Minneapolis

I was very fortunate to reconnect with an old high school friend and attend her wedding in Minneapolis last month. Only a week before the terrible disaster that overcame the city with the bridge collapse, I walked the streets of Minneapolis and St. Paul, crossed the Mississippi waters and delighted in the past-times these two cities afford the newcomers on a warm summer's day. I cannot speak for the cold winters, when the many sky-walks, or bridges that connect one building or block to another, afford pedestrians some manner of protection from the -40 degree Celsius temperatures. However, on a sunny July day Minneapolis is a real treat, and a non-publicised little treasure.

Being the outdoorsy girl I am, I quickly signed up for the kayaking in one of the numerous lakes dotting Minneapolis. I loved the way they were connected by canals, giving my hesitant Mother and I - she feared I would tip the kayak - a chance to enjoy different atmospheres and touches of light over the water. We even left our kayaks on the sandy banks of one lake for a well-deserved and very refreshing dip. Who would have known, all the way up near Canada, eh!?

The Scandinavian influence in the city is notorious and evident in the many tributes to art and architecture. The bride and groom had organised a tour of the 'twin cities' and we thoroughly enjoyed guessing the price or imagining ourselves living in one of the many extraordinary mansions lining the shores of the lakes. No matter how grand the house, it is not hidden behind dark gates or thick hedges but lies open to view. In Minneapolis in particular, the shores of the lakes have been kept public purposely so that everyone can enjoy their own piece of nature. Many a cyclist or skater passed us as we approached the Mississippi river banks to see the ruins of the very famous mills, like Pillsbury or General Mills, that brought money to this city at the turn of the century. These are now being turned into trendy apartments or else recovered and turned into exhibition halls or museums of the city's heritage. Despite not being a big fan of Picasso, I thoroughly enjoyed the exhibition at the Walker Museum. It showed some works of Picasso that inspired similar art by his group of followers, and of course displayed the works of these 'other' artists who so fervently admired and based their style on this icon. Aside from the exhibition though, I must mention the awesome array of cool gift ideas available in the museum store (worth a visit on its own)! Of course, the terrace restaurant run by renowned chef Wolfgang Puk is also worth a visit alone for a mouthwatering, Asian-inspired lunch at very affordable prices, sun-drenched views of the city and the sheer pleasure of being served by very friendly staff who know what they're doing and know the menu inside-out. A couple of other buildings stand out in my memory for their appearance, style and the way in which they blend strikingly well with their surroundings. For those of you who have been to Bilbao, the Weisman Art Center building will remind you of Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum, as it was drawn up by the same architect, Frank Gehry. The other one, the Minneapolis Guthrie Theatre, is an astounding tribute to the arts, with more than 3 stages, a staggering history of award winning performances and a fascinating addition to the neighbouring old factory skyline. Here are some pictures.

And, well, you know me. No place misses a 'Teba' culinary review. In this case, we were lucky enough to feast on the quirky Hell's Kitchen's breakfast a couple of mornings. Highlights? Their toasted sausage bread - made with bison meat, spices, dried fruits and coffee - was one of those things I had to try, only to be able to comprehend what the ingredient list would taste like in my mouth. It was, indeed, a winner especially when accompanied by spoonfuls of the house chutneys and jams, which put any farmhouse preserve to shame. Their bison burger was scrumptious and although I craved a bowl of their famous Mahnomin porridge, made with native harvested wild rice, I ran out of time so there's another great reason to return!

Here are some websites for those of you who want more info on what's mentioned above:

http://www.hellskitcheninc.com/HellsKitchenMenuBreakfast.html
http://www.weisman.umn.edu
http://www.walkerart.org/index.wac
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=337753

I dedicate this entry to all those living in Minneapolis who have suffered a loss in the terrible bridge collapse last month.