that was barely a month old as his travels had taken him to Ponyville and this particular outing was a pie-eating contest. Lost in his reminiscing, he completely ignored his growling stomach!
“Okay. First things first, gotta clean myself. Then off to find someplace for breakfast. I hear this city's notorious for the fact that it's the largest manufacturer of carts and cart parts as well as the food. With most of the population being a strong chunk Zebras, Zonies or other creatures, including ponies and thestrals, then Detrot is mainly a melting pot of cultures. Which means I should be able to find some great foods. Faust's mane! This proves that it's been waaayyy too long since I've been here! If I'm going into default blogger mode to describe the city! Honestly I need to get out there and refamiliarize myself with the city. Can't wait, plus I can see about meeting up with Sound Cloud for some entertainment.”, Garfield said to himself as he got his bathing caddy prepped before exiting the caravan (and making sure that the blocks on the wheels were still secure) and headed to the communal bathing area that belonged to the trailer park.
Now the communal bathing area was by all means: Large. In fact if one were to estimate, the area could probably fit at least 20 grown ponies and at least 5 adolescent giraffes plus a yak or eight. That is to say, for one lone griffon, it was massive in the nearly empty bathing area (Garfield could have sworn he heard a shower going on the females’ side). Shaking off the inevitable bit of shock that came with the area upon first glance, Garfield trekked on as he found the first available shower cubicle and entered. Hanging his towel on the hook attached to the door, he set the caddy down and prepared the shower (and immediately regretting his decision as the water came out freezing for a few moments before running hot). Making quick work of it, he cleaned himself thoroughly whilst also relishing in the hot temperature of the water. All too soon, he had to shut the water off and repack his caddy before wrapping the towel around himself and venturing back out to the sinks so he could brush and sharpen his beak as well as try to remember to comb his feathers and fur. Once done with that, he flew out of there and managed his way back to his caravan without his towel slipping off (that would not have been a welcome way to start his morning by accidentally flashing his bits and pieces to his temporary neighbors).
In his haste to get dressed, Garfield neglected to take into consideration that he forgot to comb his feathers and fur while in the bathing area. A fact that was quickly made known via passing by a nearby mirror.
“Shit! How’d I forget to comb and detangle?!?!”, He squeaked out in embarrassment as he rushed to find his fish bone comb for his feathers and wicker brush for his fur. Taking his time, he started with his mocha fur. Brushing carefully so as to work out any knots or kinks. Eventually reaching his tail and stopping at the feathers at the end. Taking up his comb, Garfield then dealt with his plumage. Combing through each amber colored feather and discarding any loose ones in his chest, tail and wing feathers. With a few quick swipes to his head feathers via his claws, Garfield was finally ready to put on his vest and saddlebags. Making sure his camera was on him and his laptop was fully charged and in his bags, he was definitely ready to go.
10:15 am
Once on the streets, Garfield was aware of a few things immediately. The first was that creatures were up and active rather early. The second was that he somehow neglected to remember that the trailer park that he was staying at was close to some sort of plaza center, which means that there were creatures everywhere. On the bright side, he easily caught sight of some friends of his in front of a store that looked to be a donation drop-off/thrift shop.
“Hey! Zenith! Sound Cloud!”, Garfield shouted as he approached the pair of equines.
Two heads turned around and immediately smiled as they caught sight of who was calling them.
“Mornin’ Gar. How was your first night?”, Zenith, a Zony asked as she hugged her friend.
“Was as good as expected. You know how I am. Can never truly sleep soundly. Anyways, enough about me, how about we get to this ‘true Detrot hospitality’ that you guys so vehemently suggested I try on my trip out here?”, Garfield chuckled as the group of three started walking around the plaza.
“Hay, If you guys haven't already done so, anycreature up for some breakfast?”, Sound Cloud, a unicorn asked.
“My friend, you've read my stomach! Where to for food?”, Garfield exclaimed with a happy flap of his wings.
“If food’s what on all our minds, then I know exactly where to go for breakfast! The Four Leaf Clover!”, Sound Cloud suggested with a grin.
“Are you bat shit crazy?!? On a…’traveler’s expense’? How would we afford that?! Plus it's still early enough for breakfast. They don't do that there.”, Zenith exclaimed with a shocked snort.
“Hmm...good point. Then how about Skim Milk’s Place? They have breakfast at this time too.”, Sound Cloud suggested again with a little more thought.
“Okay, since we all know we're on a budget, How about I just take us to my babu’s place? You know how she is on Sunday's before worship service. She’ll make sure we're fed good for breakfast.”, Zenith said as the idea to go to her grandmother popped up.
“Great idea! It's been a while since I've seen the old girl. Hope she's been well.”, Garfield agreed at the thought of home cooking from the Zebrican native that he’d known since he was a cub.
“Oh you know babu! She's still a tough ol’ mare and continues to put me and my brothers in our place when needed. C’mon before we miss the next bus.”, Zenith said as the three of them found themselves at a nearby bus stop.
After an almost endless 30 minute bus ride, the trio departed in front of a large apartment complex. The sounds of ponies at work and small foals at play reached them as the scents of late-spring waifed through the air. Flowers and other plants surrounded various iron railings on porches. Some ponies were already out and enjoying the weather. Thought for the most part, ponies were already gathered at one specific apartment. Some on the porch and some on the lawn piece. The easily recognized scent of Mezzo Keneighan soul food and more common breakfast foods waifed through the air and the trio easily clamored up the cart parking lot and used the back entrance to get into the house.
“babu! Niko hapa na nadhani ni nani aliyekuja nami?”, Zenith exclaimed as she called out into the living area of the apartment.
An elderly, yet still spry zebra mare came halfway out of the kitchen when she saw who had called to her. With a happy squeal, the mare came crashing into the trio of young adults. Her long braided mane, styled in a ponytail and ended in various heads and shells, clanked and jangled as she seemingly scooped up the group into one big hug.
“Zenith! Je! Kwanini hukuniambia ulikuwa unakuja na marafiki wako! Ooohhh! Ni huyo Garfield? Kijana umekuwa mbali pia?!”, Zeporah asked in a state of excited shock. Not even remembering ponish at that moment and in full Keneighan mode with her speech. Which was expected by her granddaughter as she explained to her grandmother all that they had done in her native language.
“Well den! I'm sure ya are hungry after such a longway ova here. C’mon, I got breakfast already ready now was jus bout to start on gettin’ myself together for service! Feel free to eat as much as ya like! Especially you Garfield. Can't have ya wandrin’ around all of Equus lookin’ half starved!”, Zeporah stated as she headed upstairs for her room. Her tone leaving the trio little room to argue as they were all too busy scrambling towards the kitchen.
Immediately thankful that they arrived right at breakfast time, Garfield went straight for the cabinets and cupboards to secure a plate, cup and cutlery. Turning back to the kitchen island, he was greeted with one of his favorite breakfast foods: Haybacon pancake sticks and cheesy eggs! With a speed that would rival his “cousin” Greta’s, Garfield quickly loaded his plate with the sticks, two spoonfuls of eggs, two pieces of Appaloosan toast and a tall cup of goat's milk. Absolutely beaming at the look on his unicorn friend's face (of mild disgust via, his portions) as he (very sophisticatedly) scarfed down the entire spread he laid out for himself.
12:30pm
After a very hearty breakfast and an impromptu church service session (via Zephora insisting that the young ones accompany her to church on “such a fine day!”) that was as spiritual as it was enlightening, the trio left the older zebra’s house with at least 5 to-go containers each filled with brunch that would hold them over for the next few days and smiles at the familiarity and familial sense that one gets from visiting relations. Aimlessly walking about and traversing their way about the vast city, Sound Cloud suggested they stop at the venue where he was DJing that afternoon.
“Okay so I got all my equipment set up and almost fully connected. Just gotta get the Wi-Fi code from the owner 20 minutes before the party. I swear these cute-ceañeras are where the money is made! The kid--sorry young mare I’ll be playing for tonight gave me a very specific playlist of what songs to play. I mean, I get it! You're cutie-mark is a definite good one and a useful one too. I mean, you don't see many deep sea cave explorer ponies going about proudly displaying it. So I guess why the playlist is so precise. She'll have a blast and more importantly, her parents are willing to pay double the amount they already are if I make sure the guest of honor is happy. So….basically I'm gonna need an assistant tonight to help with the tunes while I keep Ms. Aqua Rig satisfied by essentially being a personal slave for the night.”, Sound Cloud said in a tone that suggested he’d rather do anything else as they perused a thrift shop for some clothes.
Sensing the desperation in his voice, Garfield quickly and very irrationally opened his beak without thinking.
“I can do it!”, He said without preamble.
“Wait! Really? Dude that's amazing! I--I can't thank you enough!”, Sound Cloud exclaimed.
“Ahh...think nothing of it! Besides, it’ll give me plenty more to write about in my blog! That and so long as your willing to split your earnings an appropriate ways with me, then we’re cool!”, Garfield quickly added as he fully thought about what in Equus he just agreed to.
“Griffon, if you do this for me, we’ll split it an even 50-50! The bonus included!”, Sound Cloud laughed as he found a plether jacket that looked similar to the one he had lost in a poker game. Snatching it up with some aviator sunglasses and a “I ❤️ Las Pegasus” t-shirt that was his size, he went over to the check out counter as Garfield and Zenith were still browsing through the racks and bins.
Needless to say….that night was one neither party would soon forget.
Blog #313
Okay so creatures can have their opinions on how great or awful it is, but at the heart of it, Detrot is one helluva city! The sights, sounds and smells all tell a story of struggles, hardship and pain, but also one of prosperity, faith, fun and community. This was my first trip back in over 6 years and it's not exactly how I remember it at age 16. That's because despite some….questionable publicity in recent years, the city keeps getting better and better! Especially on the food scene. You guys I had one of my favorite breakfast foods, Haybacon pancake sticks and at one point of my stay I even had some out-of-this-world Neo-Soul food that seemed to be a beautiful mix of Keneighan, Germane and Somnambulan esq foods in a span of three courses! I tell you Detrot hospitality is no lie and the food is a testament of that! Yet my creatures, it's more than the food and recreation. It's the whole experience in general that has me at an all-time euphoria. So if you're in the mood for great food, awesome entertainment and rich cultural integrity. Make Detrot a must go on your travel list. Til next time my creatures!
-Garfield_the_catbird.