Places Downtown Where the Freaks All Come Around

Of the following six places, four can be considered to be a downtown, and I'm kinda a freak, so why not?

6) "My Bar" downtown. There is this little bar that I go to when I want to just hang out, have a clove, a couple of drinks, and play some poker. It's my space. It's away from home and work. I know no one. There is no agenda, no nothing. Plus the fact that it is a gay bar helps with the whole random men hitting on me thing.

5) Plaza Mayor, Madrid. I left part of my soul there when I was seventeen. My junior year of high school was horrible. It pretty much broke me as a person. A few days after school was finished, I went to Spain. As I sat on those ancient stones, smoothed by the feet of centuries, and warmed by the sun, I felt whole for the first time in well over a year. Never ever can I forget that feeling.

4) Burger Bar. There is a really awesome burger bar downtown that I love. My group of friends always seem to wind up there at least once a week. It's the kind of place that makes me feel cooler than I really am. Plus, I swear their fries are made of crack, because they are so. damn. addictive.

3) The ocean. I just adore the ocean. Give me a camping chair and a book, and I'm set for the day. I can sit, think, attempt to not be as pale as my German and Irish forbearers, and people watch all at the same time. Perfection.

2) My Alma Mater. I love this place. It's where I came into my own. It's where I discovered my love and knack for history. It's where I met the people that became my family. It's where I fell in love for the very first time. This place means so much to me, I can hardly begin to articulate it.

1) Team!friend's home. I love her so much, and she has opened her home to me. It's another home for me. It's so warm and cozy. I know that sounds silly and cliche, but it's true. Her warmth and calm is reflected in her home.