A
weekend in San Antonio was a welcome escape from the bustle of Houston. Equally as hot and as busy as its neighboring
city, SA is however a beautiful river city with a long and colourful
history. 
The area was originally home to native American people, who lived along
the river. Their peaceful life on the banks was disrupted sometime in 1691 when Spanish explorers and missionaries established a
settlement there and named the place San Antonio. This history continues to influence the feel of the city
today; with both its native American Indian and Hispanic arts, architecture, music
and of course, cuisine!
It is most famous, however, for the
Battle of the Alamo in 1836, which was more than just a movie with a bloke in
it called Davie Crockett! The Alamo was
a tragic yet pivotal event in the Texas revolution and is very much an
important part of not only the identity of San Antonio today, but also to the
American people generally. The Alamo is
a national monument and a shrine and is well worth the visit.
Unexpectedly, the Alamo is also smack bang in
the centre of the city, a short stroll from the Riverwalk and all its
restaurants and bars. The Riverwalk
today meanders through the city, lined on both sides by shops, bars,
restaurants and theatres. What’s
interesting about the walk is that its beauty today is the result of a
disastrous flood in 1921. In essence, as
with so many constructions of the modern era, the city grew up clustered along the banks
of the river, consuming land that historically was a flood plain. The result, not unexpectedly, when the river
flooded in 1921, was multiple lives lost. So the government and local community
of the day launched into a far sighted plan to develop a system of channels and
a bypass flood gate, as well as a river beautification project. Their efforts continue to reward the city,
attracting millions of visitors each year.
San Antonio feels like an oasis of
calm after the chaos of Houston. It not
only surprises with its beautiful river; great arts and crafts; interesting
history; and fabulous food; but its people are relaxed and laid back and
incredibly welcoming and proud of their city.