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Insider Guide: Lee Ehmke
As Director of the Minnesota Zoo, Lee has traveled the world. In all his journeys, he's seen quite a few cities. Here's how he distinguishes ours:
Top Places to Remind You That Minneapolis-Saint Paul Is NOT Norway (or Even Omaha)
The Mall of Somalia
Located on Pillsbury Avenue in South Minneapolis, it's the center of the Somali community in Minneapolis-Saint Paul and the first Somali mall built in the country. The sights, smells, sounds take me back to my days working in and visiting East Africa.
Midtown Global Market
Where you can not only experience Africa, but Mexico, Guatemala, Thailand, Tibet and even Duluth.
The Cantilevered Guthrie Theater's "Endless Bridge"
A chance to experience vertigo and euphoria in a completely legal and harmless way.
Minneapolis Twins Baseball
Watching Johan Santana blazing the lower outside corner for strike three-again. (Soon to be under a blazing Midwestern sky, when the new outdoor ballpark is completed).
A Corner Table at 20.21 at the Walker Art Center
Overlooking downtown in all its glory. With the fantastic Asian-fusion seafood dishes here, no lutefisk need apply.
A Few More of Lee's Favorites
Favorite Restaurant
Cafe Barbette on Lake Street. It's casually urban and has the best pommes frites west of Paris.
Favorite Place to Shop
REI—where else can you outfit yourself for an African safari? Also, the Uptown Art Fair is the best for gifts-get all your shopping for the year in one week.
Favorite Characteristic About the People or Culture of Minneapolis
Tolerance and political awareness. After living in New York and California, the level of knowledge, discourse and dialogue here is refreshing.
