No, the Alamo is just fine, thank you very much. I'm struck by just how small it is.
But seriously, when did Disney buy the San Antonio Riverwalk? It's just about that kitchy-sweet, and it was simply mobbed. It seems they're lighting the Christmas tree and having a boat parade, or something. Mom never much cared for crowds, and that trait hasn't changed over the years. Oh, and the Occupy San Antonio folks were out. Who'd have thought that they'd be so polite? And not smell bad?
But what's with most of the restaurants shutting down "to get ready for dinner"? We ate at the most boring, uninspired place imaginable.
But the Alamo was fun, and time out with family is always a win. Even if you're mobbed in a Disney Theme Park with no food.
Sorry you didn't have a good time.
ReplyDeleteYes the Alamo is very small, that never ceases to surprise folks.
The Riverwalk is nice, but no fun when there's a crowd.
Not only is the Alamo small, but it's smack in the middle of downtown San Antonio. It struck me as looking like something out of a Tex Avery cartoon. Skyscraper, skyscraper, skyscraper, Alamo, skyscraper, skyscraper...
ReplyDeleteThis is what you get for not calling me. I could have made sure y'all had fun.
ReplyDeleteStill better than being in New York.
ReplyDeleteyeah, well back in the day, the Alamo was the only game in "town".
ReplyDeleteBP, for one,you obviously did not partake of enough hoppy beverages, and two, went to the wrong places on the riverwalk.
Us Texians consider ourselves lucky that the Alamo wasn't flattened to wedge another skyscraper in Jay G's list.
It isn't the place that is legendary, it is the men that fought there. -site picture is off a bit.
Obviously, Borepatch did not go to Schilo's Delicatessen, in spite of probably walking by it.
ReplyDeleteSabra, I did think about calling. Unfortunately, Mom doesn't get around like she used to, so our itinerary is pretty constrained.
ReplyDeleteAnd you're right - we did walk right past Schilo's. I even wondered how good it was. Have to get back to it, but Mom and Younger Brother were hankering for either Tex-Mex or BBQ.
Did you notice how many Irish, English and Scots were among the Alamo defenders?
ReplyDeleteNext to the small size, that was what surprised me most.
The Alamo scale is a matter of perspective. As someone else noted, sitting in the shadow of modern buildings aggrevates the affect. Also - if memory serves, the entire walled in section that was initially defended is no longer there. Just the main section they eventually fell back to during the siege that everyone recognizes.
ReplyDeleteWas the Preacher out front yelling at people? Its been a couple of years since I've been there - but my last two visits there was a street Preacher screaming damnation at everyone that walked by. Annoying bastard.
Amazing the amount of bravery and heart that fit into that little tiny building.
ReplyDeletePaladin, the Preacher was nowhere to be seen. But there was a concert going on the whole time we were there (different performers), so he would have shouted his fire and brimstone REALLY loud.
ReplyDeleteBorepatch, for future reference I am available for e-mail consultations. ;-) I could have at least warned you away from the Riverwalk on a Friday night & directed you somewhere like County Line for BBQ.
ReplyDeleteThe Riverwalk is actually quite pleasant most of the time, though I really prefer it during daylight hours when not so many people are down there. Some time when there's not a parade the barge rides are a nice way to pass half an hour or so.
As to the Alamo and it's surroundings, yes, there is very little of it left. Were it not for the granddaughter (I believe) of the Republic's first vice president locking herself in the Long Barracks and a socialite with a full bank account & great respect for history, we wouldn't even have that. I always tell people to look at the Alamo as the fort around which the city grew in order to understand its placement. La Villita, just a couple of blocks away, was the initial civilian settlement of the city, whereas the Alamo itself is merely the chapel of the presidio which once stood there.