Sunday March 13, 2011

Before we flew here, we all agreed we would not use alarm clocks. This is our vacation and Anna's break, after all. We woke up around 8:30 am; breakfast is available until 9:30 so we got ready. Matt decided to go with me, although he thought the clock said 10:15. I forgot about the time change! Luckily, the breakfast was still out so we carried cereal, juice, muffins, coffee and juice back to the room. Anna texted that she's up while we were getting ready.



We returned (well, Matt's first time) to Juan in a Million for breakfast. I had delicious choriozo and eggs, and Anna's eggs contained tortilla chips. Since this trip also involves Anna moving, we went to Target, then Ikea in Round Rock. Anna has lots stored in Seattle, but didn't bring much with her to Austin. After shopping, we returned to the hotel to change for the evening.

Off to Phil's Ice House for burger sliders (I didn't notice it was the home of the foot-long corn dog or I might have changed my order) and next door to Amy's for ice cream. I was finally able to take a picture with something that's bigger than I am.

She has very nice pink lipstick, if you look close; not me, the cow! Our plans for the evening included a fashion show put on by BurdaStyle. It was free but Matt declined. He did agree to drive us, though, as this is the week of the South by Southwest Music Festival, an annual event that draws 4000 people. Sixth Street was so crowded - it was a slow drive and a crowded walk. The show was billed to start at 9 pm, and we decided to get there an hour early in case there was a line. There wasn't, so we walked up and down Sixth, having to step out into the street twice since the sidewalks were so crowded. We went into the Dorset Hotel to sit and drink and watch people (as though there weren't enough of those outside). Back to the Venue 222 for the fashion show but we could not get seats. We went upstairs and stood by a balcony railing. It was made of metal so it was cool and very refreshing after the heat outside. The fashion show began, and was very enjoyable, for the 10 minutes it lasted.

We called Matt to pick us up. He had spent his time on South Congress, walking around, listening to music, enjoying a Mango ice and a beer. We dropped Anna off at her duplex, noticing her roommate's light was on, although she is out of town. Matt bravely checked out the duplex, pronouncing it safe, and blaming the light on the cat feeder. While downtown, I was surprised to note the number of pedi-cabs and horse-drawn carriages for rent. I don't know why I thought only Seattle had those.

The South by Southwest Music Festival is known by "the locals" as South By. I think of it as SXSW. I saw a newspaper article after I returned home about a band going from Seattle. Apparently, you can buy a pass to go into a bar or club or concert, so there were plenty of lanyard-wearing fans around. Wherever there is a space (inside or out), there's music. Also in town this week: a Wireless Convention (I don't know why they couldn't do that from home) and a rodeo. We heard so many languages!