Site Visit 4 by Ashley https://padlet.com/masona20/fr081zlkrm1num79 en-us 2021-07-21 16:15:17 UTC 2025-02-04 21:24:53 UTC hello@padlet.com My Visit masona20 https://padlet.com/masona20/fr081zlkrm1num79/wish/1657274019 For this week's site visit, I began my journey by taking an Uber to a restaurant on Beach Blvd I have been wanted to try—Wonderbird. My plan was to Uber to my initial destination, eat food, then wander. Rather than driving, I took an Uber because I knew that I had more freedom to get lost if I was not tied back to a physical object  (i.e. a car in a specific parking lot). 

While my intention was to explore the Jacksonville Beach area blindly, I also ended up speaking with a stranger. Usually, when I am in an Uber, I allow someone else to do the talking or I remain in silence. However this time, with only me and one friend who is quite shy, when our Uber driver Nancy began asking us questions, I found I was the one responsible for answering. Nancy was curious why we were at school during the Summer and how that may speed up our graduation date. When I told Nancy I would be graduating a year early, we found common ground. During the 1980s, she attended Emory University and was able to graduate in 2.5 years. I had a lovely conversation with her about school and any advice she may have for me. 

Towards the end of our time together, I asked her if she had been to the restaurant we are heading for. I found out that while she had not, the people she has driven to and from the restaurant are fans of the food, but some have trouble with ordering over a touch screen. Oddly, this piece of information told me that it is likely that this area attracts visitors/tourists. It is unlikely she is driving locals to this establishment as they do not serve alcohol so the only reason I can think of to be taking an Uber is if one lacks a car in Jacksonville. Once we arrived at Wonderbird, we found a pleasant fast-food-style restaurant that includes a drive-thru and serves chicken. We also discovered the touch-screen ordering that Nancy had mentioned. We had no issue with it and determined it must have been older individuals who had complained. I ordered six vegan chicken nuggets, a side of sweet potato fries, and a root beer. Our food arrived in minutes and we sat down at a corner booth with windows overlooking Beach Blvd. This area reminds me of the beach town I grew up in, Flagler Beach, which made me feel very comfortable while staring out the window as I ate. 

Afterward, we looked at Google Maps to determine which direction to walk in order to reach the beach. Upon learning which way was east, we promptly put our phones away. We proceeded to take a 12-minute walk to 1st Street. Here, we saw a combination of bars, tourist stores, and restaurants. I decided we would stop somewhere when something caught my eye. Eventually, we walked past a display window for a beach-themed store clearly targeted towards tourists. I walked past, glancing at the window, then quickly walked backward when I realized something had caught my eye. In the window were several mannequins wearing the brand Simply Southern. Once again, I was reminded of another place I had grown up in—Winter Park, FL. Winter Park is home to country clubs and preppy boutiques. Therefore, the southern "preppy" brand, Simply Southern, was a staple of Winter Park residents' wardrobes. This was a store I had to enter. Inside, we found a wide variety of tourist trinkets, beach accessories, beach and prep-themed clothing, and bathing suits. The store was packed with families that appeared to be on vacation as well as a group of teenagers who told me they lived in the area and are on Summer break. The store appeared to be marketed to both tourists and wealthy individuals if the odd collection of items was anything to go by. The collection included both regularly priced tourist souvenirs and beach items as well as expensive items like $100 bikinis. Once I had purchased a Simply Southern shirt, we exited and kept walking. 

After shopping, nothing caught my attention other than the people walking by. At around 6:00 pm on a Tuesday, it was a mix of older individuals, families, and groups of teenagers. At night and on the weekends, I would imagine that the crowd changes as the beach bars open up for the night. 

Mostly, I was focused on how the ocean environment smelled and the wind blew on my face. Once we began to exit the tourist part of Jax Beach, we headed for the beach itself where we waited while our Uber came to pick us up. 

Overall, I really enjoyed getting lost. I felt comfortable knowing that lots of people were around me and that I did not need to worry about finding a way back to my starting spot. I would like to do this again in other parts of town. 
]]> 2021-07-21 16:16:11 UTC https://padlet.com/masona20/fr081zlkrm1num79/wish/1657274019 Nancy, our Uber driver masona20 https://padlet.com/masona20/fr081zlkrm1num79/wish/1657346723 While my intent was to get lost, I found that I also was able to incorporate the talking to strangers aspect of our class into my exploration. I found that while Nancy was much older than me, we were able to have a very entertaining discussion and learned that we have a lot in common. The classes she enjoyed while at Emory are classes I have or plan to take. Additionally, I've spent time on the Emory campus and plan to apply to their law school which provided a connection between the two of us. 

Outside of class assignments, I have also found myself making an effort to talk to strangers more. I've found that despite how many differences we have, we can find something in common. When my friend bought a homeless man a hotdog, we learned that he was also from Orlando. The woman who works at the Ozzies on campus also loves First Watch. Someone down the hall from me has the same two majors as me. We are all connected in some way, we just need to put in the effort to find that common ground. ]]> 2021-07-21 17:47:14 UTC https://padlet.com/masona20/fr081zlkrm1num79/wish/1657346723 Wonderbird masona20 https://padlet.com/masona20/fr081zlkrm1num79/wish/1657369225 Being vegan, I find that my friends always send me a text when they find a place with vegan options. Wonderbird was recommended to me for their vegan chicken nuggets. The food was great and the place felt light and open, unlike many fast food restaurants. The idea of a stand alone fast food restaurant with a drive-thru is an interesting one, especially when you add the fact that they have vegan options. This shows how creative our local businesses can be. I am going to continue to pick local establishments to support rather than chains. ]]> 2021-07-21 18:21:25 UTC https://padlet.com/masona20/fr081zlkrm1num79/wish/1657369225 Getting lost masona20 https://padlet.com/masona20/fr081zlkrm1num79/wish/1657371792 After Wonderbird, the only direction we allowed ourselves was glancing at google maps to determine which direction the beach was located. From there, we put away our phones and walked east for 12 minutes until we hit 1st Street. This part of my journey felt like an interlude between grabbing dinner and getting lost. My intention was to get to 1st Street and then begin the process of getting lost as 1st Street felt much safer. ]]> 2021-07-21 18:26:12 UTC https://padlet.com/masona20/fr081zlkrm1num79/wish/1657371792 Reminders of home masona20 https://padlet.com/masona20/fr081zlkrm1num79/wish/1657393004 I found that while getting lost I felt most comfortable gravitating towards reminders of home and childhood. At Wonderbird, I picked our table because it had a view that was similar to Flagler Beach where my family had a home until I was in middle school. On 1st Street, I entered the store that had a display of Simply Southern clothing, a brand commonly worn in Winter Park, the town I attended middle and high school in. Next time I decide to get lost, I will make an effort to pay more attention to items and places more unfamiliar to me. ]]> 2021-07-21 19:03:32 UTC https://padlet.com/masona20/fr081zlkrm1num79/wish/1657393004 Learning by looking at price tags masona20 https://padlet.com/masona20/fr081zlkrm1num79/wish/1657395075 In the store we entered, I learned a lot about the space and the people in it by examining the price tags. Bathing suits were by far the most expensive items in the store, with the one pictured priced at $92 and some going up to $120. Meanwhile, Jacksonville Beach cups were $5 and I listened to a teen guy speaking to his friends remark that the "cool beach sign" he was looking at only cost $12. This told me the store was marketed both to your average visiting family as well as wealthy visitors or residents. ]]> 2021-07-21 19:07:04 UTC https://padlet.com/masona20/fr081zlkrm1num79/wish/1657395075 Differences between day and night masona20 https://padlet.com/masona20/fr081zlkrm1num79/wish/1657403867 1st Street is home to Jacksonville's beach bars. Walking on this road during the day, the excitement of the nightlife is nonexistent. At 6pm on a Tuesday, Surfer the Bar is empty. Driving past it on a Friday night, it is crowded with hundreds of partiers inside, on the balcony, and pouring out onto the street. This shows how a location can transform from day to night. At the time I went, families with children were running around. If I were to come back on Friday night, the atmosphere and people would be much different. ]]> 2021-07-21 19:19:48 UTC https://padlet.com/masona20/fr081zlkrm1num79/wish/1657403867 Map masona20 https://padlet.com/masona20/fr081zlkrm1num79/wish/1657414035 2021-07-21 19:37:17 UTC https://padlet.com/masona20/fr081zlkrm1num79/wish/1657414035