Why San Antonio?

Ted. We heard this question a lot after we announced our travel plans for this spring. The short answer is “Why not San Antonio?” The reality is that we were looking for a way to return to the American West. We quickly settled on the Southwest because it would be a bit warmer. We lived in Arizona back in the 80’s but neither of us had spent much time in Texas. We have heard great things about San Antonio from folks who had visited and knew a couple of people who lived in Texas and that pretty well settled the matter.

We are two weeks into our 5-week Texas adventure and I must say that I am pleased with our choice. Frankly, the only negative so far has been the weather. We’ve had some nice days but there have been a lot of cold, rainy days. As all travelers know, weather does affect one’s impression of a place. The outlook is for sunny skies and warming temperatures so I think the worst is behind us.

So what do we like so far?

People – With the exception of one grumpy Uber driver, folks have been uniformly friendly. That includes people at our church, bus drivers, my barber, Jesse and folks we pass in the street. I was surprised by the fact that I have rarely heard that harsh (to my ear) Texas twang. Nearly everyone we meet, which includes many locals, speak in a very neutral manner. Some people we’ve met have relocated from elsewhere in the country but many were born here.

Enjoying brunch with Servas hosts Brad & Gaby

Jesse's barber shop (most heads remain unclipped)

Christ Episcopal Church is quite large but filled with lots of open, friendly members. I attend a morning men’s group, Judy goes to a knitters group and we both volunteer at the Saturday morning outreach project. This is a weekly combination food bank, clothes bank and taco breakfast serving 75 –150 needy individuals and families from the surrounding neighborhoods. Yes, I’m back in the kitchen!

This Sunday was the annual jazz mass, which was followed by a gumbo dinner - a little bit of mardi gras right here in San Antonio.

A family of Dr Seuss fans at the rodeo

"Mutton busters" at the rodeo with nervous steeds in the background

VIA Metropolitan Transit – We are carless, which is easy to do here. Yes, we do walk a lot but, as seniors, we were able to get passes for unlimited bus rides for a month for only $19. The bus system is great! The buses are neat, clean and prompt with friendly drivers.  There have only been one or two occasions where we had to take Uber. Unfortunately, we rarely see more than six people on the bus but that is typical of transit systems around this country. As the old saying goes, “it doesn’t matter how good the dog food is, if the dogs won’t eat it.” Americans just don’t like buses! 

Our home - We have a cozy, 2-bedroom duplex in a funky, gentrifying part of town. The owner is great and we’re just a five minute walk to a YMCA which is always our go-to place for workouts (me) and yoga (Judy). Plus, the barking dog next door brings back fond memories of Oaxaca.

History & Culture – Founded in 1718, there is a lot of interesting history here (remember the Alamo?). There also appears to be a lot of old money so the arts are well supported. Last night we attended a free concert at San Fernando Cathedral and tomorrow night we’ll visit the Briscoe Western Art Museum (free on Tuesday nights).

We’ve still got two more weeks here and have lots of things we want to do. We probably won’t see everything though because, as we are finding, it’s also nice just to live in San Antonio.

Memorial to the 400 families from the Canary Islands who first settled Texas

Big

Judy. Back in the ‘70’s when I was in graduate school in Denver, my best friend was a Texan named Paula. Everything about Paula was big. Big woman, big heart, big talent, big dreams, big attitude, big smile. Definitely a woman living large. She taught me a lot about acceptance, tolerance, and drive. When she passed away a few years ago, I, as well as the huge number of friends and students who loved her, was devastated. 

Big Paula, little dog

Since we’ve arrived in San Antonio, Texas, I almost feel as though Paula were back. We’ve only been here two weeks, but I get the same sense of BIG. 

It isn’t really easy to describe exactly what gives me that feeling. We’ve experienced some cold and rain, so it’s not the big skies like we saw in Montana. Our duplex is small and cozy, so it’s not our home here.

But our welcome at church has been not just warm, but a sense of “Come on in!” Our friends who sent us to the rodeo with their own tickets did so with a sense of generosity and joy. The rodeo itself was BIG, with unabashed prayers and patriotism, and pride both in the young people involved, and in using proceeds for scholarships for Texas youth. The Alamo itself may be small, but the aura surrounding it is huge. 

Big Rodeo opening

Little Alamo, big heart

Our visit to the McNay Museum introduced us to the history of Marion McNay, an arts enthusiast who generously opened her huge home to art students, and collected works of emerging abstract artists. Even the bus drivers go out of their way to make us feel at home. 

The patio of the McNay home and museum with its big fountain

There is a strong sense, not only of place, but also of history here, as well as a progressive movement toward keeping the city relevant.

 

Big waterfall in the Japanese Garden

So far, our biggest excursions have been to the Japanese Garden, the Alamo, the Pearl (formerly a brewery, now an upscale condo and shops development along the Riverwalk), the Rodeo, and the McNay Museum. Weather is getting nicer, and we have so much more to explore—the Painted Churches, the downtown Riverwalk, and the Missions, among others. And I’m sure there’s more. 

Big fish along the Riverwalk near the Pearl

‘Cause it’s true. Everything is bigger in Texas.

This roller coaster life

Judy. Not long ago I got an email asking if we were still traveling, since we’d not blogged in so long. Yes, we are! But the two months in Atlanta kept us hopping, and there didn’t seem to be any one thing that struck us to talk about.

The day after we arrived, I reported for rehearsal at a small theatre in Stone Mountain Village, a place I’ve worked off and on since 2001. The play was a rewrite of one we did years ago, MAMA MAKES UP HER MIND, written by David Thomas, based on the writings of Bailey White. If you’ve never read Bailey White, let me tell you to grab a copy of MAMA MAKES UP HER MIND and settle down to some out-loud laughs about Bailey’s crazy family. The play itself was tough to rehearse because of the style, but Karen and Benny, my co-actors, and David, who also directed, made it a joy. Plus, it was great fun to hug friends and family who came to see the production.

So lucky to have my family come to the show!

A scene from MAMA MAKES UP HER MIND

But add to rehearsals and performances the time spent with our children and grandchildren; the dentist and doctor appointments; visits to friends and family over the holidays; a delightful dinner with Sonya, the woman we met in Mexico City; hearing our grandson Parker's band play on New Year's Eve; trip to North Carolina to help settle a late cousin’s estate, etc.; we were just too busy to sit down and write.

Sonya looks different without Katrina makeup!

Beach time with dear friend Anne

Suffice it to say it was fun but exhausting.

And now we are in San Antonio, Texas. We came here because it sounded interesting, and because we expected it to be warm, especially after the brief snow we got in Atlanta. But the last couple of days have been colder here than there!

Absolutely all the winter I wanted

Still, we’ve started going to the YMCA (a 7-minute walk), found a church and signed up to get involved (a 15-minute walk), got our senior citizen bus passes, made arrangements to have breakfast with a Servas couple, and hooked up with a dear former student of mine and her family. We’re meeting them for dinner, and they’re taking us to the rodeo on Monday. And we’re resting up. A lot. The roller coaster is slowing down for a bit. Life is good