| Page Views: 1,864 Last Visit to San Antonio: September, 2007 | Return to San Antonio by TheWanderingCamel - last update: Oct 21, 2007 |
My first visit to San Antonio was cut short by the dreadful events of September 2001, so returning in September 2007 was both something to look forward to and a reminder of those dark days . Although we had stayed on in the city then for two days, sightseeing was the last thing on anyone's mind. Six years on, there was time to do the things and visit the places that were dropped from the agenda then, and to refresh the memories of those places we had seen.
How fortutitous it seemed that our first sightseeing stop found us arriving at Mission San Jose just as Mass had started, and a very special Mass at that, a joyous celebration of the 75 years since the reconsecration of the old Mission church that had fallen into ruin and decay, been left abandoned for a hundred years and then restored to become the centre of parish life once more. If anything was drive away the ghosts of 2001, it was the guitars and trumpets of the Mariachi band and the wonderful singing that filled the church. The invitation to join the congregation for birthday cake and lemonade after the service put the cap on it.
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|  | San Antonio is a must for anyone who is interested in American history . From the earliest Native Americans who made their home here in the place they called Yanaguana, meaning "clear waters", the river that flows through the city has attracted and encouraged settlement. Named San Antonio by Spanish explorers who reached its banks on St Antony's Day in 1691, it wasn't long before the first Franciscan missionaries made their way up from Mexico to establish the first of the chain of missions that was to follow. They named it Mission San Antonio de Valero, but nowadays the little stone buildings in the heart of San Antonio are known to all the world as The Alamo and are a national shrine.
Since its begining in 1718, and those early frontier days, an attractive modern city has grown up along the San Antonio River, which these days is hidden underground in some places to emerge downtown 20 feet below street level as the famed River Walk, a two-and-a-half mile stretch of parks and gardens, restaurants and cafes, that are a mecca for tourists and locals alike.
There's a strong flavour of old Spanish rule still to be found in the city, along with a considerable military and air force presence. The combination of the city's history, business, the armed forces and its many tourist attractions make San Antonio a popular destination for visitors from all over the USA.
leyle |
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 Comments for TheWanderingCamel about San Antonio | | | | |
Dabs Thu Sep 18, 2008 00:52 UTC
Excellent page on San Antonio, heading there next week and the tips are appreciated (couldn't open the off the beaten path tips though, maybe it's my computer) | mtncorg Mon May 19, 2008 18:54 UTC
Heading to San Antone in a couple weeks for a friend's retirement ceremony. Definitely planning on F'Burg for a visit. Thanks for the fine tips. | starship Fri Mar 14, 2008 14:03 UTC
Wow! Fantastic page!! So well written, so much history, and such great photos--this has to be one of the best pages on VT! I'd love to visit San Antonio, due in no small part to your wonderful page here! Sylvia | 807Wheaton Tue Jan 15, 2008 17:05 UTC
Oh wow! I learned so much from your San Antonio page. We will be visiting there in March. Thanks Leyle for visiting my homepage. My genealogy is ongoing! Marcia |
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