Need a Staycation? Be a Tourist in Your Own City!

Recently, my mama and sister, Emily, took a day trip to downtown Dallas.  Dallas is only about a 40 minute drive from Denton and I don't take advantage of all that it has to offer nearly enough.  I think everyone is like that.  You tend not to do things in your own backyard becuause you either don't think about it or it just doesn't seem exciting.  But it can be fun to be a tourist in your own city!

 

The city was buzzing.  It  was cool seeing all the "real tourists" taking pictures, talking, laughing.  And even cooler seeing those that work in the city walking to a meeting or having a smoke on their break.  I don't know why but watching people in their element is something I really enjoy.  I'm a people watcher for sure.

We walked a block from the Grassy Knoll to Record Street.

Where we visited the Dallas Holocaust Museum.

Dallas Holocaust Museum

  I didn't take any pictures inside, honestly because I wasn't sure if they were allowed.

Shoes of victims of the Holocaust.  

 I don't know why but I'm fascinated with anything pertaining to WWII.  I did a high school research paper on it.  My Pa Pa fought in it.  Maybe my love for him drives my intererest or my passion for fighting injustice. I learned some new things about the war that I didn't know.  I remebered some things that infuriate me.  I felt the stirrings inside my soul to get off my butt and make a difference in this world.  I feel that stirring a lot, but as much as I hate to admit this, sometimes it goes ignored.  I found a new quote to live by while I was there.  It is written on the wall as you walk in: 

"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." Albert Einstein

So speak up if you witness injustice.  No matter how big or how small. 

 From the museum, we visited the John F. Kennedy memorial.  It was designed as a cenotaph which means "open tomb" to honor JFK's free spirit.

 Here's mama and Em enjoying the memorial.  We have plans to visit the 6th Floor Museum before summer is over and mama and Em have to head back to school!

From there, we headed over to the Old Red Courthouse. 

 Trials are no longer conducted here.  It's just a museum.  We snuck inside to catch a peek.

And we found Pegasis-Mobile's Flying Red Horse.  My Pa Pa (my mama's daddy) retired from Mobile.  He worked for them for years.  

See Old Red through the doors?

As we were leaving the city, we saw protestors calling for peace in Syria.  The Syrian government is opressing its people and mudering innocent, peaceful protestors.  You can read about it here and here.

Not much is being done for the Syrians.  These protesters marched to raise awareness.  As they were leaving, my mama started clapping.  I started crying.  Our day had come full circle. I thought about the irony of the day...visiting a museum that stresses the importance to tolerance and speaking out against injustice and then  remembering what I had learned about the Syrian's oppression just a few weeks ago while listening to NPR.  But I guess it's not ironic is it?  Because these people ARE speaking out.  They ARE spreading awareness and they ARE trying to put a stop to it.  

I think we had a very good and educational staycation!  I love that we stumbled upon this protest the very same day that we visited the Dallas Holocaust Museum.  

I can't wait for our next trip to Dealey Plaza and the 6th Floor Museum!