I had visions of basking in the sun in Miami for Easter weekend but everyone else had the same idea too and flying on a standby buddy pass (THANKS again Caroline)-- Miami was a bust. I tried...twice to get out but after my failed attempts I decided it was time to choose another adventure. After a quick trip home to ditch my Miami vice dress and get a few hours of sleep, we were Austin TX bound.
Random, yes, but I had heard good things about Austin and it was time I venture to another city in TX besides El Paso.
What did I love most about Austin?
...The fact that the rental car guys, insisted they take our luggage, put it in our rental car AND gave us bottled water. Southern hospitality is NO joke.
...We didn't need Tina, the lovely GPS voice to tell us where to go. You can use a map in TX. Jersey, do you hear that?!?
...They have the original and nicest Whole Foods in the country and cute 20 year old guys who adored us and gave us free food. I know we're hot but I think they loved us most because we weren't hippies. Yes, Whole Foods was our first stop upon arrival.
...The air smells good (maybe that was just being out of NYC though???)
...Great shopping (I do live in the shopping capital of America but Austin was just as fun...had we of spent Saturday day there, I would have been the proud owner of some cowboy boots...I don't know what's gotten into me...I've never been much of a cowgirl but lately I'm ready to buy some boots, move to a farm and grow herbs...good thing I'm still in NYC, I'd probably miss the city after a month of country life)
...Private tour guides. We ran into Caroline's friend on the plane who offered to let us stay at her house. So, our hotel was cancelled, and we had the best tour guide in Austin. I love seeing the local side of things.
...Cold springs? I've been to the hot springs before but have never seen cold springs until our nature walk to Barton Springs. The water was chilly but in the summers there, you know exactly where I'd be.
...Musicians there get free health insurance? Really? I guess it is the live music capital of the world
...South Congress Street - Great EVERYTHING! Shops, restaurants, cloaked men. The weirdos are not only in NYC.
...Hey Cupcake! I normally don't like cake or frosting but I couldn't pass up a carrot cake cupcake with cream cheese frosting, served by a hot, friendly cupcake guy in a winnebago? Caroline got the Michael Jackson (chocolate cupcake with white frosting of course!)
...Home Slice Pizza...a little slice of home away from the city. Great NYC style pizza that's worth the wait.
...LIVE music. We only made it to one place but I heard enough to make me want to come back.
It was a quick 24 hours but well worth the fight. Who flies to Austin all the way from NYC for 24 hours??? Ugh. I guess I do.
Silly, yes, but when you're flying for free (THANKS again C) I love flying the friendly skies.
We made it back in plenty of time for church on Sunday and got to enjoy another amazing day filled with great food, friends, sunshine, (although chilly!), music and most importantly the chance to attend the amazing Easter program at church. The music was perfection.
I am blessed.
Austin, I'll be back. I miss you already...
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