About the People

First of all, please accept my apologies for the fact that all my Austin pictures were taken with my Android phone. I did give thought to taking my camera with me, but I decided I really just wanted to spend more time being instead of trying to capture each moment. I just wanted to live without thinking about lighting and settings and how this picture might look hanging in my bedroom or as a screen saver.

So, Austin is composed of people who would live/ have lived in places like New York City or Los Angeles or San Francisco, but they are smarter now and got out. Okay, maybe that's a little stereotypical or presumptuous, but I think it's somewhat true. I think that the freshness and liveliness and creativity that give Austin it's breadth and depth comes from people living there who aren't necessarily from there.

My entire life I've sort of tried to avoid the whole "I'm from Texas hear me roar" mentality. Texans like that are annoying I think. I know there is a bit of Southern hospitality and charm with Texans. It's not just in the camaraderie, but a classifier that most people can relate to. But I have not wanted to be classified, related to or grouped with anyone, especially Texans- even though I qualify. Don't misunderstand me, it's not a bad thing, it's just a Stefani thing. A I don't "pledge allegiance" to Texas, because, quite honestly, I don't think it's bigger, better or badder than any other state.

I know bluebonnet blue runs through my veins, I know it's in my roots somewhere- so perhaps this is the beginning of digging up all that remains uncovered. Texas is great, I just think the arrogance and boastfulness that many people tape on their pick-up trucks or hang on their front doors or wear on their t-shirts is bothersome. It's just plain annoying, and a bit tacky and prideful. And, I've always seen those people on the other side of intelligent. A little. Because it's as if with the Confederate Flag hanging from the front porch we're declaring to all, "I may not be that smart, or have much going for me, but at least I'm from Texas."

Please don't misunderstand me, Texas is a fine place, and being loyal and patriotic and having a tattoo in the shape of Texas is not bad. Just chill with the whole, WE ARE BETTER THAN EVERYONE ELSE thing. That's all.

....

My point is that in Austin, they have chilled and don't think they are better than everyone else. The people we met there were from, all over: Seattle, San Francisco, New York. And there has to be a reason this city attracts these people: call them yuppies, hippies, vegans, artists, weirdos, whatever. There are alot of them. They support local businesses, are entrepreneurs, eat local and are creative and play outdoors and have a famous live music scene. They do not take themselves as seriously as New Yorkers. They laugh and smile and don't run everywhere they go. They aren't all work and no play.

We actually ran in to a guy who went to Jr. College with us in Tyler, Texas. When he saw Chris and me across the room, he came pouncing right over, arm outstretched, shook Chris's hand with one hand, did the man-hug-back-slap thing with the other, and exclaimed, "Chris Chambers you are so Austin!" We caught up, talked, exchanged phone numbers, it was good.

At a Starbucks near the UT campus the following morning a guy named Troy prayed for us. He commented, "I like your do-rag." Yes, I was rocking the black bandanna, and thus a conversation began. He prayed that we'd be willing and open and obedient to whatever our next move may be as a couple and as individuals. That we'd be still enough to hear God's whisper and have the guts to respond. That we'd be brave, wise and patient.

About the Food

When we told previous Austin-ites that we were traveling in and around the Austin area, they quickly responded with a To Do List. And on each list were several restaurants that we just had to visit. Since we are fans of eating and real foodies, we gladly stepped up to the challenge.

Our first night we grabbed some Mexican food pretty late and ate out on the patio. I had a cup of amazing taco soup, served up with the right amount of cilantro, avocado and award winning salsa. Voted Austin's best two years running according to the menu and the banner hanging below the marquis.

The least favorite of our dining experiences were at Hula Hut and Aussie's Grill and Beach Bar. Let me just clarify by saying perhaps if we would not have chosen 6:00pm on a Friday night to dine at the Hula Hut we probably would have had a more pleasant experience. As the name suggests this was a very happening, single friendly "bar on the deck" atmosphere with lots of families seated indoors. A take on Joe's Crab Shack- with much better food I'm sure. We just didn't want to wait and couldn't find a seat, so we took our tiny cups of frozen Margarita, Chris served us up some chips (I'm still not completely convinced it was self-serve chips and salsa) and we headed past the "Strictly Prohibited/ Employees Only Beyond This Point" sign and found our own little dock to sit at an watch the sunset.

Aussie's provides a great spot to play sand volleyball, or in our case watch sand volleyball. Sand volleyball in February... only in Texas. Our waiter, who must also be a manager/ partial owner or something (and hailed from Rye, New York), told us from March- November they have league tournaments and that it's a pretty happening place. I'm sure it is more exciting in the sunshine and in flip-flops than in a hoodie perched underneath a humming outdoor heater. But we stayed, and sat and ate our food while watching a couple games of five on five in the moonlight.

Chris's top pick may have been Torchy's Tacos. The sign looked, well, pardon my expression, but pretty bad ass. The marketing worked, as I exclaimed, "Chris, that looks like somewhere you'd like to eat." And the marquis read, Damn Good Tacos. So, there you have it. Good cheap tacos made fresh. We ate there more than once. I had the Mr. Pink and Chris enjoyed something called the Doublewide: chicken fried steak in a taco.

Other adventures lead us the "trailer park" where several vendors park, well, trailers and serve fare straight out of the window. These eateries serve anything from pizza, barbecue, tacos, Thai food to cupcakes and pies. The best thing about eating at these trailers- besides the inexpensiveness- is that you can sit outside, under an umbrella or at a picnic table or like I chose to, straight in the direct sunshine- and people watch. I know that from June - August sitting outside eating a meat filled pita from a cone may not be enjoyable, but in late February it was so, so nice. We visited two trailer parks (you don't know how much I HATE typing that!), one after dark on our last night in Austin. At this particular location twinkle lights were strewn throughout the tree limbs and there was a quite large covered, patio area to dine in.

I love this idea: cheap food, a covered area to sit and be. So chill. There were friends meting up who had brought their own bottles of wine or beer. There were kids and families as well as younger folks. There were restrooms that were maintained and somewhat of a stage/ elevated area where I'm sure there is live music from time to time. And possibly the best thing (besides the tacos) was that in exchange for your ID you could get the foosball or the ping-pong ball & paddles. I got beat, but it was still fun!

Of course we dove head first into some Barbecue at Rudy's. This is a restaurant in a gas station. (Again, what am I saying? I ate in a gas station, willingly...) The guys cutting the huge hunks of meats were so nice and provided samples and tastes. For a more traditional BBQ meal we dined at County Line Barbecue. Amazing BBQ'ed things. ( I had the veggie kabobs... don't judge!) Huge quantities. Traditional sides. As soon as we left Chris asked if we could go there again, before we left.

We also caught a gorgeous sunset at Oasis a very popular tourist attraction which provides breathtaking views of Lake Travis. It is a beautiful restaurant but completely overpriced. So we had pre-dinner drinks and were on our way after the sun slipped below the horizon.

Okay, now for what I enjoyed in Austin: Grabbing a quick bite at Wheatsville Co-op after stating, "Please can we stop. I'm starved. I want some vegetables."

That's the thing with boys (well, the two men I've been around the most in my life, my dad and my husband) they eat when they are famished, even if that means not eating a bite until 2:30 in the afternoon. I, on the other hand, prefer to eat a nice breakfast with protein and a grain or a fruit. Then I eat every four hours. Period.

I ate a beet/ carrot salad, broccoli covered in an almond/ basil dressing, and grape leaves stuffed with brown rice-- Yum. Chris hit the taco truck in the parking lot next door and we sat outside under a covered area provided by Wheatville Coop. Complete with biodegradable spoons and forks.

Another favorite was walking through the Holy Land: Whole Foods Flagship store and headquarters. Amazing. We got to sample about twelve various foods and talk with local farmers and cooks who's products are sold in Whole Foods, not only in the Southwest, but across the US. I can't do the experience justice in this post, but trust me, it was almost spiritual. And Chris enjoyed it too- he got to buy a beer and drink it while we walked throughout the store. This could revolutionize grocery shopping, not only in the Chambers home, but across the country!

About the Shopping

This photo was taken in a vintage store. More specifically this photo was taken in the restroom in a vintage store.

You guys, the vintage/ antique shopping abounds in Austin, Texas. I'm not talking about junk stores or Goodwill-esk type of random, old trash that no one wants. I'm talking about really good vintage stuff. There are so many stores in Austin that there is even a map of the almost forty locations that cater to the thrift shopper.

There are stores dedicated to records and albums. There are stores with old instruments and music accessories: sheet music, microphones, albums and posters. There were stores specializing in furniture and antique furnishings. And of course: the clothing! Chris was in heaven in one store where we found an entire rack of pearl snapped shirts- with short sleeves. And another entire rack of pear snapped shirts- with long sleeves.

The thing about all the vintage stores we visited was this: most of the people who worked there, who owned or managed these stores, were doing what they loved. They were artists and invested in their business. This drive to do well and put forth a quality product or environment was very apparent. You can just tell when thoughtfulness and craftiness have been poured into a space. When the heart is involved it's obvious.

Austin supports the small business owner. Austin supports everyman and entrepreneurship- it's apparent in the eateries and shopping and the fact that there's not a Subway sandwich and Wal-Mart on every corner. I love the fact that people can take their ideas and run with them and be supported as a seamstress or piano teacher or jewelry designer. I like the fact that it's a large city, but seems comfortable in a neighborhood sort of way.

We didn't do alot of shopping, but we did alot of looking and browsing and realized that it's nice to live in a place that can support local book stores and farmers markets and coffee shops that aren't Starbucks. Not that there's anything wrong with the familiarity of Starbucks (tall non-fat 1/2 caf. misto please...) and sometimes you just need a Target, but I'm glad places exist where people can feel safe enough to create. And other's support them in their endeavors.

It's a big risk going out there on your own, creating, being your own boss, diving into grass roots efforts that begin with hot checks and a prayer- but it's worth a shot if you want to be free. Free to do what you feel like you've been put on the earth to do. And it's usually not the easy decision. And it usually doesn't look "right" to everyone else. Oh, and it'll probably mean you'll mess up alot. BUT- it is what living and life are all about. It's not about being a receptionist.