Bakersfield is a funny place according to its visitors. The air smells like farm animals (or a sewer as one friend put it). No matter where you go in Bakersfield, there is a small chance that in the morning or evening, you might get a whiff of the farm life that outskirts the city's borders. I like the smell personally. It's homey to me. When I step outside my parent's house on hot, summer evenings, the smell is particularly potent and rich. Caitlin and I talked about it one day. We agreed that we are somewhat fond of taking a deep breath of Bakersfield air on those nights. I doubt visitors to Bakersfield understand, let alone agree with our liking to the familiar scents.
Home to one of Bakersfield's finest breakfast dining experiences, Pappys exudes all that Bakersfield stands for. Being one of the most conservative pockets of California, parallel only to the Midwest and the South, Bakersfield flags its conservatism across the city, particularly within mom and pop joints such as Pappys. French toast and french fries won't be found on the menu. If you want the tasty treats, you'll have to order freedom toast and freedom fries. A picture of George W. on the wall smiles with you as you eat the defiant food on your plate.
Pappys also salutes the oil industry in Bakersfield with dozens of pictures of the oil fields, which, after awhile in Bako, begin to resemble a family portrait. Furthermore, the ceiling of Pappys sports stuffed heads of about every huntable animal one could think of. This morning the buffalo, coyote, and bear are adorned with santa hats to celebrate the upcoming holiday.
Despite its quirkiness, Bakersfield is home, and home to a community who loves each other deeply. I walked into Pappys this morning and immediately spotted 6 people I know at two different tables. I didn't think twice about it, but my companions who are from LA were shocked. This city feels a lot smaller than it is. People generally care about each other here... contrary to big cities where hustle and bustle is all people know. I think that's why people come back... to get a taste of community, stability, and the occasional whiff of the nearby farm.
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4 comments:
great piece about our hometown, hunny. that breakfast was alot of fun, especially since you know todd and RO both are from areas like bakersfield so they were probably reminded of home. any its also funny how every time we drive immediately south of town, you always ask if I farted, and I always say no, and yo never realize that the smell always comes from some dairy or hog farm or something like that, but you still ask every time if I farted, but its never me. hahahahahaha
Have you ever considered the odors you smell coming from ovens in Bako cooking gingerbread men until they smell like garlic bread burning? Just a thought.
dearest daddy... those odors are also precious to me if it means cait and i were in the kitchen.
Having a husband from Bakersfield, but not from there myself, I must say that I can't share your love for the Bakersfield air. Every time I visit I get a sore throat, coughing and sneezing fits, and a runny nose. Sorry... just has to say it :)
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