Blissfully Single Bean’s Work Travel: Texas
My earlier post, Life in the Air – Work Travel shows how much I hated what I did for a living. Traveling for work as a single mom brings challenges that made me cringe with every work trip.
In time, my perspective did a complete turnaround, and now, I look forward to traveling. One of the reasons being, as I look to make a move out of state in a few years, traveling gives me the opportunity to “interview” potential new cities to relocate to.
Work travel also provides me an opportunity to visit my childhood friends. You know, those smart enough to leave and expand themselves beyond where they grew up.
San Antonio is a particularly exciting trip for me as I get to do both; visit a new city or two and pop in on my childhood ace (hope you’re reading, “Rude Man”).
San Antonio Eats
When I told a friend of mine (Hols, hope you’re reading) a story about how I almost passed out eating a super thick and furry roll of sushi in Memphis- he was besides himself. If my friend wasn’t such an absolute sweetheart, he would have told me what I’m sure he was thinking:
“Bean, who eats sushi in Memphis? When you travel, you need eat the fare of that city. ” Ever since then, I’ve done my research to frequent eateries that capture the heart of the city that I’m visiting.
Bliss Restaurant, San Antonio, TX
A simple Google query brings me to an article: “30 Things you Need to Eat in San Antonio Before You Die.”
OK – a bit on the macabre side, but I’ll bite – no pun intended. After going through the list, and as a seafood lover, I gravitate towards the Seared Sea Scallops at Bliss Restaurant.
I get to Bliss and I was taken off guard – it’s nestled discreetly in a residential area. You’d never even think an eatery was there.
As I pass the beautiful and clean set outdoor patio, I would have 99.9% asked to eat outside, but San Antonio weather is different. With a heat index of 102 degrees that day, eating outside would be uncomfortable; I couldn’t do it.
Inside though, Bliss is built with distressed brick and large, dark, shades drawn down – the interior epitomizes, darkness and cool. Bliss is built in a way that encourages you to dine inside.
I have the Sea Scallops and , yes, they are delicious, though I wouldn’t exactly say I need to have this meal before meeting with my maker.
The scallops were seared perfectly – and the grits they laid on top off, seasoned to perfection. At the same time though, I left the restaurant still hungry.
I’m an eat to get full type chick. I don’t care if the Archangel Michael leaves heaven to cook the best tasting meal I’d ever had – if the dish isn’t hearty and filling, then I’ll never call it “the best.”
My next night in San Antonio, I head to Pappadeux Seafood Kitchen and got my fill of Pappadeux Oysters and Lobster Bites and I left the restaurant full – just how I like it.
Fun Travel: Austin
I hadn’t seen him in over 15 years. I couldn’t believe that after my event in San Antonio, this blissfully single girl was going to jump in a rental and drive an hour and a half north to Austin and catch up with a childhood friend.
In this journey called life, we’re bound to make friends. A friend from your earliest years though with whom you still have contact with – this is an unimaginable blessing.
As I make the drive from San Antonio to Austin, questions flood my head:
Is it going to be awkward?
Is he going to have the same, laid back, personality that I remember of him from my teenage years?
Most importantly, is he still going to resemble Brian McKnight? No, I’m serious – he looks like the singer’s younger brother. No cap? Cap? Not even sure how to use the word, I just know, I can’t wait to see him and we need a lot more than the three hours we had ahead of us, to catch up.
Roody – Not Huxtable. An Austin Drive & Walk Through.
I stand in Austin’s airport and I hear someone call my name.
I easily spot my ace as he approaches from my right – he’s got amazing height. His face is still soft, still so damn friendly.
I jump into his arms and, save a few sexy, gray hairs A-La-Anderson Cooper, he looks exactly the same.
Any inhibitions or awkwardness I may have felt over not seeing him in so long disappear. I run into his arms and I give him a hug, that I hope said – “I’ve missed you, friend.”
We talk. Reminisce. Laugh and then laugh a lot more. It’s been years, but we talk as if we saw each other last week.
The Austin drive through he takes me on goes over the Congress Avenue Bridge – also known as the “Bat Bridge.” No joke, people come from all over to see bats fly at night.
I laugh. The only bats I’m messing with is Bat Man. His only bat is a baseball, as my friend is a super gifted baseball player.
A drive through the University shows me Austin is a young, vibrant city. Passing Austin’s Sixth Street, I see so much silliness and personality. A walk through of a newly built home shows me how little I get as a homeowner living in NY.
My visit with him gives me a chance to catch up, explore Austin and place Austin on top of my move to list.
Fun Travel: Atlanta
My last stop – the ATL Shawty – Atlanta!
Atlanta is the FUBU city. Remember FUBU? For Us By Us? Atlanta thrives on Black Excellence – hell, the city IS Black Excellence!
I packed so much in, in so little time! A trip to Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Cynthia Bailey’s spot, The Bailey Wine Cellar was everything this grown and sexy, newly 41 year old gal needed. It was such a cool vibe. Mallory was there and she was the most gracious and nicest host. So pretty too with her model-esque looks.
A trip to BQE (Brooklyn Queens Expressway) was amazing. As soon as I walk in, My Queen Beyonce is belting – “Before I let you Gooooooo…” I sang my whole time there. Man, the turn up – amazing!
Blissfully Single Lesson
You know, visiting Austin and Atlanta put things into an acute perspective for me. Where I live, the music that I want, that makes me want to drink that extra glass of champagne and sing obnoxiously with my fellow slightly inebriated brothers and sisters, it isn’t easily accessible.
On a more serious note thought though – I work hard to live in NY. I don’t have a husband to split this mortgage with 50/50, so the hustle is real my friends; it’s not easy.
At this point in my life, I feel as if I am paying a lot of money to live in an over-priced suburb and the day-to-day that I get back as recompense, whether it’s the square footage of my home, or accessibility to social events catered to people like me, I’m simply not satisfied.
If I want a master bedroom over looking my in-ground pool through large bay windows, there’s no way I can afford that in NY; but I certainly can in a city like Austin.
If I want to enjoy live, R&B music, I’d need to take a train about an hour, deep into the city. Not only would Atlanta would provide me with several options for entertainment; but they’d be easy to get to.
Finally, I’m home from my business trip. I sit my children down and tell them: “Boys, Mommy wants to give you a room with its own bathroom. Mommy wants her in-ground pool. Mommy wants her French Doors. We’re leaving New York.”
Perspective is gold.
Blissfully Yours Friends.
