San Antonio, Y'all: A Drummer's Dizzying Detour
okay, so. san antonio. i wasn't planning on san antonio. touring with the band, you know? things change. gigs fall through. suddenly you're staring at a map, wondering if you can find decent tacos within a five-mile radius. which, thankfully, i could.
I just checked and it's…a sort of muted grey out there right now, with a slight breeze. Not exactly inspiring, but hey, at least it’s not scorching. The humidity, though? Don't even get me started. My drumsticks felt like they were glued to my hands.
So, the River Walk. Obviously. It’s…a lot. Like, a lot of people. I felt like a sardine in a very touristy can. But, you know, the architecture is kinda cool. I overheard someone complaining about the price of margaritas - apparently, they’re charging like, twelve bucks. Twelve bucks! I stuck to water. Gotta keep the chops in shape, even when I’m not gigging.
I spent a good chunk of time wandering around the Pearl District. That place is chef's kiss. So many cool shops, and the food scene is insane. I grabbed a ridiculously good sandwich at Cured. Seriously, look them up. https://www.curedsa.com/. Worth the detour.
Speaking of detours, if you get bored, Austin and Houston are just a short drive away. I considered popping over to Austin for a night, but honestly, I was exhausted. Needed a recharge before the next leg of the tour.
I did stumble upon this amazing little vintage shop - 'The Wandering Thread' - tucked away on South Flores. Found a killer leather jacket for like, twenty bucks. Score! Check it out if you're into that sort of thing. https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-wandering-thread-san-antonio.
Someone told me that the missions are a must-see. Apparently, they’re stunning. I didn’t make it there this time, but it’s definitely on the list for next time. I also heard that the McNay Art Museum is pretty great. https://www.mcnay.org/.
My hotel was near the Alamodome. Not the most charming neighborhood, let's be honest. But it was cheap, and that’s what matters when you’re on a band budget. I saw a guy practicing his tuba in the parking lot at 3 AM. That was…an experience.
*Pro-Tip #1: Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be doing a lot of walking.
Pro-Tip #2: Hydrate. Seriously. The heat and humidity will sneak up on you.
Pro-Tip #3:* Don't be afraid to wander off the beaten path. Some of the best discoveries are made when you're not looking for them.
I’m already missing the smell of mesquite grilling. And the surprisingly good coffee I found at a little place called 'Roam.' https://www.roamcoffee.com/. Seriously, go there.
San Antonio…it’s a trip. A chaotic, sweaty, taco-filled trip. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Well, maybe for a decent night’s sleep. But that’s a story for another time.