As we all know, the average Duke student is a very hateful person. I think it's safe to say that the vast majority of students here have a pretty strong hatred for things like dogs, children, firefighters, the city of Durham, etc.
Although I'll admit that dogs are filthy beasts, and children are, generally, a bunch of jerks (I'm not even going to start on firefighters), I think that Duke students have given Durham a worse rep than it deserves.
One of the nice things about being a full-blown drug addict is that you get to meet a wide variety of people and see a lot of places that one wouldn't generally come across in everyday life. I've been lucky enough, during my time here at Duke, to spend a significant amount of time exploring this historic city in the endless pursuit of narcotics. And as a result I've become familiar with quite a few great places that your average Duke student most likely has never heard of.
There are many truly unique and special places that I have discovered throughout Durham that are off the so-called "beaten path," and I'd like to take this opportunity to share some of them with you. I recommend making an effort to visit them even if it's just for the sake of seeing a different side of Durham. Who knows? It might even make you start liking Durham just a little.
Here are some of my favorite places in Durham that the average Duke student never sees.
Fo Sho Clothing & Jewelry, Inc.-If you're like me, you've always wanted a T-shirt that has a picture of a smoking 9mm gun on the front with the message, "Durham: Blood In, Blood out," written below it. Well, Fo Sho is the place for you. This quaint little hole-in-the-wall clothing and jewelry store is located on Chapel Hill Road, and is less than five minutes from West Campus. Not only does this store have a wide variety of T-shirts and apparel that basically let people know that you can and will shoot them if necessary, it also has all those hard-to-find sizes like 4, 5 and 6XL.
MaxXx Adult Emporium-Formerly "Railroad Video," this adult book, video and sex-toy shop located on LaSalle Street has undergone a major facelift during the last year and is now back with a new name and a whole new attitude. Although its merchandise hasn't changed much (their butt plugs are still second to none), the store now has a distinct Feng Shui to it that really makes you feel comfortable and spiritually balanced while browsing their extensive selection of high-quality smut. I should warn you though, it's so nice now, you may never want to leave-I know I haven't (Thank God for wireless).
Durham SuperTarget-This little-known store carries a wide variety of merchandise. You can get everything from Gogurt to goggles at the massive yet unknown supercenter. Located between Chapel Hill Boulevard, and Business 15-501, it is quite remarkable that this 150,000+ sq. ft. store has managed to stay such a local secret. Stop by some time and experience something that you won't be able to find anywhere but right here in good old Durham.
Gerald Jones Windows and Siding-It always shocks me that more Duke students don't know about Gerald Jones. This independent siding contractor not only provides the highest quality vinyl siding, replacement windows and storm doors but it also boasts one of the nicest show rooms of any independent siding company in Durham. If you ever have a free afternoon, you ought to go down to Garland Street and check out the showroom. What they do with custom-built patio covers in there will seriously blow your mind. They've been providing quality service to Durham since 1955-need I say more?
Wallace Wade Stadium-It may really surprise a lot of you to learn that this little-known Durham gem is actually right here on the Duke campus. Next time you're walking through the Blue Zone, try to look beyond the lots on the right. Believe it or not, there is a football stadium over there. Although I'm not sure whether anybody still uses this stadium, it is an absolutely great place to find a little peace and quiet, enjoy a nice day and just get away from it all. We all know how hard it is to get any work done at Duke during the weekends. The libraries are always crowded and the dorms are generally loud. Wallace Wade is a perfect solution. While you may encounter a few runners if you go on a Sunday, if you go on just about any Saturday, you're bound to find a nice quiet deserted place where you can get work done or just be alone with your thoughts.
Jake Grodzinsky is a Trinity senior. His column runs every other Wednesday.
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