San Antonio

I got to San Antonio without any problems but was a bit perplexed when the driver stopped for a break twenty miles outside the city. I guess it was something to do with Government regulations but it did seem to be a bit silly when we were so close to our final destination, well for us anyway. After going to the visitor information centre to find out how to get to my hostel I found out that I needed to catch the bus from opposite the Greyhound station and had to walk back there. I had called the hostel that morning to make a reservation as I hadn't been able to do it on line, all of the hostel websites had said that the hostel was full. I had been so relieved when I had called and been able to get a room. As I walked to the hostel from the bus stop I had to laugh, right next door was a post office, I hadn't needed to walk to the post office near Cory's house that morning. Ah well, probably if I hadn't of gone there wouldn't have been one next door to the hostel. Still, I seemed to be doing a lot of unnecessary walking today.The hostel is a huge old house, with white pillars outside and a wide wrap around porch. Alma, the lady who runs the place, let me in and give me my bedding. There was an old fashioned register to sign and there only seemed to be about ten of us staying there that night and the place could easily hold more. I don't know why I hadn't been able to book it online. I got to use the free of charge computer before going to get some dinner. As I was leaving I ran into a Japanese lady who had just come back to pick up her luggage, Kei. We got talking and caught the bus back into town together, it would have been awesome if we could have hung out together. As it was we exchanged email addresses and will be "Facebook" friends forever! I have picked up a lot more "friends" on this trip. Here I am wondering when I will see people like Meghan next when I am becoming friends with people that I may only meet this once. I probably shouldn't think too deeply about it. I guess what my issue is is that I feel I have made some genuine friends that I would like to see again but probably won't. I guess that's life.

I wandered around downtown for a bit and then went to get some dinner at a Mexican restaurant that Alma had recommended. I have eaten so much Mexican food on this trip, but so much of it has been so good. Just as well really as I'll be eating curry and Fish 'n ' Chips when I get back home. I just missed a bus back to the hostel and sat at the bus stop to wait for the next one. I was joined by a homeless guy who started to talk to me, I know he was homeless because he told me. I don't know why I attract people looking for money, I don't think I look particularly prosperous. I am always either walking or waiting for the bus, my clothes aren't expensive and aren't always the cleanest they could be. I don't know what it is but I wish I did so I could stop it. He asked me if there was space for him to stay where I was, I said that I was sure there was as it was half empty. He asked if he could come back with me and I said yes, but that he would have to pay as it was a hostel and he of course asked if I could pay for him. I said no as I am on a budget, I always feel guilty when I say no to people who are so obviously in need and have less than I do. Although I am on a budget I haven't had to sleep on the streets and I know that if I were in trouble my family and friends would find some way to help me. Therefore I must be more fortunate than those people who ask me for money, at least that's my reasoning. Finally the bus came and I was able to make my escape.

It wasn't late when I got back to the hostel so I spent another hour on the computer, I am way behind on my blog and uploading my photos onto "Snapfish" and "Facebook". It seems such a chore sometimes. I went to my room which was just me and one other girl. It was only 10pm but the other girl was already in bed, but the t.v. was on. I tried to get into bed as quickly as possible but I felt uncomfortable. I definitely prefer large dormitories, less personal. The double room felt too intimate to be sharing it with a total stranger, especially one I couldn't have a conversation with. Tuesday 23rd February. Can't believe that it almost March already. The room was empty when I woke so I didn't have to sneak around. I showered, used the computer again and packed up my rucksack. I chatted with Alma before I left and got a shock when I opened the front door, it was raining, hard. Alma lent me an umbrella and I went to catch the bus, fortune was smiling on me as one arrived almost immediately. I started with the Alamo. The Alamo was the scene of a battle between Texans fighting for independence against the Mexican army. It was originally built by the Spanish mission to aid the spread of Catholicism in the New World. While the place is definitely atmospheric I enjoyed talking to a couple of the docents more.

San Antonio sits on the San Antonio river and part of downtown is actually an island. The city has created a series of walkways on the rivers banks and imaginatively called it the "Riverwalk" . This is so cool, everyone has easy access to the water and it's a really nice way to get around downtown and a little beyond. I spent the afternoon walking around beside the river and taking lots of photos. I went to Hemisfair Park and went to the top of the Tower of the Americas. The top of the tower has an inside and outside section, as soon as I went outside I understood why no one else was out there. The wind was horrific and even though the whole deck is enclosed,i.e. there was no chance of me falling out I was still concerned. I snapped my pictures and ran back inside. I went back t the San Fernando cathedral that I had seen the night before and went in to take a look. I am getting a little blase about these places, I think I've seen too many and tiredness is catching up on me. I am ready for a steady job and a bit of boredom. I finished the day with the public library, which is a seriously impressive building and not like anything I've seen before. Go San Antonio. I rushed back to the hostel, picked up my bag and caught the bus to where I was going to meet Moraya.I would stay with her for the next few days.