Follow the money trail of America and one of the places where it’ll take you is Austin, TX. The Weird (keep it weird yo) uncle of the state of Texas family; this small dot of blue buried within the green and rolling hills that makes central Texas was a catalyst in forming this then three-month adventure. Why? For the same reason as all the other places, [do it] for the culture.
With a hurricane-bound New-Orleans safely in the rear view mirror, I admire the coincidence that is this departure date. Similar to my arrival to NoLa three weeks ago where I was greeted with the calm after the storm, now, here I am departing the marsh city the morning the second major storm is predicted to land.
“It [hurricane season] just keeps getting worse and worse every year”
- a local
With my old home behind and a late summer day, I look forward to this new city. I can’t however help but notice this feeling forming inside my body. Its bittersweet in its nature. Like leaving loved ones to embark on a journey with no true destination. The feeling of nostalgia takes over me. “This is going to be my life for now” reminder to self, as it continues its course, expressing itself throughout the long drive. The oil rigs begin to appear, left and right, forming small towns, communities, of working people. The damage of the first hurricane is visible as we go further west and how recovery takes time. The sun tries to blast the earth but the clouds keep getting in the way. It doesn’t stop the Alfa from opening its roof though. A smile now and again surfaces, another warm feeling bustling about my insides, looking for attention; excitement towards the unknown, boundless possibilities making themselves visible over the horizon. In hindsight now I can say “and then there was Austin, TX”.
First thing first; park the car, take care of business, and then, the real business.. “talk to me about food man!”. Taco shop 2 blocks away, always in the mood for a taco.. or seven, and a couple of beers too. I’ve never eaten this many tacos in one sitting before, “when in Austin baby”. On the matter of food, a made up quote from a local foodie:
“The influence of the University in the food culture can truly be felt over by The Drag. It’s not what it used to be but what is anymore.”
If only we knew then.. anyway its time for exploring and Austin has a few things to show us. To take a stroll through time and go back a century or two, make your way over the Congress Ave Bridge, at night if possible. With the Colorado river underneath you, hugging and separating inner Austin, and the Texas Capitol, north of you, looking high and mighty with it’s heavenly reach from the high ground is a sample of the history of this hilly city. The bridge is now home to the largest urban bat colony and draws big crowds of tourists and water enthusiasts for some bat-seeing. How bout that? Don’t care for bats no prob bring your best pair of eyes and your favorite person and enjoy the sunset gazing and company. Oh and tacos, from a recommended taco stand across the bridge, how perfectly convenient.
From here it’s only logical we visit the infamous 6th Ave where bars of all variations from arcade to dueling pianos and music clubs like jazz, blues and modern all clap their sound in your face. Each space with a unique flair of art and colors, demanding your attention from one to another. Everything, boarded up and sealed off — a common reminder nowadays that things are different. I can image that this long and wide street used to be filled with music emerging from all the clubs, pouring onto the street where walks of most life enjoyed surrounding their hearing w/ a plethora of music tastes and quality. Smells of all varieties, hopefully mostly of food, filled the air with scents of barbecue and grilled meats — colorful taco stands and one-off shops getting lines of people forming for a taste of Austin. Now what’s left here is the same of what’s left in many other places across this vast land of opportunity, the glaring issues of our socioeconomic culture cannot help but rise. When can we all be equal?
This city has a lot of street art; recently art dealing with matters close to the B.L.M movement but the influence of the history and the young crowd that is hosted at the university drive the culture of Austin Texas. The street art takes no prisoners, it knows no mercy. If you raise anything but a white flag you will be met with graffiti on top of graffiti. Street lamps, columns of buildings, bridges, murals, stop signs all are met equally to the forceful Austin Art. The city, host to SXSW, is now home to a Graffiti park, a place where street art truly comes to life. What used to be considered a pest and a negative mark of society is now embraced and furthered for a cause whether for important issues or to tell someone they have a nice penis. The inhabitants of this city are relentless when it comes to expression; at the expense of someone’s private backyard, The Cathedral of Junk came to life. A junkyard, thoughtfully arranged in true art-like fashion is now a museum of sorts showcasing memorabilia. It’s impossible not to be smothered with the essence of doing something solely for the purpose of doing it. Not for what it means or for its product, but doing it for the name of Art. What for most people would be a disaster of a thing to have in one’s home to others mean passion and perhaps purpose. And if that’s so, then carry on, for what is life without love? A body with no soul.
Liked what you read? Leave a comment below and let me know. With love, Z.
