We were finishing up construction on our 4th CCS store out in Austin, TX and I went to do the punch. (for those of y'all none design folks that is basically when we go and make a list of items the GC or fixture vendors need to fix prior to the store opening) Any hoo, because I work for the best company ever, and the ticket price was the same, they let me fly back on Sunday so I could spend a long weekend in Austin. As usual my timing sucks and my friend Laura had plans for the weekend but we did get together and meet up for Tex Mex and entertainment. More on that a little later.
The only goal I had while in Austin was to fill up on BBQ, Tex Mex, Margarita's and Sweet Tea. Well I soon learned that Austin is more South West and everywhere does not have sweet tea. WTF the word south is still in SW so dang it y'all need a come to Jesus meeting and get some Sweet Tea!
Our construction manager, Bryan, who is based out of Austin, was in charge of showing me around town. Lucky man! He picked me up from the airport and we went straight to the "County Line" for some good ole Texas BBQ! We did family style and even though cole slaw and potato salad were on the table, I filled up on nothing but Sweet Tea, Ribs, Chicken and Brisket. I did have a tiny bit of potato salad, but didn't want to fill up on carbs you know, watching my figure and all! OMG I was in heaven. That was the best BBQ I have had in a long time! I was so full I had to skip on the pecan pie though. But it sure looked good! After dinner I checked into the hotel and got settled in.
I stayed at a hotel right in Downtown Austin. I was told that was the hot spot, and they didn't disappoint. I mean people from all walks of life live in Austin, except black people I don't know where they were. I think I saw like 3 my whole trip and they were all leaving PF Chang's across from the hotel. Yum, expensive chicken wings to go. Ya'll know you ain't paying for parking! Shout out to my sistas :) I can't really blame y'all for being a little dispersed though. I mean Austin has weird people, redneck people and just plain crazy looking people. Plus they have the right to carry a concealed weapon. Shoot, I am even too black for some of the areas I walked through.
Friday was a day full of work and the GC wasn't nearly as finished as he was suppose to be, so I knew I would be working Saturday too. But hey I can't really complain when Foot Locker if footing the bill. So this leads me to meal number 2. A late lunch at the Hula Hut. This spot has been around for ever and is right off the Austin River. I really would of loved to have some Margaritas by the lake, but the GC was taking us out to lunch so I thought I should keep the drinking to off the clock hours. The food was very interesting I must say. I had a pablano, mango taco and your standard Chicken taco. The mango was a little to weird for my tastes but the Chicken was off the hook. Oh and don't even get me started on the chips and salsa. I swear I could eat chips and salsa all day. Just and fyi, this restaurant did not serve Sweet Tea and looked at me crazy when I asked for it. They suggested Snapple. Damn it, am I still in NY, WTF.
View out to lake Austin. I felt like I was on the islands man!
After lunch we did a little more work and then I was meeting Laura that night for dinner and drinks. This brings us to meal number 3 at "Maudies." Laura and her boyfriend live right around the corner, so we just walked from their house.
First I got to tell y'all about the walk. A lot of folks in Austin are, as I call them, "Organic." You say tree hugger, I say organic. Lets be politically correct people. Well along the way to the restaurant we passed a tomato garden in the front yard but not just any tomato garden, one with a big ass golden Jesus head in it. Next past the lesbian's house, was a house with a dog and chickens chillin in the front yard (they are in the background of the picture). Yup farm fresh eggs served in the morning. I'm sure if it was a little brighter outside I would of seen a lot more, but this was just enough to make me smile.
As we come up on the shopping center where Maudies' is I notice this roof drain down the side of the building is crocheted. Yes you heard me. Evidently they commissioned some artist chic to go around town and make these crocheted sleeves to put over things. Laura termed it "Knitfitti" and I think that is all too perfect. This isn't the actual knittfitti I reference, but you can get the gest of it.
We finally reach Maudie's and I am still full from lunch, so I decide to just eat chips and queso and drink my dinner. Hey Margaritas have to have some type of nutritional value. By the way I didn't even ask if they had Sweet Tea, all I wanted was that Rita! After dinner we walked across the street to the air streams. Ok take a step back.
The big thing now in Austin is to get an Air Stream, park it somewhere, and sell food out of it. There was one selling organic salads and shit and then there was one selling hot homemade doughnuts. You can only guess which one we ate at. Hell to the yeah! I had a doughnut with bananas, caramel, pecans and graham crackers. Thank God I didn't eat dinner or I would of missed out on this delectable treat from a home on wheels. There was also a band out in the parking lot. I swear the entire Austin experience in one night, Tex Mex, air stream dining, and live music. As if that wasn't enough we even had our own private dancer. Let's call him Jarome. He had a gold chain, no teeth and kept taking his jacket off to show us his dirty wife beater. Love Austin!
me and Laura and My fabulous doughnut!!!! nuff said
Saturday morning was spent back a the mall. I did have some time to walk around Downtown a little and take in the sights a bit. It was kind of like NY. Cars still try to run you over and I even passed a crack head screaming at himself. Ah it felt like home.
Later that night Byran and I went over to a former Foot Locker employee's, Wes, house for a get together. Now Wes is almost exactly like me so you can only imagine how much fun we had. Those fools had me doing flamin Dr. Pepper shots at the house. Right next to Wes's parents and kids. Now that is and example they should follow.
Needless to say I slept in on Sunday and left for the airport. Back to my bed, so I thought. US Airways over booked the flight so I ended up spending the night in Charlotte and heading back to NYC Monday morning. All in all though it was a great trip to Austin.
