Why I started this blog.

 

How did I decide to start this blog?

Let me give you a little history. 

 

 

I moved here to San Antonio, TX on September 3, 2009.

 

I had not gone any farther then the Walmart less the 2 miles from my home.

I did not know where any thing was, I did not know how their bus system was as there were no city busses by me, and I don't drive.

 

The nearest bus stop to me was a 5 mile walk, then at least 2 busses to get to "Downtown" proper.

 

Finally after being cooped up in the house for over a month with just the wanderings of Walmart to keep me occupied I decided enough is enough.

 

But I had "cabin fever" so bad, I did not care. So I put on my walking shoes and grabbed my back pack and took off to the nearest bus stop.

 

 I got off my bus at the corner by a hotel on the Riverwalk and promptly got lost.  I got very lost.

I was scared, confused about where I was supposed to go, and could not even find my way out of town to get back home.

 

Here I was, a woman in her 40's, ready to cry like a little lost child.

 

Now, I don't remember street names, can't distinguish North from South or East from West as I had only been here a month, I don't drive and this was maybe the 3rd time I was on the bus, and it was most certainly the farthest I had ever gone by bus.

 

I kept seeing yellow shirts everywhere. I finally got the courage to talk to one of them and discovered they are staff from Centro San Antonio. They are City Information Specialists. 
They are located at 219 E Travis, San Antonio, TX 78205
P. 210.224.7747, F. 210.224.5716
email is: jrichards@downtownsa.org
website is: www.downtownsa.org/centro
 

They were the first to show me the Southern Texan Hospitality that is world famous. 

 

They gave me a map, gave me directions, and gave me the best tip I have ever received to that point.

I was told:

I was told as long as I can find the Alamo, I can find my way anywhere around Downtown.

Then the Famous Yellow Shirt told me, after I get comfortable finding the Alamo, then mark the major landmarks like the Menger, the Emily Morgan, Ripley's (yep, we have a Ripley's, it is great for giving people directions).

 

Luckily, I found the Alamo was only 3 blocks away from where I got off the bus.  I had no idea I was that close.  I thought I was miles away according to the directions a few people gave me.

 

Well, I continued my day, I got home safely, and have since been downtown, and all over town since then. 

 

4 years later, in 2013, I still don't  know all the street names, but I know a lot of the landmarks. 

 

I decided that very day with the kindness of that Famous Yellow Shirt, that the only way I am going to get to know my new "Home Town" is if I treat it as a giant vacation.
I regret not remembering this persons name, but if you read this, you know who you are. 

The very first thing I tell people I meet is look for the Yellow Shirts, then find the Alamo. You will be able to find anything in San Antonio. I give the people I meet the same advice I was given my first day Downtown.

 

I don't often get to spend a day just wandering around looking at the sights, but when I do, I will document, and research, and edit and add and etc. etc. etc.

 

There is so much to see and do in San Antonio.  The long time residents here have NO IDEA OF HOW GOOD THEY HAVE IT!!!

 

There is all sorts of museums, parks, pools, sights, hotels, history, nature, architecture, culture, art and friendly people that I am sometimes very amazed that they take all this for granted.  

 

Come "tour" with me as I find all the secrets, and surprises that San Antonio has to offer.  

 

I look forward to being your "Tour Guide Extraordinaire"

 

I am not a professional writer, but I think that is what will make this Blog a success.  You will get a real opinion from a real person, who has really lived the experience of being here in San Antonio daily.  You won't get a "critics review" from a 1 week vacation from a travel magazine.