Remember the Alamo

12.1.09

 

Had booked the 10.30 bus to San Antonio so not an early start but definitely no sleep in for me this morning. Trip to San Antonio only an hour and a half so before I knew it I was looking at street signs trying to work out where I was on the map. Discovered the station was pretty well in downtown, so jumped on a bus for the three stops to be just one block away from my treat hotel. Had booked a 4 star place last night, figuring for only one night I deserved a comfortable bed without a plastic sheet on it (in Dallas the plastic sheets on the bed were the plastic covers mattresses come in from the shop when they're new) and a bath tub to soak 7 weeks of dirt off, and the ability to sleep without ear plugs or an eye mask. Wow! It was beautiful! Bell boys to open the doors, bag brought to the room, a room that was a suite, not a room - a lounge room and a bathroom and a separate bedroom. Gorgeous decor, and a well located hotel indeed, right on the riverwalk.

 

I took off to find a post office to get a box to put all my stuff in, and visit The Alamo. The Alamo was a good tour, and freaky - to be standing in the room in which the canons obliterated the men, and to go into the room in which the women and children were huddling while the men were torn apart by canons. Beautiful buildings as well, the church which is now the shrine, and the long barrack, are all that really survive of the original mission. Built out of limestone, and just lovely. A significant battle in all of Mexico, USA and of course Texas' history, yet interesting that it was less than 200 men that died. Only 200 had to die there, and some more at Goliad, for General Sam Houston to eventually "Remember The Alamo" and in return obliterate the Mexicans.

 

Checked out a bit more of the downtown area and a few patches of the riverwalk, before returning to unnload stuff, then had some dinner and enjoyed my first and last luxury until I get to Mary's in Geelong! lol. So 4 weeks to go, and 7 weeks since. Packed my post box, and was so proud of myself, managed to squeeze in my "shocking" red jacket that is rather large and bulky, and that I thought I would not fit in! Such a relief to be able to send that onwards and not lug any further. Nice as it is, I don't need the choice of jackets while on holidays!!!!

 

Which also reminds me - the post office was beautiful, old, and weird. Had to go through security before gaining entry - I suspect that there were court offices in there, or perhaps not, perhaps they're just cautious, and there was no queues!! Straight to the counter. The man also let me take the postal box and not pay for it - it's a fixed price one but I still thought there'd be a cost for the box and then I'd just have to pay the difference for the postage. The security guards pointed out parts of the office of interest for me to take photos of. Very friendly and weird post office experience!!!!