All Y'all Come Back Now!

Things that I learned while in the south. Y'all and All Y'all are not the same thing. Well, I actually learned this in the North, but my southerner boss taught me it. Y'all means you. All Y'all means, well, you all. Funny.

In any case, our partner decided to take us out to lunch to thank us for the hard work and we gladly accepted. She took us to Schilo in downtown San Antonio, where they serve German and American food. They're also pretty famous for their root beer, so I decided to forego my usual glass of water with my meals and tried one. They come in frozen mugs.

My lunch consisted of Tuna Salad (with lettuce and tomato) on a Croissant with some chips and hot german potato salad.

It was cheap and it was good, and I'm sure that if I had chosen one of the "famous plates" I would've enjoyed it more. As it was, the root beer was too sweet (and being that I'm Dominican, that's saying something) and the potato salad / tuna salad were nothing to get too excited about. But I think the place would merit a "going back to try new things" if I were staying in San Antonio longer.

After work, and since we're leaving San Antonio tomorrow morning, we figured we needed to go for the other Texas mainstay: Barbecue. We chose The Barbecue Station, and had to really drive around in order to get it. It was worth it.

You're welcomed by a counter, and this massive barbecue pit. I wish I could've seen inside.

I chose the lean Brisket and chicken combo, with string beans and coleslaw and wheat bread, and some lemony water to wash it all down with.

It was my first time having Brisket and I dare say it will not be my last. OMG that was delicious! I quite enjoyed it. The chicken I wasn't too much a fan of, since I ended up with dark meat and I'm not much of a fan, so I gave most of it to Gaspar.

After BBQ we stopped by Amy's Ice Cream, for some Mexican Vanilla dipped on chocolate fudge. I forgot to take a picture, but trust, the stuff be good.

It was getting late and so we decided to squeeze one last thing in before going off to collapse in our rooms: The Alamo! Here I place Gaspar in front of the "Heroic Monument" (whatev's) in a classic touristy pose.

Around the corner I made him pose as if he was peeing. Hey, if Ozzy Osbourne could do it, so can Gaspar!

All in all San Antonio has been a blast. Oh, I almost forgot: I drove this morning! a 15 minute drive to work. I know, will wonders ever cease? See you soon from El Paso!

Buffet Time

After a full day of recording, that included an extra interview and me having to deal with several extremely pushy and annoying members of the press, as well as having to "grant interviews" and what not, I decided to take a dip in the outdoor hotel pool. Since it was 102 degrees in San Antone, the water was quite warm, but it felt really good. Afterwards, Gaspar and I decided to stuff ourselves, and decided that Indian food would be it.

Enter India Palace. Hidden in a strip mall type of area, this place sells food Buffet style and from the menu, but the Buffet it's a really good deal for only 10.50 and unlimited refills. the food was freaking awesome. My first serving:

This one consisted of basmati rice, vegetable samosa, naan, and vegetable masala. Also something which name I can't remember but it was spinach and fresh cheese.

There was still room for more so I dared to get up for a third plate.

This one had Vegetable Basmati rice (seasoned with Saffron and with veggies), more Naan and Vegetable Samosa, Chickpeas, Dal Soup, and Okra Masala. The Okra was by far the best. And aslo funny, since I find it hilarious that I now love a veggie that my mother had to threaten me with physical harm in order for me to eat.

After that we rolled ourselves to our hotel rooms where I attempted to stay up to receive a phone call from mi Cariño, but ended up falling in a deep quite pleasurable sleep. Good times.

I kiss better than I cook

Once again in Texas, this time with Gaspar, this time in San Antonio. Working on a Sunday is not the best, but today was pretty smooth. At lunch, our participants sent us to Tommy's Restaurant, a local haunt. I had tacos de Carnitas a la Mexicana (made with beef!) and beans and cheese.

They were huge, but made with flour tortillas, and I don't know, not necesarily the best. But Tommy's had the awesome sign that will now become my motto

After lunch, since we finished quickly, I walked through part of the San Fernando Cemetery number 2. There were some beautiful tombstones and inscriptions. It's always interesting to see what's "in vogue" in certain times, like the many many tombs from the '30s that held a picture of the deceased.

Eventually the work day finished and after some shopping for tomorrow and kiboshing an impromptu drive to Austin, we headed to Pasha for dinner in honor of Mi Cariño who is off in her Israeli adventure. It's a mediterranean restaurant, with lebanese and Iranian owners. We began the night by first making faces to the baby on the table next to us, who obviously could sense my awesomeness with children and kept giving me the eye. Food wise though, we had baba ganouj

And pasha potatoes

and this awesome flatbread, which we dipped on this mixture of olive oil, oregano, chopped olives and some other seed we couldn't identify.

My entree consisted of Sheesh Tawook Kabob. This was chicken breast, served with greek salad (by request), garlic sauce and pickled cucumbers.  

OMG what a good meal. Dinner lasted about an hour and a half, talking about nothing and everything. Gaspar's a good egg. For dessert we shared a Baklava.

Dessert was the only thing I didn't utterly love, but it was good enough for a few bites. All in all, not a bad beginning, San Antone!

!