On my recent trip to San Antonio and Austin, I came across this sign. San Antonio is a place that has so many incongruities.
It is quite confusing that Texas is essentially Trump Country, yet 63% of San Antonio's population is Hispanic or Latino. This is the largest majority-Hispanic city in America (as of 2010). How can this group who makes up over half of San Antonio be Trumpsters? He wants to build a wall and keep them from coming into the U.S. AND he wants to send the immigrants who have been living here for years, who pay taxes, and who lead productive lives with jobs back to their countries.
Next, as I drove on the highway from Austin to San Antonio, I witnessed so many billboards advertising AR 15's, gun clubs, and gun stores. In this city founded by friars and named for a saint, you then see religious billboards posted intermittently between the AR 15 signs. God loves you; Think God; After you die, You WILL meet God, etc. Basically, you are inundated at every turn with these Christian signs.
So, what I need to know is why these religious "Christian" God loving people are also loving guns, hating immigrants, and hating many other groups in our society? How can they possibly want a President who builds walls, perpetrates a culture of meanness, hate, divisiveness, bullying, abuses women, and would rather appease the NRA than choose to keep our children and schools safe? With that being said, I will tell you I didn't care for San Antonio. And maybe the above reasons are why.
Those aside, I will tell you a few things I did like in the Seventh largest city of America.
Of course, see the Riverwalk which is lovely between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. This is the time you should choose to walk along the banks of the San Antonio River. It is beautiful, peaceful, and tourist free. By noon, the restaurants are booming with tourists and you can barely move-UGH, not for me. Next, Remember to go to The Alamo which was the location of a battle where Texans fought for independence against Mexicans ( the Mexicans finally overpowered them) until they gained independence in 1836, walk through the King William Neighborhood which has beautiful historic homes from the Antebellum Period through Post WWII Era, Visit the San Antonio Zoo which is fabulous. Finally, the only place to stay is Hotel Emma in The Pearl District. This is a beautiful boutique hotel with an awesome bar and the restaurants in The Pearl District area surrounding the hotel are fun too.
Next stop, Austin. The SXSW Conference was happening while we there so it was a bit insane. The slogan in this city, which is absolutely beautiful, is Keep Austin Weird. Be prepared to party-it's a very happening town. I loved the food, the diversity, the music, the bats-it was all FUN!
The buildings downtown are architecturally magnificent, so walk around and look up. The state capitol building is worth a trip-and take the tour. It is both fascinating and beautiful. Go to the LBJ Library and the Ladybird Wildlife Conservatory (only if flowers are in bloom)-the library was so informative and interesting. Skip the Zoo-it is chicken wire with a few rescued animals and truly a sad spot. Go to the bars on 6th Street-We loved Pete's Dueling Piano Bar; and Shop on SoCo (south of Congress) which has a few cute boutiques. But, my most favorite moment in Austin was watching the bats emerge from underneath the Ann W. Richards Congress Ave. Bridge. This happens at dusk-and it is quite a sight. As they emerge they fly into the sky and the sky literally becomes a mass of black. Totally cool. Must be amazing on Halloween Night.
A couple of restaurant recommendations: Bouldin Creek Café for breakfast or lunch, Forthright for lunch, Juniper is a pretty spot with good food for dinner, and Fonda San Miguel for traditional Mexican on your last night. And do not miss all the food trucks for bbq and lots of other yummy street food.
O.K. - still feel like dancing when you get back to N.J.? I know of 3 places:
The Dome at The Manor-there is a rooftop bar and lounge. They have a Happy Hour from 5:30 -7:00 p.m. They serve bar food from 6-10:30p,m. and a D.J. from 9p.m.-2a.m.
Par 440-D.J. on Saturdays from 9:30p.m.-2a.m. $5 Martinis for Ladies!
Verona Inn-Bar food and Sat. nights a D.J. or live music.
Not in the mood to dance? Go for Ice Cream or Desserts at:
Sweet Kitchen-533 Bloomfield Ave. Montclair. Pastries, cakes, cookies.
Dairy Air-521 Bloomfield Ave. Montclair. Nitro infused ice cream. flaming ice cream sandwiches. Try Peppermint Fanny or Peanut Butt'r Booty.
Gelotti-571 Bloomfield Ave. Montclair. Try the Cookie Monster, Banana Oreo, Rice Pudding or the Maple Bourbon.
Until next time-peace out. One B
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