I’m a Midwest boy. Check that, I’m a Midwest boy who travels a lot. And while I always like to come home, I have a job that affords me the opportunity to travel. I have seen half the United States on someone else’s dime. This week I’m in Wilmington, Delaware.
Would I ever visit Delaware on my own? Doubtful. But now that I’m here (for the second time), I’m enjoying my stay. President Obama was in town yesterday for the funeral of VP Joe Biden’s mother. I think Delaware closed down (yes, in its entirety) for the day.
Spit in any direction and you could hit a surrounding state … Pennsylvania, Maryland and the list goes on and on.
From what I can tell … there’s a weird blend of socio-economic groups in Wilmington. There’s a Mercedes dealership next to a row of Section 8 housing, for instance. Major Fortune 500 companies are based here because of the ridiculous tax perks and write-offs. For Corporate America, Wilmington is like the mother ship that called them home. There’s no sales tax on anything. It’s like Xmas … all year long.
The only thing I ever knew about Delaware was from that brief scene in “Wayne’s World” where Wayne and Garth were traveling around the world (via green screen). Each place was more exotic than the last … and then suddenly, there they were in lovely Delaware. To which Garth dryly says, “Look. We’re in Delaware. Yay.”
Every restaurant in Wilmington features an exotic mix of seafood. Well, I should certainly hope so. It’s about five feet from the ocean. If there’s a tsunami, we’re screwed. Glad I’m on the 5th floor of the hotel.
And here’s a little known fact, the 1999 movie “Fight Club” was supposedly based in Wilmington. It was SHOT in Los Angeles, mind you, because Delaware didn’t want the reputation. And another little known fact … actresses Valerie Bertinelli and Elizabeth Shue are both from Wilmington.
It’s been a fun ride, Delaware. Can’t say I’ll be back anytime soon. But I’ve enjoyed my visit. I didn’t buy any postcards or anything … but did get a magnet to add to the collection on my ‘fridge.