Cincinnati is super weird. I moved down here last year, and ever since, I've come across some interesting places and characteristics of this adorably weird city.
1. It's Basically Kentucky
A couple of weeks after we moved in, a friend took my roommate and I to Newport and Newport on the Levee. I didn't even know that we had been in Kentucky until I saw Kentucky themed sports jerseys in Target. I had absolutely no idea we had crossed the border, and even after living here for a few months, I'm still never really sure what state I'm in.
2. Chili
The obsession with Chili in this city is almost overwhelming. I once asked someone what the difference was between Gold Star and Skyline and I'm pretty sure I almost lost my life that day. I never asked again, so I'm still not really sure. I'm not really sure where the obsession comes from, either. I'm just not really sure how to handle it at all. We're not really in love with a type of food up in Cleveland, so it's just been a lot of fear and caution when it comes to Cincy's chili.
3. Jungle Jim's
What even is this place? They have a movie theater. And an Elvis Lion. And a lot of cheese. So much cheese. I'm honestly speechless when it comes to this place. They have a statue of Robin Hood above the aisles that hold DIY Elephant Ear kits. We bought one. Along with an absurd amount of foreign sodas because it just felt like the right thing to do in a place like this. Also, they have an abandoned, super creepy monorail station just because they thought it would be a cool idea. It serves no purpose. This can't be normal, guys.
4. Parks. So Many Parks.
Bellevue, Eden, Washington, Burnett Woods, Theodore M., Sawyer Point, Garfield, and the list just keeps going. Don't get me wrong, nature is the best. But every one of those parks are 2 miles or less from UC. Why are there so many parks? I mean, New York is huge, and they have like- two parks. Why does Cincinnati need so many parks? Are they hiding something?? What's going on??
Cincy is super weird, but it has so much character and I think that's amazing. The city may have some interesting aspects, but it's quirky and adorable, and I wouldn't change it for the world.
