If you have ever spent any time in Pensacola, FL then you know we have two things in abundance:
- Churches
- Bums
Any directions given in Pensacola are bound to include “Go down this road until you come to a __________ church then turn left. At the _________ church take another left. Pass two ___________ churches and make a right.“
Sometimes you can even give/receive directions like “What you want to do is head down this road until you see the bum with the white bucket and black dog, that’s old Bob, and turn left there. About three blocks after you turn you’ll reach the bum camp, the sights and smell will make it obvious so roll up your windows, and make a right there. Head on straight until you pass __________ church and take the second left after it.“
I know this sounds crazy but it’s true. Come spend some time here, not just at the beach, and you’ll see what I mean. We have every kind of church and every kind of bum. If you’re local you may recognize the dancing bum at Brent and I-110 (look for the straw hat held out for the money) or the lady bum at Navy & 98 with her bucket or …… well, you get the idea. As far as churches go there is just no stopping them. They pop up like weeds! Most of them seem to have an elementary school program and they all advertise their school programs. You can see billboard after billboard about these programs one after the next going down the road. There is a rumor that the Pope came to town one year and while flying saw all of the churches and remarked to a bishop with him “Wow! And I thought I was dedicated. These people are nuts!“
Driving around town the other day I noticed something different. Between the bums and the churches I saw Mexican restaurants. I don’t mean the occasional Taco Bell or even the Taco Rock (local thing) but I mean full on Mexican restaurants. These things are popping up almost as fast as the churches! I know I sound crazy but if you’re in town see if you can go five blocks without coming across one. You may have to look closely but they’re there. Remember the bread store on Michigan Ave next to Hungry Howie’s? It’s a Mexican Restaurant. Of course it’s no bigger than a closet but it’s there. The condemned Barnhill’s next to Arby’s that used to be a Hardee’s? It’s a Mexican restaurant. And yes, they have fixed the sign so it no longer says “Comeing soon” and “Deener buffet.” The Mexican grocery store North of West Florida Hospital? It now has a rolling Mexican Lunch Wagon.
Don’t get me wrong, I like Mexican food. It’s just surprising to see so many suddenly pop up. This is even a good sign for the local economy. I would rather have a Mexican restaurant open than another empty store front.
