Perception Assignment #1

I've been to downtown Provo before, but I've always had a destination. Never really went there just to look around see what's actually out there. I went to stores and shops that I didn't even know existed, saw things on the walls and just things I've never noticed. Lik this Mexican restaurant that was just tucked away in this random parking lot! Those are some good street tacos! I started seeing things in a more visual way and saw a lot more detail in everything around me. It always pays off to be curious and I found a cool knit shop with not just yarn, but a whole lot of random stuff. Magic dice and a weird cancer awareness voodoo doll, it was a cool place. Then we went next door to this antique shop with the craziest things in it, the most random crap ever, it was awesome. So, then I was walking down the road and there was this fake red tree, I thought it looked cool, and kinda interesting that they would have a fake tree outside. I also saw this cool tile mural by a restaurant that went out of business, I thought it was really cool. So, there you have it my discoveries in Downtown Provo!

Brigham Kmetzsch 

Perception #1 Christopher Filanc-Gustafson

Walking around downtown Provo the other night gave me the feeling of how much development has taken place here since I first moved here four years ago.  It has been awhile since I've been around the downtown area but it is looking more modern each time I go there and there is more development taking place as you can see in the photo of the construction zone with a crane. Seeing the new Temple as well as the new apartment/ restaurant chain building was shocking to me.  It is a cool looking complex next to a fried ice cream place. I fell in love with it immediately! I like that Provo has an artistic vibe as well and as I walked in the Covey center while a show was going on, I noticed an art gallery that I've never seen before. I have seen the music, the performing arts and now the art itself.  I like the direction of where Provo is headed. It is not the old tombstone type of town that I used to think it was. 

New apartment complex

Old building with a modern touch

Construction zone

Art gallery

Provo Tabernacle Temple

Provo Center street perception - Alex

My wife and I love to eat out at different restaurants that are located on Provo's center street, so every weekend we're normally down that way.  I was actually amazed at all the things that I've never noticed.  Most of the things that I've never noticed happened to be different stores and other things, but there is also a lot of cool architectural structures on Center street as well.  Normally it's dark when we go out on the weekend so that's why I've never noticed the things that I did. Also, I thought that the pink box on the window of the flower shop that says either open or closed is a super clever way to say whether the shop is open or closed.  Also for as many times as I've walked past all the different restaurants on Center street, I had no idea that "two jacks pizza" was there.  That's definitely good news because that's one of my favorite pizza joints.

Perceptions of Provo

 

Though I, like many others, had been to downtown Provo quite a bit, I enjoyed taking some time to really see some things I had never noticed before.  I enjoyed finding the quirks around town, from a door that leads to a rooftop to a super old soda machine nestled down an alley. I was honestly amazed at how many things I had never even noticed were around, even in parts of town I knew I had been to several times. All in all, it was an eye opening experience to try and look at the familiar and see something new.

Merri's Downtown Perception

I was struck by the whimsy and function of Downtown Provo. There is a shop for everything, repair shops and cute little stores. Statues and signs everywhere beautify and inform. I loved all the flags hanging over the juice shop. There is, of course, the inevitability of rundown parts in downtown. I wandered through an alley where I wouldn't willingly go at night. The presence of of all these metal chairs caught my attention. A parking lot littered haphazardly with crumbling yellow parking blocks made me wonder how long it takes for concrete to wear out.

#ProvoRocks

I have quite a few favorite spots downtown, places where I've explored and found funny restaurants and businesses, places where I've taken pictures of people, and places where I've discovered artwork like big pixellated murals of Steve Jobs & Albert Einstein. I love to explore, and I was excited to find several cool things during this weekend's walkabout.

I found myself going through alleyways and exploring what was stored behind the buildings on Center street and 100 N. On one corner I found the most beautiful motorcycle I have ever seen. I've never had a reaction like this before for a bike or car or anything, but as soon as I saw it I wanted it for myself. The army green paint color scheme looked beautiful, and I was obsessing over the Japanese characters and the hello kitty motif on the front end. It was unexpected and unconventional for Provo, and I loved it.

While a bit hard to make out, this wall has a message scribbled in: 

"We aLL HAVe BAD DAYS

THAT are UnUSUAL

The change from 

UnUsual makes

US BeautifuL"

I've never been inside the City Limits bar on Center street near 500 W, nor do I plan to. I've walked past many times. While exploring behind that block of buildings I found the backdoor to the bar wide open, and so I took a moment to peek inside.

While perusing through one of the pawn shops on Center Street, originally looking for used camera equipment, I laughed at the collection of Barbie dolls on top of a shelf in the power tools section.

This is the Provo City Center complex, where the city offices and police station are all located. On top of the building on the left is some kind of yellow siren, I'm not sure what it is. It immediately reminded me of the horn the Angel Moroni carries on top of the new City Center Temple, which can be seen in the background near the center. The two yellow horn shaped things on top of buildings, pointing in opposite directions, made me laugh as well.

Perception #1: Downtown Provo

I love to eat out and have several favorite restaurants in downtown Provo. At first, I wasn't sure if I'd be able to find anything I hadn't seen before. But I soon realized the more you look around your surroundings, the more you see.

I was surprised to find a few non-LDS church buildings in downtown Provo. Here's a look at three of them, as well as a rare sports affiliation in Provo and a food advertisement that makes me happy.

 This old church building was converted to an apartment building. I've bought groceries at Smith's many times, but never noticed the Old Chapel apartment complex before. I liked how the cathedral-like structure was maintained in the refurbishing of the building.

 The Swiss-based Saint Mary's Church is nestled in the heart of downtown Provo, just a few blocks away from the Provo City Center Temple.  

The third church I discovered was the Calvary City on a Hill. I was intrigued by its Roman columns and architecture, as well as the craftsman-style door.

I am a die-hard University of Utah fan and was super excited to see a fellow Utah fan in downtown Provo. Not only does the license plate have a block "U" on it, but the car is also red.

I love the Mexican restaurant Street Tacos, but have never been to its next-door neighbor, Red Deli. I found this advertisement on the side of the building and loved its simplicity. I like the simple math equation, graphics and one-word phrases.