Dec 29/30 Wednesday activities

A family in the elevator looked at us and she asked what our colors were? Unhesitantly I said, “the way the Vikings played last night I should be wearing purple.” This started our walk down the river to start our day. Lots of orange again in sight. Walking we passed the stage area.

This picture is often found in art galleries. The five bells to the right are signifying the five missions in San Antonio. To their left are round tiles protruding, those could be like in Europe, pigeon loft. The bridge is striking.

We returned to the hotel and on the dot John showed up. Yolanda was working her shift. As tomorrow they leave to visit her family in Mexico for the New Year. I had asked to go to a real Mexican restaurant. It was within a half mile of our hotel but what a pleasant surprise, The Cascabel Mexican Patio restaurant on

south St.

Mary’s street.

Starting with a beverage, Shirleen got a cup of hot chocolate, their chocolate has a hint of cinnamon and the quantity was two and a half cups worth. I tried a Jamaica (hibiscus) it is made with dried hibiscus blossoms and rehydrated in water and made sweet. Shirleen and John ordered a soup;

Pozole, pork soup, a rich broth, alongside to add as you wish shredded cabbage and sliced radishes.

I a Pipián (mole verde), diced pork cooked with their own green mole served with white rice and black bean and ensalada de nopales – a cooked cactus with tomatoes. Preceding the meal were a flavorful soup with fine noodles, cheese and black beans, accompanying this were two salsas, one red other green. I liked the red and used it on the homemade corn tortillas. What delightful company and meal.

John suggested we go through The University of Texas Institute of Texan Cultures. The displayed cultures were presented in a very artful way. The only culture missing and being redone was the Mexican one.

This was the German Christmas tree, with a hidden pickle, in open sight that many missed. The placard mentioned that the pickle ornament was brought to Germany from US during the World War.

It was coming toward 5pm and went to the top of the tower at the Chart House restaurant bar area for appetizers. We had a order of Coconut Shrimp and Ahi Nachos (seared Ahi tuna served atop fried wontons, with pickled ginger and wasabi cream.) What a knock out appetizers. We are 672 feet above the street and 952 steps, or take the elevator. Looking down over our hotel that looks so small from here and when I step our on the balcony on the 14^th floor, I get queasy.

The river walk was extremely busy even though the Alamo-dome game was one and a half hours away. It was time for a ride on the river, it is a nice introduction to who, why and what is on the river. On the way back to the hotel we noticed that our hotel had a tree silhouetted on our side of the building. We are upper right red lights, next to a room which has one color of each. I would have waved if I had been up there. jerr