San Antonio July 2011

I was traveling for work once again. This time I was in San Antonio...in July. It was REALLY hot down there. I stayed right by the Alamo and was able to take a little time in the evening to walk around.

First Stop: Mi Tierra Mexican Restaurant. It was clear on the other side of downtown (about 1/2 mile away) but definitely worth the walk. This place is open 24 hours and it is always busy. I got there on a Tuesday evening about 5 or 5:30 and I had to wait.
I treated myself to an adult refreshment. Only one because I had to walk back to the hotel in 100 degree heat AND I didn't want to fall in the river.
Dinner was carnitas. It's chunks of pork slow cooked so that the meat just falls apart. Of course there are refried beans and rice. It was so good. I was stuffed when I left and I was actually glad that I had to walk back to the hotel!
My feast of a dinner.
This is the historic Alameda Theater, which opened in 1949. It was once the largest theater dedicated to Spanish language entertainment.
This is the O. Henry house. He rented this house in the 1860's for $6 per month.
This is the Spanish Governor's Palace, which was completed in 1749. It was closed but it was not what I was expecting. When you think of 'Palace', you think ornate and big. Perhaps this building had those characteristics in 1749. I hope I can go back and actually go in.
San Antonio City Hall.
San Fernando Cathedral was built in 1738. James Bowie got married here. It is currently a cathedral in the Diocese of San Antonio. It was closed or I would have gone in.

The historic Aztec Theater, which opened in 1926, was the premier theater in the area. It closed in 1984. It was saved from destruction by the San Antonio Conservation Society.
The riverwalk. Even during the week in 100 degree weather, the riverwalk is crowded with people. I tried to walk around down there for a bit but it was so crowded, I came back up to the street. I did have dinner down there one night at a place called 'The Original Mexican Restaurant'. I thought it would be average but it turned out to be really good. I'm kind of a Mexican Food snob and I liked it. I had the guisada, which was most tasty. They had homemade flour tortillas that were so fresh, I had to let them cool before I could even pick them up to eat them.
Now this just is NOT right. Pat O'Brien's? Outside of New Orleans? I didn't go in on principle.
There it is. The Alamo. It was the first mission in San Antonio. It was established in 1718 as Mission San Antonio de Valero. This is where 189 defenders fell on March 6, 1836 after repeated attacks by Mexican general Santa Anna's army. 2011 is the 175th anniversary of the battle.

This was a picture from the back. The Alamo was closed when I got there but even from the outside, you can still 'feel' it.
St. Joseph's downtown church was built in 1868 by the German Catholic community.
Tower of the Americas offers the best view in San Antonio. I didn't have time to go up but in retrospect, I wish I'd made time.
Hemisfair Park is the site of the 1968 World's Fair. This is where the Tower of the Americas is located.

This was a fun trip. The work at the client office was good. I didn't have a lot of spare time but I'm glad I had enough to walk around a bit. It would have been a shame to spend three days down here and not see any of this. I've been to San Antonio many times but every time I go, I see something new.