San Antonio, Texas: Cactus Dreams and Slightly Damp Socks
okay, so. san antonio. i didn’t really plan to be here, you know? the tour bus broke down - classic, right? - and we ended up stranded for a few days. honestly? it wasn’t the worst thing that could’ve happened. i’m a touring drummer, and downtime is… well, it’s downtime. usually spent staring at a hotel ceiling, but this? this was different.
i just checked and it’s… a sort of humid hug out there right now. the kind that clings to you and makes your socks feel perpetually damp. the temperature’s hovering around fifteen point five, which, honestly, isn’t terrible. but the humidity? that’s a whole other story. i’m pretty sure my hair has achieved sentience.
so, what did i do? mostly wandered. i stumbled upon this amazing little vintage shop - *The Alamo City Vintage Co. - seriously, if you’re into finding weird, wonderful things, check it out. https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-alamo-city-vintage-co-san-antonio i scored a killer sequined jacket for like, twenty bucks. perfect for a drummer, obviously.
and the food! oh man, the food. i had this barbacoa taco from a street vendor - i can’t even remember the name of the place, it was just a little cart on Houston Street - and it was life-changing. seriously. i’m pretty sure i heard someone say it was the best barbacoa in the whole state. i wouldn’t argue. i’m also obsessed with the River Walk. it’s… touristy, sure, but it’s also kind of magical at night. all the lights reflecting on the water. it’s a vibe.
“Don’t go near the Pearl District after midnight,” a guy with a handlebar mustache told me at a bar. “They say the ghosts of the brewery workers still wander around.”
I’m not usually one for ghost stories, but hey, when you’re stuck in a new city with nothing but time on your hands… you listen. i did wander around the Pearl District during the day, though. it’s really cool - all these renovated warehouses with fancy restaurants and shops. https://www.pearlsanantonio.com/
Someone told me that the Mission San Jose is a must-see. Apparently, it’s the best-preserved of the missions. I didn’t make it there this time, but it’s definitely on the list for next time. I also heard that the Japanese Tea Garden is surprisingly peaceful. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60956-d227373-Reviews-Japanese_Tea_Garden-San_Antonio_Texas.html
if you get bored, Austin and Corpus Christi* are just a short drive away. i considered hopping on a bus to austin, but honestly, i was enjoying the low-key vibe of san antonio too much. plus, i was kinda waiting to see if the tour bus would ever get fixed.
“The humidity will mess with your drums,” a local warned me, sipping a beer. “Make sure you keep them covered.”
Good advice, actually. i’m definitely going to remember that. i’m also going to remember the barbacoa tacos. and the sequined jacket. and the slightly damp socks.
pro-tip: bring a small dehumidifier if you’re staying for more than a few days. seriously. your clothes (and your sanity) will thank you.
pro-tip: don’t be afraid to wander off the beaten path. some of the best discoveries are made when you’re not looking for them.
pro-tip: always say yes to barbacoa tacos. always.
check out this site for more san antonio info: https://www.visitsanantonio.com/
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