We all get a little crazy sometimes.
Living in Northern Alberta, the crazy usually starts in mid-November and can stretch through April. That’s a lot of crazy. Then there are circumstances that can make the crazy, well crazier. And that my friends, is where I found myself a few short weeks ago.
With winter yet to make a real appearance but still looming on an unending horizon and personal issues (man related dontcha know) threatening to lead to an all out emotional implosion, I decided to take my crazy and get the hell out of here.
I have to say it was the best decision I have made in a long time!
After missing my connecting flight in Calgary (thank you Air Canada), I had to overnight in Houston. Air Canada kindly put me up at the Marriott, so it wasn’t too bad. I even had company. My seatmate from Calgary to Houston was a lovely young woman who was on her way to Costa Rica for a four month volunteer stint. She didn’t have a room in Houston and planned to spend the night in the airport. That didn’t sit right with me, so I invited her to share my room. She initially declined, but after seeing the airport she thankfully changed her mind.
The next morning we went our separate ways, her to Costa Rica, me to Austin.
I arrived in Austin about 10am. The weather was gorgeous and I hung outside for awhile chatting with a gentleman who was on his way to Washington DC with his service dog, a St Bernard. I got my first dog fix of the trip in. I finally grabbed a cab and headed downtown to my hotel. Wow, was I in for a treat! The Omni in downtown Austin is fabulous! The staff was great, the amenities first class and my room was lovely. I was there way before check in time but that wasn’t an issue.
After dumping my suitcase in my room, I headed up to the rooftop to scout out the pool. Back down to my room to change into my bathing suit and back to the rooftop I went.
It only took about a minute and I felt my crazy start to lift.
Friday evening was full of good music, good food and catching up with old friends. Oh, and beer. Lots of beer.
Saturday saw me on my own, poking around downtown, having breakfast at the Old Pecan Street Cafe. As it was another beautiful day I was able to dine outside in the courtyard. A little bit of heaven found in downtown Austin. After breakfast I walked to the Capitol building, did a tour of 6th Street in the daylight, then headed back to the hotel. The rooftop awaited me.
Another couple hours poolside and my crazy left me.
Traveling, sun and beer left me a bit tired, so Saturday night there was nothing on my agenda.
The Omni however, had big plans.
The Bachelors of Austin was hosting their annual Debutantes Ball. WTF? I didn’t know Debutante Balls still existed. I had this creepy image of a group of old men salivating at the thought of these beautiful young girls being presented to them as their future wives. Ugh. Really? I later found out that it is just a good excuse for a party, but the disconcerting image still lingered.
My room had a great view of the hotel courtyard so I was able to watch the ball prep. Later on that evening I watched some of the debutantes being presented.
As the debutantes and their escorts made their way down the beautifully decorated staircase, they paused at the landing and curtsied. Okay, whatever. But they didn’t stop at a normal curtsy (whatever that may be). They then reached their arms out, shoulder height, to their sides and basically pronated themselves on the floor from the curtsy position. I know it’s hard to visualize and I was too far away to get a picture. But trust me, the position they took was disturbing.
Sunday saw the parentals drive up from San Antonio to collect me. The next few days were full of sighseeing, eating, shopping and visiting. It was great seeing the family and catching up with family friends.
San Antonio was not all about family doings.
I had the opportunity to go to Durty Nelly’s where a friend of mine is an entertainer.
At Durty Nelly’s I found my crazy, but this time a good crazy.
The patrons come from all over. I struck up a conversation with a couple at the next table and it turns out they were from Calgary. And, they had also lived in Peace River for ten years. I shouldn’t, but I still get amazed about how small this world is.
I drank lots of beer that Wednesday night. After my friend was finished playing, he took me out to some of his haunts and I drank more beer. Ever the gentleman, he had me back at my dad’s before 1:00am.
Having had a little taste of wild and crazy the night before, Thursday night saw me back at Durty Nelly’s, this time with an ambitious plan. My flight out on Friday morning was an early one – I had to be at the airport at 5:30am. My friend generously offered to pull an all nighter with me and get me to the airport.
My dad and step-mom drove me downtown to the Hilton (where the pub is located) and the concierge kindly stowed my luggage. I headed down to the pub which by that time of the evening was rock and rolling – Irish style! I finally found a seat, got myself a beer and sat back to enjoy the entertainment. After a short time, a guy invited my over to join a large group of people who judging by their merriment, had been there awhile. I demurred at first, but he was persistent, so off I went to join them. Hilarity ensued! It was a great evening full of stimulating and enlightening conversation with a group of people from all over who had never met before that evening.
After my friend finished playing, we went out to a lovely wine bar. Like I really needed more alcohol-but hell, it was my last night of vacation. After we closed that place down we went to an all night restaurant and had an early breakfast. I’m sure the pancakes helped absorb the copious amount of alcohol I consumed over the course of the last couple of days. We talked and managed to while away the hours until it was time to get me to the airport. I can’t even begin to say how much I appreciate the kindness from my friend, that was above and beyond the call of duty. He’s a class act.
I stumbled into the airport at 5:30am precisely. I went into the bathroom and thankfully I didn’t look as bad as I felt.
A very kind and amused Continental employee helped my with the check-in. It seemed my brain wasn’t functioning very well and the procedures were all too complicated for me.
I measured my travel day in sleep increments. 40 minutes San Antonio to Houston. 2 hours, Houston to Calgary. 1 hour, Calgary to Grande Prairie. That’s the kind of day it was.
Getting to Grande Prairie was the easy part. Then I was faced with the 2 hour drive home. In the dark. Thankfully, with some fortification from Timmies, it was an uneventful drive home.
Homecoming is always so bittersweet. I missed my doggies something awful, I missed my “stuff” and my house. But I came home to winter and found myself missing my family and southern friends. I can guarantee three years won’t pass before I visit again.
Oh, and I left my crazy in Texas.
Love your post, Marta! Maybe next time you can try to purge some crazy in California. Or pick up some extra, maybe.