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It is now about four in the small hours of the morning in New Orleans. We decided accommodation was overrated and so are forgoing the luxury tonight before our train at seven. "What better time to summarise a week in the USA" thinks I, so here we are.
Firstly we have changed our mode of interstate transportation from car to train. Our first jaunt on the train was a twenty nine hour affair and took us from LA to San Antonio in Texas. We had our own room (a one off luxury) and got to dine in the dining car. All good train experiences. Crucially we met plenty of nice chatty people and saw some fantastic parts of the southwest very quickly.
San Antonio is very definitely Texan. The distinguishing features of texans being their size, car and attitude to the world. Everything is bigger in Texas. Cars are trucks or 4x4s and driven by one person and one person only. Automobiles also allow expression of all views deemed pertinent to the casual observer. Lastly the texans we met were so friendly and loved to chat, mainly about Texas. They love their state.
Our first stop in San Antonio was the Alamo this was great to look around and learn more about the story behind it. Other highlights included the riverwalk, a small section of river with many touristy things. It provided us Tex Mex, burgers and jazz. We also went to a good museum about the cultures that make up Texas and how it all makes Texas awesome. Overall we were impressed with San Antonio. I also bought a Stetson hat.
Then we took the train to Austin, fortunately we were warned we may find liberals here by a well-meaning Texan on the train. This is the state capital of Texas, is home to the state university and has loads of live music. We therefore looked at the state Capitol building, which was open to the public as the government is only in session one hundred days every two years. A grand building with lightbulbs spelling out Texas on each chandelier. We also walked around the university, ours is definitely better. There is also a bridge with a lot of bats. We saw plenty of live music including a real cowboys bar with local country musicians and Two Stepping galore. We tried out dancing with plenty of enthusiasm but limited success crucially we had fun. Lastly we tried some Texas BBQ all delicious. It was a shame to leave Texas.
One more train ride took us to New Orleans, fifteen hours and no room this time made for a more interesting journey. We loved this city, lots of quaint houses in the French quarter and great food, but small portions. Crucially little to do in the day, lots at night. We enjoyed lots of good music (jazz and blues etc) and the great atmosphere.
Our next stop is Atlanta in Georgia. As we begin to head North up the east coast.
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