[DMZdogs]

So, where is everyone else in Iowa? *sound of emptiness deafens me*

Hello? *calls out hopefully*

Anyone there? *there? there? there? there?* (echo)

I only know one person here. I'd like to know more. Preferably before I go beyond friendly newcomer and start wallowing in desperate-for-company-outsider.

Talking to strangers isn't appealing/frightens you? Let me introduce myself!

I'm 33, Okie born and reared, vegan for three years, share my life with two little vegan dogs, live with vegan boyfriend (yeah, he'd be the one person I know here), am STILL (yeah, pathetic, isn't it?) readjusting to life in America after nearly 10 years living and teaching in South Korea. I'm unemployed, but actually finally looking for work. I am enrolled in a yoga teacher certification course that starts next month. I love reading, going for walks, goofing off on the internet, gardening (though it's all done in pots), and eating. Not so great with the cooking, but I sure love to eat. Luckily, I can eat as much as I want without ever gaining weight. Yeah, go ahead and hate me.

Not sure what other interests I have yet as I am not sure what all Iowa City has to offer. I've been spending copious amounts of quality time with boxes and packing paper and haven't seen much of the city yet.

Okay, gotta go....time for yoga class.

Post!!!

 

[Melpomene]

I live in Iowa!!

I'm about 2 hours away from Iowa City. It's an amazing place. Trust me. Haven't been there since the floods, but from what I've seen it's a great place to live.

I'm actually planning on going to college there and have several friends going to college there and they all love it.

 

[DNK]

I used to live in IC, if that helps... No, I suppose it doesn't. Good luck with all that. At least you have the co-op. I still miss that place. Whole Foods just isn't a replacement, even if the prices are just as high.

How was your time in the hogwans? I can imagine readjustment might be difficult from what I've heard. Not a whole lot of TEFL work in IC, though. The university takes care of that all for free, otherwise I'd suggest it as good supplementary income for now.

Good veg*n places to see:

New Pioneer Coop - #1 period, check out the deli in the back for some of the best veg*n sandwiches, etc, made to order. Appreciate the hell out of it, 'cause when it's gone...

Z'meriks - good options, quickly made, not too pricey, right on Dubuque St. downtown

The Pita Pit - cheap pitas to go

Oasis - Mediterranean place by the Hamburg Inn, good felafel joint

Forumosa - actually have decent veg*n options for pretty cheap considering the classiness of the joint, by the library

India Cafe - not "Indian" by my Indian friend's standards, but good all the same, on Washington St. downtown lunch buffets ~$7.50, well worth it

Masala - more traditional Indian, lots of vegan options, I think (not 100%), by Z'meriks, also ~$7.50 lunch buffet, although it's the same every day

It's actually a very veg*n friendly city, well at least as far as food options go. I live in the Chicago suburbs now and it's 10x more difficult to find a variety of veg*n places nearby.

As for other sights, etc: Shakespeare in the park, bars, a massive university library, more bars, random drunk people walking around at all hours of the night, more bars, the odd lecture, tranny shows at bars, and flood damaged buildings. During the school year there's generally a decent amount of talks, symphonies, concerts, music shows (mostly for the kids, though), sports games, exhibits, etc. I'd take advantage of those.

 

[Melpomene]

Yep, there's a lot of stuff that goes on in IC. I even got to go to my first drag queen ball and swing dance there.

And like DNK said, The Pita Pit is a great place to eat. There's also an Asian food store somewhere near the campus but I can't remember what it's called. It's got a lot of cool stuff though.

And the campus is just beautiful. I like just walking around it.

 

[shineonyou]

The asain grocery store is called East West. It's on South Gilbert St.

Masala is the best restaurant in the entire world. IN THE ENTIRE WORLD. Oasis is probably in the top five falafel places in the entire world.

I recently moved, so I don't live in Iowa City anymore. But I left my heart with Masala. And secondarily with all my friends who still live there.

 

[DMZdogs]

I just went to that grocery store today! It was wonderful to hear the Korean. I loved eavesdropping on the store owners? employees? almost as much as I loved browsing the aisles and seeing all the familiar packaging. Got a nice little tub of daen-jang and some toasted kim as well as buckwheet noodles. Won't go there often as it's quite pricey, but nice to know that any seaweed cravings CAN be quenched.

 

[zippyzappy]

The Great Wall on the eastside and Chongs in Coralville are two other Asian groceries in the Iowa City area.

 

[sher]

I live in Iowa, but I'm not near Iowa City... Closer to Ames. Welcome!

 

[Brandon]

DMZ has actually since moved back to Oklahoma.