A lot of socializing is being done between 5:30 and 7:00 each evening as we stay three nights in our San Antonio hotel. Complimentary beverages and snacks are a fine opportunity to bond with the fellow passengers. One woman said she thought this group was so much closer than other tours she had been on. I suggested it is because of the many evenings spent at hotels just like this one, sitting at tables together, visiting and getting acquainted.
Today we had a noticeable drop in temperatures. It was still clear and sunny, but with a high of 68 degrees, most of us wore light jackets.
A step-on local guide introduced us to Mission San Jose, known as the Queen of Missions, and the story of the Spanish attempt to Christianize the Indian cultures in the 1700s. From there we toured the beautiful San Fernando Cathedral, right in the center of the city. Also begun in the 1700s, the Cathedral's walls are the oldest standing structure in San Antonio. Its main altar is covered in 24 karat gold and is blindingly beautiful. Just inside the front doors of is a white stone container holding the remains of the heroes of the Battle of the Alamo, including
Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett. We also toured the Spanish Governor's Palace. Although it was never a Governor's Palace, the 1749 adobe structure was the residence and headquarters for the captain of the Spanish presidio and became the seat of Texas government in 1772.
After lunch we had a real change of pace at the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum. Said to be the world’s most unique collection of horns and antlers, it all started when the saloon offered to trade a shot of whiskey or a beer for horns or rattlesnake rattlers. In addition, the museum has
horn furniture (including a chair made for Teddy Roosevelt out of 62 pair of buffalo horns) and mountings from around the world.
Our final stop was at El Mercado, a Mexican marketplace with shops, restaurants and a bakery. This is a fascinating, multi-cultural city, and we have one more day here before we must leave.
Laurel Johnson - Tour Director
Today we had a noticeable drop in temperatures. It was still clear and sunny, but with a high of 68 degrees, most of us wore light jackets.
A step-on local guide introduced us to Mission San Jose, known as the Queen of Missions, and the story of the Spanish attempt to Christianize the Indian cultures in the 1700s. From there we toured the beautiful San Fernando Cathedral, right in the center of the city. Also begun in the 1700s, the Cathedral's walls are the oldest standing structure in San Antonio. Its main altar is covered in 24 karat gold and is blindingly beautiful. Just inside the front doors of is a white stone container holding the remains of the heroes of the Battle of the Alamo, including
Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett. We also toured the Spanish Governor's Palace. Although it was never a Governor's Palace, the 1749 adobe structure was the residence and headquarters for the captain of the Spanish presidio and became the seat of Texas government in 1772.
After lunch we had a real change of pace at the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum. Said to be the world’s most unique collection of horns and antlers, it all started when the saloon offered to trade a shot of whiskey or a beer for horns or rattlesnake rattlers. In addition, the museum has
horn furniture (including a chair made for Teddy Roosevelt out of 62 pair of buffalo horns) and mountings from around the world.
Our final stop was at El Mercado, a Mexican marketplace with shops, restaurants and a bakery. This is a fascinating, multi-cultural city, and we have one more day here before we must leave.
No comments:
Post a Comment