Schools in the
Western world are just starting a new year and I’m pretty sure that there will
be thousands of students who will be asked to write an essay about “what I did
this summer”. Here’s my summer report.
If only my teachers from the middle of nowhere Kansas could read this report!
Moving is
challenging enough—packing (after hopefully downsizing), traveling (with
animals – it’s doubly difficult) and saying goodbye to family and friends –
always difficult. But settling into a new home in another city where you don’t
know an entire sole or don’t have any idea where “important” locations such as
a grocery store, petrol station, veterinary clinic, doctor’s office, etc. are
located can be even more daunting. Of course added to my “important” list is a
first-rate manicurist and hair-dresser; although, I’ve found my dream team which
includes both! (I just asked the young ladies in the management office for
referrals.) Steve has found a local shop that sells everything that we need to
make traditional Indian food - English style, and he’s found a store that sells
freshly baked baguettes just bordering on being as delicious as he’d find in
Paris. I’ve never, ever – I mean ever in 23+ years -- heard him give such a
high compliment.
We’ve wasted no
time exploring our new neighborhood in north San Antonio and after locating the
basic things, we’ve been journeying further afield. One of the first things
that we’ve both undertaken is to find and sign up for various classes such as
Spanish, cooking, beading, yoga and Pilates for me, or as Steve asks "what
haven’t you signed up for"? I’ve also started back with a personal trainer
twice a week and have been going to the gym each morning. Plus, I’ve worked
some events already. Steve has signed up for Spanish and classical guitar so
far, but then he’s been busy with work deadlines. All of these are great ways
to meet new people and learn more about the geography of our new city.
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| The Village at Stone Oak |
We’ve
discovered a terrific gem just around the corner from us. The Village at Stone
Oak, an open-air shopping “village”, is much better than a mall, or I should
say it has masses more character. The whole area is sort of fan-shaped with the
bottom (at the bottom of a hill) made up of upscale fashion stores with
building facades in a southern California Spanish style. All of these stores are
positioned on small tree-lined streets. It truly does feel like a village as
you can walk from store to store or sit on Starbucks’ patio next to a nearby waterfall
– I’m reserving that for cooler weather. Further up the hill are more
traditional larger stores such as Super Target, Hobby Lobby, World Market, etc.
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| Artists Alley |
Artists Alley
is another fantastic but much smaller shopping area with a village feel. It’s a
series of open-air shopping with specialty stores that began as places for
artists to show their work. Some of the shops have hands-on classes and
workshops. A beading and gem shop located within Artists Alley is where I’m
taking my beading classes. It even has a yoga and Latin dance studio – not sure
that I’ll be brave enough to try the Latin dance. Although I intend on more
exploration of these shops, I will reserve this for cooler weather as well.
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| Part of the River Walk |
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| Restaurants along the River Walk |
It will be like
old times in September as Steve, and I will be like passing ships because of trips
for work and family visits. Steve will be in the UK to visit family and the
West Coast for work. And in addition to a 3-day event here in San Antonio, I
have an event in Philadelphia and a visit to Maryland to see family and
friends. Our weekend on the River Walk is about all we’ll see of each other
during the whole month. Later in the autumn we have a whole list of surrounding
places that we want to visit. There’s just so much to see and do around San
Antonio – it’s no wonder people love living here!
If you want to
know where something is or how to find it, just ask a local. I find it
remarkable how friendly and helpful people here are to newcomers – all you have
to say is “I’m new here”. Moving to a new location where you know absolutely no
one allows you unlimited opportunities. You can meet new friends, experience
new food and culture and explore new places of interest. Is this forcing you to
break out of your comfort zone? – ABSOLUTELY, but doesn’t that add excitement
to truly “living”?
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| Local Produce |
We seem to have
adjusted very quickly to our new home and new city. I noticed this as I was
driving back from my personal training session a couple of nights ago. The complex
freeways that had seemed vast and overwhelming a couple of months ago, now feel
as if I’ve been driving them for ages. I keep reading that people need several months
– some folks, even years – to adjust to a new home. Not sure why, but we
already feel comfortable here and it feels like home, even though we know it’s
only temporary. Maybe it’s because after some time, we feel itchy and we’re
ready for a change.
So my report of
what I did this summer includes moving into a new home and new city and learning
what is available to explore and experience.
"I’ve been very happy with my home, but homes are no more than the people who live in them." Nancy Reagan"The most important thing is to enjoy your life – to be happy – it’s all that matters."Audrey Hepburn
