What I learned on my vacation

ManO and I like to travel, in part, because we know the world is a lot bigger than our little neck of the woods, we love learning and trying new things. So every time we go on vacation I take a bit of time to reflect on what I've learned from our adventures. Indulge me.

1) Books make everything taste better. Who knew there was a restaurant/book store in Atlanta's airport? Cafe Intermezzo, great place to spend a long layover.   

ManO at Cafe Intermezzo where I stared at the books, I mean, into his eyes.

  2) Unexpected ingredient combinations rock.  We always try to go to one stellar restaurant to counteract all the places with prepared food. With my allergies, the fresher the better and good restaurants know fresh.  But when we went to Biga on the Bank, set along a quieter side of the San Antonio Riverwalk, I didn't expect one of their appetizers I chose as my entree (that is how you dine stellar and not break the bank, the money bank, that is.)  Homemade hummus, giant Texas shrimp, lamb sausage, and olive tampenade, plus a few spices I am still figuring out. I would have never thought of hummus as a base. And yes, I'll be trying this at home.

3) I  have a calling as an artist encourager.  ManO and I collect art on our trips the way some people collect tee-shirts or coffee mugs. But I didn't realize my choices were being guided until this last trip. On our trip to Paris, I bought a painting from a woman in the artists' square at Montmarte. I speak French so we chatted a while about her inspiration for the little autumn river scene. As we left, I saw several other artists gather around her and hug her. "You've finally sold a painting!"

When we were in Wyoming, after visiting Yellowstone, we found the local artist's co-op (you don't have to break the bank to tap into the art scene either).  I told ManO I was obsessed with buying a painting to reflect our time in the park. A buffalo, a dead tree, and mountains. I had to have a painting with those elements. Who buys art that way? Me apparently.  We turned into the back gallery and there it was. A lovely framed watercolor of, you guessed it, a buffalo, a dead tree and mountains. I was thrilled. We took it up front. The cashier (another artist, because that is how co-ops work) said, "Oh, I am so glad you bought her painting. She broke her back and has been really down. This will perk her right up."

Now, in San Antonio, we found a local co-op in La Vallita, a group of galleries right on the Riverwalk. We went in there three times and I spied a painting of a quiet turn in the Riverwalk. But I didn't get it. The next day, by the time I realized that painting was haunting me, we didn't have time to get it and get to the airport.  ManO knew I was miserable and I called the gallery when I was home. It was a cooperative effort for them to email me a picture of the correct painting, contact the artist. What did the cashier say when I thanked her and the guy taking the picture for their efforts? "Oh, I know she will be so happy. She hasn't sold anything in a month."

Now you are free to wonder about my ability to pick paintings. But I don't. Especially when the artist, an elderly woman who lives outside of San Antonio, called to let me know she had mailed the painting. She was so thrilled I was excited about her work.  I got the message from her but I've also gotten the message that I don't exactly pick my own paintings. 

A sweet little painting of a quiet Riverwalk turn.
 

  So, what about you? What do you learn on your summer vacations? Have you had any epiphanies, brought home recipes, or just content yourself with a new favorite coffee mug?                  

Back East

A number of us were in San Antonio this week for the RWA Conference. I had to travel a bit further than Texan Mindy but it was worth it, as a writer and a reader.  I came back with requests for my manuscripts from agents and publishers and lots of good memories. 

I fell in love with San Antonio back in the 90s and was thrilled to introduce Man O to the city. But wasn't thrilled about this:

Every day!

I was thrilled about the beauty of the city, The Alamo at sunset, the Riverwalk.

ManO photobombed me, of all people.

Numerous meals had this view.

I made new friends and spent time with my friends like my Golden Heart nominated buddy Piper:

Man O and I watched Miss Congeniality, the quintessential San Antonio set movie. Still such fun.

And we knocked Fredericksburg, Texas off of my twenty year old bucket list. I fell in love with it from a magazine article in Southern Living. Can you tell why? So many neat stone houses and the National Museum of the Pacific War. Antique shops. And they grow everything bigger in Texas, including the M&Ms.

Enjoyed the food (will be talking about it more in the future) but I am really glad to be back home in my own home, lower humidity and being able to cook again. That means the vacation did it's job!

Have you been to San Antonio? Do you have a favorite cute little town you like to visit? What places are on your bucket list?