Twin Cities... What a great metro!

I am now in the land of 10,000 lakes! Minnesota is my next home for at least the next year as I serve in AmeriCorps. However, since I do not start work until mid-September I have been biding my time with some exploration.

The first week I bought a 'Go-To' bus card that has a declining balance and went all over the Twin Cities. I have gone to visit the St. Paul libraries, coffee shops, historical markers and roamed the streets. I have also ventured to Minneapolis, just over the river along with the infamous Mall of America. I am not a shopping person, but it sure was a sight to be seen!

St. Paul is a city of roughly 270,000 people but holds a small town charm, which I attribute to the heavy European influence. This part of the Twins metro has a history of German immigrants, at least according to my research. There is no shortage of Lutheran and Catholic Churchs here! I think that I have seen one Baptist church in the Twins so far.

While I only spent a few hours in Minneapolis, I felt a more youthful and urban vibe. That could be due to the University of Minnesota campus that is right on the river... or any of the dozen other colleges in the area.

As everyone knows the unemployment rate right now is the highest it has been in over 20 years, so part-time work has been hard to come by. So, in turn I have not been too sucessful in finding a part time job. I have however been hired to work the 12 days of the state fair! It is the 2nd largest state fair in the nation, second only to Texas! I will be working in the Grand Stand concessions area where all of the concerts will be, so I will be hearing some great music while serving beer, hot dogs and soda.

If you are in the Twins please don't hesitate to call me or email me! I would love to see a friendly face!