Elliott Stables

Okay, let's say you're strolling up Queen Street from the harbour and you decide to walk over to Elliott Stables for lunch. It's not far, but how do you get there?  

Well, you could take Darby Street here and walk from Queen Street (in the distance) to the point where I'm standing now. Then you would turn left, (your left, my right) and proceed up Elliott Street. 

Or, you could have walked a little farther up Queen and then cut through this shopwalk to get to Elliott.  (Good route in case of rain.) 

Either way, you are now on Elliott Street and following it will lead you up a gentle incline to 'The Stables.' 

This building was built in 1910 and was originally a warehouse. It was put to many uses over the years and was nearly demolished in the '70's when a plan for a rail link was discussed. That didn't happen obviously and we are still able to enjoy the flavor of earlier times inside this historic site. 

A few restaurants have their own internal seating, but the others are spread out around the central 'food court' area. 

We've always enjoyed our meals here. I especially enjoyed the jambalaya, the gumbo and the skillet corn bread from Bonz Cajun Kitchen. The guy who runs it is an American. 

I hope that you have enjoyed the look around. It's only about a five minute walk (for this old geezer) from here to the Sky Tower. Allie and the boys could make it in three I'll bet, less if the street crossing lights were in their favor. 

I plan to show you around the Sky City building soon. (If you guessed that I took the pictures of both 'The Stables' and the Sky Tower the same day, you'd be right.)      -djf

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 A special place nearby

The photo below is the inside of a little cafe that you would have passed if you had walked down Darby Street on your way to Elliott. I can't call it 'a hole in the wall' because it has too much seating to qualify for that particular designation of mine. However, it's just the next thing up from a. h. i. t. w. because it does have 'limited' seating. It's main claim to fame in my opinion is it's coziness. Look at that narrow staircase, the low brick arch at the top and the little dining alcoves that go every which way. 

I intend to take Jeanne there one of these days for a cup of coffee.   Gotta sit upstairs of course.   

Many, many years ago I read a book called The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui** Way of Knowledge, by Carlos Castaneda. One of the first tasks that was given to the writer when he arrived to study at Don Juan's home was to find "his place," on the porch. Don Juan explained to Carlos that there was a spot on the house's front porch that was the perfect place for him to sit, and he had to find it. Something similar to feng shui I think. Energy flow and fields and all that sort of thing. 

I think of that book and the writer's search sometimes when I encounter such a space as this cafe. I wonder where "my spot" within it lies. 

The writer spent all night and into the next day in search of his spot and the whole thing sounded quite unpleasant. Didn't sound as though he got any food, water or sleep until he was successful. Whew! I would not have enjoyed studying there. 

The path I intend to take will be different. It will certainly take me upstairs and through that arch, and the flat whites Jeanne and I will be served will make our experience all the more rewarding. I may need to change tables now and then and even switch chairs with Jeanne at times. Repeated visits may be necessary, who knows? This is important. There is a perfect spot for me here and I intend to find it. This is my 'Yankee Way of Knowledge' at work.                 -djf

** The Yaqui are indigenous people who live in Mexico and some southwestern American states.