San Antonio, Y'all: A Botanist's Slightly Chaotic Field Notes

okay, so. san antonio. i didn’t plan to be here, not really. a grant fell through, my succulents staged a silent protest (seriously, they all started drooping at once), and my therapist suggested “a change of scenery.” so here i am, sweating like a fern in a sauna.

I just checked and it's…a humid blanket draped over everything. Like, the air itself is trying to photosynthesize. I’m pretty sure my hair is developing its own ecosystem. it’s hovering around 22.54 degrees, feels like 23.07, which is…optimistic. The pressure’s at 1007, humidity’s a solid 85%, so basically, you’re breathing soup.

I’m staying in a little Airbnb near the *River Walk. It’s…a lot. Like, a lot of people. I overheard someone - looked like a tourist, bless their heart - complaining about the “lack of authenticity.” Honey, you’re standing next to a mariachi band and a churro stand. What’s not authentic?

My main mission, obviously, is plants. I’ve been hitting up the San Antonio Botanical Garden - it’s gorgeous, seriously. They have a whole section dedicated to native Texas flora. I spent a solid hour staring at a prickly pear cactus, contemplating its resilience. It’s like, “Yeah, I’m covered in needles, but I’m thriving in this heat.” I respect that. Check out their website: https://www.sabot.org/.

Someone told me that the best place to find rare succulents is at a little nursery called “Desert Dreams” out near Helotes. Apparently, the owner, a woman named Esmeralda, knows everything about cacti. I’m planning a trip tomorrow. I’ll report back.

Speaking of locals, if you get bored, Austin and Houston are just a short drive away. I’m thinking of popping over to Austin for a day - need to check out their Zilker Botanical Garden.

I’ve been trying to eat local, too. Found this amazing little taco place called “El Fuego” - seriously, the barbacoa is life-changing. Yelp reviews are all over the place, some people say it’s too spicy, others say it’s the best thing they’ve ever tasted. I’m firmly in the “best thing ever” camp. https://www.yelp.com/biz/el-fuego-san-antonio

I did wander into the Pearl District - it’s…fancy. Lots of boutiques and upscale restaurants. I felt a little out of place in my plant-stained overalls. I overheard a couple arguing about whether to get the $30 avocado toast. I just…shook my head and kept walking. There’s a farmers market there on weekends, though, so that’s a plus. https://www.pearlsanantonio.com/

I’m also trying to find some good spots for sketching. The Spanish Missions are obviously stunning, but they’re also swarming with tourists. I need somewhere a little quieter. A local warned me about trying to sketch at dusk near Mission Concepción - apparently, the mosquitoes are brutal*. Noted.

Okay, gotta go. My aloe vera plant is looking particularly stressed. Maybe it needs a pep talk. Or a tiny sombrero. I’ll update you all on the Desert Dreams adventure soon. And if you’re planning a trip to San Antonio, just…bring bug spray. Lots of it. And maybe a hat. And definitely eat the barbacoa.