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Published: February 8th 2011
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San Antonio Mon. 7 Feb. 2011
Hi folks its 11.15pm in the lobby of the Crockett Hotel cross the road from the Alamo, as you should know by now. I am blogging up from the foyer as I got my bag outa hock when I left it there at 12.30pm before further exploring the town on foot.
Although breakfast runs until 9.30am, I set an alarm for it but woke up so knackered I decided that rest was better so rest my alarm for 10.45am to manage noon checkout. Extra sleep way more important than free food.
First up walked up to the Amtrak station the other side of the freeway and near the Alamodrome – a big stadium/event venue. Temp today was 15C rather than balmy 20C/70F yesterday and a little windy. That new oilskin hat of mine comes in handy to both keep my head warm and cut out the sun with its brim! The “real” station is a whistle stop platform behind the original rather grand “Sunset Station” building which is now composed of a few Mexican restaurants and so on – and the actual station is only open from 9pm to 7.15am! – which no
Sunset Station musos
in mosaic - all form Texas (Beyonce on L) doubt reflects the Eastward ho train (mine) to New Orleans at 11.55pm and no doubt a similar coming west to LA.
From there I wandered back generally in the direction of the River Walk, which is just one of the best things about San Antonio and a genius vision for the city in the 1930’s or whatever. As I had not had any brekky had some chicken and rice form a Japanese joint there to last me til later. Then continued SW of the city to the King William/South West historic area down South Alamo St where there are lots of period houses which are very snappable, as you will see from the att. pix. One of them was for sale at 900K so it gives you an idea of how elite that district is – inner city real estate, its all the same. Wandered around snapping virtually every second house, then ended up in the Blue Star area – a gallery which was then closed, but I detoured to the Blue Star micro-brewery site as a filler at 6pm until dinner. Had an absolutely excellent Smoked Dark beer which was quite the smokiest beer you could ever imagine
San Antone loco
hopefully not pulling my train! – like those very peaty malt scotches. For a change then had a King William “barley wine” (still beer) – should have a health warning as it is 12.5% the guy told me as he poured it! Well it means I won’t need anything too much with dinner then.
As it was by then 7.30pm decided I would not spend more money in those River Walk clipjoints but instead in Azuca, a Nuevo latino restaurant on S Alamo I had seen on the way down. This proved a very good choice and I can recommend it. Started with a “cup” of black bean soup (never order a bowl in a US restaurant) – a cup is the same as an Aussie or anywhere bowl – only $3. Then a grilled prawn and scallop dish – the fattest scallops (from the Gulf of Mexico/Louisiana he said) I have ever seen with amayonnaise type dressing over, some potato quarters (bacon and aiolo accdg to the menu but little in evidence – but nice) with some veges. This was $23 which is about standard for US meals. Although I was getting the train did not feel the need to have an espresso
cheap house
want the cash! to keep myself awake!
So the photos can speak for themselves – as usual, and I will shorly wheel my trolley down the 12mins or so to the station, having killed time and done my blogging duties from the comfort of the hotel foyer before doing so. Current temp in San Antone is 8C with low of 1C – N’Orleans forecast tomorrow Tues. is 12 down to 4C – there is another of those (not quite so cold cells) moving across the country. Will just be a night in N’Orleans (I can come back) as the need to make Miami – (which is a looong way) in 4 days after that for the night before the cruise.
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Huddo
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Kings Row indeed.
Hi Mike, Food and "Jack" type beer sounded real nice there. Scallops must have been BIG to get that title. What a difference in Real Estate, 20k cash! at one end of town, then King William's titled street at the other. Love Huddo.