I have not been back to Austin for a long time. We came briefly in 2021, when we were moving from California to Vermont. But at that time, we stayed mostly in Georgetown and Hutto.
I think before that, the last time was 2018 when I had my first solo art show. I flew from California to Austin. So, it’s been a while.
While I spent most of my life there (20+ years) I don’t really identify as an Austinite. I am not proud of Texas culture and I want to leave as soon as I arrive. People here have big personalities and talk like Texas is the center of the universe. And the worst part is the driving. In the first 48 hours of being in Texas I saw three car accidents. And during the week I visited, I was in one (a minor one, so I am ok, but I was in the back of an Uber).
This trip was the longest we had stayed since moving away in 2017, so almost eight years.
We stayed one week in an Airbnb near the airport. This is an area I do not know at all. I didn’t venture back to my stomping grounds at all. We had come for my sister’s wedding so in the days before, I helped her sew her wedding veil, then finish a seating chart, then color a gift box. She did many things DIY for her wedding and it was so unique and beautiful. She is also an artist, though in the daytime she is a nurse. She married a firefighter and they were perfect for one another.
I got to see two friends from college, who are still teachers. One is even a principal now, and I couldn’t be more proud.
I also ate a tremendous amount of tacos. I got my fill of barbacoa, carnitas, and cochinita. I missed papusas, plantains, and chicharrones, and salsas made from jalapenos so that they are creamy. I wish everywhere had the option of Topo Chico and horchata as a drink.
I helped officiate my sister’s wedding and Elise was the flower girl. I had a really fun week of laughing with my sisters and cousins.