mermaidcamp

mermaidcamp

Keeping current in wellness, in and out of the water

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German Free School in Austin

July 19, 2014 — 3 Comments

Many Germans were settlers in Texas. I noticed in the Oakwood Cemetery lots of headstones noting birthplaces in Germany or Prussia, and some were inscribed in the German language.  As I was walking downtown Austin on a Saturday I passed a sign for the German Free School.  I was curious to see kids at play in the courtyard.  I asked a lady next to the gate if there was a museum in the building.  She was very friendly but on duty with the kids who come on the weekends to learn German.  She directed me to another adult upstairs who took me on a quick tour while the kids were still on play break.  It is small, but very well preserved.  When there are no other events taking place they rent it out for weddings and parties.  It would be a very elegant place for any affair.  The library is full of books in German or about Germany, and a wonderful collection of antiques gives the full impression of German artistic flair.  Ornate carved furniture, that must be priceless, fills the main room.  The courtyard is also very well designed with nice statuary.  I want to show the gentle readers what I saw on my lucky personal tour of this historic landmark.  Achtung Baby!

Food Truck Infatuation, The Juice Well

July 17, 2014 — 5 Comments

One of the ways I enjoy travel is by trying all kinds of gastronomy. In Austin the food truck craze is very advanced. There are more trucks than I could have imagined, most with permanent locations. I found a barbecue place close to home yesterday and was tempted by the cheese jalapeño grits they serve as a side. When I stopped to try the grits, the Juice Well was open next door. Now I have a problem.  I have fallen so deeply in love with the food at the Juice Well that it will be hard to move on and try anything else.  This vegetarian juice and smoothie bar goes to great lengths to prepare natural, homemade sandwiches and entrées that compliment the liquid delights.  I was thrilled with my Merlin’s Magic juice blend that was spiked with garlic and lemon juice.  The sandwich I ordered, the Kraftwork, may honestly be the best sandwich I have ever tasted.  I am hooked.  They make their own sauerkraut with red cabbage which is to die for. Pickled green onions and other veggies are all made in house.  The result on the sandwich is fantastic, beating the hell out of the dill pickle relish we normally find between bread.  I do want to try other trucks but I need to go back to the Juice Well to taste more of the dazzling creative specialties they are making right around the corner.  To complicate matters I found a Colombian restaurant near here that had a super long waiting list for lunch. The Colombians serve arepas, and even if they are not exactly Venezuelan style, I love me some arepas.  I have to find a time when Casa Colombia is not overflowing with customers.  I was really thinking TexMex, but there is more exciting food to eat around here that we don’t have in Tucson.  I have my work cut out for me as gourmet taster.

I Love Dead People

July 17, 2014 — 4 Comments

Oakwood Cemetery

Oakwood Cemetery

My own fascination with dead people is neither religious nor political. I study my own ancestry to get a broader understanding of history and how I came into being. When I travel I love nothing better than to check out  cemeteries to meet the locals and see what they have been doing. I am lucky right now to be situated between two very old and very large grave yards.  All of these people have died in Austin, Texas over the span of hundreds of years.  I notice what similar features the plots and monuments have in common, and then notice what makes each grave distinct.  The designs and the grand expenditures tell one part of the tale, but if you let yourself imagine what their lives were like and how they made the journey here history becomes a real human story.  Some might think graves are macabre, but to me they are clues to the ongoing conditions of cultural change.  The dead at Oakwood express themselves in a few ways:

The handshake:

The private yard:

The Texan:

I learned that some of the important people in history in Oakwood have QR codes on the grave to give you the entire story of their lives.  I did not have my phone with me today, so I will go back and try this super smart way to get more out of a grave yard visit.  The grounds are lovely and well maintained.  I count this one as a top destination for those of us who love graves, topped only by all the people who fell off the Matterhorn who are buried in Zermatt (still the best I have seen), and the one in Salzburg at the monastery.  Y’all come and discover these dead Texans for yourselves.  They are cute and friendly.

Travel Time

July 16, 2014 — 2 Comments

luggage

luggage

Time may be finite, but I notice that it can expand and contract based on circumstances. When I am home I always have some day to day chores waiting for me. Being busy is not my style, but I do cross items off the to do list in a regular fashion. Planning is big for me, but it often leads to changing plans.  I drive very little by choice, so on line shopping is a big friend of mine when I am not supporting local businesses.  My routine includes time with friends, my dog, and my neighbors as well as tending the garden and running the house. I find excitement in studying my ancestors, history, culture and the arts.  I rarely need to go anywhere to stimulate my imagination and creativity.   I had a long career as a travel agent, so I am very able to make choices and plans that suit my fancy in terms of a destination.  I like to spend my holiday time involved in activities I either can’t do at home, or just don’t do at home.  Some of my favorite vacation features are:

  • Natural bodies of water..of any kind, with a strong preference for hot springs
  • Sporty, creative community
  • City life..I like nature just fine, but I don’t want to stay in it
  • Shopping of an unusual, artistic nature
  • Music
  • Museums, art, science, anything
  • Historical societies
  • Graveyards
  • Interesting cuisine and agriculture

My budget for both time and money is set free during holiday times.  I look for new ways to spend both that I have never done.  I do a lot of research before i visit a place.  I usually have a long list of possible places I want to go, and then let the weather be the deciding factor.  I need some rainy day plans as well as some perfect day plans.  My main goal in traveling is to flow into  a new schedule, a new culture, and a new rhythm based on what I discover.  I usually do some reconnaissance on foot to see what the neighborhood has to offer before I set out in a car.  I study maps and read reviews to help me decide what to investigate.  It is a perfect combination of very well informed and not obligated to anything.  I am looking forward to doing this for the next to weeks in Austin, Texas, live music capitol of the US.  I hope my gentle readers will enjoy the trip as you come along for the ride.

 

Lyft on Vacation

April 18, 2014 — 4 Comments

I will visit  Austin, TX in the middle of the summer. I look forward to spending time downtown where I have rented a fabulous vintage Airstream from Air BnB as my abode. I will attend a reunion party for which I will need a car, but I am investigating the choices and prices I have while I am in the city. Car rental at the airport for the entire time would cost about $1000. Since I like being driven more than I like to drive, especially in a city, I am trying Lyft as a way to buy one ride at a time.  My Airstream home is near public bus lines, and I can rent a bike for $10 a day.  I like to go on foot to see the detail around me when I visit a new area.   I know Austin has a system of bike taxis that are fun to use, especially when traffic is jammed for cars. When we went to Austin City Limits Music Festival we made use of the bike taxis, water taxis, and took a sunset party cruise on a well equipped floating live music bar.  Considering all these choices renting a car and finding parking for it wherever I go sounds less appealing than biking, floating or being driven.

During my career as a travel agent I was always grateful and happy to stay in hotels and use suppliers on the commercial market.  I made extra effort to rent private flats when I traveled.  Now that the market has changed drastically I am pleased to be able to rent with assurance from Air BnB, and now ride with assurance provided by Lyft, Uber, and probably other apps I have yet to discover.  I just joined Lyft and have received a message that the first ride is on the company as my gift for being a Lyft pioneer.  What is not to like?  We plan to go out this weekend, so I will give that free ride a trial when we want to come home after happy hour.  I will find out if they are active in Tucson and test the service.  I prefer the free ride home to any chocolate bunny.  Thanks, Lyft.