Happy Easter!

Mi Carino, Mami and I took a bus to D.C., and Lily gave us a place to crash. It was a whirlwind visit, and we had tons of fun, with Mami and I even getting to stop by the White House Lawn's Easter Sunday Party or whatever it's called.

Some pictures!

Touristin'

On our last day in Richmond, we tried to get it all in. As soon as work finished, we hightailed it to the Capitol Building.

It's a beautiful structure, and we climbed all the steps to the top before we saw the little sign that said that the entry was now at the bottom of the hill.

The security people were very nice though, and let us in even though they were 5 minutes away from closing time. We even had a tour guide take us around! He was very knowledgeable, but I guess that's his job to be.

After getting our history on, we headed to the downtown area, to Weezie's Kitchen - don't forget it's St. Patrick's Day and it needs to be celebrated! Actually I had completely forgotten it was St. Paddy's, but it was nice to see all the green. Weezie's is almost like a diner, and I was not wowed by their service (or their prices) but their food was okay. I chose the Meatloaf, smothered in mushrooms and gravy, with a side of mashed potatoes and veggies.

After we ate our fill, we walked down the street to the Byrd Theatre. This place is great: tickets are 2 dollars, always, and they have an organist that does a little show before the movie starts.

We also had the chance to see a local dance school do a special St. Paddy's day show, with their students doing traditional Irish Dancing. Had no idea there was a big Irish population in Richmond (or at least big enough to warrant an Irish Dancing School.)

To support the theatre we bought some appropriately sized popcorn, and attempted to enjoy The War Horse. That was tough. I think I really would've enjoyed it as a play, but as a movie it felt way too long and complicated.

To reward ourselves for sitting through that entire movie, we enjoyed some of Bev's Homemade Ice Cream across the street from Byrd. I chose a "Girl Scout" Cone: Samoas!

All in all, Richmond was a great place to visit. A short visit.

Happy Accidents

After work, we took the Scenic Drive. Here's a view from one of the lookout points.

 I call that straddling borders. There you're viewing both El Paso, TX, USA and Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, México.

And of course, some love graffiti.

Not left by me, mind you. I liked the promise part, even more than the Monkey part.

Looking for a cheap Thai food place here in El Paso, TX, after a full, but smooth recording day, we found out that the Thai place we searched online had closed and in its stead there was Pho Tre Bien Express, a Vietnamese Restaurant. We decided to go for it.

We began with what could be either Tofu Springrolls or Tofu Winter rolls. I asked for Winter rolls. They look springy to me.

 They were very tasty, and went well with the severely spicy sauce I poured over mine.

Then I had the Tofu Lemongrass Noodle.

It was also extremely tasty and it made me very happy. I love some tofu cooked right!

Then finally, the sun set as we were heading back to the hotel.

A good day. I'm calling it an early night, though. Me and the cross stitching will enjoy The Gilmore Girls for an episode before happily collapsing. Yea.

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!