Hello! How was your weekend? Since I finished watching all of the episodes of Scandal in preparation for the third season I decided to get off the couch this weekend.

If you're in the Little Rock area I would highly recommend the 2nd Friday Art after Dark event in Downtown and River Market. The local art galleries and museums stay open late for this free event to showcase their exhibits. Did I mention that it's free? I visited the Arkansas Historical Museum, Arkansas Studies Institute and the Old Statehouse. Exhibits included: original patents (think roller skates, washing boards and sewing machines), Razorbacks and Rock Stars and Lights! Camera! Arkansas! There was a little something for everyone. Whether you are into history, abstract, modern, watercolors, or oils, you won't be disappointed. The Marriott was also hosting painting lessons at 6:30, but I arrived too late for those.

There is supposedly a trolley that will take you from event to event. So I got on what I thought was the correct trolley, but turns out the one that I needed was a bus that looks like a trolley? Does that make sense to you? Yeah, me neither. Thankfully the district is small enough to walk around.

While there are several great places to eat downtown, I read great reviews for Layla's Gyro across town. When in doubt, head for the fresh baked pita bread and hummus. It may be a hole in the wall in a strip mall with florescent lighting, but they have the best hummus, pita and lamb that I have ever tasted this side of Greece. And can we talk about the prices for a minute? Baklava for $1? Gyro for 5? It's the reverse of highway robbery.

What did you do this weekend?

                              

Very few interesting things happen in Arkansas, but when you see a sign saying "Jewish Festival Next Sunday" you just go, no questions asked. Because what else do you have to do on a Sunday afternoon?

My love of Falafel started when the wonderful Lauren took our HIP group to the Marais to experience falafel alley. We sampled two different falafel stands and, personally, I liked the roasted eggplant from one but the actual falafel from the other. 

So it was decided. Sam, Clay and I quickly left church and drove to Little Rock to enjoy the likes of falafel, hummus, matzo ball soup, latkes and apple streudal. 

Besides an array of food, there was also every kind of yamaka and menorah you could imagine. And a Jewish entertainer who sang "Moses don't go smashing your idols." True story.

What made me giggle the most was the abundance of not-so-kosher Arkansas Razorback artwork. I guess even Jews enjoy a little "woo pig souie" every now and then.

{Below: People partaking in kosher food sitting beneath a pig statue. The irony is not lost on me.}

                

Moral of this story: If you ever find yourself in LR in May, check to see if the Jewish festival is taking place and make a beeline to River Market. It's definitely not something to miss out on. And if you want to find the other touristy things to do in LR, the Heifer building and the Clinton Presidential Library are only a few blocks away. And the best fried catfish tacos are across the street at The Flying Pig. You know, just in case you ever find yourself as a tourist in LR. You're welcome.